Earlier this month, a concerned motorist reported a big rig driving recklessly on northbound SR-99 near 4th Street in Madera. At one point, the big rig collided with an overpass and continued driving. CHP Madera officers quickly located the vehicle and made an enforcement stop. During the investigation, the driver was suspected to be under the influence of drugs and was placed under arrest.

The Madera Irrigation District’s (MID or District) water season will begin May 4, depending on location. At a meeting on April 21, the rate was set to $110 per acre foot for Original District landowners, and $220 per acre foot for Subordinate landowners. These rates may be reviewed and adjusted as conditions change throughout the year. With a current allocation of 100 percent Class 1 water, MID expects a full water season, hopefully continuing into the beginning of August.

CHOWCHILLA — The Chowchilla Madera County Fair and Spring Festival are proud to announce an exciting new partnership as the community prepares to celebrate an incredible milestone: 80 years of Family, Fun, and Farming. This year’s celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a special focus on expanding participation in the beloved deep pit barbecue. Organizers are setting ambitious goals to make 2026 a record-breaking year for BBQ ticket sales, inviting the c

For The Madera Tribune From left are Rotary president Gordon Kennedy, Cindy Hernandez Jeronimo of Desmond Middle School, and Rotarian Joe Vived. Three middle school students were honored for the month of March by Madera Sunrise Rotary. These students were recognized for following the Rotarian motto of “Service Above Self,” and the emphasis was on Citizenship. Each month teachers select a Student of the Month at all Madera Unified middle schools. The counselors and administrat

Courtesy of Brian Montano Madera FFA members show off their awards from the State FFA Conference. Back row, from left, are Mathew Machado, Fernando Bobadilla, Christopher Tornero, Mason Medley, and Adrian Sánchez Venegas. Front row, from left are Karina Venegas and Saray Madriz Alcaraz. Six students were named State Proficiency Winners for their agricultural projects, while Fernando Bobadilla earned Regional Star honors in Agribusiness. The California FFA State Association he

For The Madera Tribune Team members Sherman Thomas Surge Showdown seventh grade team stand next to their launcher include Liam Maya, Payton Maya, Marilyn Moraga, Andre Torok.The team was coached by Jamie Brock and Angie Reed. Madera County’s middle school students from throughout Madera County competed in the first STEM Games hosted by Madera County Superintendent of Schools and Madera County Schools Foundation. This year, 10 teams from five schools competed in a series of fo

For The Madera Tribune Long-time horse rider, Wayne Tex will head the Coarsegold Rodeo on May 2 and 3 as its Grand Marshal. For years, he participated in the Coarsegold Rodeo, even winning a few awards along the way, but now at 86 years old, Wayne Tex will be leading the Rodeo as its Grand Marshal. Tex was born and raised in Coarsegold, and has a history with the rodeo from when he was a kid. “The Coarsegold Rodeo is a big deal. It’s uplifting to me to see the people from

A Madera County jury convicted Vicente Jasso of first-degree murder, and found true the special circumstance allegation that the murder was committed during the commission of a kidnapping on March 18. Honorable Ernest LiCalsi sentenced Jasso to life without the possibility of parole Thursday, plus an additional 25 years to life and four years, four months in state prison. “The Madera County District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize and thank the Madera County Sherif