Written by Karen Kale —  MOUNTAIN AREA — We are in need of more volunteer drivers in Madera County, especially from the foothill communities. It is estimated 600 residents will be diagnosed with cancer this year in Madera County, and for many of them getting to treatments can be their biggest roadblock. A successful transportation assistance program can be a ...

NORTH FORK — Saturday, Feb. 17, will mark the 39th year that the community of North Fork has chosen one of its own to honor as Citizen of the Year. This year’s list of nominees is a long one. A dozen people have had their names anonymously submitted as citizens worthy of recognition for their contributions to the community. The ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park announces the release of the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment (Bridalveil Fall EA). The public comment period for the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment is currently open and will be open until Mar. 14. The Bridalveil Fall EA describes and analyzes two action alternatives to improve visitor services and facilities located near Bridalveil Fall. The ...

Written by Bob McKee — My mother, Loretta McKee, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 87 on Saturday evening, February 10, 2018. She was in her cherished mountain home surrounded by her loving family. Mom had a full life and is survived by her sister Jean, four sons, Matt (wife Wilma), Tim (wife Trish), Mike (wife ...

CENTRAL CALIFORIA — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is alerting customers in the Central Valley and surrounding areas to be aware of scam activity with criminals posing as PG&E workers. Law enforcement officials in the area have received reports of individuals claiming to work for PG&E going door to door to investigate outages of electric and phone service but ...

MADERA COUNTY, CA – More than 100 educators, school leaders, students, business and community leaders celebrated the official groundbreaking on Thursday, Feb. 1, of Hillside School, Chawanakee Unified’s newest school, planned to open in the 2018-19 school year to serve students in transitional kindergarten through 8th grade. “We are thrilled to welcome Hillside School to our Chawanakee Unified family,” says ...

NORTH FORK — Friends, family and an entire community are mourning the loss of Arthur “Artie” Hernandez, 65, who lost his life lost yesterday in a tragic accident on Bonnie B Road in North Fork. A GoFundMe account has been set up by Sandy Dew to help the family, including Artie’s beloved wife Rachel and his two sons, as they deal ...

NORTH FORK — Do you recognize this man? That’s the question being asked by North Fork resident Bob McKee after his home was broken into on Wednesday. Fortunately, his surveillance cameras captured the man’s image. “Amazingly I have found nothing missing except some outdated Vicodin,” says Bob. “It appeared the culprit was aware of my surveillance camera system or he ...

YOSEMITE — If you plan to be part of the spectacular yearly event that takes place at Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park, you’ll want to know about a new program taking place this year from Feb. 12-26. Park officials say the program has been created to improve the overall visitor experience as people gather to view the natural Horsetail ...

MADERA COUNTY — A 22-year-old woman is behind bars after a 50-mile, high-speed chase along Highway 41 in the early morning hours. Shortly after midnight this morning, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the area of Highway 168 and Ashlan Ave. when he saw what appeared to be a drug deal going down. The suspect’s car, a black Honda, ...