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 This historic victory repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset policies that had unfairly reduced the earned benefits of retired teachers and other public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

For The Madera Tribune Madera Lowe’s employees volunteer their time and resources to make significant improvements to several public facilities in Madera on October 17. The City of Madera thanked Madera’s Lowe’s store for its volunteer efforts and donation of materials as part of the national Lowe’s Hometowns Heroes Project. This initiative is dedicated to revitalizing community spaces and enhancing neighborhoods across the country. Lowe’s employees volunteered their time and

Nancy Simpson/The Madera Tribune Rick Drayer, honored as Cattleman of the Year. He was given an award and a new cowboy hat. The Madera County Cattlemen’s Association held its annual dinner at Buchenau Ranch on Friday. The evening was one of friendship and comradery as cattlemen of Madera County enjoyed visiting with each over and honoring special people of the cattle industry. The event has become a tradition in Madera County, and has been held annually since 1963. Rick Draye

The American Heart Association is set to hold its annual Central Valley Heart and Stroke Walk event to raise awareness of heart and brain health, as well as raise funds to support scientific research, community impact projects, CPR education and more. The Saturday event will be held at 4150 Town Center Blvd. in Tesoro Viejo, beginning at 8 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m., and the walk at 9 a.m. The event will include a 5K walk, with a shorter survivor route.

Angel de Jesus Jr./The Madera Tribune Gilda Pistoresi of St. Joachim School talks to members of Madera’s American Association of University Women about her experiences at Tech Trek, a camp that engaged students across the state in STEM-based challenges. The AAUW group sponsored 10 young ladies to attend the camp and invited them to talk to the group about their experiences. Participants of this year’s Tech Trek joined the members of Madera’s local American Association of Univ