MOUNTAIN AREA — From progress on major new public and commercial projects to prosecution of high-profile criminal cases, 2019 was an eventful year in eastern Madera County. As 2020 dawns, here’s a look back at some of this year’s key stories. North Fork’s new roundabout: After several years of heated debate, Madera County’s first public roundabout was approved by the ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office reports taken locally from Tuesday, December 10, to Monday, December 16, 2019. North Fork Probation Violation On Tuesday, December 10, at 10:00 a.m., deputies responded to Road 200 to attempt to contact a subject that was wanted by Probation for a violation. The subject was contacted and later ...

OAKHURST — The Oakhurst Community Center was the setting for the 11th-annual free Christmas dinner  known as “The Outpouring.” The event, which caters to the community, took place Christmas Eve eve — Monday night (Dec. 23) — from 3 p.m. to 7 pm. The all-home-cooked feast also featured live music and a special appearance by Santa Claus, who brought toys ...

MADERA — For the fifth consecutive year, Madera County Sheriff’s deputies teamed with Agriland Farming employees to commit “50 Random Acts of Kindness” throughout Madera County, a holiday tradition that for one day allows area law enforcement personnel to hand out money rather than traffic citations. Thanks to a $5,000 donation from Agriland, MCSO deputies on Monday handed out 50 ...

By Joseph Langley, student reporter for Minarets Press O’NEALS — For four years now, Minarets has held a Community Day to close out the first semester of the year. This year has been no different. In fact, this year, it was bigger and better than ever. Students all around campus rose up to do something truly magic, and to give back ...

NORTH FORK — The North Fork Rancheria’s Indian Housing Authority (NFRIHA) was awarded a $5 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Indian Housing Block Grant Program grant to support infrastructure for 25 new, low-income housing units. The grant award was officially announced last week. “Decent, safe and affordable housing is a scarce and valuable resource for our Tribe ...

NORTH FORK — Nestled in the serenity of the Sierra National Forest outside North Fork, the amazing Burmese architecture of the Vipassana Pagoda stands out — even amid the natural splendor of the Central Sierras. Situated on 109 forested acres, the North Fork Vipassana Meditation Center — which will quietly mark its 30th anniversary next year — hosts students from ...

MARIPOSA – New MMU Unit Fire Chief Mike van Loben Sels has big visions for the three counties and five fire departments he now oversees. During his 26 years with CAL FIRE, van Loben Sels has served many communities but says he’s never lost sight of the “importance” of his own family. “They’ve been fully supportive of this whole job ...

COARSEGOLD — G’Ma and Pappa’s Motorcycle Apparel shop hosted its 4th annual “Christmas in the Mountains Bicycle Giveaway” on Saturday morning outside the Coarsegold Community Center. At the popular event, nearly 300 area underprivileged children — from toddlers to teenagers — got an early Christmas present — a brand new bike. The children and their parents also enjoyed a free ...

CLOVIS — Is it your New Year’s Resolution to go back to college or start college? Attend Extreme Registration and tuition may be FREE! Take general education class for transfer, short-term training programs, or earn an Associate Degree. There is still time to register for the spring semester, which starts Monday, Jan. 13. Extreme Registration will be held at Clovis ...