MADERA COUNTY – Phone scams, cyber scams, mail scams … they’re a nuisance and especially menacing during the holiday season. Since the beginning of this year, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office has received 150 fraud complaints. During the same time frame last year, Jan. 1 to Nov. 20, they received 216 fraud complaints. The decrease in the number of cases ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The Sierra National Forest Fire Management Officer announced earlier in the week that fire suppression resources would be transitioning from full fire season staffing to winter staffing levels. “With a change in the weather due to rain to date, cooler temperatures, and shorter days, the potential for large fires has been reduced on the forest,” said ...

Submitted by Cindy Muehlenbeck OAKHURST – Soroptimist International of The Sierras will be sending free holiday gift packages to men and women who are in the armed services. Included in the packages are homemade goodies, gum, candies, a Sierra Star newspaper and a holiday card from members of the organization to remind our service personnel how much they are appreciated.

MADERA/MARIPOSA COUNTIES – Following recent rain, Cal Fire’s Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit has lifted the suspension of burning within State Responsibility Area (SRA) within Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties effective Monday, Nov. 17. Hazard reduction burning in Eastern Madera County will be allowed with a valid San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District permit. While cooler temperatures have helped to diminish the ...

MADERA COUNTY – If you’ve ever been asked where you got all that junk and your barn doors are bulging out from all the old dusty, rusty stuff you’ve collected in there, your day is about to come. That’s right: it’s time to get picked.

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Workforce Assistance Center is offering valuable services, resources and information for Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino employees who have been laid off. They are inviting all affected employees to attend one of two scheduled orientations and hear about the services available.

MADERA COUNTY – Accounts have been set up for the family of Sophia Ruiz, a young woman who lost her life in a tragic accident on Monday night. For those wishing to support Sophia’s mother, Carol Cardinale, as she deals this tragedy and the expenses that come with it, there are two ways you can help.

MADERA COUNTY – A young woman whose life was lost in a three-car collision on Highway 41 on Monday, Nov. 10 has been identified by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office as Sophia Elise Ruiz, 18, of North Fork. Two young male passengers who were in the car with Ruiz are currently hospitalized for injuries suffered in the accident. The accident ...

MADERA COUNTY – Madera County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Rebecca Martinez announced today that 4,385 vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots were received in the Registrar’s office and polling places in Madera County on Election Day.

NORTH FORK – With Proposition 48 going down to defeat in Tuesday’s election, what does this mean for the future of the North Fork Mono Casino in Madera? One thing is certain; it doesn’t mean the end of the casino project. The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians will be moving forward with one or more of several legal remedies ...