MADERA — Tyson Pogue is officially Madera County’s new top cop. “I am truly humbled and honored as I stand here today,” Pogue told the board of supervisors Tuesday morning after being sworn in as sheriff. “I am so appreciative of the support of my co-workers, fellow law enforcement professionals and of course the board.”“These are challenging times but I’m ...

MADERA — Madera County reported 42 new cases of COVID-19 last week, making it the single-worst week for new cases since the pandemic began. On Friday, Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total of cases countywide to 198. MCDPH Director Sarah Bosse also announced Friday that the County will shift its ...

MADERA — The Madera County Board of Supervisors gave a warm welcome to new Veteran Services Officer Joshua Christopherson when he was introduced during a board meeting held earlier this month (June 2) right after Christopherson’s first day on the job. As Veteran Services Officer, he will oversee staff and day-to-day management of the Madera County Veterans Service Office (CVSO), ...

AHWAHNEE — Avery Bunnell, a 16-year-old sophomore at Yosemite High School, is doing his part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the crisis began, Bunnell, who lives in Ahwahnee, has raised $41,000 for the Madera County Food Bank and $7,000 for Manna House of Oakhurst. He has also collected some 3,000 KN95 surgical masks for area health care workers and ...

SACRAMENTO — The California State Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday (June 2) in the long-running case known as the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria v Newsom.While the Auburn Indians and a number of other California casino tribes continue to oppose the Mono’s 20-year effort to build a casino and hotel off Highway 99 near Madera, since ...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — Wilderness fans rejoice — the official reopening process starts Friday at Yosemite National Park.NPS officials announced today that beginning Friday (June 5), “YNP will reopen access to the Yosemite Wilderness to those with existing wilderness permit reservations and to those with an existing Half Dome permit.”Yosemite National Park has been closed to all park visitors since ...

MADERA — Supervisors made it official Tuesday morning: Former Sheriff Jay Varney is now the County’s top day-to-day administrator.At the start of today’s (June 2) meeting, which was chaired by Supervisor Rob Poythress, the board formally appointed Varney to be the County’s new chief administrative officer. “He will take over as a strong leader,” said Supervisor Frazier. “Jay is exactly who ...

MARIPOSA — Emphasizing that visitor safety remains their top priority, tourism officials of gateway communities in Madera and Mariposa counties are nonetheless voicing concern over planned new restricted access to Yosemite National Park.  “On May 18, Yosemite National Park leadership shared its draft reopening strategy with the region’s gateway communities. The proposal would limit daily access to 3,600 vehicles, 1,700 ...

Editor’s Note — Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno responded over the weekend to the nationwide civil unrest in the wake of the death of George Floyd on May 25 while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here is her full statement: MADERA — There is nothing more central to my principles as a District Attorney than the sanctity and ...

BASS LAKE – The Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) will be providing mobile drive-through COVID-19 testing in Bass Lake on Tuesday (June 2) from 9 a.m. to noon.To be stationed in the the administrative parking lot of the Pines Resort, MCDPH’s mobile testing unit will be offering the FREE tests to all adults — both symptomatic and asymptomatic.The ...