NORTH FORK – Sierra National Forest (SNF) officials have announced the temporary closure of several trails in the Ferguson Fire burn area due to safety concerns with changing weather conditions. The closures include Hite’s Cove Trail, Savage Lundy Trail, and Hite’s Cove OHV Trail on the Bass Lake Ranger District (see map below). “The purpose of this Order is to ...

OAKHURST – The staff at Sierra Tel was joined by many of our first responders today as they unveiled their 2019 telephone directory at the Mariposa County Courthouse and at their Headquarters Office in Oakhurst. Sierra Tel serves both Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties. The 392-page directory pays tribute to, and shows appreciation for, the first responders in our local ...

Carolyn Anne Corn passed away on Nov. 28, 2018, in Clovis, Calif. She was 79. Born on Sept. 24, 1939, in the Panama Canal Zone, Carolyn excelled both in academics and sports. She competed in Track and Field in the Junior Olympics, but her passion was golf. After earning her Bachelor of Science from Oregon State, she went on to ...

MADERA COUNTY – Nearly a dozen people were thrilled to have been pulled over by sheriff’s deputies last week when they were presented with holiday gifts rather than citations. On the afternoon of Dec.11, Camarena Health CEO Paulo Soares and Director of Programs and Business Development Nichole Mosqueda joined Madera County Sheriff’s Office Problem Oriented Policing Team members Deputy Mike ...

OAKHURST – An accident involving six vehicles snarled traffic on Deadwood this morning for about two hours. At 9:45 a.m., CHP responded to reports of a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 41 between Road 420 and Road 425C south of Oakhurst. According to witness accounts and CHP, everyone was driving at speeds safe for the condition of the wet road. However ...

OAKHURST – An Oakhurst woman was transported to a Valley hospital after her SUV was struck by another vehicle on Road 426 this morning. At 11:45 a.m., just as officers were clearing the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on Deadwood (Highway 41 south of Oakhurst), reports came in of another accident, this one on Road 426. According to CHP at ...

MARIPOSA – During this hectic time of year, it’s important to remember that fire knows no holiday. While the danger of wildland fire may have been mitigated by recent rains, a house fire can ruin your holidays, so please be cautious with your decorations, fireplace, wood stove, Menorah and Christmas tree. Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit would like to remind the ...

AHWAHNEE – The Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees is searching for a community member willing to serve on the School Board. An open position on the Board has occurred due to the resignation of Dalene Stephens. Mrs. Stephens, who served on the Board from June 29, 2015 to Aug. 8, 2018, has moved out of ...

BASS LAKE – Three people were forced out into the cold in the early morning hours today as a fire destroyed their home at Bass Lake. Just after 2:30 a.m., firefighters were called out to a structure fire in the 39000 block of Duck just off Road 432 on the north shore of the lake. Cal Fire Engines 4255, 4275, ...

Written by Sarah Bolton – MADERA COUNTY – Hello Madera County Residents! Welcome to the Tree Mortality Community Column. Our company, Blue Ridge Services (BRS), is partnering with Madera County to oversee and implement their tree mortality mitigation project. We want to highlight one of our tree mortality safety officers, Kevin J. Kenyon. Kevin has lived in the Oakhurst/ Coarsegold ...