MADERA COUNTY – A suspect has been arrested in connection with a rash of fires in the Bass Lake area yesterday. According to Cal Fire, there were eight separate ignitions, with the first reported just before 3 p.m. on Road 222 near Pettitt Road. Crews responded to a second fire about 30 minutes later on Road 222 near Miller’s Landing, ...

OAKHURST – Cal Fire has detained an unidentified individual for questioning in connection with a series of fires in the Bass Lake area today. Just before 3 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of a vegetation fire on Road 222 between the Mountain House and Bass Lake. Witnesses didn’t see the fire start, but report that several people were stopping and ...

Submitted by Cassandra Melching COUNTY – Do you know a Madera County foothill student from kindergarten through high school age who loves to create? Help them showcase their work in the annual Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar. The deadline for entries is Monday, Oct. 5 for the annual, four-color, bilingual, wall calendar. It’s produced with the help of students who ...

NORTH FORK – The annual breakfast to benefit the Heifer Project is this Sunday, Sept. 27, at Grace Community Church in North Fork. Sponsored by the Board of Christian Education, and orchestrated by the folks at Grace Community, this yearly pancake breakfast raises money to buy animals or trees to benefit families in poverty stricken areas around the world. For ...

BASS LAKE – The 28th annual Smokey Bear Run/Walk is this Saturday, Sept. 26. This event is a highlight of the fall season at the lake and is also one of the races in the “Valley Runner of the Year” series. This year’s Run/Walk sets out from Recreation Point on the south shore of Bass Lake. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m., ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Oakhurst theft from vehicle On Monday, Sept. 14 at 11:26 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the Oakhurst sub-station regarding a theft of items from an unlocked vehicle. Report taken. Case to ...

OAKHURST – Did you know that, according to CHP, critical misuse of child safety seats happens about 73 percent of the time? In honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week, the Oakhurst Area CHP is holding a Car Seat Check Up Event following the conclusion of the Heritage Days Parade on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. North Fork assault On Monday, Sept. 7 at 2:26 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the area of Road 222 and Old Central Camp Road regarding a possible vehicle accident and physical ...

BASS LAKE – The man charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter in the death of David Flores, 13, of Fresno, who died after being run over by a jet ski at Bass Lake on June 27, was back in Bass Lake Superior Court today. Phat Chau, 55, of San Jose, appeared with his attorney Michael Idiart this morning, and after discovery ...

BASS LAKE – Keep Our Mountains Beautiful (KOMB) organizers plan to tidy up a long section of Bass Lake Road on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to noon. The clean-up will take place from the intersection of Road 222 and Highway 41, all the way to the Pines Resort and possibly more, depending on the number of people who ...