MADERA ONCE HAD AN AUDITORIUM ON THE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS — For more than 20 years Maderans had the use of a community high school auditorium, but since the early years of World War II, the community has been without. An auditorium was erected prior to 1920 as an addition to a three-story structure, which once housed all of Madera Union High School. Both the high school and the community took advantage of the facility, and the building was used for plays, concerts, and reviews. Condemned in the 1940s, the auditorium was abandoned. In 1966, the auditorium issue was revived, and a special bond election was set for April to build a new auditorium at the high school.
COUNTY OPENS HOSPITAL — The Board of Supervisors this morning opened the County Hospital to the community. The board adopted a resolution inviting the doctors of the community to organize a staff for the hospital and to submit bylaws for its operation as soon as possible. Present staff physicians are urged to remain on duty until doctors of the community can adequately operate the hospital. “New and challenging concepts” created by Medicare are cited as reasons for changing the hospital, which until now has treated only persons declared medically indigent. Medicare now makes medical equals of all patients by allowing freedom of choice of treatment centers.
GENDRON REFUSES DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT IN ASSEMBLY RACE — Attorney Lester J. Gendron of Madera filed today for election to the State Assembly and at the same time rejected support from the California Democratic Council. Gendron turned his back on CDC backing, saying, “Some of the announced policies of the CDC are contrary to my own.” U.S. involvement in Viet Nam has separated the CDC and Gendron. “As an overseas veteran of World War II, I oppose the CDC views on Viet Nam. I feel that if we are to ask our servicemen to give their lives on our behalf, then full support on the part of the civilian population is absolutely necessary,” said Gendron.
SINGLE BULLET HITS PAIR IN ARGUMENT — Two men were hit by a single bullet fired from a .22 caliber revolver during a fight Sunday night. Delbert Smith, 18, and Fred Dozier, 47, were wounded in a shooting in a bar on C Street. Officers have booked Arlis Mitchell, 47, for assault with a deadly weapon and disturbing the peace. According to police reports, the shooting occurred during an argument between Mitchell and Smith. Dozier reportedly was not involved in the incident and was merely an innocent bystander. He was wounded in the leg and Smith was hit in the lower part of his arm. Mitchell was apprehended outside the bar while still in possession of the gun...