CALIFORNIA — Rain overnight and higher humidity today helped to reduce the State’s fire activity, with half-to-three-quarters of an inch falling in Northern California. Nearly 8,000 firefighters continue to battle nine active wildfires burning in California. The Tubbs Fire alone has broken the record as the most destructive wildfire in California’s history, and to date, 42 people have been confirmed ...

NORTH FORK — The Madera County Public Works Department is in the last phase of the design of a roundabout at the intersection of Road 274 and Road 225. The project will convert the existing non-standard 4-leg 3-way stop controlled intersection into a roundabout in order to improve circulation and safety for existing and future traffic traveling through this intersection. ...

OAKHURST — Just before noon today, Jennifer Christenson was traveling south on Highway 41, leaving Oakhurst and heading up Deadwood toward Coarsegold. Just south of Victoria Lane, she saw what none of us ever wants to see. “There was a big plume of smoke and I thought, ‘Gosh what an idiot! Who’s doing the burn pile right now?” Jennifer was about ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A cold front is expected to move onshore into the Pacific Northwest this evening as a strengthening upper-level trough approaches the West Coast, according to the National Weather Service.  An active fall storm pattern brings areas of heavy rain and high elevation snow, they say, while Northern California will benefit from rainfall this week, aiding the firefighting effort ...

YOSEMITE — Sad news out of Yosemite National Park, as Park Rangers have positively identified the remains of Alexander Joseph Sevier, a visitor who was last seen in Yosemite Valley on May 3, this year. Sevier, a member of the U.S. Navy, was staying in Housekeeping Camp and was witnessed going out on day hikes each day during his visit. ...

YOSEMITE — Better traffic flow, parking lot expansion, and the addition of new campsites are just some of the objectives for Yosemite National Park, as work gets continues to implement several roadway and campground improvements within Yosemite Valley. Extensive work is being conducted on Northside Drive, say Park officials, the road leading from Yosemite Village to Yosemite Falls and toward ...

CALIFORNIA — Cooling temperatures this week could help firefighters continue to make progress on 13 large wildfires burning in the State, while the number of fatalities due to fire has increased by one since our last report. The death toll rose to 42 yesterday, after authorities located another victim of the Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County. Meanwhile, the identity of a ...

BASS LAKE — More than 10 months after being charged with first degree murder with an elder abuse enhancement, the woman accused of killing Bonnie Hale was back in Bass Lake Superior Court today for a competency hearing. This is the third hearing on competency, to date, and the case has been continued again. Mary O’Keefe, 64, has been in ...

MADERA COUNTY — Stand by homeowners, property owners and others, as secured property tax bills for 2017-18 are currently being dolled up and doled out, according to officials. “It’s that time of year again,” reports Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector.  “We have just begun the 2017-18 tax season by printing and mailing our property tax bills.” Over 56,000 tax ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 9  to Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. Coarsegold danger to self On Monday, Oct. 9 at 5:19 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to regarding a person possibly in need of a mental health evaluation hold. Upon contact the subject was determined to ...