Central California Top News Today: Coach Arrest, Ceres Killing Case & Los Banos Crash

Central Valley news today for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from Central Valley Entertainment.Today’s episode focuses on crime, courts, public safety, and local government across Central California. We cover a Merced County coach arrested in a child sex abuse material investigation, an Oakdale man’s federal guilty plea, an Atwater woman ordered to stand trial in a Ceres killing, a Los Banos armed-subject investigation, a fatal Los Banos crash involving a DoorDash driver, a wrong-way DUI crash near Atwater, a Modesto hit-and-run death, an I-5 crash near Newman, the Avenal recall election dispute, and the funeral service for fallen Tulare County Deputy Randy Hoppert.Cities and areas covered include Delhi, Livingston, Los Banos, Atwater, Ceres, Oakdale, Modesto, Newman, Avenal, Tulare County, Merced County, Stanislaus County, and Kings County.Follow Central Valley Entertainment for daily Central California news, local crime updates, food, businesses, events, and community stories.Website: centralvalleyentertainment.com1. Livingston / Delhi Coach Arrested In Child Sex Abuse Material CaseTown: Delhi / Livingston / Merced CountySource: Los Banos EnterpriseDetectives arrested 21-year-old Daniel Lucatero Bucio of Delhi after an investigation tied to alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. The report says investigators found no current evidence that any children he coached were victims. Link: https://losbanosenterprise.com/community/crime/2026/livingston-middle-school-coach-arrested-for-possession-of-child-sexual-abuse-material/Town: Oakdale / Stanislaus CountySource: The Modesto BeeFederal prosecutors said Gonzalo Hernandez, 38, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor. Sentencing is scheduled for August 17, and he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. Link: https://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article315553562.htmlTown: Atwater / Ceres / Stanislaus CountySource: The Modesto BeeA judge ordered Zella Holmes, 41, to stand trial in the 2025 shooting death of Franklin Martin at a Ceres motel. She faces a murder charge, firearm enhancement, felony evasion, and child endangerment count. Link: https://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article315551310.htmlTown: Los Banos / Merced CountySource: Los Banos EnterprisePolice temporarily shut down part of East Pacheco Boulevard after reports that a person appeared to point a weapon at people nearby. Officers recovered a pellet gun, but the reported subject was not found. Link: https://losbanosenterprise.com/community/crime/2026/police-respond-to-report-of-armed-subject-on-east-pacheco-boulevard-pellet-gun-recovered/Town: Los Banos / Merced CountySource: ABC30ABC30 reported that 34-year-old Michael Qualls died after a two-car head-on crash in Los Banos while delivering DoorDash orders. Police said no arrests had been made as the investigation continued. Link: https://abc30.com/post/34-year-old-man-killed-head-crash-delivering-doordash-family-says/18980796/Town: Atwater / Merced CountySource: Merced Sun-StarCHP said a wrong-way crash on southbound Highway 99 north of Atwater Boulevard caused major injuries. Multiple patients, including juveniles, were taken to hospitals.....Link: https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/crime/article315551781.htmlTown: Modesto / Stanislaus CountySource: The Modesto BeeCHP said a woman died after being struck by two vehicles on Riverside Drive. One driver stayed at the scene, while the second driver left before officers arrived. Link: https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article315549065.htmlTown: Newman / Stanislaus CountyA recall election is underway in Avenal after a judge allowed it to move forward. ABC30 reported the recall targets the mayor and three councilmembers, while the city continues to dispute the process. Link: https://abc30.com/post/recall-election-underway-avenal-amid-dispute-kings-county/18981107/Town: Tulare County / Visalia / PortervilleSource: ABC30