MADERA COUNTY — The former Director of Sierra Senior Center in Oakhurst, accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a 90-year-old man afflicted with dementia, was sentenced in Madera Superior Court on Monday, Nov. 28. Pursuant to a plea agreement, wherein the original charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor count of financial elder abuse, Kathryn (Katie) Davis, 54, was was ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Fresh rain and snow has made conditions right for Sierra National Forest crews who are continuing their pile burning work this week, according to SNF Battalion Chief Burt Stalter. “We burned along the east boundary of Cascadel Woods yesterday to remove piles leftover from the Willow Fire contingency lines.” Starting today, through the remainder of this week, ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016: Oakhurst burglary On Monday, Nov. 21 at 5:52 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 40000 Block of SR-41 in Oakhurst regarding an alarm, that was determined to be a burglary. Report taken, evidence obtained and ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — What began as an exciting post-holiday trip to the mountains turned into quite an ordeal, and ultimately required the services of teams of rescuers this weekend. On Sunday, Nov. 27, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call from some campers requesting assistance. According to the Sheriff’s Office, these campers had neglected to check the weather report ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office will soon be welcoming a new Community Service Officer (CSO) to the team. Kayla Serrato, 30, will step into her new assignment on Dec. 1, joining CSO Joann Evans who came on board in February 2002 and serves mainly Eastern Madera County. Serrato was born and raised in Merced, Calif., and is ...

NORTH FORK – A woman was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence after she crashed into the flagpole in front of the North Fork Post Office, then crashed again while trying to leave the scene. Just after 4 p.m. this afternoon, a witness in the Pizza Factory says a woman later identified by CHP as Christa Cortez, 62, ...

YOSEMITE — A winter storm warning goes into effect at 4 p.m. today for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, including Bass Lake and Fish Camp. The winter storm warning remains in effect through 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, snow showers will develop this afternoon, becoming more widespread and intense ...

CALIFORNIA — While most folks are enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family, most of the officers of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be out on the roadways, helping to ensure that everyone returns home safely from their travels. Millions of Californians will be on the road this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and while this time of year is ...

MADERA COUNTY – The return of full-time status at the Bass Lake Courthouse will be a welcome convenience to residents of Eastern Madera County. Effective Jan. 30, 2017, the Madera Superior Court, Bass Lake Division, will return to full-time status, holding court Monday through Thursday, according to District Attorney David Linn. Jury trials will once again be scheduled and heard ...

COARSEGOLD — A two-vehicle collision brought traffic on Highway 41 to a standstill for a short time this afternoon when two pickups collided near Road 425C. At about 1 p.m. a Coarsegold woman was southbound in a 2005 Chevy pickup at a stated speed of 45 mph approaching Road 425C. A teen driver, also from Coarsegold, in a 2014 Toyota ...