MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Aug. 13, to Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018. Oakhurst possession of controlled substance On Monday, Aug. 13 at 2:17 a.m. a vehicle stop on Highway 41 resulted in the arrest and cited release of a local woman for possession of a controlled substance ...

OAKHURST — A suspect is in custody after a nearly four-hour standoff with law enforcement in the wake of an alleged stabbing in Oakhurst today. Dillon Westlake, 28, was taken into custody by Madera County Sheriff’s deputies after he was found hiding in the attic of an apartment building on River Park Road, where he is believed to be a ...

NORTH FORK – It’s time for auditions for the Squirrel Cage Theatre Co.’s annual Fall Follies. This year’s show will includes various musical acts and the melodrama “Alaska or The Secret of Yonder Mountain,” written by Robert Fulton Kennedy. Auditions are being held at the North Fork Studio (the building next to the North Fork Library) on Sunday, Aug. 26, ...

Written by Dave Smith – NORTH FORK – It has been another summer of fun, adventure, and honing their skills for the Scouts of North Fork Troop 357. The Scouts traveled to Morro Bay in late April where they set up camp at Morro Bay State Park, then spent Saturday afternoon at Montana de Oro State Park exploring the tide ...

By Barbara Eicker —  OAKHURST — It’s been an amazing journey, but Stephen Stavast, owner of Stavast Studio/Gallery, will be closing his doors in Oakhurst after more than 26 years in business. In 1992, Stavast opened his fine art gallery on Highway 41 — the second gallery to open in what is now known as Gallery Row. During that time, ...

I am a recently retired veterinarian who built a house and lived in Mariposa County since 2006. During the last year, I know of at least 11 fires caused by PG&E, and there have been three fires within three miles of my residence that are very concerning to me. Governor Brown and state lawmakers are working right now to pass ...

By Karen Bauer —  COUNTY — Looking for that perfect four-legged addition to your family? Want unconditional love from someone who is always excited to greet you at the door?  We can recommend a small cuddle-bun for your lap, or maybe a big (slightly!) slobbery lug you can take on long walks. Friends of Madera Animal Shelter (FMAS) is participating ...

OAKHURST – With the reopening of Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite Gateway communities have come together with #YosemiteNOW campaign on social media, to show the world Yosemite’s icons remain unharmed from the fire and to encourage visitation that is vital to the region’s economic recovery. After thirty days of challenging fire and unhealthy air quality, Yosemite ...

OAKHURST — As president and creative director of Ball Point Creative Design, Inc., local author Lauren Ball consults with clients to ensure the design of their book “captures the tone and vision” they had in mind. On Saturday, Aug. 11, Ball will present Part 1 of a two-part workshop at the Oakhurst Branch Library entitled “Self Publishing for Authors.” Ball’s ...

Submitted by Jeannie Harsha – MARIPOSA COUNTY – Smokey sunrises, fiery front-page photos, convoys of fire trucks and personnel – we see these every day in our foothill communities of late. I love the signs of support for our fire crews and law enforcement along the local routes that I travel. They like it, too. Some of them have told ...