For The Madera Tribune Stagecoaches like the one shown here in front of the hotel at Hildreth, not far from Coarsegold, carried passengers from the mountain towns of Madera County to the Valley. Most of the trips were safely conducted, but occasionally disaster struck, like that time in 1901. It seems so far in the distant past, and yet it hasn’t really been all that long since the only method of transportation from Madera to the foothills and back was in buggies and stagecoa

For The Madera Tribune Clarence Pickett, shown here, was the second Madera lawman to fall in the line of duty. It has become an embedded piece of Madera’s past that Clarence Pickett was Madera’s first lawman to fall in the line of duty. The young officer was gunned down on Nov. 10, 1923 while attempting to arrest a drunk driver. A second look at the record, however, casts doubt on the claim that Pickett was the first to fall, as the following story illustrates. It was one o’c

For The Madera Tribune A GMC Yukon sits on its side after a crash on Daley Road. The driver later died Monday night as a result of the crash. California Highway Patrol Madera officers responded to a solo-vehicle crash on Daley Road, north of Avenue 17 on Monday at about 8:30 p.m. An investigation indicates a 48-year-old man from Madera, later identified as Steven Munoz, Jr., was driving a 2002 GMC Yukon, northbound on Daley Road, north of Avenue 17. The driver lost control of

For The Madera Tribune Brian Roger Zabel. Brian Roger Zabel, the beloved son of Donald Arthur Zabel and Barbara Jean Rodgers, passed away on March 13, 2026. A graduate of Verdugo Hills High School, Brian spent his younger years in Tujunga, California, before moving to Madera, where he spent the last 35 years building his life. An animal lover and dedicated car enthusiast, he spent the majority of his life working as a mechanic, following in his father’s footsteps. Brian was p

For The Madera Tribune J. Gary Adams. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of J. Gary Adams, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, and friend, on March 24. Gary was born on January 9, 1938, in the close-knit community of St. Ignace, Michigan, to Earl and Olive Adams. Raised with strong values and an enduring love for the simple joys of life, Gary’s journey was one of dedication, love, and laughter. Gary graduated from La

For The Madera Tribune Donald Gene Tischmacher. Donald Gene Tischmacher, 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 21, 2026. Don was born on Feb. 6, 1948, in Madera, California, to Jewel and George Tischmacher. He was the eighth of ten children. He was a proud graduate of Madera High School, Class of 1966. On June 29, 1968, Don married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Hernandez. Shortly after their marriage, he was drafted into the United States Army in October 1968 duri

For The Madera Tribune Patricia Angoria Bearden. Patsy’s life was one of generosity, strength, creativity, and love, a legacy that will continue to live on in the many lives she touched. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving sons, Eric Bearden and Paul Jones; her beloved granddaughter, Ava Patricia Jones; her brothers Carl Spencer and Jody Lee; sister Robin Lee; and a devoted longtime friend, Bryant Hutchins. Patsy loved on everyone including a host of extended family m

For The Madera Tribune The front end of one of the vehicles in a three-vehicle crash Saturday sits on the side of the road. Two lives were claimed in the crash on Road 145 east of State Route 41. California Highway Patrol Madera officers responded to a three-vehicle crash on Road 145, east of SR-41 on Saturday at about 5:45 p.m. The initial CHP investigation found the driver of a 2018 Dodge Challenger traveling westbound lost control, crossed into the eastbound lane, and col