MADERA COUNTY – Anyone with unwanted medications will be able to drop them off when the Madera County Sheriff’s Office hosts the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 6th National Take Back Initiative next month. The Sheriff’s Office will provide two drop-off sites on Saturday Apr. 27, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Submitted by Kristi Winter MADERA COUNTY – Wasuma Elementary School took top honors at the 2013 Academic Pentathlon on Saturday, Mar. 16, winning the 8th grade competition. The Ranchos Middle School also finished on top, defended their title and winning the 7th grade competition. More than 350 students participated in this year’s five-event academic competition, held over two days. Math ...

MARIPOSA – On Saturday night, Mar. 9, Californians will be turning their clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time. And when they do, The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) is reminding them to replace the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. This minimal effort could mean the difference between life and ...

MADERA COUNTY – Madera County’s middle school students will be putting their minds to the test at this year’s 2013 Math Tournament. Students will take three tests: Individual Endurance, Circuit Training and Relay Race on Friday, Mar. 8, at the Madera Center. During the Circuit Training teams will be given 20 questions and 2 ½ minutes per question moving through ...

MADERA – The “Chew on This Tour” is scheduled to make a stop at Madera’s Thompson Products Inc.(TPI), a Nutra Blend Producer, sponsor of the event. The nationwide tour is looking to raise awareness of world hunger and other food issues. The “Chew on This Tour” is part of “The Drive to Feed the World” campaign.

RAYMOND – District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will hold a town hall meeting tonight from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Raymond-Knowles Elementary School Cafeteria. Topics of discussion will include:

COARSEGOLD – Residents of Indian Lakes who were headed home this evening were met with a virtual wall of law enforcement at Road 417, allowing in only those who live in the area. Both Road 417 and Lucky Lane near the Chukchansi Casino had CHP officers and sheriff’s deputies stationed at the entrances from Highway 41, showing a strong presence ...

CALIFORNIA – Homeowners in designated State Responsibility Areas (SRA) throughout the state will soon be receiving another bill for what has become known as the Rural Fire Fee. Beginning in 2012, anyone living in an SRA is required to pay $150 per habitable structure on their property. An SRA is an area where the state bears the primary responsibility for ...

MADERA — Thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club of Madera and Danny Morris, deputy director of the Madera County Department of Social Services, two offices at Social Services have been transformed into a park-like oasis for children and parents who are being reunited. “The work that the Rotary Club of Madera did for the children and families served ...

MADERA COUNTY – The National Weather Service has issued an alert for the Madera County foothills and the Sierra from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, as a series of cold winter storms heads our way. A cold Pacific storm system is expected to bring precipitation and much colder temperatures to the area on Tuesday. High temps on Tuesday are expect to ...