NORTH FORK — For the 37th year, the North Fork community will gather to celebrate its Citizen of the Year — someone chosen as being representative of the spirit of service and giving that defines this mountain village. The dinner and celebration is set for Saturday, Feb. 27, at the North Fork Town Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with ...

EARTH — A full moon is rising and should be visible this evening, followed by the dazzling planet Jupiter in the eastern sky after dark. The February full moon is also sometimes called the Wolf Moon, Snow Moon or Hunger Moon. According to EarthSky.org, the star above the moon and Jupiter this evening is Regulus, the brightest in the constellation ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016: Oakhurst vandalism On Sunday, Feb. 14 at 1:03 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a vandalism in the 48000 block of River Park Road. An investigation was completed and it was determined that a suspect ...

NORTH FORK — A crash on Road 274 reduced traffic to one lane for over an hour today near the south end of Bass Lake. At about 11:43 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, Christian Williams, 26, of Oakhurst, was northbound approaching Central Camp Road. He told police he was fiddling with some loose wires in the radio of the 1995 ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — If you’re like most people, you spend countless hours and untold dollars taking care of your home. After all, it’s your castle. You want your castle to be beautiful on the outside and on the inside, so you do your best to maintain the property through thick and thin. It’s a big investment of time and cash, ...

BASS LAKE — A stolen family golf cart affectionately dubbed “The Green Machine,” has been recovered by Madera County Sheriff’s deputies. However owners Chad and Denise Gregerson are more than a little distraught over the complete destruction of what was a beloved family possession, lovingly restored after being rescued from the weeds. At about 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The USGS reports a 4.8 earthquake at 3:04 p.m., about 6 miles WNW of Big Pine, California, followed by a 2.9 aftershock about 5 minutes later in very close proximity. That was followed by a 2.8 at 3:23, and a 4.3 at 3:27 p.m. Big Pine is on the east side of the Sierra on Highway 395, ...

OAKHURST — With the overwhelming response to the Age Well, Drive Smart class offered by the Oakhurst Area CHP Office, they have scheduled another class for Thursday, Mar. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) implemented the Age Well, Drive Smart program to assist older drivers and their families with the tools to remain safe on ...

OAKHURST — Local Soroptimists once again offer community women the chance to apply for the Live Your Dream Award scholarship, with applications open now through Thursday, Mar 3. The scholarship awards are given to women who are striving to learn new skills and obtain an education, with the goal of improving employment status and standard of living, both personally and ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District is seeking enthusiastic volunteer candidates to fill the position as campground host volunteer for Nelder Grove Campground. The volunteer would start the week before Memorial Day and work through end of September. The volunteer is expected to work on weekends and holidays and will be required to reside ...