OAKHURST – Heavy Friday afternoon traffic and ill-advised turning in front of McDonalds led to another crash on Highway 41 this afternoon. At about 4:20 p.m. on Friday, May 3, Scott Hester of Oakhurst was northbound on Highway 41 in a 2012 Honda Civic, waiting in the center divide for a left turn into the McDonalds parking lot.

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Oakhurst man last night, found to be in possession of potent prescription medication, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Dominic Nathan Vanderhorst, 18, was taken into custody in a shopping center off Highway 49 after the Sheriff’s Office received reports of several juveniles loitering in the area just before 7 p.m.

MARIPOSA – Effective May 1, hazard reduction burning in Mariposa County below 3,000 foot elevation will be restricted to night time burning only between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., says the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU). Burning 4 x 4 piles of brush, leaves, pine needles or other dry vegetation ...

MADERA COUNTY – The homicide case against Dustin Gran suffered a setback today according to Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz. Gran is charged with first degree murder in the 2008 death of Krista Pike. The venue for the trial was changed to Stanislaus County by the Madera Superior Court in December 2011.

MADERA – Those who drink and drive this Saturday may come face to face with a CHP officer and the inside of a patrol car. The Madera Area of the California Highway Patrol will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Saturday, May 4, between the hours of 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., somewhere within the unincorporated area of Madera ...

OAKHURST – Over 100 firefighters and their friends, family and supporters gathered at the Oakhurst Community Center Sunday afternoon to honor and acknowledge the Paid Call Firefighters in Madera County. Paid Call Firefighters are volunteers who serve their communities by answering dispatches to everything from traffic accidents to medical emergencies, but are only paid when something is actually on fire. ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson has announced six significant personnel changes in the Sheriff’s Office. Six native sons, all familiar faces, were sworn in or promoted to new positions on Wednesday, May 1. Four men were sworn in as deputies, one deputy moved to the ranks of detective, and a mountain detective was promoted to rank of Sergeant.

O’NEALS – Fire season got off to a roaring start when dozens of firefighters, plus engines and equipment from all over the area and the state were dispatched to a fire near O’Neals on Tuesday, Apr. 30. Cal Fire reports that the Gold Fire grew to about 274 acres, and is now 100% contained. As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, ...

O’NEALS – Crews have been called out to a fire on Road 210 about 3 miles west of O’Neals. The fire, dubbed the Gold Incident, was called in shortly after 1 p.m. this afternoon It is now at 150 acres burning in farm land and up a steep hill. At this hour, the fire is 25% contained. There are several ...

Burn Permits Required – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) reminds residents that hazard reduction burning in Eastern Madera County must be conducted with a valid San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) permit. Permits are available at the following Eastern Madera County fire station locations: