EASTERN MADERA COUNTY — The campaign committee, Citizens, Firefighters, & Deputies for Measure L is holding a series of public safety forums in Madera County to discuss the proposed Madera County Public Safety Sales Tax, titled Measure L, scheduled for a special election on Mar. 7. The forums will include speakers who represent citizens, Madera County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies. ...

NORTH FORK — In her first time participating in the North Fork Lions Club Student Speaker Contest, Minarets High School senior Delaney Finnegan won top honors. This year marks the 80th annual competition, and the topic for this year’s speeches is “Is the Right to Privacy a Threat to our National Security?” Four students delivered their speeches on Wednesday, Feb. ...

OAKHURST – “As residents of this county we’ve been gambling that nobody in our public safety ranks would lose their life in the line of duty, and we can’t keep going on like we’ve been going.” These are the sentiments expressed by firefighters and sheriff’s deputies as they gathered today at the old Blockbuster in Oakhurst before heading out to ...

NORTH FORK – Residents who have been under a mandatory evacuation order on Church Street and at the Bass Lake Mobile Home Park in North Fork are being allowed to return home. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the order, saying County agencies have been out to evaluate homes impacted by the flood. If you were not contacted, your ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — First responders have their hands full as continuing rains cause flooding, plus mud and debris slides all across the mountain area, with most of the incidents happening in Mariposa County. At this hour, there are numerous call-outs for hazards: Roadway Flooding on Highway 49 at Allred Road Roadway Flooding on Ben Hur Rd at Silver Bar Road ...

NORTH FORK — The unprecedented tree mortality in the Sierra National Forest has created a high number of hazard trees within the Bass Lake Ranger District’s campgrounds. In recognition of how important a role these campgrounds are to the community, county, valley and beyond, select campgrounds will continue to operate under a reservation system for the entire season, says the ...

OAKHURST — The folks at Cornerstone Family Counseling had their rainy evening interrupted tonight when they heard a crash and hurried outside to find a burning car in front of the building, according to CHP at the scene. Just after 9 p.m., reports came in of a car on fire in a parking lot at Road 426 and School Road ...

YOSEMITE — Visitors planning to visit Yosemite National Park on Friday, Feb. 10, are encouraged to delay arrival until after noon due to overnight storm activity. Storm systems coming through Yosemite National Park are expected to result in heavy rain. Water and debris may be washed into roadways, say park officials. The El Portal Road (Highway 140), Wawona Road (Highway ...

NORTH FORK — Senator Tom Berryhill visited Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties today, to survey the wide-spread damage done by recent torrential rains. The heavy downpours, coupled with massive tree mortality, have cause major damage all across his district, which stretches from Amador on the north to Tulare on the south. Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler was Berryhill’s ...

MADERA COUNTY — Bill Ritchey is serving as chairman of the Citizens, Firefighters and Citizens for Measure L 2017 committee. He has spent the past several years working with residents, firefighters and County officials to identify the challenges faced by the Madera County Fire Department and the Paid Call Firefighters (PCFs or volunteers), and has been involved in formulating a ...