Local briefs

Monday, Oct. 27, 2008

Clovis police officer dies

Lt. Keith Havlik, 53, a 28-year veteran of the Clovis Police Department, died Monday morning, police spokeswoman Janet Stoll-Lee reported. The cause of death is pending.

Havlik served as a SWAT team leader, in patrol and in DUI enforcement as well as a field training officer, narcotics officer and watch commander. He also earned a Medal of Merit for his work investigating homicides that happened in 2003 and a stolen vehicle recovery award from the California Highway Patrol.

Havlik served four years as a military police officer and investigator in the Army.

Ex-guest workers can seek benefit in Fresno

The Mexican consulate will now allow former guest workers who worked between 1947 and 1964 to apply in Fresno for a one-time benefit of about $3,500.

A recent settlement in San Francisco had only allowed guest workers who worked from 1942 to 1946 to claim the benefit in the United States.

On Thursday, the consul's office informed former guest workers who worked from 1947 to 1964 that they do not have to return to Mexico to register for the money.

Under Mexican law, 38,000 pesos or $3,500 is available to those who worked under the bracero program from 1942 to 1964.

Special consulate office hours to handle the claims, which began Thursday and end Jan. 5, are Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and some Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The consulate office is at 2409 Merced St.

Details: (877) 436-9359, (559) 233-3065.

Yosemite school district official faces scrutiny

Yosemite Unified School District's superintendent has been placed on paid administrative leave while allegations against him are investigated.

The district placed Bill McCabe on leave Oct. 15 during a board meeting, said board president Monika Moulin. Moulin said an independent investigator is carrying out the inquiry. She hopes it will end quickly.

"It was not a disciplinary action by any means," Moulin said.

She declined to list the allegations brought against him.

McCabe could not be reached to comment.

McCabe was the focus of a 2005-06 Madera County Grand Jury report. The report accused McCabe of the "illegal use of school district personnel and the illegal use and sale of school district equipment."

In the document, the school equipment is described as a full-size tractor and a self-propelled trencher.

The jury said in its report that McCabe used his position to "illegally use school equipment and school personnel for his own gain."

Madera County District Attorney Ernie LiCalsi said the report was sent to the Attorney General's Office, which reviewed it but declined to pursue prosecution.

"There was insufficient evidence for criminal charges," LiCalsi said.

Animal-rights group seeks access to students

An animal-rights group has sent a letter to the Center for Advanced Research & Technology in Clovis, saying it wants to explain to students about the suffering of cows in the milk industry.

The issue arose because CART students are competing in a "Got Milk?" contest sponsored by the California Milk Processor Board.

PETA said in a news release that "newborn male calves are traumatically torn from their mothers and confined to tiny, filthy crates before the calves are slaughtered for veal."

PETA also contends that dairy products have been linked to allergies, ear infections and juvenile onset diabetes in children and contribute to heart disease and some types of cancer in adults.

Spokeswoman Kelly Avants said Monday that the Clovis Unified School District is considering PETA's request. She also said CART students have been examining both sides of the issue.

Monday night, students were scheduled to hear both sides to Proposition 2 on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Prop. 2 would require farmers to free their egg-laying chickens from their cages, and would limit restrictions on pregnant sows and calves raised for veal. Animal-rights activists say Prop. 2 would create a more humane way to raise veal, pork and egg-laying chickens.