FRESNO — The second of four defendants charged with growing marijuana on public lands in Madera County pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court. Francisco Javier Gomez-Rodriguez, 38, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to conspiring to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana grown in the Sierra National Forest in Madera County. According to court documents, co-defendant Humberto Ceballos-Rangel, ...

MADERA COUNTY – When someone needs help contacting a County department for non-emergency assistance, they need only know one number – 311. Their call will be answered by a live operator who will address their questions and direct them to the appropriate department for assistance. Based on the success of this program, the County of Madera will apply for a ...

Guest Column written by Bill Ritchey —  NORTH FORK – Sitting at the end of the cul-de-sac of Chipo Poyah Road in Teaford Lakes Meadow stands a 3-story house that 87-year-old retiree George Hathaway has called home since 1986. Like other homes in the cozy neighborhood, Hathaway’s sits nestled among dozens of dense pines. Similarly as well, many of his ...

MADERA COUNTY — Sheriff Jay Varney is proud to announce the promotion of two Sheriff’s Commanders. Lieutenants Tyson Pogue and Bill Ward were selected to fill the newly formed positions effective Mar. 1. Commander Tyson Pogue will oversee the Field Operations Division, which includes Patrol, Emergency Services, and Specialized Services. Commander Bill Ward will oversee the Investigations and Administration Division, ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Madera County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to boost the number of K9 teams available to assist patrol deputies in their work. “The existence of a patrol K9 Unit at the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division greatly enhances our agency’s capability to track down, ...

RAYMOND — A call out to a domestic disturbance in Raymond last night involved law enforcement from three different agencies, a K9 Unit and a helicopter, and finally ended in the arrest of the ex-boyfriend. At about 9:30 p.m., sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 38000 block of Road 415. The 911 caller said that her ex-boyfriend ...

BASS LAKE — Those wishing to travel between The Forks and Way of the Mono along the south shore of Bass Lake have been met with barriers blocking Road 222. On Sunday afternoon, Mar. 6, reports began to come in about a washout on the north side of the road, and County Roads was called out to put up barriers ...

COARSEGOLD — An accident on Road 415 today ended with the driver leaving the scene in search of a cell signal, his dog left alone in the vehicle, and a charge of DUI. At about 4 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 7, Warren Michael Smith, 25, of Oakhurst, was westbound on Road 415 in a Chevy SUV, headed through the tight ...

Written by Gina Clugston — YOSEMITE — People are mad. They’re upset about the name changes in Yosemite, they’re writing angry letters to Delaware North and threatening boycotts of the Tenaya Lodge, a Delaware North property in Fish Camp. The resort’s several hundred employees don’t have a dog in this fight, but must suffer the very vocal condemnation of the ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Feb. 28 to Saturday, Mar. 5, 2016: Coarsegold vandalism On Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12:46 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a residence located within the 29900 block of Horseshoe Drive regarding a report of an attempted vandalism. This case has been suspended, pending ...