Written by Susan Moore and Barbara Ulman The beautiful and inspirational Sierra foothills are the perfect environment for artists of all kinds. Our community takes pride in a rich abundance of gallery art, theater, writers’ groups, and musical performances.

MADERA COUNTY – Raymond Mendoza Chavez, 54, and his wife Gloria Chavez, also 54, sit behind bars facing a multitude of felony charges including 59 counts of counterfeiting, and possession of narcotics. Late Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 26, Sergeant Mark Stritzel and Deputy Luis Padgett were conducting a probation search at the couple’s home located on Avenue 16 south of Chapin ...

NORTH FORK – A single vehicle accident on the rain-soaked roads sent a young North Fork woman to the hospital this evening. At 8:44 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, Amanda Webb, 22, was eastbound on Road 223 near Northridge Road when, for unknown reasons, her Honda Accord crossed over the westbound lane, left the roadway and smashed into a tree.

COARSEGOLD – The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Monday to approve a General Plan Amendment and Rezoning for 20.48 acres on the southwest corner of Highway 41 and Yosemite Springs Parkway. Dennis Jonathan requested the zoning change from AR (Agricultural Residential) to HSC (Highway Service Commercial), CC (Community Commercial) and HDR (High Density Residential) designations in order ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite Renaissance is celebrating its 29th year with an exhibit of 49 paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures by 45 artists. Drawn from over 700 entries, this year’s exhibit includes a broad range of works from the representational to the abstract, all interpreting the majesty of Yosemite and the Sierra.

MADERA COUNTY – A 41-year-old Michigan man is behind bars, accused of trying to smuggle marijuana into Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla. Sheriff’s deputies were called to CCWF Sunday afternoon, Feb. 23, where William “Bill” Leroy Waltz of Burlington, MI, was being detained after corrections guards caught him with the contraband, says the Sheriff’s Office.

MADERA COUNTY – A vehicle fire on Highway 41 just north of the 22-Mile House caused some traffic back-up on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Just before 10 a.m., reports began to come in of a white Caravan on fire along the roadway, though the location was reported by one motorist as Yosemite Springs Parkway, by another as near the Highway 145 ...

COARSEGOLD – A 14-year-old Coarsegold youth is back behind bars booked on burglary and drug charges. Sheriff John Anderson says this juvenile was one of three teenagers arrested last month for vandalizing the Yosemite Lakes Park Clubhouse, and setting stolen property on fire in the densely populated area of Coarsegold. The juvenile, whose name cannot be released due to his ...

Submitted by Judi Hussain OAKHURST – Calling all dogs! It’s your day to shine on Sunday, Apr. 27, at Oakhurst Community Park. There’s something for every dog at the second annual “Oakminster” Dog Show, with all pooches—mixed breed and purebred—welcome. Owners are okay, too, if they’re well-behaved. Prizes to be awarded include “Best in Show.” The fundraiser, sponsored by Oakhurst ...

FRESNO – Two California Highway Patrol officers lost their lives today while responding to a call on Highway 99 when their patrol car crashed into a guard rail near Kingsburg. The accident happened just before 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, near the Sierra Street exit. “This is a very sad day for us at the CHP as we say ...