Arrest made for Chowchilla shooting
Chowchilla Police Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of South 1st Street for a report of a drive-by shooting with a victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. During officer’s response on October 25, the victim was driven by car, from family to the area of the police department. He was given emergency medical attention and transported to the hospital. Officers were able to get witness statements and identify a suspect vehicle. Utilizing the department’s Licen
For The Madera Tribune
Oct 31, 2025


The ins and outs of Madera’s police chief
For The Madera Tribune Chief Thomas “on duty” throwing snow balls. There are times in the history of a town when some things just do not make sense. Every once in a while a city’s leaders take off in a direction that defies logic. Such was the case in 1950, when the Madera City Council wanted to shake up the police department. The councilmen shook it up all right, but in the process, they ended up on the short end of the stick. Walter Thomas was the Chief of Police in Madera
Bill Coate
Oct 31, 2025


Sunrise Rotary honors firefighters
Nancy Simpson/The Madera Tribune Nick Esqueda is surrounded by fellow firefighters in Madera, as they were honored by Madera Sunrise Rotary Club last week. Madera Sunrise Rotary Club honored local firefighters at its meeting last week, and gave its Humanitarian Award to a special firefighter, Fire Captain Nick Esqueda of Station 56, selected by fellow local firefighters. The Club contacted the Fire Chief’s office to ask them to select a first responder in the fire department
Nancy Simpson
Oct 29, 2025
Letters: Held my nose, voted YES on Prop. 50
Proposition 50, if approved, authorizes five new Democratic leaning districts for the election of Californians to the House of Representatives from 2026 through 2030 at the possible expense of GOP representation. It effectively expires, thereafter, allowing the existing Citizens Redistricting Committee to draw election maps following the 2030 census. All 50 states typically redraw their voting maps once every 10 years following the federal census. Not under Trump. Prop. 50 is
For The Madera Tribune
Oct 29, 2025


Gender equality in Madera
For The Madera Tribune Judge Conley practiced gender equality in Madera’s Court. William Conley was Madera County’s first judge. He was elected to that position in 1893, and over the next few decades, a steady stream of law-breakers paraded in front of him, including murderers, embezzlers, extortionists, and robbers. In 1916, however, he was faced with one of the most perplexing cases ever brought before his court, and by the time the dust had settled, Conley found himself sq
Bill Coate
Oct 29, 2025
Supervisors approve second amendment sanctuary resolution
The Madera County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution declaring Madera County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County with a 4-0 vote and one abstention. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Across the nation, counties have adopted “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolutions to reaffirm their commitment to this fundamental right. Tuesday’s resolution declares Madera County a Second Amendment Sanctuary, s
For The Madera Tribune
Oct 24, 2025


Subject arrested for attempted sexual assault
For The Madera Tribune Hilario Morales-Santiago. The Madera Police Department received a 911 call reporting an unknown male inside a residence last week. Upon arrival, officers observed a male subject fleeing on foot from the back of the home on October 18 at about 3 a.m. After a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was apprehended, and identified as 43-year-old Hilario Morales-Santiago of Madera.
For The Madera Tribune
Oct 24, 2025


Big rig fire causes back-up
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune A big rig caught on fire causing traffic to back up on southbound SR-99, south of Avenue 12 on Wednesday morning. California Highway Patrol Madera officers responded to a big rig fire on the right shoulder of southbound SR-99, south of Avenue 12 Wednesday morning at about 10:30 a.m. Cal Fire responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported. The No. 2 lane of southbound SR-99 remained back up for hours, but was cle
For The Madera Tribune
Oct 24, 2025



