Madera County, CA · Daily edition

Madera County news for Saturday, October 31, 2026

2 stories from Madera County, in about three minutes.

Local Business · Madera, CA

Federal Judge Upholds North Fork Mono Casino Opening; Picayune Rancheria Plans Appeal

U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff in Fresno denied the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians' motion for a preliminary injunction against the newly opened North Fork Mono Casino, located just north of Madera on Highway 99. The $725 million, 264,000-square-foot casino opened Oct. 27 after more than 20 years of development and has created over 1,500 local jobs. In his 38-page ruling issued Thursday, the judge found the Picayune Rancheria failed to prove irreparable harm and faulted the timing of its filing. The Picayune Rancheria alleges the new casino would cost it 30% to 50% of gaming revenue, but the judge noted no supporting analysis beyond a study he called years out of date. The tribe plans to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Source: The Modesto Bee Read the full story ↗

Public Safety · Madera County

Teen Dies in Oct. 22 ATV Crash Near Avenue 20½ and Road 20

A 16-year-old male riding a 2017 Polaris ATV died around 7 p.m. on October 22 after crashing into a metal chain strung across a private dirt road north of Avenue 20½ in Madera County, California. The rider crossed the unmaintained Avenue 20½ and failed to notice the chain; he was ejected from the ATV, which then struck an almond tree in an orchard near Road 20. Despite life-saving efforts by CHP officers and medical personnel, the rider was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim was identified as Giovanni Martinez Placencia, a student at Chowchilla Union High School. CHP investigators said alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors; the rider was not wearing a helmet.

Source: Madera Tribune Read the full story ↗