Open Your Eyes To The Dangers Of Distracted Driving SACRAMENTO – Any time drivers take their eyes off the road to look at or use a phone, they are driving blind. For example, looking down at a cell phone to read a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds – at 55 mph, ...

A 47-year-old male from San Bernardino, CA. drowned in a private pond in Oakhurst, CA.  OAKHURST – A 47-year-old male from San Bernardino, CA. drowned in a private pond in Oakhurst, CA. on March 14, 2022, around 2 pm. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a drowning at a private residence in Oakhurst. Deputies responded to the ...

A two-car accident on Hwy. 41 claims the life of a 24-year-old male. MADERA – On March 14, 2022, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a traffic collision on State Route 41, north of Road 406, with medical personnel responding. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Madera Area responded to the scene ...

Tragic accident in North Fork takes the life of an 80-year-old man.  NORTH FORK – March 14, 2022, at approximately 12:21 p.m., the Merced Communications Center (MCC) received a call of a male with no pulse trapped under a vehicle in the 30000 block of Wyle Ranch Way in North Fork, California. Oakhurst Area Units, Officer J. Buttgereit, Officer K. ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch for the San Joaquin Valley for sub-freezing low temperatures Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and Thursday night. The County of Madera, the City of Madera, and the City of Chowchilla have established the following locations as Warming Centers during times of extreme winter cold. The Centers will be open ...

A letter from Margaret Mims, Sheriff – Coroner – Public Administrator Fresno County Sheriff’s Office February 18, 2022 After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire at the end of my current term as Fresno County Sheriff – Coroner – Public Administrator. This decision does not come easily as I still get such satisfaction out of public service, ...

As More Cameras, Weather Stations and Grid Devices Were Installed, Re-engineered Circuit Settings Cut Ignitions. The Path Begins to Put 10,000 Miles of Powerlines Underground Mountain Communities — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reached major milestones in 2021 in reducing the risk of wildfires to improve the safety of the electric system. The safety work was a part of ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — While the National Football League’s top two teams are preparing to battle it out on the field this weekend, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is making its game plan to keep the motoring public safe long after the celebrations have ended. Millions of people will watch the Super Bowl this year, with some attending parties and others ...

This is the first in a series of articles SNO will be doing called “Wildfire Wednesday.” To begin, there will be 8 articles presenting “The 12 Step Guide to Help Plan in Advance for Evacuation.” This guide was put together by Katie Hepler and the members of the California Fire Support Group on Facebook. The California Fire Support Group is ...

MARIPOSA & MERCED COUNTIES — Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, two search warrants were served by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department in Merced County in relation to a smash-and-grab burglary that had taken place the day before. One of the search warrants was served in Planada and the other in Le Grand, both in Merced County. As a result, Jesus Moreno ...