OAKHURST — Hillview Water customers are being asked to conserve water this morning and to be prepared for discoloration and the possibility of running low, after Manager James Foster announced there is a significant leak in the Oakhurst area and the location is undetermined at this time. According to the company, Hillview’s on-call service technician received a call early this morning about a low level ...

MADERA COUNTY — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced the schedule for a project to create rumble strips on the Highway 41 corridor from Avenue 15 near Madera Ranchos to Highway 49 in Oakhurst. Caltrans spokesman Sam Yniguez reports that crews will begin the process of creating a center rumble strip on Highway 41 starting Sunday night, June 4 at ...

UPDATE — Project will begin on Sunday, June 4 at 9 p.m. Nighttime one-lane traffic control will be in place. Read the updated article here. MOUNTAIN AREA — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled what may be a very welcome project in the foothills, to begin installation soon and last for about three weeks. Sharp-eyed residents spotted work signs ...

MARIPOSA — Over 100 firefighters from the Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit participated in live fire training at Eastman Lake this week, ahead of what is sure to be a challenging fire season. The training was held May 22 and 24 as one component of Cal Fire’s summer preparedness drill, and included 25 engines, 4 crews and 2 dozers, along with ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Good news for anyone who has experienced delays recently on Highway 41 associated with the massive tree removal project that began last fall. After taking out 15,179 trees at a cost of $5.7 million, Caltrans spokesman Cory Burkarth says the hazard tree removal along the Highway 41 corridor north of Oakhurst will cease for the season. The last day for tree ...

MARIPOSA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) will be conducting a live fire training exercise at Eastman Lake on Monday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 24. The training will be in cooperation with Madera County Fire and the Army Corp of Engineers. If conditions are conducive, approximately 170 acres of grass and oak understory will ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Smoke from the Elm Fire near Hwy 198 in Coalinga is affecting air quality in the western portion of the San Joaquin Valley and has the potential to impact Fresno, Kings and the western portions of Kern County. Currently, smoke impacts originally concentrated in the foothill areas to the west of the air basin have moved to the ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Tax Collector’s office is in the process of the final drive for collections of taxes owed to the County, and all entities for whom they collect, in preparation for fiscal year-end closing. “Last month we sent out over 4,000 delinquent notices, and we have been putting bank levies on unpaid unsecured taxes,” said Tracy ...

CLOVIS  – The Sierra National Forest (SNF), High Sierra Ranger District, Fuels and Fire Management staff are planning to ignite a prescribed fire on the Vincent Fuel break on Tuesday, May 23, as part of an ongoing hazard fuels reduction plan. Smoke will likely be visible around the mountain area and the Valley. “Using the advantage of favorable weather conditions, ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Board of Supervisors learned first-hand the capabilities of the new T-Rex, the articulating platform ladder fire truck, soon to be put into service at Station 8 in Coarsegold. During today’s regular Board meeting, MMU Cal Fire Division Chief Dave Allen gave the supervisors a close-up look at the new truck, which was acquired to ...