NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Autumn arrives and, as if on cue, rain clears the air around us. Buckeye withers and leaves drop to the ground, temperatures cool and skies darken earlier. Sweater weather approaches, and we rejoice. Happy fall, y’all! The autumnal equinox, when days and nights are approximately equal in length, arrives this year on Friday, Sept. 22 at precisely ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 17 2017. Ahwahnee vandalism On Monday, Sept. 11 at 2:02 a.m. deputy was dispatched to the 59000 block of Road 601 regarding vandalism. Upon arrival an investigation ensued and a report was taken. Case closed due to ...

NORTH FORK — The community is invited to a fundraiser at Grace Community Church on Sunday, Sept. 24, to benefit North Fork residents impacted by the Mission Fire. The fundraiser will be a Brownie Sundae social time starting at approximately 11:30 a.m. in Grace Hall behind the church. This time is devoted to enjoying homemade brownies with strawberries and a ...

Written by Jean Russell – NORTH FORK — Grab your cowboy hat and come on down to Bandit Town on Saturday, Sept. 23, for an evening of fun and games that benefits our local school programs. Bonanza Night will be held in our favorite saloon so bust through those swinging doors dressed-up in western attire for a chance to win ...

NORTH FORK — Don’t think that just because it’s in North Fork and you’re not, you can’t join the amazing North Fork Community Choir. We have members from as far away as Fresno and Nipinnawasee who join us every week to raise their voices in celebration of the holiday season, and perform for the community the first Saturday in December. ...

NORTH FORK — Quick work by neighbors and firefighters kept a trailer fire from spreading to the surround properties and dry vegetation this afternoon. At 5:25 p.m., reports came in of a travel trailer on fire at the Mammoth Pool Trailer Park on Road 225 near Italian Bar Road. When neighbors in the tightly clustered community saw the smoke, they ...

NORTH FORK — If you are looking for proof that fuel reduction and preventative activities work, look no further than the community of Cascadel Woods, says Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council (Y/S RC&DC) Project Manager Justine Reynolds. The fast-moving Mission Fire destroyed three homes on its way up the mountain to Cascadel Woods. While credit is always due to ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Sept. 10 2017. Oakhurst citation and vehicle put in storage On Monday, Sept. 4, at 8:17 a.m. a deputy conducted a routine traffic enforcement stop in the area of CA 41 / Rd 632 which resulted in the ...

MADERA COUNTY — Effective at 8 a.m. today, Sept. 11, the Red Cross evacuation centers providing service to those affected by the Mission and Railroad Fires and their pets have closed. The closures include The Oakhurst Community Center and the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds. If residents require additional assistance, please contact the following numbers: American Red Cross (559) 343-2549 Central California Animal Disaster Team ...

NORTH FORK — As returning residents settle back into the lives in the Mission Fire area, fire crews continue their very good work toward total containment and control. The fire is still holding at 1,035 acres and is now 65 percent contained. There are currently 1,479 personnel assigned to the incident including 180 California National Guard troops specially trained as ...