Tulare deputy killed; Fresno Arts Council’s stolen $1.8M spent at casinos; Warnor’s Theatre retail
From a deputy killed in the line of duty to a beloved chef’s health scare, Fresno Bee subscribers followed major local stories this week.
Here are the best-read stories from April 5 to April 11, 2026.
Update: Tulare deputy killed in line of duty identified; suspect dead at scene
Tulare County sheriff’s deputy Randy Hoppert, 35, was shot and killed by a suspect with a high-powered rifle after deputies attempted to serve an eviction notice in Porterville. The suspect, David Morales, 59, evaded authorities for hours before he was killed at the scene. Click here for full story.
Update: Mother, child killed in suspected DUI crash into Fresno canal identified
Martha Hernandez, 41, and her 9-year-old son Adrian drowned after a suspected DUI driver ran a red light and broadsided their SUV, sending it into a canal near McKinley Avenue and Fresno Street around 2 a.m. Monday. The driver of the Honda Pilot fled the scene and remained outstanding. Click here for full story.
His restaurant just had its best week ever. Now, beloved Fresno chef hospitalized
My Guy Market owner Eddie Wutangsy, 31, was hospitalized with his heart pumping at 15-20% capacity, even as his restaurant was having its best week ever. The community raised more than $25,000 via GoFundMe, and his crew planned a Lao BBQ pop-up in his honor. Click here for full story.
Casinos, vacations, altered records. Ex-Fresno Arts Council manager admits to $1.8M theft
Former Fresno Arts Council operations manager Suliana Caldwell admitted to embezzling $1.8 million from the nonprofit, spending the money at casinos and on vacations. Caldwell will plead guilty to one count of wire fraud and enter her plea on April 20. Click here for full story.
Theater complex is at retail capacity in Fresno. What’s new at Warnors Corner?
Mundo Pol’s opening inside the Warnors Center signals a revival for the nearly century-old downtown Fresno theater complex, now fully leased with six retail tenants. The mix includes tattoo, vintage and lifestyle shops, coffee and gelato, and a yoga/event space—mostly women-led, including queer-owned businesses—forming a mutually supportive small-business ecosystem after years of turnover. Click here for full story.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Original stories written by Fresno Bee reporters Anthony Galaviz, Bob Rodriguez and Joshua Tehee.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 2:49 PM.
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