MADERA – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a man reported missing has been located. 69-year-old Leonardo Chaidez was found on Tuesday morning, May 21, in a rural area of Madera County by farm workers, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He is safe and appears to be in good condition. As a precaution, Mr. Chaidez is being transported ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials have announced that the Glacier Point Road will remain closed to all vehicular traffic, including bicycles, through Sunday, May 19, due to current snow and ice accumulation on the road, and incoming winter storm systems that are expected to result in additional snow accumulation above 5,000 feet. Glacier Point Road will remain closed until ...

SACRAMENTO – The Camp Fire, which burned over 153,000 acres in Butte County last year and destroyed 18,804 structures, was caused by PG&E electrical transmission lines, said Cal Fire in a statement released today. The Camp Fire started the morning of Nov. 8, 2018, and resulted in 85 civilian fatalities and several firefighter injuries. It is the deadliest and most ...

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) meteorologists are forecasting that spring storms will impact its service area today and Thursday. PG&E meteorologists forecast a late spring storm moving into the service area beginning this afternoon, and they urge customers to take the necessary steps to be prepared and stay safe. Moderate to heavy rain is forecast to ...

MADERA – The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to close two county fire stations and consolidate staff and equipment with others nearby. Madera County Fire Station 16 in Ahwahnee will be closed, as will Station 17 in O’Neals. Madera County Assistant Fire Chief Matt Watson told the board this morning that while “the concept of consolidation may ...

MADERA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced that effective 8 am. on Monday, May 13, hazard reduction burning in Eastern Madera County is restricted below 1,000 feet in elevation. Hazard reduction burning above 1,000 feet is allowed on permissive burn days with a valid permit from San Joaquin Valley Air ...

O’NEALS – A 17-year-old student from Minarets High School is in stable condition at Valley Children’s Hospital after quick action by students and staff likely saved his life. Chawanakee Unified School District Superintendent Darren Sylvia says the lunch hour was just winding down yesterday at the Minarets campus, and food service personnel had begun clearing the cafeteria as some students ...

Written by Paul Hall – OAKHURST – On Saturday, May 18, the Sierra Shadow Casters Motorcycle Club (SSC, MC) is hosting a fundraiser poker run to benefit the Children’s Museum of the Sierra as well as other charitable causes. The 8th Annual Sierra Memorial Poker Run is designed for street-legal motorcycle riders of all types. The run starts in Oakhurst ...

Written by Karen Bauer – MADERA – Jennifer Snyder of Oakhurst picks up three tiny little kittens who are mewing for their mamma and some food. There’s no mamma – but the food comes via a bottle every five hours. With all three in her arms, Jennifer passes the bottle between each one, making sure they have had enough. Your ...

Submitted by Diane Martin – OAKHURST – The Sierra Mountain Quilters Association (SMQA) will host their 2019 Quilt Show, “A Needle Pulling Thread,” on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, at the Oakhurst Community Center. There will be quilts created by local quilters and fiber artists, and vendors from throughout the region will have a variety of wares and ...