CHOWCHILLA – On Friday, Mar. 13, at 10 a.m., herds of cattle take over Robertson Boulevard in a historical cattle drive. Cowboys and cowgirls drive the cattle down the city’s main street to kick off three days of rodeo action where some of the best cowboys in the country vie for the coveted belt buckle as well as cash rewards.

With estimates of a 40 percent die-off of Ponderosa Pine this year, and dead and dying trees dotting the landscape in the mountain area, Cal Fire is offering some important assistance for homeowners. The oncoming fire season, which is forecast to be even more volatile than 2014, makes it critical that diseased, dead and dying trees be removed as soon ...

MADERA COUNTY – Madera County’s middle school students will be putting their minds to the test at this year’s 2015 Math Tournament. Students will take three tests: Individual Endurance, Circuit Training and Relay Race this Friday at the Madera Center. During the Circuit Training teams will be given 20 questions and 2 ½ minutes per question moving through a circuit.

MARIPOSA – A Mariposa couple has been taken into custody after sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant at a home on the 7000 block of Hite’s Cove Road in Jerseydale last Thursday. On Mar. 5, Mariposa County deputies arrested Ryan Osteen, 35, of Mariposa for possession of stolen property at his residence.

OAKHURST – The Sheriff’s Substation in Oakhurst is now home to a satellite office of the Madera County District Attorney’s Office. At 4 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 6, District Attorney David Linn made it official by cutting the ribbon on the new Mountain Division at 48267 Liberty Drive, where the D.A. will share space with the Probation Department. “It’s so ...

YOSEMITE – The third annual Law Day Yosemite will take place on Friday, May 1, at 10 a.m., in Yosemite Valley at the Yosemite Elementary School field, facing Yosemite Falls. Approximately 350 eighth grade students from 10 schools in and around Yosemite National Park will gather to celebrate the Rule of Law. The theme for this year’s Law Day Yosemite ...

MADERA COUNTY – Now is the time to get your garden in shape for spring and what looks to be a very dry summer. Madera County Master Gardeners will be hosting two free events this month to answer questions and get you motivated. The first is a Garden Advice Clinic at Peters Brothers Nursery on Saturday, Mar. 14, from 10 ...

OAKHURST – Wildfire season will soon be upon us and the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to aid their Disaster Services team in preparing for and responding to these fires. The Red Cross will be hosting a new volunteer orientation in Oakhurst on Wednesday, Mar. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.

FRESNO ― Walkers representing local businesses, families, schools, and other organizations will be participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Central Valley Council Fresno area annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, on Saturday, Mar. 28, at Woodward Park Mt. View Shelter. Over 43 Walk Teams have signed up and raised nearly $23,000. But that is far below the goal ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park was one of four national parks to receive a 2015 Subaru Outback thanks to a partnership between the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, and Subaru of America, Inc. Yosemite National Park added the Subaru to its existing vehicle fleet. This fuel-efficient Subaru will help the park reach its goal to ...