FRESNO — A Coarsegold man is on his way to prison after pleading guilty to cultivation of marijuana and being a felon in possession of firearms. Lawrence Alexander Tidwell, 32, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii to eight years in prison, according to United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner. According to court documents, a search ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. Coarsegold residential burglary On Monday, Oct. 19 at 8:22 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to take a phone call for a report of a residential burglary that occurred in the 46000 block ...

CLOVIS  – John Glenn was a dedicated and valued part of the US Forest Service family until an unfortunate accident on Aug. 5, which lead to his death the next day. Every year USFS Chief Tom Tidwell honors individuals who were lost in the line of duty. The Forest Service is elated to announce that due to his hard work ...

COUNTY – Caltrans says maintenance crews will conduct one-way traffic reversing control operations beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27 along State Route (SR) 41 just north of Yosemite Lakes Park at Ruby Creek located south of Coarsegold, starting at 8:30 a.m. and going until 2:30 p.m. The operations are necessary, according to Caltrans, in order to conduct shoulder and drainage repairs along ...

KERNVILLE — The destruction of petroglyphs on a Native American archaeological site has a man facing serious consequences in federal court. Christopher James Harp, 58, was indicted by a grand jury in Fresno on Oct. 22 for a felony charge of depredation of public resources with damage exceeding $1,000. Harp was arrested on Oct. 8 as a result of an ...

SACRAMENTO — The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be stepping up its efforts to prevent speed-related collisions and curb aggressive driving. Driving too fast for conditions or driving aggressively can be costly and life changing, says the CHP. Failing to yield the right of way, making frequent lane changes, and tailgating are signs of aggressive driving. To help prevent these ...

MADERA COUNTY – Madera County Public Works Director Johannes J. Hoevertsz announced Thursday, Oct. 22, that he will be leaving Madera County to pursue a new professional opportunity in Sonoma County. “This decision was not easy as I love my job and the work that we have accomplished as a team in Madera County,” Hoevertsz said. “However, this job opportunity ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park Fire Managers are planning a prescribed fire in Yosemite National Park on or before Wednesday, Oct. 28, weather and conditions permitting. There are two locations being considered for this prescribed burn and the final decision will be based on weather and air quality conditions. The prescribed burn will either occur in the Mariposa Grove of ...

O’NEALS – For anyone considering lighting off a debris pile while a burn ban remains in effect across the state, be on notice that the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) takes these violations very seriously. They also see them as a good opportunity to educate the public. After a full wildland fire dispatch was called up to ...

SACRAMENTO – Traffic collisions are the number one killer of teenagers in the United States, ending more young lives every day than cancer, homicide, and suicide combined. To bring awareness of the dangers facing young people when they drive, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is participating in National Teen Safe Driver Week, Oct. 18-24. “Among all drivers, teenagers are at ...