MADERA COUNTY – Department 9 was filled to overflowing this morning as five defendants in the Oct. 9 incident at the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino appeared before Judge Rigby for a review of their bail. Tex McDonald, Vernon King, Tyrone Bishop and Miguel Ramos remain behind bars after turning themselves in to authorities after charges were filed in connection ...

MADERA COUNTY – A three-car collision on Highway 41 last night has claimed the life of a young woman from North Fork. At 10:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, an 18-year-old North Fork resident was northbound on Highway 41 just south of the 22-Mile House in a 2007 Toyota at an estimated speed of about 60 mph, according to CHP. ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park will offer free admission to the public in honor of Veteran’s Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11. This fee free day is offered to all park visitors in honor of current members, retired members, and reserve members of the United States Armed Forces and their families.

MARIPOSA – A Mariposa man is behind bars after reportedly firing a gun into his girlfriend’s vehicle. On Nov. 6, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a domestic violence assault that occurred on Halloween. Sheriff’s detectives then contacted the female victim, who reportedly received a gunshot injury to her back during an attack by her boyfriend during ...

NORTH FORK – With Proposition 48 going down to defeat in Tuesday’s election, what does this mean for the future of the North Fork Mono Casino in Madera? One thing is certain; it doesn’t mean the end of the casino project. The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians will be moving forward with one or more of several legal remedies ...

MADERA COUNTY – Four individuals currently behind bars in connection with the armed takeover at the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino on Oct. 9 appeared in Madera Superior Court this morning for their arraignment on kidnapping and assault charges. Tex McDonald, Vernon King, Tyrone Bishop and Miguel Ramos all pleaded not guilty to all charges. The judge raised the bail ...

For the past six years, it has been an honor to serve as the District Attorney of Madera County. During that time, prosecuting criminals and keeping Madera County safe has been my highest priority. Last night, the voters chose a new District Attorney and I respect their decision. I am proud of the campaign I ran: clean and focused on ...

MADERA COUNTY – A fourth and a fifth suspect wanted in connection with the Oct. 9 Chukchansi Casino takeover attempt have turned themselves in to authorities. Miguel Ramos, 23, of Chowchilla, was Tribal Security for the McDonald Faction; and Tyrone MarkTwain Bishop, 29, of Fresno, was a Guard Supervisor for the McDonald Faction’s hired security. Both voluntarily turned themselves in ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest, is preparing to implement the fall/winter burning program. Projects will consist of three activities: pile burning, broadcast, and underburning. “The objective of underburning is to reintroduce low intensity fire to the ecosystem,” says District Ranger Dave Martin.

COARSEGOLD – A Craigslist post, advertising an estate sale, became the catalyst for a carefully orchestrated heist that suddenly turned into a home invasion, and a man described by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office as a Fresno Gypsy is accused of being the mastermind. George Xury Sterio, 55, currently sits behind bars in Fresno County on an unrelated charge. In ...