MADERA COUNTY — As residents consider their vote on Measure L, the proposed Public Safety Tax scheduled for the Mar. 7 special election, many are questioning the information they’re getting and want answers from the County clarifying details of the measure. We contacted the County to get their response to questions we’ve received from the public, and to assertions put ...

By Jazmin Neri, Claudia Vazquez, and Marissa Alvarado —  O’NEALS — Minarets Key Club is part of a larger service organization that has supported millions of lives around the world since founded in 1925: Kiwanis. We and other students are part of this high school club, learning lifelong skills and experiences to take with us into the real world. We’re committed ...

Guest Column by Chris Christopherson — As a resident and conservative I am against taxes as much as anyone. But we have come to a crossroads when it comes to the staffing of our County Fire Department. Madera County began a Cooperative agreement with CAL FIRE to manage the County Fire Dept. in 1928. This is the longest Cooperative relationship ...

By Shane Hogg — O’NEALS — For the first time in its history, Minarets High School boys varsity soccer team has qualified for playoffs. The game will be at Minarets on Wednesday, Feb. 15 vs. Frazier Mountain at 5 p.m. This year’s team finished the season in second place in the West Sequoia League, the highest finish in its history. The ...

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY — The campaign committee, Citizens, Firefighters, & Deputies for Measure L is holding a series of public safety forums in Madera County to discuss the proposed Madera County Public Safety Sales Tax, titled Measure L, scheduled for a special election on Mar. 7. The forums will include speakers who represent citizens, Madera County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies. ...

NORTH FORK — In her first time participating in the North Fork Lions Club Student Speaker Contest, Minarets High School senior Delaney Finnegan won top honors. This year marks the 80th annual competition, and the topic for this year’s speeches is “Is the Right to Privacy a Threat to our National Security?” Four students delivered their speeches on Wednesday, Feb. ...

OAKHURST – “As residents of this county we’ve been gambling that nobody in our public safety ranks would lose their life in the line of duty, and we can’t keep going on like we’ve been going.” These are the sentiments expressed by firefighters and sheriff’s deputies as they gathered today at the old Blockbuster in Oakhurst before heading out to ...

NORTH FORK — The unprecedented tree mortality in the Sierra National Forest has created a high number of hazard trees within the Bass Lake Ranger District’s campgrounds. In recognition of how important a role these campgrounds are to the community, county, valley and beyond, select campgrounds will continue to operate under a reservation system for the entire season, says the ...

Written by Minarets students — O’NEALS — The current Minarets soccer team is now the winningest team in Minarets High School history. Sitting at 7-9-1 overall (wins, losses, ties) the varsity boys have hopes to make the playoffs this year. A major part of this success is owed to the great chemistry between the boys. On the field they operate ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Cedar Valley area remains impacted by rains, says the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. An evacuation advisory is still in effect for Lakeside Drive south of the Fire Station, Deer Run Trail Road, Lazy Oak Drive, and Cedar Place. Residents in these areas should be prepared to evacuate immediately if conditions change. The east side of Church Street ...