MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is warning newspaper subscribers about a new scam targeting Central California readers. Those affected so far, include customers of the LA Times and the Fresno Bee. In the case of the fake LA Times renewal, residents in Madera County have received mailings from an outfit calling itself “Publishers Distribution Services,” or “Readers Payment Service,” ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sometime between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. Monday night, a young girl walking home alone from a friend’s house on Victoria Lane in Oakhurst, was grabbed by strange man. According to reports, the child first heard someone scream “Hey!” She stopped and turned around to see who was yelling, and that is when he grabbed her by the ...

COARSEGOLD – As everyone waits to see what will be decided in U.S. District Court in Fresno on Wednesday, the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino remains closed to the public. After what has been described as an armed takeover of the casino on Thursday, Oct. 9, by the Tex McDonald faction, the hotel and casino were shut down pending a ...

COARSEGOLD – The Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino remains closed this morning after reports that armed gunmen stormed the lobby at about 6 p.m. last evening, and pointed their weapons at security guards. The Sheriff’s Office was called in and evacuated the building, while CHP officers closed off Lucky Lane. This morning the casino remains closed, though Lucky Lane has ...

COARSEGOLD – Once again, tensions are rising at the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in Coarsegold. Sheriff John Anderson has said that the tribal factions are feuding once again, and that someone pulled a fire alarm inside the casino forcing an evacuation. It is not known at this time who pulled the alarm. As a result, all occupants remain outside, ...

COARSEGOLD – A Winton man wanted in Merced County is back behind bars, thanks to a commuter’s call alerting authorities to a fight during the morning communte in Coarsegold yesterday morning. Edward Arthur Zamora, 46, was wanted on three felony narcotic warrants, including special allegation charges. He was seen parked alongside the road, just off Highway 41 near Black Oak ...

OAKHURST – An Oakhurst man, claiming to be a transient, sits behind bars for the 47th time, after the sheriff’s office was alerted to a man peering into parked cars in Oakhurst yesterday. Citizens reported seeing a man, later identified as Bodie Press, 32, looking into cars in the parking lot at Oakhurst Park. Deputy Paul Chetwood later found the ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is seeking help to locate relatives of a Chowchilla woman who passed away. Carol Ann Johnson, 77, of Chowchilla resided in a nursing home until her death on Sept. 30, 2014.

MADERA COUNTY – Just when you thought you had heard enough of scams, here comes another one – threatening you with jail. Both the Sheriff and the District Attorney have issued a fraud alert to citizens in both Madera and its neighboring counties – “If you get a call from anyone claiming to represent the Madera County Sheriff’s Department concerning ...

MADERA COUNTY – The discovery of 200 marijuana plants growing near the Berenda Slough in Chowchilla gave new meaning to the phrase “weed abatement” early yesterday morning. On Tuesday, Sept. 30, Water District employees, clearing bamboo from the banks of the slough, discovered two separate marijuana plots, and alerted the Sheriff’s Office. Due to the enormity of the crop, deputies ...