MAKE-A-WISH DRAWS HUGE COMMUNITY SUPPORT — More than two dozen individuals and businesses came together to answer the dream of a 3-year-old Madera girl. Kristina Fisher wanted a horse, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation saw to it that she got it along with a corral to house the animal. The number of people who turned out to help with the wish was staggering. John Porath donated the horse, and 20 people turned out to work on the corral. Supplies were donated by John Barker, Norris and Nancy Becker, Evans Feed and Fuel, Subs and Suds, Valley Feed and Fuel, and Enos Hardware. A saddle, bridle, and blanket were given by Don Floyd and Associates. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
ARTS COUNCIL FUND REQUEST TRIMMED BY BOARD — A looming $13 billion state budget deficit kept supervisors from approving the Madera County Arts Council’s full request for funding, but the board did agree this week to give $9,250 with the promise it would consider additional funding after the board looked at its 1991-1992 budget. If the cities of Madera and Chowchilla come through with their funding, the county will increase its amount to $10,000. If state money is available on a 2-1 match, the county’s contribution will be increased to $12,000. MCAC Executive Director Nancy Clute had asked the board for $12,000 for the 1991-1992 budget year.
COYOTES ROLL TO 11-0 VICTORY ON ARBALLO’S 1-HITTER — Madera High kept its perfect North Yosemite League softball record intact Thursday with an 11-0 rout of Roosevelt on the Coyote’s home field. Natalie Arballo limited Roosevelt to just a third-inning single to right field in a game called after five innings because of the 10-run rule. Madera scored in each of the five innings and on defense made just one error. Arballo also fanned five batters and walked only two. “Overall it was a good game for us,” Madera Coach Judy Shaubach said. “We hit the ball well; we were aggressive on the bases, we had good pitching, did a good job on defense and played well as a team.”
PILOT ESCAPES INJURY AFTER PLANE CRASHES IN VINEYARD — A parachute plane crashed Friday in a grape vineyard northeast of Madera, but the pilot escaped injury. Sandy Newburn, 42, of Fresno brought the plane, owned by Madera Parachute Center, down about 5 p.m. in a field a mile west of the Madera Airport at Avenue 16 and Road 23. Newburn declined comment. A parachutist who wished to remain anonymous said four passengers exited the plane, a Cessna 182, before the crash, and there were no problems at the time of the jump. According to the co-owner of the plane, the problem concerned pilot error with regard to fuel consumption. The company’s parachute planes do not carry full loads of fuel so as to make them lighter for jumping...