I am writing to express my strong support for Melanie Barker as the next Madera County District 5 Supervisor. I believe she is the best candidate for this position because she truly understands the needs of our community, and has the experience to represent us effectively. As a small business owner, Melanie Barker brings a practical, real-world perspective to the challenges facing our district. She understands firsthand the importance of supporting local businesses, encouragi

I don’t believe that history repeats itself. I do believe, however, that the arrogance of ignorance leads to strikingly similar albeit preventable mistakes time after time. We could learn from Gertrude Bell. She was a complicated, female British contemporary of T. E. Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia, in the Middle East before, during and after WW1. She rode camels to visit desert tribes at her own expense. She learned native languages and respected local customs. She advised the

Do not vote for Measure T; it will not repair roads, as advertised. Where has it gone so far? Avenue 12 resurface. Who uses that road? Fresno. They work here, but live in Fresno. Some went to a road in Chowchilla towards Eastman lake. Nice road, but who uses it? Better yet, who lives on it. Now, we are paying for a widening of State Route 41 by Tesoro Viejo! We also paid for a “ByPass” through that development. All that should have been “Impact Fees” paid for by the Developer

The proposed “SAVE America” law is described as needed to protect our elections. But when we look at the facts, this bill does not solve a real problem. Instead, it would make voting more difficult or impossible for millions of citizens, while spreading fear and disinformation. Supporters say the bill is needed to stop non-citizens from voting. But experience at local and state elections, as well as verified studies, show that this is an exceedingly rare occurrence. The Herit

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Future modifications are planned for the existing signal at Avenue 15 and State Route 41. The growth and expansion of Eastern Madera County is now ready to pave a new path forward for one of the most traveled expressways in the entire region. In a historic vote, the Madera County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the single largest public works expansion project, ever, with the widening of State Route 41 between Avenue 10 and Avenue

Madera County is teaming with the community to help create a comprehensive action plan to make it safer and easier for students and families to walk, bike, and roll to and from school. County supervisors are partnering with Caltrans, Madera Unified School District, law enforcement, the City of Madera and community leaders for a call to action in a new public service announcement to develop a Safe Routes to School Plan. The PSA encourages the community to get involved, and why

“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” — Comic strip character, Pogo If you are planning to watch the 2026 movie, Mercy, don’t read this column. The movie is slightly futuristic, and it is a reminder that the future is now. It features two key starring roles: Chris Pratt who plays LAPD detective Chris Raven (the accused) and Rebecca Ferguson who plays AI Judge Maddox (who is also the Jury and Executioner). As the plot develops, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, and

I am writing to express my ardent support for Melanie Barker for Madera County District 5 Supervisor. As a longtime member of this community, I’ve seen many people step into leadership roles, but few with the consistency and commitment that Melanie brings. She has been actively involved in local organizations for decades, including the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce and MY Club, often the unsung hero behind the scenes donating her time and money. Always focused on strengthening