KERN COUNTY  — Calling the tragedy a catastrophic loss, the CEO of American Ambulance in Fresno has confirmed the names of three men who died in the midst of transporting a critically ill patient last night when the SkyLife helicopter crashed after leaving Porterville; the name of the female patient they were transporting remains confidential and undisclosed at this time. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – The National Weather Service in Hanford is confirming more wet weather as a Winter Storm Warning has been issued from noon on Sunday, Dec. 13, through noon on Monday, Dec. 14, for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon. Several inches of snow is expected, with localized amounts up to 14 inches in the ...

OAKHURST — Crews are working on a section of Highway 41 between Highway 49 and Road 426, making repairs where the recent rains have undermined the roadway. Cal Trans workers are out in force, and hope to complete the project by Saturday afternoon, but the extent of the damage is being determined as they dig out the problem area and ...

KERN COUNTY  — ABC30 is reporting that a SkyLife helicopter which took off from Porterville has crashed in Kern County. According to officials, the helicopter was flying from Porterville Municipal Airport to Meadows Field Airport, and the pilot was not communicating with air traffic controllers as of 7:05 p.m. ABC30 reports that officials have confirmed four people were killed in ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — A three-year-old girl is safe and sound after being found by a horseback rider in the forest yesterday. On Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m Mariposa County Sheriff deputies responded to a call in the Jerseydale area of Mariposa County for a found child. A Mariposa resident was riding her horse in a remote area of Hites ...

CALIFORNIA — Head outdoors and enjoy some of the country’s most magical places — America’s national wildlife refuges offer unparalleled opportunities to experience the great outdoors and see a rich diversity of wildlife in beautiful natural settings. If that wasn’t enticement enough, refuges that normally charge entrance fees will offer an additional incentive—free admission on these days in 2016: January ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – Cal Fire is called to many home fires this time of year when the response could have been prevented by simple home heating equipment maintenance procedures. To help reduce the number of home fires the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit is reminding the public that all home-heating equipment should be inspected. The following is a list of heating problems that ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Sunday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Coarsegold assault On Sunday, Nov. 29 at 2:52 p.m. a deputy was dispatched to a residence located within the 45400 block of Meadow Brook Road regarding a report of an assault. This ...

MADERA COUNTY — Sheriff Jay Varney‬ wants to remind the community that with the holiday season upon us, mail and package thefts increase. Thieves steal mail for identity theft purposes all year long and, near the holidays, the Sheriff’s Office sees an increase in these crimes. This is primarily due to packages and checks being delivered for the holiday season. ...

YOSEMITE — With several major storms coming through the Yosemite Area later this week, Yosemite National Park is closing Tioga Road for the season. Tioga Road typically closes each fall and remains closed throughout the winter months. The road reopens when weather conditions permit in the spring. The incoming storm is expected to drop a significant amount of snow in ...