David Sawyer Toews, loving son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, and treasured friend died at home in Oakhurst, CA on January 3, 2020. Born February 13, 1981 to Rhonda and Rick Toews, David leaves behind his mother, Rhonda; his sister, Jana and brother-in-law, Jeremy Heinbach; nieces, Olivia and Camryn; and many close family members. He was preceded in death by ...

By Gregg Dodderidge OAKHURST — The Badger boys’ basketball program quite simply is on a roll, winning both of its North Sequoia League games last week. On Wednesday (Jan. 29) the Badgers traveled to Sierra and defeated the Chieftains 74-46. It was a strong performance considering winning at Tollhouse is never an easy task. YHS also defeated Sierra 71-61 on ...

By Gregg Dodderidge OAKHURST — The Yosemite High girls’ basketball team went 2-1 last week. On Tuesday (Jan. 28), the Badgers defeated Sierra 65-42 in Tollhouse and on Friday YHS crushed Liberty 60-24 at home. YHS then played Saturday against Sierra Pacific of Hanford. The Golden Bears snapped a 5-game Badger winning streak, defeating YHS 57-47. The Badgers now move ...

OAKHURST — Two local burglary suspects were apprehended late last week with the aid of an alert home owner — and their home surveillance system. The incident, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, began Thursday (Jan. 30) shortly before 9 a.m. when the Sheriff’s Communication Center received a call for service for an in-progress residential burglary in the 48000 ...

MADERA — For the first time in county Academic Decathlon history, the student team from Madera South High captured the championship at the 38th Madera County Academic Decathlon, held Saturday in Madera. With the victory, Madera South, which hosted this year’s event, advances to the state competition March 27-29. Seven schools took part in Saturday’s 10-event competition, answering questions based ...

COARSEGOLD — An antique water pump stolen a week ago from outside the Coarsegold Historic Museum has been recovered, according to an update issued today by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect in the theft also has been identified as Robert Hagen of Fresno. As of Saturday afternoon, Hagen remained at-large. Surveillance footage from outside the museum as well ...

MADERA — The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) has granted the Madera Community College Center (MCCC) “candidacy,” which brings the Madera campus one step closer to being recognized as a full college. The successful step in MCCC’s evolution to becoming an independent community college was announced late last week. ACCJC accredits community colleges and other associate degree ...

COARSEGOLD — Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives are searching for a thief who stole a valuable, antique water pump from outside the Coarsegold Historical Museum. MCSO investigators believe that the man pictured here was involved in the burglary, which they believe took place on Sunday (Jan. 26). The suspect was captured on surveillance video walking around on the museum property during ...

By Kathryn Odgers, student journalist for Minarets Press O’NEALS — After twenty-seven young students began their day by being greeted as they got off the bus by the Minarets’ parking lot, the group was led down to where Key Club had set up their meeting room. The students were excited to come to the high school as many had never ...

By Benjiman McMillan and Haley Carlton, student journalists for Minarets Press O’NEALS — The Minarets High School girls’ JV and varsity basketball teams both had home games on Monday, Jan 27. They played the Parlier Panthers, which is the Mustang’s second game against them. Unfortunately, the first varsity game against them wasn’t so successful and they ended up losing 34-21. ...