Best-read: Local donut faceoff. Caleb Quick case. Local brewery in Fresno cries uncle
Fresno Bee subscribers had a busy last week of news, covering crime, food and business.
The best-read headlines ranged from developments in the Caleb Quick slaying case to a ruling affecting the massive North Fork Mono Casino in Madera County.
Fresno’s dining scene also drew big interest, with stories on new Mexican restaurants, a beloved family bakery and another craft brewery shutting its doors.
Live links to stories and video below
- Another Fresno-area brewery closes. ‘I’m just sitting there by myself for hours’
- Details on motive behind Caleb Quick slaying emerge as judge backs murder charge
- Construction of massive Madera casino will continue despite new ruling, tribe says
- Teen couple accused in Clovis slaying of Caleb Quick texted about it after
- Why a family-run bakery in Fresno doesn’t fear Randy’s Donuts opening next door
- What’s happening on the Mexican restaurant scene in Fresno? A lot
- Victim dies after machete attack at Fresno plant nursery. Nephew charged with murder
Another Fresno-area brewery closes. ‘I’m just sitting there by myself for hours’
Incinerati Brewing Co. in Clovis is closing, with its final day set for April 26 or whenever the beer runs out. Owner Mike Sumaya said the taproom never earned enough to replace his day job and its location made it hard to attract customers. The closure follows a string of recent craft brewery shutdowns across the central San Joaquin Valley. Click here for full story.
Details on motive behind Caleb Quick slaying emerge as judge backs murder charge
A Fresno County judge ruled prosecutors presented enough evidence to seek a murder conviction against Cassandra Michael, 17, the accused getaway driver in the killing of 18-year-old Caleb Quick outside a Clovis McDonald’s. Investigators said the shooting was retribution for an alleged sexual assault by Quick. A transfer hearing will determine whether Michael is tried as an adult or a juvenile. Click here for full story.
Construction of massive Madera casino will continue despite new ruling, tribe says
The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians says construction of its 100,000-square-foot casino complex off Highway 99 in Madera County will continue despite a state Supreme Court decision letting stand a lower court ruling that the casino is not authorized by California. The tribe says its right to operate the casino is governed by federal law and that federal approvals have been upheld in court. The casino will feature more than 2,400 slot machines, 40 table games and eight dining options. Click here for full story.
Teen couple accused in Clovis slaying of Caleb Quick texted about it after
Cassandra Michael and Byron Rangel discussed the fatal shooting of Caleb Quick in text messages the day after the slaying, according to testimony at Michael’s transfer hearing. Prosecutors played surveillance video showing the alleged gunman walking up behind Quick and shooting him outside a Clovis McDonald’s. Michael’s defense attorneys argued she was unaware of the violence that was planned. Click here for full story.
Why a family-run bakery in Fresno doesn’t fear Randy’s Donuts opening next door
Lodéi Bakery & Cafe, a family-run Armenian bakery at Palm and Bullard avenues in Fresno, says it isn’t worried about Randy’s Donuts opening right next door. The Keymetlyan family actually hopes the famous chain will drive foot traffic to their tucked-away spot, which serves pastries, macarons, sandwiches and pirozhki. “They have their thing. We have ours,” said 17-year-old Arpi Keymetlyan. Click here for full story.
What’s happening on the Mexican restaurant scene in Fresno? A lot
Several new Mexican restaurants have opened or are coming soon to Fresno, including Michelin Guide-recognized Tacos El Franc from Tijuana and a third Taqueria Yarelis location at Blackstone and Nees avenues. Aliberto’s opened in a former KFC, and longtime taco truck Chicomostock now has a brick-and-mortar taqueria on West Olive Avenue. Papi’s Mex Grill is also opening a third location in the former Casa Corona spot at Bullard and West avenues. Click here for full story.
Victim dies after machete attack at Fresno plant nursery. Nephew charged with murder
Maria Salud Banda Wash, 64, died after being attacked with a machete at her business, Sago Rey Palms Plant Nursery, on Easter Sunday. Her 29-year-old nephew, Nicolas Arriaga, now faces charges including murder and attempted murder with bail set at $2.21 million. A second victim, a 46-year-old woman, had her hands slashed while trying to defend herself. 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 by Fresno Bee reporters Bethany Clough, Erik Galicia, Thaddeus Miller, Bob Rodriguez and Joshua Tehee.
This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 10:32 AM.
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