For The Madera Tribune This tornado raised the roof in Madera in 1967. April 1967 is a date that will always be a piece of Madera’s recorded history. Heavy spring rains in that year created such havoc that they prompted state legislators to call for the area to be designated a disaster area. Damage in the millions of dollars hit Madera County farmers, and 10,000 acres of farmland lay under water. Then, as if to add insult to injury, a tornado struck the area. Ernest Sagouspe

For The Madera Tribune From left, Madera Police Department Officer Mayorga, Officer Mao, Records Clerk Galindo and Officer Diaz show off the stars they picked off the Star of Hope tree from the Madera PD lobby. Pick up and drop off a gift by Monday to help a child in need.  The Madera Police Department announced the launch of “A Star of Hope,” a collaborative holiday giving initiative designed to bring joy and hope to local children in need.  This year, the department has joi

For The Madera Tribune Fresno Flats, circa 1880. Gold! The discovery of the precious metal along the Fresno River brought thousands of placer miners into Madera County, and by 1851, they were calling their gathering Fresno Flats. Over the years, Fresno Flats emerged from its tent city status to take on all of the characteristics of a settled community. In time the town could boast of two hotels, a rooming house, five saloons, a grocery store, and a general merchandise store.

For The Madera Tribune Madera County Food Bank volunteers help move boxes of food to a resident during the Thanksgiving distribution. With the holiday season upon us, many people want to help others, either with gifts, monetary donations or service.  Madera County Food Bank Executive Director Ryan McWherter would like his organization to be considered for those donations, as well.  “We definitely need donations during the holiday season,” he said. “It’s a giving time of year,

Courtesy of Nick Salinas Madera County workers put the County emblem on the County of Madera Christmas Tree, which will be lit on Friday at 6 p.m., just before the annual Christmas Parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. Christmas nostalgia is the sentimental longing for past Christmas celebrations, often triggered by sights, sounds, and traditions. Often, we spend time and effort to create these conditions that we long for, only to be disappointed by the less-than-optimal result.

For The Madera Tribune The waters of the Fresno River smash against the D Street bridge in the storm of 1955. Nothing is permanent but change. That is particularly true of the weather. Maderans have always approached the winter season casting worried and frequent looks at the skies. Too often drought conditions have made them wonder if there would ever be enough water.  In 1955, however, it was a different story. They still looked toward the skies, but this time they wondered

For The Madera Tribune Dr. Dow Ransom, shown here, was one of the 5 physicians who attempted to save two Madera families who had been struck down by food poisoning in 1918. It was a proud moment for Grover Mitchell, when he joined the growing number of Maderans who had switched from a horse and buggy to the horseless carriage. He was pleased with his new vehicle, and on Sunday, Jan. 27, 1918, Mitchell loaded his wife and two children into the car for an inaugural spin in his

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Peter Gallegos from the City of Madera Wastewater Treatment Plant talks about upgrades currently in progress at the facility. Construction is underway on a $10.3 million upgrade to Madera’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project described as one of the most significant public works investments in recent years. The plant, located on Avenue 13 and Road 211/2, treats millions of gallons of wastewater each day and serves every home and business i