MADERA COUNTY – All the fires affecting the mountain area this summer have been a stark reminder of just how important it is to register to receive emergency alerts from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office when disaster strikes. The Sheriff’s Office will be hosting events in Oakhurst in the next few weeks to provide residents the opportunity to register for ...

OAKHURST – One man is dead and another remains hospitalized following a fight last night in the backyard of a home located on Canoga Drive in Oakhurst. The Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, advising that two males were in the backyard, and neither one was moving. Steven George Rhoan, 50, of Oakhurst, ...

YOSEMITE – The Meadow Fire in Yosemite has now burned 4,933 acres and firefighters have gained 50% containment. No structures have been damaged or destroyed. There are currently 570 personnel assigned to the incident which was started by a lightning strike in mid-July and has cost $2.58 million for suppression efforts to date.

YOSEMITE – The Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park will reopen to the public on Saturday, Sept. 13. The cables have been closed since Sunday night, Sept. 7, due to a wildfire. The Meadow Fire, located east of Half Dome and near Little Yosemite Valley, is currently at 4,906 acres and is 23% contained.

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The search for Nick Goldman came to a successful end late last night, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Search & Rescue crews found him near the Quartz Mountain Trailhead. He is in stable condition. Due to pitch black darkness, volunteers stayed the night with Goldman and extracted him from the location at first light this morning. ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is issuing an identity theft alert to citizens placing ads online. If you get a call from someone claiming your credit card is no good, hang up, and call your credit card company directly. The Sheriff’s Office received word this morning from an Eastern Madera County couple, who placed an ad online in the ...

YOSEMITE – The Meadow Fire, burning in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park, has grown overnight to 2,582 acres. The fire may be a spot fire from a lightning-caused blaze which started on July 20. The new activity in the area was noted at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, and is burning within the Little Yosemite Valley (LYV) ...

YOSEMITE – The Meadow Fire, which is reported to have started with a lightning strike on July 20, has been creeping and smouldering in the Little Yosemite Valley for 49 days. But just after noon today, it apparently came to life and has now grown to over 700 acres.

MARIPOSA COUNTY – As of Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m., the Incident Commander and Mariposa County Sheriff have announced the lifting of evacuations on the Bridge Fire, and all residents are being allowed to return to their homes. Harris Road at Highway 49 and Harris Road at Ponderosa Court will be open to residents only. Expect continued security patrols ...

O’NEALS – That band of merry makers and preservers of local history are at it again. This time the Clampers will be dedicating a monument commemorating a notorious stage robbery at the location of the long-gone town of Hildreth near O’Neals. The gentlemen of E Clampus Vitus, affectionately know as “Clampers,” love a good bit of fun, but they are ...