🌱 What CHP Madera says about the deadly Highway 99 crash

Hey there, Madera! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What CHP Madera says about the deadly Highway 99 crash
• Why CHP says this Freightliner’s front plate was a serious crime
• How Madera officers helped Santa light up Valley Children’s Hospital

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Madera? Post it to Madera photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 54 and low of 46 degrees.
• Thursday: Fog will lift in the morning, temps: high: 56, low: 45.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 51 and low of 45 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. CHP: 2 killed in crash on Hwy. 99 in Madera after losing control, broadsided by semi-truck (bakersfieldnow.com) — Two people from Selma were killed when their Honda lost control on southbound Highway 99 near Avenue 12 in Madera and was broadsided by a semi-truck, according to CHP Madera. Investigators say everyone wore seatbelts, alcohol and drugs are not suspected, and they’re urging drivers to avoid distractions like phones, food, or adjusting the radio.
   

2. Fake printed license plate found on Freightliner in Madera: CHP (yourcentralvalley.com) — CHP officers recently stopped a commercial Freightliner on Highway 99 at Highway 145 in Madera and found a fake, printed copy of a real license plate covering the truck’s original plate. Officers say California law requires state-issued plates that match the vehicle, and falsifying or forging plates is a serious offense that can bring significant legal trouble.
   

3. Santa and first responders bring holiday cheer to Valley Children's Hospital (kmph.com) — Madera County deputies and Madera Police joined other Valley first responders to escort Santa as he delivered gifts to about 70 young patients at Valley Children’s Hospital. The 40-year tradition featured a lights-and-sirens procession, photos with families, and toys donated by Target and local public safety foundations.
   

4. 3 to 5 Fresno Unified Schools May Shut Down, but Not Because of SEDA: Dyer (gvwire.com) — Madera is repeatedly highlighted as a place where Fresno families are moving for housing, as Fresno debates its massive Southeast Development Area plan and possible future school closures. City and school leaders argue over how much new development could shift students and tax revenue, while builders warn that too many limits could push even more growth to Madera and other nearby cities.
   

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📸 Around Madera

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📣 Madera Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 17

• SEE: Winter Program
  Sun Empire Elementary Cafeteria
  8:15 am
• HES: 1st Semester Awards (Grades: 3rd-6th)
  Harvest Elementary MPR
  8:15 am
• EHS: Graduation
  Kerman High School MPR
  2:00 pm
• GES: Christma Story Night
  Goldenrod Elementary Library
  5:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Madera South Stallions vs Mission Oak Hawks
  Madera South High School , 705 W Pecan Ave , Madera
  3:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Madera South Stallions vs Chowchilla Union Redskins
  Madera South High School , 705 W Pecan Ave , Madera
  4:00 pm
• Chowchilla at Madera South
  Madera South High School , 705 W Pecan Ave , Madera
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Paso Robles at Madera South
  Madera South High School , 705 W Pecan Ave , Madera
  3:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Chamber Office Closed - Christmas Holidays
  Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce , 137 S 3rd St , Chowchilla
• Kerman: Kids Take and Make Craft
  Kerman Neighborhood Library , 15081 West Kearney Plaza , Kerman

Tuesday December 30

• Madera Coyotes vs Pacheco Panthers
  Matilda Torres High School , 16645 Rd 26 , Madera
  12:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• NEED HOME EMERGENCY FOR TONY
  I am moving back with my Husband tomorrow. When we separated I had moved in with another man who was murdered a year ago come February. I inherited… (Nextdoor Maple-Monterey)
• I found this dog running around the complex.
  It’s the villagers on Howard & Granada. He’s very friendly & is clearly someone’s pet. I’m not able to take him as he chases cats & I have car in… (Nextdoor Berry)

• Madera Unified School District posted a job opening for Maintenance Worker -TEMPORARY HELP POOL - (2025/2026 School Year) in Madera. Apply here.
• Harbor Freight Tools posted a job opening for Retail Stocking Associate in Madera. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Madera here.

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Ok Madera! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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