CALIFORNIA – Trees are an essential part of California’s climate and are vital to improving air quality and conserving water. To help educate Californians on the value that trees provide to building successful, healthy cities and neighborhoods, the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and California ReLeaf are announcing the annual statewide Arbor Week poster contest for ...

CHOWCHILLA – The newly elected Sheriff of Madera County has been chosen by the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year. Jay Varney will be recognized along with six other honorees on Saturday, Jan. 17, as the Chowchilla Chamber hosts their Community Awards Dinner at Farnesi’s Steakhouse.

OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Executive Director’s awards. “The entire Eastern Madera County mountain community is invited to join us as we celebrate and honor the 2014 award recipients, recognize the 2014 outgoing chamber board ...

MADERA/MARIPOSA COUNTIES – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing Cal Fire’s Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) to transition out of fire season effective Monday, Dec.15, at 8 a.m. in Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. Cal Fire MMU Chief Nancy Koerperich reminds citizens that this has been an especially devastating fire season for our ...

MADERA COUNTY – Late this afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a suspicious U-Haul truck that appears to be canvassing neighborhoods, looking for packages left on doorsteps. The truck was seen at around noon on Monday, Dec. 15, on Little Lake Road in Oakhurst. According to the Sheriff’s Office, there were two white males inside the truck. One ...

AHWAHNEE – Staff at Sierra Meadows Golf and Country Club are reporting they’ve received good news: the club will stay open for the near future after members voted on a proposal that will have them paying a little bit more to play a whole lot longer, they hope. Last month Sierra Meadows owner Robert Bard sent out a letter telling ...

FOOTHILL COMMUNITIES – As extreme winter weather approaches with the threat of flooding, especially in areas affected by recent fires, the Sheriff’s Offices in Madera and Mariposa Counties are letting residents know where they can obtain sand and sandbags to protect their property. Residents must provide their own shovels. It is best to call ahead for Fire Stations, in case ...

OAKHURST – Sheriff John Anderson was honored today by a room full of Citizens on Patrol (COPs) Volunteers – one of many programs he created as Sheriff, and one of numerous programs for which he will be best remembered when he retires next month. Forty volunteers surprised Sheriff Anderson with private farewell luncheon at El Cid in Oakhurst.

First, a little back-story. A few years ago I was diagnosed with a medical issue that forced me to quit my job and seek other means of employment. My previous job involved vigorous walking, and the illness would no longer allow me to continue walking as far on a day to day basis. Suddenly, deluged with a plethora of time, ...

CALIFORNIA – As a major winter storm prepares to hit California, Cal Fire is reminding residents to take steps to heat their homes safely. While the cooler weather and rain is a welcomed event during a time of severe drought in California, it also means that many will need to turn on home heating sources to keep warm indoors. Cal ...