YOSEMITE — The body of an Oakhurst man who was swept away while rafting in the Merced River in Yosemite on June 6, has been recovered. According to family members, the body of Ernie Hagar, 60, who has been missing for over two weeks, was located yesterday by a park visitor. As first reported, Ernie was part of a large ...

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – If you’ll be traveling along Road 223 across Teaford Saddle during the next week, you’ll want to be prepared for short delays. County Roads is removing hazard trees between Road 420 (Thornberry Road) and Hidden Meadow Road (see map below). Crews are stopping traffic, dropping trees and moving them out of the roadway, then letting traffic ...

SACRAMENTO — As wildfires burn across California, new estimates on the number of dead trees in California were announced, prompting continued concern for California’s forest health and wildfire danger. Today, the US Forest Service released the outcome of its latest aerial surveys over California forestland, finding that over 66 million trees have now died due to drought and bark beetles ...

OAKHURST — Motorists should continue to be on the lookout for crews who will be painting new striping on a portion of State Route 41 just north of Oakhurst, as well as north of Road 222, the turnoff to Bass Lake. Department of Transportation (Caltrans) spokesman Cory Burkarth said today that the road painting that began on Tuesday, June 21 ...

MADERA COUNTY — A two-day Search & Rescue effort concluded with the very best of outcomes when a missing man was located in the Miami Motorcycle Trail area this morning. About 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a report that the parents of a 21-year-old man were unable to locate him in the forested ...

MADERA COUNTY — Travelers can rest assured, knowing that blasting operations have concluded on the Highway 41 passing lanes project now under construction, according to the Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans’ Cory Burkharth confirmed today — there will not be any more blasting. “This week the contractor is placing aggregate base rock for the southbound widening lane,” says Burkharth. “Next ...

MARIPOSA – While recent rains this winter and spring have been a welcome sight in California, drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. This suspension took effect June 17, and bans all residential outdoor ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Prepare for some delays when traveling through Coarsegold and Oakhurst early next week, as crews will be out striping the road. On Tuesday and Wednesday, June 21 and 22, Caltrans will be painting on Highway 41 between Road 417 in Coarsegold, over Deadwood, to Highway 49 in Oakhurst. Painting will take place from approximately 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drivers are urged to allow extra time ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park anticipates an extremely busy weekend, as record visitation continues and the park prepares for President Obama’s historic visit to Yosemite June 17 – 19. The White House announced last week that the President and First Family will celebrate Father’s Day weekend with a family trip to Carlsbad Caverns and Yosemite National Parks. “We are honored ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park managers will be hosting a delegation from Sister Park, Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany, from June 19 to 25. During the visit, park managers will exchange ideas and practices and further the Sister Park Arrangement. Berchtesgaden is located in the southern mountains of Germany near the Austrian border, a region famous for the filming of iconic ...