OAKHURST – The success of Airbnb and other home-sharing websites has created “a serious shortage” of long-term rental properties in Eastern Madera County, say those familiar with the rental market. On a scale of one to ten, Rhonda Salisbury, CEO at Visit Yosemite | Madera County, thinks the problem is “at least a seven or eight.” “But we’re not unique,” ...

MADERA – The Madera County Board of Supervisors will decide at their regular meeting Tuesday whether to approve a $1.97-million dollar contract to build Madera County’s first public roundabout in North Fork at the intersection of Roads 225 and 274. The controversial project has been in the planning stages for nearly three years and would be funded, in large part, ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Caltrans is extending the full highway closure of State Route 49 (SR-49) from Bear Valley Road to just south of SR-132 in Coulterville. The closure – which began on Monday, April 29 and was initially scheduled to last 12 days through Friday, May 10 – has now been extended through 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. Crews ...

MARIPOSA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced that effective at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, all hazard reduction burning will require a permit in Mariposa County. Permits can be obtained at the nearest Cal Fire station: Cal Fire Catheys Valley – 2203 Highway 140, Catheys Valley Cal Fire Usona ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of several phone and email scams circulating throughout Madera County. Though specific details may vary, these scams typically contain one or more of the following characteristics: Requesting people provide or confirm their Social Security number Informing people they are eligible to receive a financial grant/payment, but must pay ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff’s Deputy Jack Williamson is retiring after 21 years of outstanding service to the citizens of Madera County. Deputy Williamson reported for his final shift on Monday, April 22, though his last official day is May 1 and he will continue to serve as a reserve deputy. Jack was born in Fallbrook, Calif., in 1964, and shortly ...

NORTH FORK — A plan to build a new water treatment facility to service the North Fork area continues to flow forward. “We’ve been making pretty good progress,” says Ray Gutierrez, an engineer in Madera County’s Public Works Department, which is overseeing the project known as the North Fork Consolidation Plan. A joint venture between the Chawanakee Unified School District ...

NORTH FORK — Supervisors are expected to vote next month on a plan to create Madera County’s first public roundabout. The circular intersection in which traffic flows in one direction around a central island could be built at the junction of Roads 225 and 274 in North Fork. The project has been the subject of many presentations and public meetings ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Caltrans is planning a 12-day full highway closure of northbound and southbound Highway 49 from Bear Valley Road to State Route 132 in Coulterville to repair pavement and culverts. The closure is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 29, and run through 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10. Motorists can expect an additional hour ...

FISH CAMP — Caltrans has announced that a culvert repair project north of the Narrow Gauge Inn will continue with crews on scene for the next three to four weeks, as they continue to fix the roadway ahead of the busy spring travel season. In cooperation with Agee Construction, the work on Highway 41 in Mariposa County north of Mill ...