If you’re planning on celebrating Cinco de Mayo and you plan to indulge with a margarita or tequila—don’t get behind the wheel!

The Avoid the 18 DUI Task Force will be out across Tulare and Kings Counties.

“With Cinco de Mayo celebrations on the rise across the country, alcohol-impaired crashes, injuries and fatalities will also rise,” said Sgt. Chris McLain of the Visalia Police Department. “But buzzed driving is drunk driving, and is never safe or acceptable.

A Three Rivers family is offering a cash reward for up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of suspects, or for the return of their stolen property.

The family lost a Ford pick-up truck, a horse trailer and tack, motorcycles, firearms, and several family heirlooms, said Rocky Pipkin, of Pipkin Detective Agency, which has been hired by the family to support the investigation efforts under way by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

“This was a very slick operation, with no forced entry,” Pipkin said. “The thieves made off with a huge amount of property – right down to the meat in the freezer.”

All inquiries and information will be kept confidential.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Special Agent Mike Huddleston, 559-772-9853, or the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, 559-733-6218.

Every day Tulare County residents go to work, school, and attend social events. Every so often the unexpected occurs; possibly a fire, flood, earthquake, an act of violence or some other type of disaster. We were recently reminded of this in January 2013 with the nightclub fire in Brazil. The fire killed at least 230 people. The most deadly nightclub fire in U.S. history was at the Coconut Grove Club in 1942, which killed 492 people. More recently was a fire at The Station in Rhode Island on February 20, 2003, which claimed 100 lives. Each disaster can have lasting effects, on those involved, whether personally involved or as a family member grieving with the loss of a loved one. They are also extremely devastating and costly with the loss of life and property damage. It is important that when people are entering any public assembly building they understand and are aware of what to do in case of an emergency.

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