SACRAMENTO – Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) introduced Senate Bill 265 to give small businesses and nonprofits relief from any tax liability they may incur associated with pandemic related state and federal grants or loans. Currently, grants provided by Governor Newsom’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant program are considered taxable income. Assembly Bill 1577 (2020), signed by Governor Newsom in September, brought ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Football fans may have to come up with a new game plan for this year’s Super Bowl festivities, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) still reminds everyone to put safety first. California’s public health recommendations encourage residents to gather outdoors and with no more than three households.  In addition, Californians should stay close to home and limit ...

Clovis Calif., – The Sierra National Forest (SNF) announces the closure extension of select recreation sites, roads and trails. Closure Order No. 05-15-00-21-02 SNF Recreation Site, Road and Trail Closure supersedes previous Closure Order No. 05-15-00-21-01 SNF Developed Recreation and Trail Closure. For clarity and simplification we’re issuing this order to protect the public from hazards within the SNF as ...

NORTH FORK – District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting via Zoom to discuss, Emergency Services, “what to expect in an emergency.” Joining supervisor Wheeler will be a host of Madera County Emergency Services Representatives including, Sheriff Pogue, Fire Chief Beery, Katrina Poitras from Red Cross and many others. Everybody should zoom in to learn and ...

Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41) from Yosemite West to South Entrance is open ONLY to the following: -Residents of the community of Wawona (Section 35) as defined below -Residents of the community of Yosemite West as defined below -Contractors hired by residents of Wawona or Yosemite West who possess documentation showing that they have been retained to provide a ...

Clovis, CA – The Sierra National Forest (SNF) is requesting public input by way of virtual meeting on February 10th, 2021, for the California 2021 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program application cycle. The purpose of this meeting is for the public to comment on the Forest’s OHV preliminary 2021 grant cycle application (funds are for 2022). Feedback ...

YOSEMITE — As many of you are aware, Yosemite has been closed for the past two weeks. A huge wind storm (Mono winds) on Jan. 19 caused significant damage and extended power outages. Several days later, a series of winter snow storms began, which are expected to continue into early next week. Snow accumulation in the high country was recently ...

Yosemite National Park — Beginning February 8, visitors to Yosemite National Park will need a day-use reservation to enter the park. The temporary day-use reservation system will allow the park to manage visitation levels to reduce risks associated with exposure to COVID-19. The park is currently closed and will remain closed until Sunday, Jan. 31st, 2021 at which time re-opening will be evaluated. Day-use reservations will be required for all users, including ...

NORTH FORK – With the current storm and the winter season upon us the Red Cross has offered some preparedness tips for flood safety and general emergency situations. Turn around, don’t drown! Stay off the roads. If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and ...

MADERA – A limited number of COVID-19 vaccination appointments are now available through the Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). Those identified as currently eligible at www.maderacounty.com/covid19vaccine: health care workers, long-term care staff and residents, medical first responders, and anyone aged 75 years or older are eligible to register for an appointment. The vaccination clinics will take place on ...