Dinuba Sentinel 5-31-18 E-edition
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Dinuba Sentinel Serving the communities of Dinuba, Cutler-Orosi and Monson-Sultana
WIS Promotion
Class of 2022 takes next step to DHS
News, Page A2
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Section Title Game
Dinuba High falls to Selma in Valley Championship
Sports, Page B1
Established 1909, Dinuba, California
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Local youth pastor arrested for suspected lewd acts on children
Sentinel staff report
A former local youth pastor is in custody on suspicion of numerous felony charges of child molestation.
Victor Becerra, 35, turned himself into Dinuba Police on May 25 after a warrant was issued for his arrest with a $1 million bail set.
Becerra is suspected of the following charges: 14 counts of felony lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 years old, 14 counts of felony special allegations of sex crimes with aggravated
circumstances, 12 counts of felony special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and four counts of felony oral copulation / sexual penetration of a child under 10 years old.
An investigation began
late last year after reports
were made by “several victims
of sexual abuse while they
were minors.” The Dinuba Police Department
identified the suspect as Becerra, who reportedly served as a Sunday school teacher and youth pastor at Calvary Apostolic Church within Dinuba.
The complaint was forwarded to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office who filed the charges against Becerra.
The report was filed back on Dec. 27 by the mother of two of the alleged victims. In an interview with the Dinuba Sentinel, the victims’ mothers stated that the day before she filed the report her daughter came forward to tell
her what had happened, saying her daughter wanted to commit suicide.
According to the victims’ mother, her daughter alleged she was molested and raped by her the suspect, who she identified as Victor Becerra.
“There are a few now,” Dinuba Police Sergeant Ray Vela said of the alleged victims. “There may be more. As we’re interviewing, other names pop up. So this can become lengthy.”
An investigation is ongoing. To contact the Dinuba Police Department, call 591-5914.
Victor Becerra
Memorial Day Memories
Primary
Election on June 5
Sentinel staff report
The Primary Elections will be held Tuesday, June 5, featuring multiple positions of
interest for Election the Dinuba
and Cutler- Orosi areas.
2018
Keynote speaker Denise Baronian delivers her speech at the Dinuba Memorial Day "Avenue of Flags" Ceremony on Monday at Smith Mountain.
Avenue of Flags celebrated at Smith Mountain
Photos by: Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Three
candidates
campaigning
to replace long-time Tulare County Supervisor of District 4 Steve Worthley will look to advance. They include community advocate Romelia Castillo, city of Dinuba Vice Mayor Kuldip Thusu and Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District Board President Eddie Valero. The primary will decide which two move on to the general election in November.
Another local race is the California State Assembly 26th District position, including incumbent Devon Mathis and challengers: Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler, cattle rancher Jack Lavers and Tulare city councilmember Joe Sigala.
Tulare County positions up for election include the Tulare County District Attorney, where incumbent Tim Ward is challenged by Matt Darby, as well as the County Superintendent of Schools, where Craig Wheaton, Tim Hire and Anthony Martin aim to replace long-time superintendent Jim Vidak.
At the greater state level, 27 gubernatorial candidates are running for the two spots to decide who will replace Governor Jerry Brown, headlining the many state positions up for grabs this year.
Local races for city council and school boards are not included in the primary, but will be featured in the general elections.
The "Laying of Wreath" was recognized during the ceremony.
By Rick Curiel Sports@thedinubasentinel.com
Welcome back. That was the message of keynote speaker Denise Baronian at Monday’s Dinuba Memorial Day “Avenue of Flags” ceremony.
Each year Dinuba’s US Navy Seabee Veteran George Madrid, who served as Master of Ceremonies at the event, makes an effort to bring in speakers who add to the day’s meaning by offering different perspectives.
Baronian was chosen after her role in putting together Operation “Welcome
Home Vietnam Veterans.” The event was held last month at Chukchansi Park in Fresno and was used as a celebratory gathering to officially welcome back troops who forty years ago may not have felt so welcomed.
“Countless Vietnam Veterans not only suffered as they faithfully served their country,” said Baronian in her address to people who gathered on the northeast lawn of Smith Mountain Cemetery. “But they suffered again as they returned to a country that was clearly divided, and lacked the ability to honor those who had paid an immense
price for their freedom.”
Baronian explained how she was
moved by a video of a similar ceremony held several years back at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She said the video inspired her to do something similar for those Veterans in the Central Valley.
“I knew that the Central Valley needed to do something to try and right a wrong that many of our Vietnam Veterans had experienced,” Baronian continued. “Although we knew we could never erase the past, we as a community needed to gather around our Vietnam heroes, along with the
widows of the heroes that have already gone before us, to make sure that they understood they were loved, and that we as a community are truly thankful for the enormous sacrifice that they and their families have paid on our behalf.”
After years of planning, the event finally took place on April 28, and according to Baronian, “It was long overdue. The memories of the night, the look in their eyes, the tear-stained cheeks, the sincere thank-yous and the heartfelt hugs of gratitude will forever
See Memorial, Page A3
Dinuba's rst Grad Walk
By Jackson Moore News@thedinubasentinel.com
Tuesday marked what could be the start of a new tradition in Dinuba Unified School District.
“Pomp and Circumstance,” also known as the graduation song, played throughout locations in the district, but not at the high school nor Washington Intermediate School. Instead, it was playing at the DUSD elementary schools.
The new idea is known as the “Grad Walk,” where DHS graduates don their cap and gown and walk the halls of where their educated started - at their respective elementary schools. On Tuesday, the music was blared over the speakers while past teachers and the new generation of elementary students lined the halls. Also awaiting the graduates were their sixth grade yearbook pictures which were posted around the campuses.
DUSD Work-Based Learning Coordinator James Carrillo said, “We want it to be an emotional event for the seniors to be able to go back and see their teachers and show them they made this accomplishment. And we want our younger students to see what they can look forward to and reach for in junior and high school.”
Elijah Mayberry was one of the 67 high school
grads that visited Lincoln Elementary School on Tuesday. Young students lined the hallways with their arms extended for high-fives while others held hand-made signs - some even threw confetti.
“It’s unreal,” DHS grad Elijah Mayberry said. “I was here, but it was a long time ago. I’m just speechless. It’s already here - life and everything. I was blessed to have all these good teachers with me here. That was a good thing. It’s just a good feeling."
Mayberry said that he recognized many of his teachers from his elementary days. He was one of many who flocked to Greg Olsen, a favorite among students.
“Mr. Olsen, that’s my man,” Mayberry said. “I remember the Kazoo Band most, that was a lot of fun.” Soon, Mayberry will be moving on to College of the Sequoias where he plans to play baseball and major in criminology, but a moment at his old stomping grounds with a crowd of youngsters will help set the
stage for his next chapter in life.
“I just have a feeling like, ‘I did it,’” Mayberry said
of the experience.
The DHS class of 2018 was dispersed across
DUSD as 65 went to Jefferson, 65 to Roosevelt, 43
See Grad Walk, Page A8
Jackson Moore | The Sentinel
Dinuba High School graduates walk the halls of Lincoln Elementary School, high-fiving elementary school students and former teachers.
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