Guest Columnist – Alan R. Graas, Chief Economist, Sierra Asset Management Over the past few years we have expressed increasing concern over the soaring national debt. As we look to the end of this decade, we view the growing national debt as our single largest economic concern. We hope the following question and answer format will help you better understand ...

NORTH FORK – The community of North Fork and the Citizens of the Mono Tribe are saddened by the passing of Avis Punkin, North Fork Rancheria Tribal Coucil Treasurer and life-long resident. Funeral services will be Friday, Nov 16, at 10 a.m, at Jay’s Chapel in Madera. At approximately 1:30 p.m. there will be graveside services at the North Fork ...

NORTH FORK – The Hillside Baptist Church will be holding their annual fundraiser tonight, and everyone is invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. One of the biggest outreach ministries at Hillside Baptist is the kids program on Wednesdays. The fundraiser will support that program, along with helping to send kids to camp in the summer. David Novell and Chuck Thrapp, ...

MADERA COUNTY — With so many elderly people living alone these days, being able to check on their safety and welfare has become a concern for friends and relatives, and for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. To address this growing concern, Sheriff John Anderson has launched a new program called “Elder Orphans.”

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Gallery will celebrate the creativity of youth in the Yosemite gateway communities with an awards ceremony and art exhibition on Saturday Nov. 17. Winners of the art and poetry contests will be on display at the gallery this Friday and Saturday.

Sheriff’s seeks public’s help identifying suspects-

MARIPOSA – On the heels of the California Mining and Mineral Museum’s reopening, the California Highway Patrol announces the arrest of three suspects in the daring daylight heist on Sept. 28. Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, the CHP, assisted by Mariposa and Placer County Sheriff’s Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Division of Adult Parole Operations, and the Sacramento ...

OAKHURST – Striking workers at Raley’s have put down their picket signs and returned to work as a tentative agreement is reached in the 9-day long strike, the first in Raley’s 77-year history. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) have been on strike against Raley’s/Nob Hill Stores since contract negotiations broke down on Nov. 4, and more than 7,000 ...

RAYMOND – A Modesto man killed in a motor vehicle accident near Raymond has been identified as 55-year old Ronald Gene McAnally. On Monday, Nov. 5, McAnally was passenger in a 1995 Honda Accord, being driven by his 17-year-old nephew. The vehicle was northbound on Road 800, just south of Road 820, traveling at 35 to 40 mph, according to ...

YOSEMITE – Due to recent weather and road conditions, the Chowchilla Mountain Road will be closed and inaccessible for the season from the park boundary to the Wawona Golf Course. The closure will be in effect as of Thursday morning, Nov. 15.