COARSEGOLD – Once again tensions are rising at the Chukchansi Gold Casino between the factions struggling for control, and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office has stepped in to ensure that law and order is maintained. Though details of the situation are not being released, deputies and CHP officers have been sent to the location on Highway 41 near Lucky Lane. ...

We asked readers to send in their photographs depicting local children on their way to the first day of school, which started on Monday, Aug. 18, for many students. Another thing that started that same day was the Junction Fire, now said to have burned hundreds of acres around the Oakhurst area. While emergency responders toil away fighting the flames ...

NORTH FORK – The North Fork Chamber of Commerce is holding a Summer Supper and Ice Cream Social at the Lyn-Mar Pond Guest Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., and the public is invited. DC Entertainment will provide the sound track with music from the 50s and 60s.

OAKHURST – Branches Books and Gifts will host author Andrew J. Stillman on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Stillman is a 2007 graduate of Yosemite High School who will be signing his novel, Immortality Awaits: The Objects of Inwit, Book One.

NORTH FORK – For the second time in as many months, residents of North Fork have had to say goodbye to someone who brightened their day at the local post office. Deeann Nolan, postmaster in this mountain town since 2006, put in her last day of work on Thursday, July 31, after 36 years of service. Long time employee Alice ...

Reid Allen graced us with his presence, gave us life, guided us through life with a zeal unmatched, he had “been there, done that” several times over, and lived life on his terms. Reid served in many ways with several different careers; US Navy, a career firefighter with the US Forest Service, local business owner of Radio Shack, Mariposa Legal ...

O’NEALS – As the time nears for school to resume, personnel changes are being reported throughout the districts, including some notable new additions and a key departure within Minarets High School. Michael Niehoff has been the principal at Minarets since the school’s inception six years ago. “I have been a secondary educator since 1990, have always worked in project-based, tech-integrated ...

COARSEGOLD – Area business leaders are banding together to invite the community to a free business networking opportunity on Wednesday, July 23. The well-anticipated event will include entertainment and Hors D’oeuvres at the Coarsegold Miner’s Grill from 5 – 8 p.m. Adding to the excitement, shops at Coarsegold Historic Village will stay open for the evening. Calling the night’s meetup ...

OAKHURST – After a flurry of activity early this year at the site of three planned hotels in Oakhurst, progress has seemingly come to a halt. Units of lumber sit baking in the sun and heavy equipment stands idle at the recently leveled site on the west side of Highway 41 between Hartwell Road and Winding Way, while the County ...

OAKHURST – Oakhurst Feed & Pet Supply’s non-profit pet food bank will have its first food distribution Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. Proof of need, proof of current vaccinations and proof of spay/neuter is required, although food will be distributed on this first go-round with just proof of need*.