REAGAN BREEZES IN, AND OUT OF MADERA — Actor and would-be gubernatorial candidate Ronald Reagan, breezed into Madera Thursday and right out again before anyone could hardly say “Boraxo.” His appearance was part of a campaign swing through the Valley. Reagan’s brief visit to Madera was ostensibly to name D.W. (Bill) Holmes as his county campaign chairman and Mrs. Mae Chavin vice chairman. Campaign and press aides cut short Reagan’s visit to hurry him to Fresno where he was to meet supporters and the press. Although he didn’t hold a press conference in Madera, he did say that he supported a plan whereby financial supporters of GOP candidates would get together and decide whom they would support.
HANHART WILL SEEK FULL TERM IN OFFICE — James R. Hanhart, district attorney, announced today he will seek election for a full term to the office for which he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors. “I have conducted cases on all three sides of the legal arena,” he said. “Having served as judge, public prosecutor, and private attorney, I feel confident that I have the required experience to properly conduct the office of district attorney.” Hanhart, a practicing attorney in Madera since 1953, was appointed judge of the Sierra Justice Court in the fall of 1965. In December, he was drafted by the supervisors to serve as district attorney, completing the term of Everett L. Coffee, who was elevated to the Superior Court bench.
BANDITS THREATEN YOUTH WITH RAZOR — A pair of bandits armed with razor blades threatened a 15-year-old Madera boy Monday night and escaped with $50 from the motel office which the boy was watching. According to police, Rick Rowland was scratched about the face and chest several times by a razor blade in the hands of the robbers. His tee shirt was sliced and torn as the threatening gestures continued. The youth, grandson of the owner of the Madera Motel, was watching the office when the two subjects in their late 20s entered. The thugs told Rowland they wanted the money. When the boy said he didn’t have any, one of the men took out a razor blade and made several marks on the youth. The pair then took the money from the cash register and fled.
SUPERVISORS PUT WELFARE ON ‘TRIAL’ — Concerned about reports of extreme abuses of public aid funds and property, the board of supervisors conducted a meeting with 25 department supervisors and social workers, most of whom sat silent, although one termed the proceedings “a trial.” Slides of houses littered and battered by welfare clients were shown as the session opener. The scenes included rooms several feet deep in rags, boxes, and other trash, a garage wall smashed with hammers and crowbars and piles of garbage dumped beside an outside wall. In all instances, the families living on public assistance had been evicted with several months and several hundred dollars owed in rent. At one point, a welfare social worker shouted, “Stop knocking welfare recipients as a group.” ...