MADERA COUNTY – The jury was not in the courtroom on Monday, Mar. 23, as the court dealt with a motion for a mistrial in the arson trial of Kenneth Jackson and Alice Waterman. One of Jackson’s defense attorneys, Martin Jones, filed the motion after a Cal Fire investigator testified last week that it was his opinion that a cigarette ...

COARSEGOLD – If ever you must go through the anguish of having your home destroyed by fire, may you be blessed with good neighbors. Just after 7 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 24, Harvey White and his roommate Kim were in their home on Blackfoot Road just off Road 417 in Indian Lakes, when they heard the sound of glass breaking ...

OAKHURST – An Oakhurst man on probation for vehicle theft is back behinds bars, now facing narcotic charges. Eddie Wayne Dolzadelli, 20, was taken into custody Friday afternoon, Mar. 21, while walking along Highway 41 in Oakhurst. He was found to be in possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Dolzadelli was booked into the Madera County Department of Corrections where ...

OAKHURST – A citizen’s tip led to the arrest of a woman wanted on a felony narcotics warrant on Friday, Mar. 21, in Oakhurst. Shortly before 1 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a tip stating that “the female with the mohawk hair, who has a warrant, is in inside the store.” Madera sheriff’s deputies responded to the Oakhurst grocery store, ...

COARSEGOLD – Desert Roots is an evening of ancient rhythms, joyful songs, drumming and dancing on Sunday, Apr. 27 at 7 p.m. Experience enchanting songs and rhythms from the Middle East and North Africa by internationally known charismatic percussionist, performer, educator and sound healer Dror Sinai. Dror is an international performer, educator, and guest artist, as well as the Founder ...

Submitted by Jeannie Habben It is important to have a say in the planning of our water. The Madera Regional Water Management Group is currently updating this area’s water management plan. The Madera Regional Water Management Group is a group of water agencies, organizations, and other interested parties that meet monthly to discuss regional water management issues, projects, and opportunities ...

MADERA COUNTY – Coarsegold Elementary School won top honors at the 2014 7th grade Academic Pentathlon, with Ranchos Middle School winning the 8th grade competition. Nearly 400 students participated in this year’s five-event academic competition, held over two days. Math and essay tests were held on Friday, Mar. 14 at State Center Community College District Madera Center. Literature, Speech and ...

MADERA COUNTY – A mountain area deputy has been honored by his peers with the distinction of being named Deputy of the Year. Deputy Jack Williamson signed on with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. In his 16 years of service, 9 were spent as a detective with the Sheriff’s Mountain Division. Those who know and work alongside Williamson ...

OAKHURST – A single vehicle accident just north of Cedar Valley Road slowed traffic for over an hour this afternoon. At 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 20, a group of students from Pleasant Hill, Calif., were southbound on Highway 41 when they apparently entered a left-hand turn at too high a rate of speed.

Outgoing Sheriff John Anderson has released his final Madera County Sheriff’s Office State of the Department Report, outlining the challenges and successes of the Sheriff’s Office in 2013: All in all, 2013 was once again a pretty good year for the Sheriff’s Department. We experienced no natural disasters, spiraling crime, or other major incidents. Actually, reported crime was down in ...