MADERA COUNTY — It was standing room only as supporters and opponents of Vulcan Materials’ proposed Austin Quarry packed the Board of Supervisors chamber and the overflow areas last night ahead of the Planning Commission’s vote on the project. When the 6 p.m. meeting finally adjourned well after midnight, the Commission voted 3-2 to approve the 671-acre project, planned for ...

CALIFORNIA —  Removing dead and dying trees has become part of every property owner’s reality, and there are important things you need to know before proceeding with any tree removal project. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has issued these guidelines and answers questions about what you need to know before you remove — or hire ...

MADERA COUNTY — Robert Brosi, D.D.S. will receive the Crystal Tower Award for his exemplary partnership with schools in Madera County at the 13th Annual Business and Education Shareholders’ Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Also being honored with the Crystal Tower Award is Madera Agricultural Services. Robert Brosi, D.D.S. was nominated for the Crystal Tower Award by Jeanne Ratchford, secretary at Yosemite ...

NORTH FORK — Crews responded to reports of a vegetation fire burning near Lions Point, northeast of North Fork on the Mammoth Pool Road above Redinger Lake. At about 1:45 p.m., reports came in that workers doing dozer work in the area had started a fire, and crews, engines and the helicopter out of Batterson Work Camp were dispatched. Sierra ...

COARSEGOLD — A three-vehicle crash slowed the commute on Highway 41 this afternoon on the south end of Deadwood. At 5:45 p.m., reports came in of an accident involving several vehicles just south of Road 420. According to CHP at the scene, an SUV was southbound on Highway 41 and had slowed to make a left turn onto Cavin Lane. ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector office will conduct an online tax sale, reoffering unsold parcels from the previous online tax sale conducted on May 23. The online tax sale reoffer will be held July 30 to Aug. 2, at www.bid4assets.com. This is an opportunity for any bidders who may have been interested in a parcel previously to ...

PRATHER — The Green Fire, which started yesterday along Auberry Road southeast of Prather, is now 60 percent contained at an estimated 123 acres. The fire is burning in Fresno County off Auberry Road and White Thorne Road. Five outbuildings have been reported lost in the fire, but no homes. Firefighters are now working to strengthen firelines and do mop-up. ...

AUBERRY — The Green Fire, burning near Prather, is estimated at 123 acres as of 8:15 p.m. Friday, and officials report the forward progress has been stopped. The fire, which is 10 percent contained, is burning in Fresno County off Auberry Road and White Thorne Road. Auberry Road between Granite Creek and Little Wildhorse is closed to traffic. Evacuations are ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Firefighters are currently working the Spring Fire, burning on the northeast side of Lake Thomas Edison in the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area of the Sierra National Forest. Fire officials report that the fire is 15 percent contained as of 6 p.m. and though it is burning in a wilderness area, it is being fully suppressed by ...

BASS LAKE – A two-vehicle crash on Road 274 reduced traffic to one lane this evening near the south end of Bass Lake. Just before 10 p.m., a 19-year-old male was westbound in a 1995 Honda Civic, headed home after getting off work. Two teens from Clovis were eastbound on their way to the mountains for a camping trip, and ...