COARSEGOLD – Another mountain area resident has lost their life due to a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. At about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, a Mercury Grand Marquis GS was southbound on Highway 41 just south of Serpa Canyon, and reportedly drifted into the northbound lane. The driver of a northbound Chevy pickup saw ...

FRESNO – The woman charged with vehicular manslaughter in the death of Yosemite High School graduate and former Oakhurst resident Matthew Harkenrider, was arraigned today in her hospital room, reports ABC30 in Fresno. Roberta Lynn Soto, 45, of Kingsburg, pleaded not guilty to the charges as a judge, officers and attorneys gathered in her hospital room.

MADERA COUNTY – While most people think of a DUI as being someone driving drunk, it also applies to other drugs, including marijuana. If you are “driving under the influence,” you may very well be considered legally impaired due to the effects of drugs other than alcohol, such as pot and prescription medications. On July 31, a Madera County Superior ...

COARSEGOLD – Once again tensions are rising at the Chukchansi Gold Casino between the factions struggling for control, and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office has stepped in to ensure that law and order is maintained. Though details of the situation are not being released, deputies and CHP officers have been sent to the location on Highway 41 near Lucky Lane. ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa Area of the California Highway Patrol will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Aug. 30, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., somewhere within Mariposa County. The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes.

MADERA COUNTY – A head-on collision on Highway 145 this afternoon has claimed the life of a young man from Fresno. Caleb Ryan Koop, 25, was reportedly westbound on Highway 145 when his car drifted into the eastbound lane, hitting a pickup hauling a boat.

MADERA COUNTY – The Sheriff’s Office has posted their Fugitive Friday list of persons with active warrants, wanted by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. If you have seen any of these individuals, you are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 559-675-7770 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP.

FRESNO – A tragic crash at the intersection of Fresno Street and Herndon at around 7 a.m. this morning, has taken the life of a Yosemite High School graduate and former Oakhurst resident. Matthew Harkenrider, 26, of Clovis, was killed when a woman who was reportedly speeding in a stolen SUV, ran a red light and smashed into his car. ...

NORTH FORK – Just after 5:30 p.m. today, sheriff’s deputies responded to the Bass Fork Minit Mart at Roads 200 and 221, following the report of a grenade in a bag. A nearby resident, who had been to a home in Leisure Acres to feed a friend’s horse, found a bag full of bullets beside the corral. The woman picked ...

MADERA COUNTY – A vehicle stop on Highway 99 has led to one of the largest narcotic busts in recent history, says the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. A large amount of packaged cocaine, methamphetamine and white powder heroin, with a wholesale value of nearly $700,000, is off the streets, and two Sacramento men are behind bars facing felony drug charges.