MADERA — John Reed has resigned from the Madera County Planning Commission. Reed submitted his resignation following the commission’s last meeting on Aug. 6. A commercial realtor and contractor with an office in Oakhurst, Reed also operates a business called Alternative Septic Systems. He has served on the  planning commission for five years and will be recognized for his service ...

NORTH FORK — The Sierra/Eastside Prioritization Working Group of the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force met Friday, August 9, in North Fork, for their monthly meeting to discuss project prioritization and collaborative conservation in the Sierra and Eastern California. After the meeting, participants were led on a walking tour of the North Fork Mill Site by American Forests’ California State ...

MADERA – County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Rebecca Martinez released today the draft Election Administration Plan (EAP) calendar for the 2020 Presidential Election Cycle. “On August 16th my office will make available to the public the draft Election Administration Plan,” explained Martinez. “I encourage the public to take a few minutes to review the document and submit their thoughts.” ...

MARIPOSA – After another wet winter and above average snow pack, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility ...

CHOWCHILLA — At their Aug. 6 ‘On the Road’ board meeting, held Tuesday evening at Fairmead Elementary in Chowchilla, Madera County supervisors approved a $708,600 plan to “build out” about 3,600 square feet of unfinished space on the third floor of the Madera County Government Center. The so-called “tenant improvements” will result in the creation of new office space for ...

FRESNO — It’s hot out there and the soaring temperatures can be dangerous. The American Red Cross has steps people can follow to help stay safe when it’s hot outside. NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN YOUR VEHICLE The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Other heat safety steps include: • Stay hydrated, drink plenty of ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Even local insurance agents are calling it a “crisis” — the sky high price tag attached these days to homeowners insurance in large parts of eastern Madera County. Many area residents have recently been notified their homeowners insurance is going up — for some, by as much as 450 to 500 percent. And lately, according to local ...

MOUNTAIN AREAS — Two separate power outages knocked out electricity to more than 16,000 PG&E customers in eastern Madera County on Tuesday afternoon. The dual shutdowns happened just before 2 p.m. and reportedly impacted utility customers in the Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Oakhurst and Wawona areas. Shortly after 3 p.m., PG&E confirmed that power had been restored to 14,000 customers in the ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Caltrans recently completed a $5.4 million project rehabilitating eastbound and westbound Highway 140 (SR-140) in the area of the Ferguson Fire scar. Caltrans says the work was needed after the Ferguson Fire burned through the region during the summer of 2018. The project included replacing 17 culverts (underwater drainage systems) and performing 12 miles worth of hazardous ...

MADERA COUNTY — A local hero was recognized by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) as George Stillman retired from Madera County Search and Rescue last week after 18 years of volunteer service. “Affectionately known as ‘SAR George’ by other team members, he has served in a variety of capacities throughout the years,” said MCSO in a public statement. “He ...