CALIFORNIA — Cooling temperatures this week could help firefighters continue to make progress on 13 large wildfires burning in the State, while the number of fatalities due to fire has increased by one since our last report. The death toll rose to 42 yesterday, after authorities located another victim of the Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County. Meanwhile, the identity of a ...

BASS LAKE — More than 10 months after being charged with first degree murder with an elder abuse enhancement, the woman accused of killing Bonnie Hale was back in Bass Lake Superior Court today for a competency hearing. This is the third hearing on competency, to date, and the case has been continued again. Mary O’Keefe, 64, has been in ...

MADERA COUNTY — Stand by homeowners, property owners and others, as secured property tax bills for 2017-18 are currently being dolled up and doled out, according to officials. “It’s that time of year again,” reports Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector.  “We have just begun the 2017-18 tax season by printing and mailing our property tax bills.” Over 56,000 tax ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 9  to Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. Coarsegold danger to self On Monday, Oct. 9 at 5:19 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to regarding a person possibly in need of a mental health evaluation hold. Upon contact the subject was determined to ...

CALIFORNIA — While progress continues to be made on fires burning in the state, with containment percentages on the rise and more evacuations lifted, one additional death is confirmed. A private water tender driver assigned to the Nuns Fire died in a vehicle rollover on Oakville Grade in Napa County, according to a statement from Cal Fire. That brings the total ...

OAKHURST — A vegetation fire on Deadwood between Oakhurst and Coarsegold caused the temporary closure of Highway 41 Sunday night. At about 9:17 p.m on Sunday, Oct. 15, firefighters were called out to respond to what the reporting party referred to as a “very large fire” on Highway 41 near Road 425C. The first engine on scene reported the grass ...

CALIFORNIA — Firefighters beat back flames on several fronts overnight, as crews worked to prepare for gusty winds. Some Red Flag Warnings have now been lifted, and containment numbers have dramatically increased on some of the fires, while crews continue the effort to locate and identify those who have perished. Tragically, the death toll has now risen to 40, and officials ...

MADERA COUNTY — Authorities were called to Eastman Lake today when reports came into the Madera County Sheriff’s Office that a body had been found. “Shortly before noon today MSO received a report of a deceased person at Eastman Lake,” says Lt. Bill Ward. “Deputies responded and confirmed there was a deceased male near the shore.” At this time, there ...

CALIFORNIA — As strong winds remain in the forecast near the fires burning in Northern California, crews continue the grim task of locating and identifying those who perished in the flames. The death toll has now risen to 31 across 4 fires, and officials expect that number to climb as hundreds are still unaccounted for. Overnight firefighters continued their battle ...

CALIFORNIA — As more than 8,000 firefighters continue to battle 21 wildfires across the state, the death toll continues to rise. Four fires in northern California have claimed 23 lives as of 9 a.m. today. Hundreds more people are still reported as missing, as officials attempt to account for those individuals. Thousands remain without power, and more than 20,000 people ...