Page 3 - Dinuba Sentinel 12-7-17 E-edition

The Dinuba Sentinel News
Thursday, December 7, 2017 | A3 Student takes
Lawsuit
Continued from Page A1
Decorating for Christmas
didn't pursue the case at the time because one member of the family worked for the District.
One parent went to the principal of Jefferson Elementary School four years ago, when Warkentin was teaching there, to complain of him yelling at her second or third grade child to sit down. The principal at the time told the parent that he would take care of it.
On May 16, a government claim was submitted by the family. The claim states that Dinuba Unified School District and John F. Kennedy Elementary staff engaged in negligent supervision and possibly had inadequate training. Dinuba Unified School District's own investigation substantiated these acts.
The claim also stated that it is in excess of $10,000 and is not a limited civil case.
The claim was rejected by the school district on June 7. In the rejection of the claim Superintendent Joe Hernandez states that the District will seek to recover all costs of defense in the event an action is filed in the matter and it is determined that the action was not brought in
Sentinel staff report
Edward Gene Castillo, 62, of Dinuba, was booked Dec. 3 on suspicion of sexual battery, a felony.
The suspect allegedly “grabbed [the victim’s] bra and tried to rip off her shirt” and “kissed her as he held her down and tried to prevent her from yelling for help,” the victim told Dinuba Police.
The suspect was arrested in the 700 block of Yale Avenue and transferred to county jail.
• Rudy Ray Gonzales, 22, of Dinuba, was booked Dec. 4 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and being at a park after public hours, both misdemeanors.
The suspect allegedly had meth in his possession.
He was arrested in the 200 block of South M Street, cited and released.
• Jairo Patricio Vargas, 23, of Dinuba, was booked Dec. 3 on suspicion of vehicle theft and receiving known stolen property, both felonies.
The suspect was arrested in the 300 block of Smith Avenue and transferred to county jail.
good faith and with reasonable cause.
Hitchcock stated that the next step is a lawsuit. Anyone who wishes to file a lawsuit against the state or its employees for damages must pursue an administrative remedy through the Government Claims Program's [GCP] claims process. Only if the claim is rejected or denied may the claim be pursued through the courts. In some cases, claims may be resolved through the GCP process.
“I've only heard of one case in the Valley where a claim against a school district was resolved without a lawsuit being filed,” Hitchcock said.
When asked what took so long for the lawsuit, Hitchcock stated that the family didn't hire an attorney right away and that it takes six months for a government claim to be rejected or accepted and up to six months to file a lawsuit.
Hitchcock stated that all the parties involved in the case will have a conference and then a trial date will be set. She added that it could take up until 2019 for a court date. The case might also be settled before it reaches trial.
knife to school
• Sarah Jean Conway, 33, of Fresno, was booked Dec. 2 on suspicion of child cruelty causing possible injury or death, a felony.
She was arrested in the 100 block of West El Monte Way and transferred to county jail.
• Andrew Delgado, 32, of Dinuba, was booked Dec. 2 on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm in public, a felony, and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, a misdemeanor.
Dinuba Police reportedly contacted the suspect on a traffic stop for speeding and allegedly found a loaded firearm in the vehicle.
He was arrested in the 200 block of South Q Street and transferred to county jail.
• Antonio Perez Hernandez, 54, of Dinuba, was booked Dec. 1 on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, a felony.
The suspect allegedly “pushed and punched” the victim, a Dinuba Police report said.
He was arrested in the 1900 block of Franzen Way and transferred to county jail.
• A 14-year-old boy was booked Dec. 1 on suspicion of possessing a weapon at a school,
a misdemeanor.
The suspect was allegedly
found with a folding knife in his possession at Dinuba High School.
He was arrested at DHS and released to a parent.
• Rene Porras, 24, of Dinuba, was booked Nov. 30 on suspicion of providing false information to a police officer, a misdemeanor.
The suspect was arrested in the 2000 block of East El Monte Way and transferred to county jail on multiple active warrants.
• Ignacio Vargas Guerra, 47, of Dinuba, was booked Nov. 30 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and possessing unlawful paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.
The suspect was arrested in the 1600 block of Amarillo Street, cited and released.
