Foster named new CFO at Agri-Center

TULARE -- Frederic Foster has joined the International Agri-Center as the organization's new Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/Assistant Manager/Human Resources Manager.

The Visalia resident has a long history in the finance, accounting and investment world. He worked for more than 30 years in finance and investment, serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Valley Ag Credit and later president and chief executive officer. Most recently, Foster worked in real estate and investments for Lagomarsino Farming in Tulare/Visalia.

Within his responsibility at the International Agri-Center, Foster will be charged with managing all financial investments and operations as well as managing human resources for the organizations nearly 25 employees and acting as assistant manager to Jerry Sinift, general manager of the Agri-Center.

Woman seeks aid for medical trip

AVENAL -- An Avenal woman is requesting assistance from the community for financial assistance to meet travel expenses to the Bay Area for medical reasons.

Patricia Pacheco is suffering from pancreatitis, and is scheduled to see a gastreoenterology specialist on March 10 at Stanford University Medical Center.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to cover travel costs can call 386-1249 or 904-7098, or contact Union Bank California-Hanford branch. Account number is 4471424954.

Harsh punishment led to child's death

DOS PALOS -- A toddler found dead in her home was likely the victim of her father's harsh punishment for bed-wetting, according to police.

Newspaper carrier Jericho Wright told police his 3-year-old daughter, Liadan Eva Wright, struck her head when he threw her into a shower on Sunday afternoon after she wet her bed.

He says the girl was fine when he put her to bed that evening. But when he returned from a round of delivering papers just before dawn, he found his daughter cold and stiff.

Wright called the police about 12 hours later, after waking up from a drinking-induced stupor.

Police described Wright as an independent contractor who delivered the Merced Sun-Star and Los Banos Enterprise. He had no prior arrests.

He was being held without bail on a murder charge Thursday in the Merced County Jail.

From Staff, Wire Reports

(March 1, 2008)