MORTIMER HIGHLIGHTS EXPERIENCE IN RACE FOR JUDGE — Steven Mortimer has done about everything as an attorney and now wants to take his experience to the bench of the newly formed Department 3 Superior Court as judge. Mortimer, 44, has practiced law in Madera since he first hung out his shingle in 1972. Mortimer attended Ripperdan Elementary School and graduated from Madera High in 1963. After two years in the U.S. Army as a military policeman, Mortimer completed his law degree, passed the bar exam, and began his law practice in 1972 with his uncle, Paul Martin, who is currently a superior court judge.
COUNTY RECORDS SIX CASES OF MEASLES — Six suspected cases of measles reported in Madera County since Feb. 1 constitute an official outbreak of the serious childhood disease said Dale Freewald, spokesperson for the public health department. The number of cases has prompted the department to issue an alert to all health care providers in the county. “The six new cases bring the total to 13 in Madera in a short time,” Freewald said. Fresno County has had two deaths from the disease and over 200 cases. “Large numbers of commuters between Fresno and Madera are likely to be exposed in the neighboring county and then bring it back with them,” according to Carol Barney, public health nurse.
HISTORICAL FIGURES COME TO LIFE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH — The beat of African drums will fill the Second Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday when revered anthropologist and cultural dancer Katherine Dunham appears for a special performance. In honor of Black History Month, young actors will enliven for the public 13 figures whose lives and contributions cover from 1761 to the present. Myisha Harris, president of the church’s youth department, said Dunham wanted to be a teacher, and the only way she felt she could give something back to her people was to teach them about their culture. “The music and dance is important because it still affects us today,” Myisha said.
COYOTES CLAIM SHARE OF NYL WRESTLING TITLE — The disappointment of finishing second in the North Yosemite League tournament Saturday was more than offset by the jubilation of its first league championship in two decades for Madera High. The Coyotes ended up second behind Clovis in the team standings at the tourney, but since Madera had won the dual meet season with a 9-0 record, that left both schools tied for first in the league. “We weren’t too happy about coming in second, but a league championship has been a dream of ours for a long time, and we finally attained that dream,” Madera Coach Corky Napier said...
