Over the past decade, Madera County’s total budget has grown dramatically, rising from roughly $266 million in the mid‑2010s to approximately $578 million in the 2025‑26 fiscal year. At first glance, such growth might suggest a massive expansion in government staffing or services. But a closer look shows that staffing increases have been modest, and much of the growth is tied to federal and state funding streams, not local taxes. Staffing growth vs. budget growth County budge

Harlan Coben currently has 80 million books in print, circulating in at least 40 countries.His novels are perennial best sellers, topping the New York Times lists.He has won numerous awards for his fiction, some of his books have been the basis for television series in France, and he is the creator of the British crime/drama television show, “The Five.” Many Americans, both readers and non-readers, are familiar with his work through Netflix series.In 2018, Coben signed a mul

For The Madera Tribune Judge Joe Barcroft. A few folks in Madera still remember Joe Barcroft. He was one of Madera’s most colorful judges and a prominent attorney in the early 20 century. In 1933, in collaboration with Lilbourne Winchell, he co-authored the highly popular history of Fresno and Madera County — a work that is much sought after today. Judge Barcroft has been gone for 85 years, and he is one of those significant pioneers of Madera that we are in danger of forgett

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Some orchards along Cleveland Avenue near Road 23 are flooded due to recent and current rainfall. When Central Valley farmers talk about water, they welcome the rain any time they can get it. However, when Madera County was soaked with a record amount of rain this week, maybe it wasn’t the best time to get it. Not that farmers are complaining. Now, they are worried about their crops, especially the almond crops, which is the No. 1 agricultu

For The Madera Tribune The Matilda Torres High School Mock Trial team show off their participation certificates before winning the Madera County Mock Trial event, defeating Madera South in the championship round. For the second year in a row, Matilda Torres High School won the 2026 Honorable Edward P. Moffat Madera County Mock Trial that was held on January 15, 20, 22 and February 11. Matilda Torres’ prosecution and Madera South’s defense teams competed in the championship ro

Nancy Simpson/The Madera Tribune Hanna Lane, a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge 327, serves coffee at breakfast the third Saturday of each month. Pictured, from left are David Simpson, Lane, and Nancy Simpson. On the third Sunday of every month, Madera Odd Fellows Lodge 327 has a breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. It is a mighty good breakfast, and included in the meal is two eggs, two pieces of ham or sausage, and three pancakes, with orange juice and coffee. The price is only $1

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Matilda Torres’ Kaylin Perez drives in for a layup for two of her team-leading 18 points in Wednesday’s playoff victor over Justin Garza. The Matilda Torres Toros put any question to rest after a bye with a dominating 69-33 victory over the Justin Garza Guardians in the quarterfinals of the Central Section Div. IV playoffs. The top-seeded Toros outscored the eight-seeded Guardians 35-24 in the second and third quarters and 38-14 in the sec

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Torres’ Mia Hernandez gets off a shot to score a goal during Tuesday’s playoff victory over Reedley. Hernandez scored the fourth goal of a 5-1 win. A year after the Matilda Torres Toros girls soccer team was bounced from the Central Section playoffs, this year’s team is trying not to let that happen again. The top-seeded Toros cruised into the semifinals of the Div. III Central Section soccer playoffs with a 5-1 victory over the eighth-seed