For The Madera Tribune From left, Malia Rodriguez, Alma Vasquez, Manuel Reyes-Herrera, and Aracely Reyes-Herrera show off their state champion ribbons, banner and trophy after winning the Cotton Judging state competition on November 1. MSHS FFA teacher earns degree The Madera FFA Cotton Judging Team captured the State championship at the California State Finals and Field Day held on Saturday, November 1 at California State University, Fresno.  The team, coached by MTEC Ag Lab

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera Community Hospital CEO Dr. Sony Sidhu, holding scissors, is joined by staff, board members and dignitaries as she cuts the ribbon for the reopening of the Family Health Services Clinic during a ceremony on November 4. When American Advanced Management re-opened Madera Community Hospital earlier in the year, the next box to check was to re-open its clinics.  With the grand opening, consider that box checked as dignitaries throughout th

For The Madera Tribune Members of the Madera Elks Lodge 1918, from left, “Bear” Hernandez, Doug Row, “Elroy” (Kathy Row) and Scott Boghosian pose with Mrs. Thomson’s third grade class at John Adams Elementary School. The Madera Elks Lodge No. 1918 is serving the community by promoting its annual Dictionary Project.  The club raised funds to purchase dictionaries for third grade students for 27 schools in Madera and Chowchilla.  This year, the Lodge also used grant funds from

For The Madera Tribune Jay Mahil. MERCED — The UC Merced Foundation has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Trustees — Stephanie Gallo, chief marketing officer at GALLO, and Creekside Company co-owner Jay Mahil.  A fourth-generation farmer and the first in his family born in the United States, Mahil grew up in Lodi and is a longtime Fresno resident. After graduating from Lodi High School and Fresno State, he joined his family’s farming business, playi

This year’s Retired Teachers Week, November 2-8, is especially meaningful. After decades of advocacy, retired educators finally achieved fairness when the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law in January. This historic victory repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset policies that had unfairly reduced the earned benefits of retired teachers and other public servants. The California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) was proud to

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune A flag with the name of former Maderan Oliver Ralph Hill, who served in the army in Vietnam hangs in Courthouse Park during the Veterans Day service. The Madera American Legion Post 11 is trying to find veteran families to give their flag back to them. Although Madera’s American Legion Post 11 closed its doors, they aren’t totally out of commission.  While cleaning up the facility, members came across numerous casket flags donated by familie

For The Madera Tribune Madera’s Christian Johnson, who took third place in the 105-mile World’s Toughest Mudder last November, will be attempting to run 50 kilometers in seven consecutive days on seven different continents, beginning November 15. Madera has a reputation for “growing” great runners. Look at the many Central Section championship plaques at Madera, Madera South and Matilda Torres high schools. However, none of those schools boast someone who is going to do what

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