MADERA COUNTY — The firefighters at Madera County’s Station 19 are not only dedicated first responders, they have also volunteered hundreds of hours to raising money to upgrade the County’s firefighting equipment. On Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m., personnel from Station 19, located in the Bonadelle Ranchos, will present a check to the Board of Supervisors for $40,000. This ...

YOSEMITE — Don Neubacher, who has been in charge of one of America’s most iconic national parks for over six years, has announced that he will resign, effective Nov. 1, amid allegations of a hostile workplace and harassment. Neubacher, 63, is under investigation by a congressional oversight committee, and released this statement to staff on Wednesday: Dear Yosemite Colleagues: Today, ...

FISH CAMP — Heading from Oakhurst to Yosemite next week? Be prepared for delays, weather permitting. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today that beginning on Monday, Sept. 26, one-way traffic control will be in effect on State Route 41 in Mariposa County for five days as part of a tree removal project taking place in Madera and Mariposa counties. ...

MADERA COUNTY — Good news, travelers, as the long-awaited passing lanes project on SR-41 near the 22 Mile House is now complete. “The new lanes were opened to traffic yesterday,” says Caltrans’ Corey Burkarth, “and we anticipate accepting the project tomorrow once the contractor completes the task of removing signs from the project site that are no longer needed.” Construction ...

BASS LAKE — Visitor and residents along Bass Lake will see water levels begin to drop in the coming weeks as water is released in the annual drawdown. Beginning Sept. 29, PG&E will be begin operation of the power houses at Crane Valley and along the river as they lower the lake level to provide water to downstream users. “The ...

Here is a classic example of how Owner Mitigation + Firefighter Hard Work = Success. Though the official fire season may be winding down in the next few months, finger crossed, preparation to ensure that your home is fire ready and fire safe is an ongoing task that is best accomplished in the wet and cooler weather. This dramatic photo ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday not to accept the pay increase recommended by staff, that would put them more in line with the salaries of supervisors in neighboring counties. District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler, who has supported the increase in the past, made the motion to deny the ordinance, stating that he had given it ...

MADERA COUNTY — After an emotional meeting lasting nearly 11 hours, the Madera County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to move forward with the Austin Quarry project, planned for the southwest corner of Highways 41 and 145. Today’s hearing was to consider two appeals of the Planning Commission’s July 19 decision to certify a Final Environmental Impact Report, approve two ...

CALIFORNIA — The State Controllers Property Tax Postponement Program has been reinstated after being suspended by the Governor in 2009, according to the Madera County Tax Collector’s Office. The Property Tax Postponement program allows homeowners who are seniors, are blind or have a disability to defer their current year property taxes on their primary residence if they meet certain established ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Board of Supervisors are holding a special meeting on Monday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m., with the only item on the agenda the fate of the proposed Austin Quarry. The Planning Commission voted 3-2 on July 19, to approve the conditional use permit for the Austin Quarry, a 671-acre site to be developed by ...