FRESNO – A major power outage caused by Mylar balloons coming in contact with power lines has PG&E reminding everyone to keep metallic balloons securely anchored. “We’ve had our first confirmed Mylar balloon outage of the ‘Grads and Dads’ season,” says PG&E spokesperson Denny Boyles. “At 10:39 a.m. today our system indicated multiple faults in the area of 8th Street ...

RAYMOND – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in gathering information related to an incident that occurred on May 27, around 1:45 p.m. near the Raymond Post Office on Road 600. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a female juvenile walking in the area was approached by at least one male subject who was driving a midsize ...

MARIPOSA – Effective Friday, June 1, at 8 a.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit will suspended all burning below the 4,000 foot elevation in Madera and Mariposa County. Open burning is allowed above the 4,000 elevation with valid permits only. Residents need to contact the burn day information line, in their county, prior ...

MADERA COUNTY– Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, May 21 to Sunday, May 27, 2018. Ahwahnee violation of restraining order, methamphetamine possession On Monday, May 21 at 12:52 a.m. deputies were dispatched regarding the alleged violation to a restraining order. The male was contacted and found to be in possession of ...

MADERA – A bat found near the track at Yosemite High School has tested positive for rabies. Kirsten Gross, Director of Madera County Animal Services, says the bat was found last week lying on the track, not moving, but still alive. It was taken to the Madera County Health Department for testing. This is the second rabid bat reported in ...

OAKHURST – You can fill out a ballot, turn in or replace your mail-in ballot, get help with filling out your ballot, or use the electronic ballot marking device — all at the Oakhurst Vote Center, located at State Center Community College. There is also a voting location at the Government Center in Madera. As of Saturday, May 26, both ...

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today issued the following statement in response to the release of information by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) regarding some of the October 2017 Northern California wildfires: The safety of our customers, their families and the communities we serve is our most important job. The loss ...

SACRAMENTO  – Cal Fire investigators have determined the cause of four wildfires in Northern California last October that destroyed hundreds of homes and charred thousands of acres. “After extensive and thorough investigations, investigators have determined that four wildfires in last year’s October Fire Siege were caused by trees coming into contact with power lines,” said Cal Fire in a statement ...

MADERA – Next summer, work is scheduled to begin on a road that will connect the Yosemite High School Area with Highway 41 near Denny’s. Last week the California Transportation Commission approved $2.7 billion in SB 1 funding for 61 transportation projects in California that are aimed at “increasing safety, decreasing congestion, and moving goods more efficiently throughout the state.” ...

OAKHURST – The devastation of last year’s Railroad Fire has forced the closure of a popular hiking trail in the Nelder Grove area. The Shadow of the Giants National Recreation Trail will be closed until further notice. The Railroad Fire started Aug. 29, 2017, in the Sierra National Forest (SNF) south of Yosemite National Park, along Highway 41 near Sugar ...