Hickman News

Governor proposes one-cent sales tax increase Matthew Yi, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau Gov.

Friends of an elderly millionaire who was killed by a local pastor sensed something was wrong long before his death.

A guilty verdict for Howard "Doug" Porter met with mixed reviews in Hickman, the 1.3-square-mile home of about 120 families sandwiched between Waterford and Foster Dairy Farms.

A jury has convicted a Central Valley preacher of murdering an 85-year-old rancher to cover up his embezzlement of more than $1 million from the victim.

THE ALLEGATIONS: Porter, 57, who was pastor of Hickman Community Church for nearly two decades, is accused of embezzling $1.1 million from rancher Frank Craig, then staging two truck collisions to cover his ...

The lawyer for a Hickman preacher on trial for murder says speed is to blame for the crash.

The lawyer for a Hickman preacher on trial for murder says speed is to blame for the crash.

Delivering a sermon before a church full of awestruck worshippers on Sunday is one thing.

As his testimony continued this afternoon in Stanislaus County Superior Court, former pastor Howard "Doug" Porter told the jury about two wrecks involving elderly rancher Frank Craig.

As his testimony continued this afternoon in Stanislaus County Superior Court, former pastor Howard "Doug" Porter told the jury about two wrecks involving elderly rancher Frank Craig.

Testimony in the murder trial involving former Hickman pastor Howard "Doug" Porter ended abruptly this afternoon when a prosecutor argued that an accountant hired to analyze financial accounts for the defense ...

The daughter-in-law of a Hickman preacher charged with murder says she disabled an air bag before a wreck that left an 85-year-old elderly rancher crippled.

Howard "Doug" Porter wants to testify in his own defense, but five friends and relatives won't be able to support the former Hickman pastor's claim that he is an inattentive driver, a judge said Tuesday.

THE ALLEGATIONS: Porter, pastor of Hickman Community Church for nearly two decades, is accused of embezzling $1.1 million from rancher Frank Craig, then staging two auto crashes to cover his tracks.

Five days after elderly rancher Frank Craig drowned, former pastor Howard "Doug" Porter sat down with two detectives who had questions about two suspicious wrecks involving both men, according to an audio tape ...

A prosecutor who alleges that embezzlement is a motive for murder began to explore the bottom line this afternoon as the case against former pastor Howard "Doug" Porter resumed in Stanislaus County Superior ...

Tim and Michelle Pittman began making daily trips to Hickman to care for an elderly friend because they were not convinced that former pastor Howard "Doug" Porter was getting the job done, they said this ...

A Modesto man has been arrested on suspicion of robbing the Perko's Cafe and Grill at 3500 Oakdale Road in Modesto in early January, a Stanislaus County sheriff's spokesman said.

The murder trial of former pastor Howard "Doug" Porter resumed this morning in Stanislaus County Superior Court, with prosecutors calling witnesses to talk about a March 5, 2002, truck crash that might or might ...

Hughson farmer Vito Chiesa hustled to a victory Tuesday night against former Sheriff Les Weidman in their contest for an open seat on the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors.