From Madera Tribune

  • ArtsFest showcases local artists

    Angel L. de Jesus Jr./The Madera TribuneMore than 300 pieces of art created by Madera County students are displayed during the 11th annual ArtsFest hosted by the Madera County Superintendent of Schools on Saturday.Students from kindergarten to 12th grade showcased their artistic talent at the 11th annual ArtsFest over the weekend. Presented by the Madera County Schools Foundation, and hosted by the Madera County Superintendent of Schools, students from across the county entered their works to...

  • Hospital reopening in homestretch

    After almost two-and-a-half years since Madera Community Hospital closed its doors, the number of days until it reopens is getting smaller and smaller, according to Madera County Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Poythress.Speaking on behalf of the Board and as a former board member of MCH Board, Poythress is confident the hospital will return this year. “We are on the homestretch to the finish line,” he said. “I would be stunned if this hospital didn’t open up this year. This group has put...

  • Toros make case with big win

    Wendy Alexander/The Madera TribuneMatilda Torres’ Joe Bass drives a ball for the first of his three hits in Friday’s 8-1 victory over the Madera South Stallions. Bass drove in a run in the 12-hit attack. Heading into Friday’s baseball season finale against the Madera South Stallions, the Matilda Torres Toros didn’t know what they would be doing for the Central Section playoffs. The Toros could be placed near the top of Div. V or near the bottom of Div. IV. Who knew what the Central Section...

  • Bat and ball teams ready for playoffs

    Wendy Alexander/The Madera TribuneLiberty Hawks’ standout McGuire Smith will try to lead the Hawks to a second straight Div. IV Central Section championship when playoffs begin Tuesday. The Hawks received the No. 1 seed and will host Sunnyside on Tuesday. The Madera-area baseball and softball teams finished up the regular season last week, and are now preparing for the Central Section playoffs. Both Madera Coyote baseball and softball team were moved into Div. I, although they will be playing...

  • Manke scores first Madera Late Model victory

    For The Madera TribuneOlivia Manke, second from right, celebrates in victory lane after winning her first Madera Late Model race on Saturday. Olivia Manke won her first career Madera Late Model feature on Saturday, claiming the 40-lap season opener for the non-televised local championship division at the one-third mile Madera Speedway. Manke, a graduate of the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series program, recently celebrated her 21st birthday and followed it with the coveted breakthrough win.“I...

  • Letters: What is the future of downtown Madera?

    I’m concerned about the future of downtown Madera. What will it be? Do we care enough to answer that question and make it happen?Downtowns are typically the heart of a community. Ours needs a code blue heart surgeon. Empty lots. Chronically vacant buildings. Fatigue. Potholes.Pretending that cannabis shops will stimulate MadTown is doobie-ish.

  • Letters: HSR v. TCR

    In 1863, Union Pacific started construction in Sacramento. Eastward with a railroad track. In 1865, Central Pacific started in Omaha. Westward with a railroad track, 18,000 workers, no modern equipment, as we now have. Crossing the Sierras and the Rockies, Indian country and thieves.Harsh? Yes, very much so.Winter snow, and all the elements. Six years later they met in Utah.

  • Book Talk: Sandra Brown, ‘Chill Factor’

    Over the past 43 years, Sandra Brown has written 60 novels, all of which seem to be in the Romantic/Suspense, Mystery, and Thriller genre, if such a category exists. However they may be classified, they are wildly popular. More than 80 million of her books are in print worldwide, and they have been translated into at least 30 languages.Chill Factor (2005, 534 pages in paperback format) features Lilly Martin, a strong and adventurous woman who is in the process of ending a turbulent marriage to...

  • Sandwiches can be dinner

    Cat Campbell/For The Madera TribunePepper steak sandwiches are a real treat, especially when the meat and bread are grilled.It’s getting to be that time of year when I am outside more often and going more places during the day, which leaves a lot less time for dinner preparations.The night before writing this, I thought about how every summer I make a lot of tomato/red onion sandwiches and Fresno State sweet corn for dinner. We love both so much that sometimes that’s our dinner three times a...

  • ‘Warring Italians — Fierce Fight — Lucca’s Barroom Wrecked’

    For The Madera TribuneAt the turn of the 20th century, Maderans worked hard and played hard. This group labored at the Madera Sugar Pine mill by day and could find libations and excitement at night at the Lucca Hotel, which stood not far from the mill.Long before Lucca’s Restaurant opened its doors in Madera, there was another Madera business that was also named after that well-known Italian province. The Lucca House, a hotel on the corner of what is now Gateway Drive and 6th Street, predated...

  • Latinas Unidas fundraiser honors Mother of the Year

    Angel L. de Jesus Jr./The Madera TribuneMadera Mayor Santos Garcia presents Latinas Unidas de Madera Mother of the Year recipient Aurelia Sylvester with a proclamation from the city at the Mother’s Day Tea.Latinas Unidas de Madera honored a special woman by bestowing its annual Mother of the Year award to Aurelia Silvestre during its annual Mother’s Day Tea,“El Nombre de Mi Madre,” fundraiser at San Joaquin Winery.The fundraiser, which has been held regularly at San Joaquin Winery, raises money

  • County supervisors take measures against deficit

    During the Madera County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Supervisors gave three proclamations, approved a zoning change within the county, and addressed deficit concerns after receiving the third quarter budget update. Three proclamations were given during the meeting held Tuesday before the supervisors received an update to the status of the budget deficit the county started the 2023/24 fiscal year with.The County Supervisors recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month as well as...