It seems the buzzword captivating Americans these days is “affordability.” Yet everywhere you go, prices still seem to be increasing here in California. We’re all seeking relief from the high costs of living, with no end in sight. This trend is already being compounded by a hidden cost driver known as the “tort tax,” which this year totals $2,567 for each Californian. This number represents the hidden tax and the extra burden every Californian pays per year to compensate for

For The Madera Tribune General Waldo Sims, Madera’s first black police officer. The first recorded African-American resident of Madera was Dexter Hunt, a 31 year-old porter who worked for Captain Russel Perry Mace in his hotel. He arrived here in 1880. For the next 20 years, Madera continued to grow, from 217 residents in 1880 to 2,500 in 1900. By comparison, the African-American population of Madera grew from that single individual in 1880 to 42 in 1900. For the next two dec

Allen Baraldi/The Madera Tribune The Madera County Sheriff’s Office hosts a Swearing-in Promotions and Awards Ceremony last week at Matilda Torres High School. Twelve MCSO employees stand together after receiving acknowledgement for their promotion or new hire. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office hosted its biannual Swearing-in, Promotions and Awards Ceremony last week at Matilda Torres High School’s Cafeteria. The MCSO announced the promotion of five deputies and seven new h

MPD officers responded to a business in the 800 block of S. Gateway Dr. regarding subjects unlawfully entering the property. The suspects were observed on surveillance entering a vehicle that did not belong to them, which was stored on the property Thursday night. The MPD’s rapid response and keen tactics enabled them to catch both suspects hiding inside the vehicle upon arrival.

For The Madera Tribune A car sits upside-down at the intersection of Yosemite Avenue and D Street as a result of a DUI collision Sunday evening. Madera Police Department officers responded to a traffic collision at Yosemite Avenue and D Street that closed the intersection for several hours Sunday. One of the drivers was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and booked into Madera County Jail. None of the involved parties were seriously injured.

For The Madera Tribune Madera County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ronald Aguilar holds a certificate after he was honored by the Madera Sunrise Rotary. With Aguilar are Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue, left, and Rotary member Gordon Kennedy, right. Twice last year, Madera County Sheriff’s Office Deputy sprang into action and saved two lives. For his actions, Aguilar has been deemed a hero, and the Madera Sunrise Rotary honored him at its meeting Wednesday morning. Aguilar has b

For The Madera Tribune Tonya Hamilton’s California Driver’s License photo. Madera County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a medical aid call involving an unresponsive 3-month-old infant. The child was transported to a local hospital and rushed into emergency surgery due to severe head trauma on January 13. Medical professionals determined the injuries were not consistent with any type of fall.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32-year-old Madera resident Bryan Francis Gittings following an investigation into the distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material. MCSO detectives, assisted by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the FBI, served a search warrant in the area of Walden Drive and Avenue 17 in Madera on January 21. Gittings was arrested on charges related to the distribution and possession of Child Sexual Abus