MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES—The National Weather Service Hanford Office has issued an Areal Flood Watch for the Serra Foothills in effect from 5:00 pm Wednesday, March 28th, through late Wednesday night. The following areas are included: Mariposa Madera Foothills Mariposa Madera Lower Sierra Tulare Foothills Fresno Tulare Lower Sierra South End Sierra Foothills South End of the Lower Sierra Auberry North Fork ...

MADERA COUNTY—The Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is currently cooperating with an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting incident. On Monday, March 27, 2023, Madera County Sheriff’s Investigators were conducting a follow-up investigation into the recent homicide in North Fork when they located 28-year-old Brandunn Wilson leaving a residence in the town of Friant. Wilson was identified as ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES—The National Weather Service Hanford Office is warning residents that a storm system will impact Central California Tuesday through Wednesday, resulting in periods of rain in the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Major to extreme winter storm impacts are expected in the Sierra Nevada. The majority of this precipitation will fall Tuesday evening and Tuesday night. ...

NORTH FORK–Madera County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning for residents of the Mammoth Pools Mobile Home Park to shelter in place at this time. This is due to law enforcement activity in the area. We have no further information at this time but will update this article when new details are made available. UPDATE 11:45AM A Shelter in Place ...

TEAFORD MEADOWS—The California Highway Patrol is reporting a traffic collision has occurred on Teaford Saddle Road and Road 426. A single vehicle is involved and no injuries are being reported. The vehicle has gone off the road and overturned. There is no lane blockage being reported at this time but you can expect activity in the area. Please use caution. ...

SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is announcing the availability of up to $5.5 million in grant funding for Forest Health Research projects. CAL FIRE is soliciting applications for research in forest health and wildland fire science critical to the State of California that support landowners, resource agencies, fire management organizations, and decision-makers throughout the state. ...

MADERA COUNTY–The California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved State Route 99 (SR 99) State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) funding to fully fund the gap closure of SR 99 in Madera County from Avenue 7 to Avenue 12 at Thursday’s March 22-23, 2023 meeting. As a result, the Madera County region will receive an additional $54.7 million in State funds for ...

MARIPOSA–The Mariposa County 4-H Citizenship project is planning its 12th Annual Multiple Sclerosis Bike-a-Thon. This event is open to the public; all ages are invited to participate. Again this year, we are including Runners and Walkers. The event is being held on Sunday, April 2, 2023. The course starts at Indian Gulch Road and HWY 140 in Catheys Valley. Registration ...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — Big Oak Flat Road (continuation of Highway 120 west of Yosemite) will open today, Friday, March 24, at noon. Chains are required. Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41) will open today, Friday, March 24, at 5 pm. Both roads were damaged in recent storms and have one-lane sections controlled by traffic lights. Watch for damaged road ...

CLOVIS—The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District, is set to begin its 2023 reforestation program. During the next two months, contract crews will be planting approximately 1000 acres focusing on areas of the 2014 French/2020 Creek Fires. Approximately 200 to 260 seedlings per acre will be planted, totaling up to 230,000 in the district during this period. Openings will ...