• Tomas Avilez, 27, of Cutler, was booked Nov. 30 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and possessing unlawful paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.
Dinuba Police allegedly found meth and meth pipes in the suspect’s vehicle, a police report said.
He was arrested in the 400 block of South M Street, cited and released.
• Felipe Mojica, 34, of Dinuba, was booked Nov. 29 on suspicion of battery to a spouse or cohabitant, a misdemeanor.
The suspect allegedly “slapped” the victim causing “redness and swelling” on the victim’s face, a Dinuba Police report said.
He was arrested in the 1500 block of Avenue 406 and transferred to county jail.
• David Lopez, 28, of Reedley, was booked Nov. 28 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
He was arrested in the 100 block of West Merced Street, cited and released.
• Marco Antonio Casarez, 22, of Orosi, was booked Nov. 28 on suspicion of possessing metal knuckles, a misdemeanor.
He was arrested in the 10000 block of Avenue 416, cited and released.
District Doings
• The Western Regional Vietnam Wall Committee is hosting “Santa’s Pancake Breakfast” on Dec. 17 from 7 to 11 a.m at the Dinuba Veterans Memorial Hall.
A small stack, sausage and a drink will be offered for $6. A bowl of menudo and a drink will be offered for $8. Kids under 10 eat free.
The Dinuba Veterans Memorial Hall is located at 249 South Alta Avenue in Dinuba. For more information, contact Ruth Padilla at 696-0614 or Frank Nunez at 970-5177.
To have your community event listed in District Doings, contact the Dinuba Sentinel at 591-4632 or email your information to editor@thedinubasentinel.com.
Awarding 3 students for their
Outstanding Performance
Dr. Kuldip Thusu awarded three students for their outstanding performance,
with a scholarship award from the Dinuba High School Medical Pathway Academy.
Outstanding GPA
Jaifreen Bhangu – 4.52 GPA, ranked rst in her class- She is the HOSA state Vice President of cer and she is an awesome younglady. SheWon2ndinstateforRe- search Prepared Speaking and went to HOSA nationals. She has been involved in ACCEPT and HOSA all four years. She is always helping with anything that needs to be done. She does everything with excellence.
Kindness
Fiona Chen – 4.47 GPA, She always has a smileonherface. Weseeherisopening doors for others and always offering to help. She stays after school to offer help for all the community service projects. Fiona goes out of her way to be kind and help others, all while keep up her good grades.
Outstanding Science Student
Isabel Rivera – 4.48 GPA, Always does excellent work in her science classes. She helps others and always has her work done early. She has a natural gift in science and math. She was one the Sports Med team last year and is always prepared for everything.
Arrests
Sentinel staff report
Scammers allegedly pretend they are upgrading satellite dishes for Dish and Direct TV.
A woman called the Sentinel on Tuesday to inform residents of Dinuba that a man calls saying that Dish and DirecTV are installing new satellite dishes in her neighborhood and then a girl comes on the phone saying that it will cost $180 to upgrade to the new dish or your
satellite will be disconnected. The woman said “No” to the
caller.
Two hours later someone else
called to say that if the company doesn't receive $300 right away her satellite service will be shut down immediately.
The woman called Dinuba Police. The police department stated that the 1-800 number was a legal dish network number but when they called nobody answered the phone.
Dinuba City employee Gonzalo Ruiz hangs up wreaths on light poles downtown last week.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Scammers target satellite customers
Sentinel staff report
A Dinuba High School student was arrested last Thursday for wanting to shoot at school, according to a Dinuba police report. He was also found in possession of a weapon.
The 16-year-old was contacted and found in possession of a fixed blade knife. He was arrested at the school and transferred to juvenile hall.
Parents and guardians received a phone message from the high school later that day. The message states “This morning it was brought to the attention of our administration team that there were social
media posts by a Dinuba High School student glorifying school shootings and this raised concerns. We are currently investigating the situation and have the student in custody.
“There was no immediate danger for students or staff. We will continue to work with our local law enforcement during the investigation. As always, please remind your students to report any suspicious activity to a trusted adult or school official. We want to assure you that we take everyone's safety as our number one priority.”
A day later, Dec. 1, a 14-year- old boy was arrested at Dinuba High and released to a parent for carrying a folding knife.
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