SACRAMENTO – Cal Fire inspectors have begun conducting Defensible Space inspections throughout the 31 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA) in California. “Creating and maintaining Defensible Space is critical for the protection of homes,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. “It has never been more critical to strengthen our fire prevention efforts in light of the elevated fire ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a brazen residential burglary in the Madera Ranchos. A home on Avenue 15 near Road 36 was recently placed on the market, and at some point was virtually cleaned out by thieves. The owner thinks the heist happened sometime on Friday, Mar. 28 when the residence was unoccupied.

COARSEGOLD – A burglary interrupted on Saturday, Mar. 29, is said to have exposed a career criminal whose penchant for stealing metal dates back at least three years. According to the Madera County Sheriffs Office, Coarsegold resident Sean Michael Driscoll was caught pilfering metal from private property located off Highway 41 in Coarsegold. Driscoll, 37, was taken into custody Saturday ...

SACRAMENTO – Despite recent rainfall, Cal Fire continues to respond to a significant increase in wildfires across much of California. While March rain totals were higher than this winter, the rain has done little to combat drought conditions. Starting Monday, Mar. 31, Cal Fire will begin hiring additional seasonal firefighters in Central California, the Bay Area region and the Sacramento ...

MADERA COUNTY – Riverbend Golf Course is noted for its scenic views along the San Joaquin River, but some of its beauty was marred over the weekend when a Madera man went on a tear in his vehicle across two greens. Tyler Nathaniel Thornton, 24, is behind bars after being arrested the next day for vandalizing the 8th and 11th ...

MADERA – The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, Mar. 25, to extend the two-thirds reduction in County permit fees until Dec. 31. The fees were reduced by 66.7 percent in September 2011 as part of an effort to boost the economy in Madera County by reducing more than two dozen fees associated with construction and development, ...

Submitted by Madera County Master Gardeners MADERA COUNTY – Madera County Master Gardeners announce their 8th annual Glorious Garden Tour, Saturday April 19, 2014, featuring four beautiful Madera, Madera Ranchos and Rolling Hills home gardens for the public to visit and enjoy. In addition, during the tour the public will be able to shop for plants and garden accessories at ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Mariposa County Sheriff Doug Binnewies is warning residents of counterfeit twenty dollar bills surfacing at businesses in the Sonora area. The Sonora Police Department has announced that unknown persons are passing counterfeit twenties, and Sheriff Binnewies is warning local merchants to be on the lookout.

This month instead of a photograph about which we have questions, we are in need of a photograph! The North Fork History Group is searching for a high quality photograph of Judge Marcia Putney. Marcia Putney was instrumental in starting the Women’s Club of North Fork. She was also the first woman judge in Madera County. As a distinguished member ...

MADERA COUNTY – The man who turned his pickup into the path of a motorcycle ridden by Ahwahnee residents Gary Smalz and his wife Laura, killing them both, has pleaded no contest to one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one count of inflicting great bodily injury. Gary Ragsdale, 43, entered the plea on Feb. 19 in a ...