MOUNTAIN AREA — If you’re talking on your cell phone, putting on makeup or reaching for something in the back seat, you are guilty of distracted driving, and the CHP will be on the lookout for you. The month of April has been designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will use this opportunity to ...

COARSEGOLD — CHP responding to reports of a crash on Highway 41 near Serpa Canyon last night around 11:30 p.m., arrived on scene to find a Honda Accord on its roof right in the middle of the roadway, blocking both lanes. However, there was no one in the vehicle, and nobody around who may have been driving. A passing motorist ...

A Message from District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler’s Office —  MADERA COUNTY —  Supervisor Wheeler has been working non-stop on the tree mortality issues that we face in Eastern Madera County. Now, he is organizing a Tree Mortality Resource Fair for constituents to get one-on-one time with key partners that may be able to provide resources or educational information. The ...

MARIPOSA — A Mariposa man is behind bars on a million dollar bond after allegedly threatening his ex-wife with a knife and assaulting a police officer. On Mar. 28, at 9:09 p.m., the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a residence in the 5000 block of Italian Creek Road in Mariposa. The caller stated ...

MADERA COUNTY — Sheriff Jay Varney is warning residents of the latest scam designed to gather personal information from unsuspecting citizens. Over the past few weeks, residents in Fresno, Tulare, Sanger, and Madera Counties have been receiving phone calls from a person claiming to be with the Madera County Department of Social Services (DSS). The phone number appearing on their ...

OAKHURST — A call-out just after 10 a.m. this morning sent firefighters to a home on Pine Ridge Road where the first engine on scene reported a two-story home with flames showing on the roof. The two young men, ages 22 and 24, who were home at the time say they had put a fire in the woodstove. Some time ...

Written by Lluvia Moreno — NORTH FORK — There has been a lot of buzz around town about the Grand Opening of several businesses on Friday, Apr. 1, including A Bit of Everything, owned by North Fork resident Christina DeGracia. A Bit of Everything offers just what the name suggests, from items such as camping gear and sporting goods, to ...

OAKHURST — The Cool Bean Cafe was buzzing this morning as folks dropped in to chat or have coffee while getting to know their local CHP officers. Coffee With A Cop is a program near and dear to the heart of Oakhurst Area CHP Commander Lt. Jason Daughrity. The purposed is to bring together police officers and the community members ...

NORTH FORK — Friday, Apr. 1, will be a day of celebration as three new businesses open in downtown North Fork. One of the stand-outs is Willow Creek Catering. Owner and culinary expert of Willow Creek Catering, Dawn Pliche’, has been a Head Chef in the Yosemite, Oakhurst and the central Sierra mountain area for over 15 years. Dawn has ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — When you’re scared of the dark and don’t like mean people, perhaps a career in law enforcement isn’t for you. But Mariposa County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Kristie Mitchell somehow found a way to make it work. Kristie is a 1994 graduate of Mariposa County High School, and shared her experience and wisdom with the graduating class ...