MOUNTAIN AREA — While the forecast for this weekend’s rain is less drastic than previously anticipated, we’re still expecting a winter storm strong enough to bring sufficient precipitation that the National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a storm and flash flood watch for the region, especially notable for burn scar areas. Winter Storm Watch A Winter Storm Watch is ...

OAKHURST — Yosemite High School won the 2018-2019 Honorable Edward P. Moffat Madera County Mock Trial competition held on Jan. 17, 24 and 26 in the Madera Superior Courthouse. YHS battled Liberty, Madera, and Madera South High Schools in what turned out to be YHS’ second consecutive County championship and 28th win overall in the 35 year history of the ...

Written by William Miller – COARSEGOLD – After years of ground preparation, a long-planned business venture is about to begin at the corner of Highway 41 and Yosemite Springs Parkway. Work is set to begin next week on a service station and 3,000 square-foot convenience store, said property owner Hershel Noonkester during a site visit on Tuesday. He said that ...

O’NEALS — Some days I love my job more than others, and last Saturday was certainly one of those special days. It was my pleasure to be one of the many volunteer judges for this year’s Madera County 4-H Favorite Foods Day, when nearly one hundred young club members from around the area entered their recipes and displays into a ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dogs of the Week for SNO are Swarovski and Marquis. These two brindle girls come from a litter of six and are two out of the four remaining females. Marquis is distinguished by the white stripe on her forehead. These adorable Terrier and Pit Bull pups are about t10 weeks old and weigh ...

OAKHURST — Two theater arts students in the Yosemite High School class of 2019 are taking to the stage in order to create a legacy. And they’re doing it in a really funny way, as in, you’ll laugh your way through this familiar show. Cindra Jimenez and Haley Hammond are directing and starring in The Red Velvet Cake War — ...

MADERA – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in gathering information related to a string of commercial burglaries. The crimes occurred in Eastern Madera County in the late evening hours of Sunday, Jan. 20, and the early morning of Monday, Jan. 21. On Jan. 20, shortly after 11 p.m., deputies responded to Grocery Outlet in Oakhurst ...

FRESNO – Residents of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District can get their old gas-hogging, high-polluting vehicles checked at the first “Tune In Tune Up” event of 2019 on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Fresno Fairgrounds. This free event offers emissions testing on a first-come, first-served basis. Car owners whose vehicles fail the emissions test may be eligible ...

COARSEGOLD – The Coarsegold Chamber of Commerce Board hosted their 2019 installation dinner and award presentation at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino on Friday, Jan. 11. To set a festive mood, the room was decorated in the Coarsegold Chamber of Commerce colors of black and gold with orchids, gold table runners, balloons and fairy lights adorning the tables. After guests enjoyed ...

Beloved son, brother, uncle and cherished friend Blake Ricker passed away at home on Dec. 31, 2018 at the age of 27. Born with a sunny disposition in Roseville on Feb. 27, 1991, Blake enjoyed the outdoor mountain life of camping, fishing, hiking, riding three-wheelers and spending time with close friends and family. Even as a child, he never knew ...