MADERA COUNTY — While the eyes of the country may be focused on Washington D.C., note that important local elections will take place during the presidential general elections, held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. Among them, a total of five school board trustees in two Madera County districts will be up for re-election, and now is the time for any ...

NORTH FORK – Vandals did their best to break into the North Fork Library on either Sunday or Monday night, but were unsuccessful. When the staff locked up at about 6:30 p.m. last Saturday evening, the doors locked normally and all was well. But when they returned on Tuesday morning, they were greeted by evidence that someone had attempted to ...

O’NEALS — A North Fork man was taken into custody for DUI after rolling his pickup on Road 200 this afternoon. At about 12:30 p.m., Fred Beatty, 55, was northbound on Road 200 just past the Circle J Ranch Road north of O’Neals in a Chevy Silverado pickup when he drifted off the right side of the road, skidded back ...

NORTH FORK – Once again a business in North Fork has been hit by burglars, this time popular Mexican Restaurant La Cabana. Early this morning just before 1 a.m., a neighbor of the restaurant happened to look out her window and see a pair of feet going in through one of the take-out windows. There was also someone standing by ...

COARSEGOLD — Firefighters were called out to a report of several fires along Highway 41 near the Black Hawk Lodge at approximately 1:44 p.m. today. First at scene was local Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, longtime volunteer firefighter out of O’Neals, with Madera County Engine 17 and Water Tender 17, reporting a small spot fire at one-quarter of an acre on the ...

NORTH FORK — Local firefighters have had a very busy day so far in the North Fork area. Having just wrapped up a fire on Arab Way, they responded to a medical aid call in North Fork, and were then dispatched to reports of a fire near the Transfer Station just north of town. At 2:38 p.m., a fire was ...

NORTH FORK — A vegetation fire reported on Arab Way just off Rocky Road near the intersection of Road 200 and Road 221, was quickly handled by firefighters this afternoon. Just before noon on Saturday, crews responded to a fire burning in grass next to a horse corral at a home at the end of Arab Way. Cal Fire Engine ...

NORTH FORK — Amid the sounds of native drums and prayers offered up for a safe journey and the experience of unity, a North Fork family played host to those on a spiritual journey this week, celebrating with runners on their way from Alaska to Panama as part of the Peace & Dignity Journey 2016. “Peace and Dignity Journeys” is ...

OAKHURST — Earlier this morning Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant in the 49000 block of Pierce Drive in Oakhurst regarding illegal marijuana cultivation and a series of theft cases. Detectives found an indoor marijuana growing operation with an illegal PG&E electrical bypass as well as property that had been stolen from a local nursery, according to the Sheriff’s Office. ...

CALIFORNIA — While the Broken Fire in Coarsegold is 100 percent contained, there are over 3,600 firefighters battling 10 major wildfires across California. Mild temperatures have given firefighters the opportunity to gain the upper hand on containing five large fires over the past couple of days. Temperatures will continue to remain below normal, but high winds and low humidity is ...