MERCED COUNTY—The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is proud to announce that it is partnering with the Merced Police Department, Merced County Sheriff’s Office, and other Merced County Law Enforcement Agencies to kick off the “2025 Seat Belts Save Lives Campaign.” The campaign will significantly benefit Merced County by enhancing public safety, reducing injuries, and saving lives. In 2024, Merced County ...

COARSEGOLD–On the afternoon of December 16th, 2024, tragedy struck in the small town of Coarsegold, California, as a vicious dog mauling claimed the life of an unsuspecting female victim. Updated 12-17-2024 A team of deputies was assigned to search for the outstanding dog from yesterday’s mauling incident. During a search of the area, the third canine that escaped last night ...

OAKHURST—The Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) urgently seeks your help in identifying two females linked to a residential burglary that occurred in the Oakhurst area between November 11th and November 14th, 2024. Your information could be vital in solving this case. Below are stills from surveillance footage showing the women during the act, including individual pictures. MCSO believes they are ...

OAKHURST–The Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is reporting that while responding to a hit-and-run type call in Oakhurst and making contact with the suspect on Road 425B, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The subject and K9 have been struck. MCSO reports that no further details are available at this time, and an update will be provided as the incident develops. We ...

SACRAMENTO –The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is honored to announce its receipt of the Native-Tribal Traffic Education Program (TTEP) grant. TTEP is a transformative initiative to build stronger relationships and improve outreach with Native American communities throughout California. This grant will support a series of programs focused on safety, education, and cultural understanding. The TTEP grant provides resources to create ...

OAKHURST–On Sunday, September 29, 2024, shortly before 5 a.m., the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service for an alarm at Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure, located in the 40000 block of Highway 41 in Oakhurst. The alarm company reported two males with their faces covered inside the store stealing bicycles. They were reportedly loading them into a ...

O’NEALS–The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of a potential threat on campus at Minarets High School. Deputies are responding to the school, and out of an abundance of caution, school officials have issued a lockdown order. **There has been no activity or incident at this time.** This investigation remains ongoing, and MCSO is working closely with Minarets ...

the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office FRESNO COUNTY and MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–Law enforcement is looking for 54-year-old Steven Carl Schapansky, who was reported as a missing person in Fresno on Wednesday, September 11th. In Santa Barbara County, he is currently facing two felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and 70 misdemeanor counts of electronic peeping. His ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–According to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office: It all started Wednesday afternoon around 1:45 pm in the Buck Meadows area of Mariposa County on Hwy 120. Anthony Mehlhaff 40 years old from Los Angeles, CA walked up to a pregnant waitress in a local restaurant. He reached out and touched her stomach and reportedly said “The spirits led me ...

MADERA COUNTY–The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect in two recent ATM thefts in the mountain area. (Pictures are available at the end of the article.) Bass Fork Theft The first theft occurred on July 18, 2024, around 2:30 AM at the Bass Fork Star Valero. The business sustained extensive damage.  An unknown ...