SACRAMENTO – With the New Year just around the corner, the California Highway Patrol is reminding motorists of several new laws or changes to existing law that go into effect in 2014. The following are summaries of some transportation-related laws that, unless otherwise stated, go into effect on January 1, 2014.

MADERA COUNTY – After 30 years of service to the California Highway Patrol, Sergeant Ed Greene is retiring to do, as he puts it, “anything I feel like.” Dec. 30 will be the last day on duty for the 52-year-old veteran officer in the Oakhurst division, where he has served since transferring from Mariposa in 2009.

MADERA COUNTY – Two young men who were arrested on Monday, Dec. 16, in connection with the death of a 17-year-old Simi Valley girl, were in Madera Superior Court this morning for a bail review and pre-preliminary hearing. Scott Jacob Mason, 20, of Simi Valley and Jacob Patrick Banaga, 18, of Visalia, were taken into custody after the body of ...

OAKHURST – Construction crews are starting phase one of the project to replace and widen the bridge at Road 425B and Road 426. The $1.4 million project will be completed in two phases to allow traffic to continue to access Road 425B at this location during construction.

SACRAMENTO — This New Year’s Day 2014, California State Parks will commemorate their 150th Anniversary with several First Day Hikes planned across the state. On Wednesday Jan. 1, 2014, 31 state parks will offer 38 different hikes, including hikes in the redwoods, the deserts and along the coast and beaches, as well as a paddle hike, and other activities.

MADERA COUNTY – As the investigation continues into the death of a 17-year-old Simi Valley girl who died at Rock Creek Campground, Sheriff John Anderson is asking for the public’s help. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have seen 20-year-old Scott Jacob Mason, 18-year-old Jacob Patrick Banaga or the victim, 17-year-old Tara Maguire, between Saturday Dec. ...

COARSEGOLD – A day of fishing and drinking came to an abrupt end when said fisherman headed for home and smashed his pickup into a rock outcropping on Highway 41, snarling traffic during the evening commute. Leonard Cox, 75, of Clovis, had spent the day snagging trout and catfish in one of the private ponds near Indian Lakes.

OAKHURST – When a burn pile was lit off by a resident on Road 426, the fire didn’t confine itself to the pile of leaves and debris. Just after 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, engines responded to a report of smoke just west of Oak Ridge Drive near the Llama Ranch on 426. The fire spread to adjacent vegetation ...

MADERA COUNTY – A Search & Rescue mission launched Monday at noon took a tragic turn just before midnight that night, when SAR volunteers located the body of a 17-year-old Simi Valley girl. Her two male companions are now behind bars facing felony charges. Scott Jacob Mason, 20, of Simi Valley, and Jacob Patrick Banaga, 18, of Visalia, were booked ...

MADERA COUNTY – The trial of a Coarsegold couple charged with 31 counts of arson will get underway this week in Madera Superior Court. Kenneth Jackson, 40, and Alice Waterman, 46, both of Yosemite Lakes Park, have been in custody since late June, when they were arrested after a rash of suspicious fires in the Coarsegold/YLP area. Waterman was in ...