MADERA COUNTY — The search has stretched into a second week for a camper who went missing over the July 4th holiday weekend in the Sierra National Forest above Bass Lake. “Your family is worried about you,” was written on a sticker attached by Forest Service officials to Sandra Johnsen Hughes’ car, which was found about two miles from her ...

AHWAHNEE — A former employee is accused of stealing money from a popular area business over a six-month period. The alleged crime first came to light in late February when the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a theft report from the owner of the Hitching Post restaurant and bar.  The suspect was subsequently identified as Angel Anderson, 62, of Bass ...

MADERA — Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) officials reported 36 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. The latest cases, which include those confirmed both Thursday and today, bring the countywide total to 893.As of 4 p.m. Friday, MCDPH was reporting a total of 430 currently active cases — and 455 recoveries.Twelve people with coronavirus are currently hospitalized and ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Fire is a natural part of California’s ecosystem. If used properly, fire can improve the health and resiliency of both forests and rangelands, control weeds, increase species diversity, promote native species, and reduce the smoke and damage of catastrophic wildfires, according to the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the Southern Sierra Prescribed Fire Council.Prescribed fire ...

SQUAW VALLEY — A 56-year-old Madera County man died early Friday morning after suffering injuries during a fight with a Squaw Valley man. Shortly after midnight on Thursday, a man dialed 911 to report he had just been involved in a fight with an intruder, later identified as Thomas Robert Christopher. Deputies responded to a home on the 49000 block ...

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) announced Friday that thousands of currently incarcerated persons could be eligible for release by end of August. The action, according to a CDCR press release, would allow the agency to “protect its most vulnerable population and staff from COVID-19.” Prison officials are under increased pressure after a series of COVID-19 ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Superintendents of two area school districts both confirmed on Thursday that their schools are on track to open for the 2020-21 school year on August 13. “Schools will reopen one way or another,” said Bass Lake Joint Elementary School District Superintendent Randy Seals.Unfortunately, because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, there are still major questions about ...

MADERA — The spike in new cases continues, with Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) officials confirming 73 new cases of COVID-19 and an eighth death on Wednesday afternoon.The latest report brings the total number of cases in Madera County so far to 857. As of 4 p.m., MCDPH was reporting a total of 435 currently active cases — ...

OAKHURST — Zander Wood, the 5-year-old Oakhurst boy severely injured in late May after being accidentally electrocuted, continues his recovery. Now being treated at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, Zander’s courageous story was recently profiled on ABC30 News. In case you missed it, here’s a link to the video — and ABC30 Reporter Gilbert Magallon’s uplifting update.

MADERA — Madera supervisors held their first regular meeting of the County’s new 2020-21 fiscal year this week — and it was a busy session.The start of a new business year means the County must renew various departmental agreements with outside contractors. So Tuesday’s lengthy list of agenda items involved the auditor’s office, behavioral health sciences, community and economic development, ...