NORTH FORK – While folks around the mountain area were enjoying a warm and festive holiday season with friends and relatives, there were many families with an empty chair at the dinner table. That’s because these families have a son or daughter, mom or dad, brother or sister who is serving their country in some far-away land. Those absent loved-ones ...

MADERA COUNTY – Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso is reporting that one person has died in Madera County due to the flu, and encourages everyone to take precautions and get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta say that this is one of the worst flu seasons ever. The best protection against the flu is a flu ...

BASS LAKE – What was already a terrible accident could have turned into a tragedy, had it not been for the keen eyes and smart decision of two Bass Lake Water Company employees. Eric Shearer and Shanti Rogers were on duty for the water company this morning, Jan. 15, headed down Road 274 near Bass Lake.

YOSEMITE – The waterfalls are spectacular and admission is free to Yosemite National Park on Monday, Jan. 21, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Yosemite has experienced a magnificent winter thus far, with an abundance of snowfall throughout the park. The floor of Yosemite Valley is blanketed in snow and Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Vernal Fall and other ...

NORTH FORK – Icy conditions and deer jumping into the road are a recipe for mishap this time of year, as a young woman from North Fork learned yesterday. On Monday, Jan. 14, at 8:15 a.m., she was driving her 1997 Chevy Venture northbound on Road 223, just south of the Thornberry Road (420) turnoff, when a deer apparently ran ...

MADERA COUNTY – Credit card skimmers strike Madera County again. For the second time in four months, victims are calling the Sheriff’s Office after discovering unauthorized charges. At least 15 card holders report their cards were compromised after pumping gas at the 22-Mile House on Highway 41.

OAKHURST – Sign-ups are underway for Sierra Mountain Little League, this Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Jan. 15, 17 & 19 at the CoolBean/Pizza Factory patio. Anyone with children between the ages of 4 -12 is encouraged to sign them up, no matter their skills. There are teams for kids of all skill levels, and this is a great way to ...

OAKHURST – A single vehicle accident on Highway 49 was apparently the result of the driver falling asleep at the wheel, according to the CHP.

BASS LAKE – The icy roads made driving treacherous this morning all around the mountain area, and appear to have contributed to a crash near Bass Lake. Juan Zavala, 23, of North Fork, was westbound on Road 274, just east of Cedar Vista Drive, at about 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, when he apparently lost control of his pickup ...

With the summer travel season approaching, motorist do their best to prepare for any eventuality while on the road. One thing they may not anticipate is what they would do if their vehicle catches fire, and those split second decisions could mean the difference between a bothersome interruption of a vacation, and tragedy. According to a recently released U.S. Fire ...