CALIFORNIA — The minimum age of sale for tobacco products in California increased from 18 to 21, effective June 9, 2016. And for the first time, e-cigarettes are now included in the existing definition of tobacco products statewide. California is the second state in the nation, following Hawaii, to raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21. “Today marks ...

BASS LAKE — Residents and visitors to Bass Lake this morning heard a helicopter working in the area, and were understandably concerned, considering the high fire danger. Just after 9 a.m., reports came in of a smoke between Bass Lake and Central Camp. Sierra National Forest crews had to hike in to the location, where they found a 10 x ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for a missing person who apparently abandoned her vehicle near Road 206 and Friant Road. Shannon Rohlfes, 33 years old, was last seen in Clovis on Tuesday, June 7. Her vehicle has apparently been abandoned for several days. Shannon is considered at risk due to medical conditions. Madera County ...

HENSLEY LAKE — Firefighters quickly took care of a vegetation fire in the Raymond area this afternoon, having it fully contained within less than 20 minutes of dispatch. At about 3:25 p.m., crews were called out to a fire on Road 400 in the Buck Ridge Day Use Area at Hensley Lake. First engine at scene at 3:36 p.m., reported ...

MADERA COUNTY — Caltrans will be having a look at whether or not there are Swainson’s Hawks in the Highway 41 project area, where passing lanes are being added along 1.7 miles just north of the 22 Mile House. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has asked that Caltrans “cease all activity in Drainage Systems 1, 3-13, until ...

YOSEMITE — The White House has announced that President Obama and the First Family will visit Yosemite National Park next week, some time between Friday and Saturday. The president’s visit will celebrate the 100th anniversary of America’s national park system, and the trip will also include a visit to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. A post on the White House’s ...

MADERA – The Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office will conduct an online tax sale from July 30 to Aug. 2, at www.bid4assets.com. This sale will be re-offering unsold parcels from the previous online tax sale conducted on May 23. “Our annual online tax auction concluded Monday, May 23, 2016,” says Madera County Tax Collector-Treasurer Tracy Kennedy, “but unfortunately not all ...

OAKHURST – The Coarsegold Caltrans maintenance crew is on the scene of a sinkhole that opened up in Highway 41 near Hodges Hill Road in Oakhurst, and it appears this will be a “fairly major repair job,” says Caltrans spokesman Cory Burkarth. Just after 1 p.m., reports came in about what was described as a “very deep hole” near Yosemite ...

OAKHURST — On Tuesday morning Madera County Sheriff’s Deputies served a search sarrant on Hidden Falls Way in Oakhurst in regards to an illegal marijuana growing operation. Deputies eradicated over 12,000 marijuana plants and arrested two people. The owners of the property were not involved in the marijuana cultivation and were very cooperative in the investigation. When deputies arrived at ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Firefighters made excellent progress on the Dove Fire overnight, and officials now report the fire is 100 percent contained at an estimated 50 acres. Crews will continue to work on hot spots throughout today and tomorrow. Heavy timber and down fuel will require substantial mop-up work. There are no aircraft over the fire today. Approximately 100 personnel ...