EMO INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT OF BREAKFAST LIONS — Leon Emo has been installed president of the Madera Breakfast Lions Club for the 1990-91 year. Emo, owner of A-1 Body Shop, has been active in many Madera organizations in addition to the Lions. A lifelong Madera resident, Emo graduated from Madera High School in 1966 and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1970 before attending Fresno City College from 1970 to 1972. Emo has been or is currently involved in coaching Little League and Junior Bowlers of Madera. Emo hopes to promote the Madera Breakfast Club motto of “We serve” throughout his term.
DOMESTIC SQUABBLE LEADS TO COARSEGOLD SHOOTOUT — An argument that turned violent in Coarsegold on Sunday has put one man in the hospital. Clarence Keck, 29, was shot by the 17-year-old brother of his girlfriend Kimberly Nuner, 26. Keck and Nuner had been arguing over a “minor domestic issue” when he became abusive. Nuner called to her younger brother for help. When the youth came to his sister’s assistance, Keck drew a gun, at which time the youth also grabbed a gun and fired. Keck was wounded with a single shot and airlifted to Valley Medical Center where he is in stable condition. The district attorney is determining whether charges will be filed against the juvenile or if his action was in self-defense.
PIZARRO SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON PLUS EIGHT YEARS — Michael Antonio Pizarro, 21, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus eight years for the June 1989 murder and rape of his 13-year-old half sister, Amber Dawn Barfield in North Fork. When given the opportunity to make a statement, Pizarro declined. Outside the court, the victim’s father, Joe Barfield said he was disappointed. “I’d rather he get the death penalty,” Barfield said. Superior Court Judge Edward Moffat, in pronouncing sentence, said, “Although the defendant is youthful, just 21 years old, the court finds the crimes ... cruel and vicious. The victim was vulnerable, only 13 years of age and had a reasonable expectation of safety with her older brother late at night.”
NO FIREWORKS IN MADERA LEAVES MANY DISAPPOINTED — The sparkle fizzled in some family celebrations this Fourth of July as hundreds of Maderans turned out expecting to see a fireworks display and instead stared into dark skies. Pyrotechnic displays have been the annual fare at the Madera District Fairgrounds, but this year the show was cancelled, and word did not reach many families. Hundreds of people were parked around the fairgrounds and many were seated in lawn chairs or upon blankets as they waited for the show that was never to be. Rosie Hijos of the Madera District Fair said “because of budget constraints, we believed that we simply could not justify a fireworks display this year.” ...