FRESNO — With winter weather on the way, one reality of driving in California’s Central Valley returns to challenge motorists — fog. The California Highway Patrol encourages motorists to prepare for fog and winter driving conditions. The fog season in the Central Valley typically begins during the month of November and continues through February. “Many collisions result from driving too ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — I see a reckless driver. Maybe he is driving under the influence. Do I call 911, or do I call the local CHP office? Call 911, says Oakhurst Area CHP Officer Kaci Lutz . People may worry they’re doing the wrong thing calling 911 because they’re not sure if seeing a drunk or reckless driver is an ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to hold a special election on Mar. 7, 2017, to put the proposed one-cent public safety tax before the voters of the unincorporated areas of Madera County. Revenues from the tax would be dedicated exclusively to funding the Madera County Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office, split 80 percent to ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Nov. 7 to Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016: Oakhurst court order violation arrest On Monday, Nov. 7, at 12:26 a.m. deputies were dispatched to the 45000 block of Lauri Lane regarding a violation of a court order. Upon arrival the restrained person was ...

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is joining utilities throughout North America to make customers aware of telephone, mail, email and door-to-door/in-person scams that involve criminals posing as utility company representatives and demanding immediate payment or personal information. The “Utilities United Against Scams” collaboration has designated Wednesday, Nov. 16, as Utilities United Against Scams Day. This day ...

AHWAHNEE — Heading home from Madera on Saturday, Nov. 5, we decided to take the road through Raymond, hoping to see some wildlife. We witnessed five or six tarantulas crossing the warm pavement that afternoon, and best of all, ran into the Yosemite Western Artists show happening at Gertrude School. Familiar faces greeted us, along with the strumming of Terry Robinson, and the sounds ...

Submitted by Gary Blate —  OAKHURST — Yosemite Youth Basketball begins on Sunday, Nov. 20 with registration, clinic and team play in the Yosemite High School gyms. Boys and girls should come dressed and ready to play. Players through 2nd grade will play on baskets lowered to eight feet. Players in 3rd grade and above will play with regulation baskets. There ...

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY — The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Woman of the Year, Man of the Year, and Business of the Year Awards. The 2016 awards will be presented at the annual Chamber Installation Dinner and Awards Ceremony, to be held at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp on Friday, Jan. 20. ...

Dennis M. Dolan, of Ahwahnee, Calif., died on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at his home near Bass Lake. Dennis was born on Jan. 9, 1948. He was a 1966 graduate of Santa Maria High School, went on to graduate from UCSB in 1971 and earned an MBA from San Diego State University. Dennis lived for many years in San Diego ...

MARIPOSA – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing Cal Fire’s Madera-Mariposa- Merced Unit (MMU) to transition out of peak fire season effective Monday, Nov. 14, at 8 a.m. in Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. “The 2016 fire season was challenging throughout the State of California, and the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit was very ...