MADERA COUNTY – Todd Spangler, prosecutor in the Bass Lake Department of the Superior Court, has been promoted to Supervising Deputy District Attorney for Madera County. Spangler, a graduate of California State University, Fresno, and the University of San Diego School of Law, brings 21 years of experience as a prosecutor to the position. For the past 14 years, Mr. ...

FRESNO — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against four individuals for their involvement in a large marijuana cultivation operation on the Sierra National Forest in Madera County. United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced the charges against Francisco Javier Gomez-Rodriguez, 37, Alejandro Ramirez-Rojo, aka Alejandro Ramires, 30, and Humberto Ceballos-Rangel, 37, all citizens of Mexico, and Anthony ...

FRESNO – Another close call with a drone has put yet another aircraft in danger, this time a Fresno SkyLife helicopter with a patient on board. According to KFSN ABC30, the close encounter happened yesterday at 1,000 feet in the air, roughly two miles away from Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The pilot had to take evasive action, and the helicopter ...

MIDPINES – A 67-year-old man was attacked by a bear outside his home in Midpines early this morning, confirms the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. As a result, the Sheriff has issued an aggressive animal public safety warning for the Midpines area of Mariposa County. Today, Thursday, Aug. 13 at approximately 4 a.m. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – The smoke from two area wildfires has prompted local air officials to issue a health cautionary statement for smoke impacts in Merced, Madera, Fresno and Tulare Counties foothills and mountain areas, and the Valley portion of Kern County. The Rough Fire, burning in Fresno County near Hume Lake is now nearly 10,000 acres, and the Cabin Fire ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes most of Madera County, has been highlighted and ranked in the coveted #1 position of best place for manufacturing jobs in a report published by Newgeography.com. According to the Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC), the report documents a 59.8% growth rate in manufacturing jobs from 2009-2014. Additionally, Madera ...

MADERA COUNTY – A San Jose man who has been charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter in the jet ski death of a 13-year-old Fresno boy at Bass Lake on June 27, was arraigned in Bass Lake Superior Court on Tuesday, Aug 4. Phat Chau, 55, did not personally appear, but pleaded not guilty through his attorney. Criminal charges were filed ...

SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today announced the department is investigating a case of human plague in California, and conducting an environmental evaluation in the Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park and the surrounding areas. The department began investigating this incident after a child from Los Angeles County became ...

MADERA COUNTY – Charges have been filed against a San Jose man in connection with the death of a young boy on Bass Lake on June 27. The boy died after being run over by a wave runner, reportedly operated by Phat Chau. Chau, 55, has been charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter after allegedly running over 13-year-old David Flores of ...

OAKHURST — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley is opening an evacuation center at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B, for residents affected by the Willow Fire. Volunteers will be on scene to provide comfort, snacks, and water for evacuated families. The Red Cross is also coordinating with the Central California Animal Disaster Team to care for ...