MADERA COUNTY – Officers and deputies continue their search for a man suspected in an auto theft, following an officer involved shooting near Millerton Lake. A police standoff began at around 4 a.m. this morning, when members of the Fresno HEAT* (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) Task Force located a stolen car in Fresno County.

CALIFORNIA – Firefighters were faced with a major challenge on the Lake Fire in San Bernardino County on Wednesday as a hobby drone, or (UAS) unmanned aircraft system, was spotted in the fire area where airtankers were flying. Just before 6 p.m. in the Onyx Summit area an airtanker spotted the drone in the area where the firefighting aircraft were ...

OAKHURST – Get ready to bust out the stars and stripes, as it’s time for the Oakhurst Community Band’s summertime Patriotic Concert, with music celebrating the USA and its veterans. The free concert takes place on Sunday, June 28, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Christian Center. Songs will include: This Is My Country Small Town Sketches Let Freedom Ring ...

COUNTY – In light of potentially dangerous conditions caused by the ongoing drought, Madera County Sheriff Jay Varney wants to remind everyone that no fireworks are allowed in Eastern Madera County; not even “Safe and Sane” fireworks are permitted north/east of the Madera Canal. Fire safety officials also urge that everyone in the community do their part to keep the ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Triangle Fire, which started on Thursday, June 18, at 12:03 p.m. on Triangle Road near Buckingham Mountain, is now estimated at 60 acres with 60 percent containment. All roads in the area have been reopened, according to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. Most of the resources from this incident have been committed to other larger fires ...

OAKHURST – A series of small fires on Highway 41 just north of Road 425B at the top of Deadwood, temporarily closed the highway in both directions this evening. The incident, dubbed the Bug Fire, was reported just before 7 p.m., and began simply enough when a Madera man and his family were enjoying the day at Bass Lake.

NORTH FORK – Strains of Christmas music will draw locals and visitors alike to Grace Community Church on Saturday, July 18, where booths inside Grace Hall and outside the church, will offer crafts, art, jewelry, clothing, baked goods and other great surprises. The event starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. at 56442 Road 200 just south of ...

To the Editor: I mentioned that I would provide the facts and figures pertaining to the Bond being planned by the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) and how the Bond will affect Madera County residents. Below is an image of the SCCCD District Boundaries. Here are the basics:

NORTH FORK – District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will host the next in his series of Town Hall meetings on Thursday, June 18, at the North Fork Rancheria Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. The meeting will include presentations from Cal Fire Battalion Chief Chris Christopherson, Madera County Firewise Coordinator Roger Maybee, and Emadco Recycling Operations Manager Ashley Smith. ...

MARIPOSA – Due to the extreme menace of destruction by fire to life, improved property, or natural resources caused by critical fire weather, and the acute dryness of vegetation along with fire suppression forces being heavily committed to control fires, Cal Fire Unit Chief Nancy Koerperich has suspended the privileges of burning by permit and any other uses of open ...