MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, July 24 to Sunday, July 31, 2016: Oakhurst robbery On Sunday, July 24 at 1:55 a.m. a report was taken for a robbery which occurred in the 50800 block of Road 632. Evidence was collected and two suspects were identified. This case is ...

Written by Nicki Tempesta — MOUNTAIN AREA — Hinds Hospice is currently recruiting Patient Volunteers in the Coarsegold/Oakhurst and surrounding areas. The mission of Hinds Hospice is to uphold the dignity and ease the suffering of the terminally ill while supporting loved ones, and those who are grieving. At Hinds Hospice, we provide care in remote areas that are not ...

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to stay vigilant against an increase of IRS impersonation scams in the form of automated calls and new tactics from scammers demanding tax payments on iTunes and other gift cards. The IRS has seen an increase in “robo-calls” where scammers leave urgent callback requests through the phone telling taxpayers to call ...

MARIPOSA – Due to the “extreme menace of wildfire and its potential to destroy life, property and natural resources,” Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) Chief Nancy Koerperich has suspended certain activities within the State Responsibility Area (SRA), including campfires and outdoor smoking. Due to current and predicted fire weather, the lack of precipitation, the dryness of vegetation, and the increased fire activity, ...

NORTH FORK — The North Fork History Group has a booklet in our archives entitled “History Notes on Grace Community Church.” It was written by Clara Radman, Dorothy Knoch and Rowena Kratzer. It covers a number of subjects but our History Mystery has to do with how the congregation obtained the church building. Prior to the present church building, services ...

OAKHURST — The mountain area will be bidding farewell to our local CHP Commander Jason Daughrity as he accepts a new position in Sacramento as CHP Academy Director. “I’ve never been one to sit still for very long,” says Cmdr. Daughrity, who will be reassigned to the CHP Academy on Sept. 1. “In fact, I remember my 7th grade math ...

OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Office of the California Highway Patrol invites the community to be part of “National Night Out,” an annual event meant to bring together law enforcement officers, first responders, and the communities they serve in an informal setting. The festivities will take place in the parking lot of the old Blockbuster store in the Old Mill Shopping ...

SAN FRANCISCO — As woody debris piles up from dead trees killed by drought and bark beetle infestation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has launched an expanded debris management program to support its customers in 10 counties severely impacted by California’s growing tree mortality emergency. PG&E is offering the expanded debris removal program to customers in Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, ...

NORTH FORK — As activity on the Fork Fire winds down, the only signs many will see of the recent burn are some charred trees along the roadway and the pink retardant painting trees, mailboxes and rooftops. The fire is now 90 percent contained at 38 acres, and crews continue to be demobilized to return to their home units, or head ...

NORTH FORK — Firefighters from the Rancheria Cal Fire Station in North Fork played a different kind of role in fire protection last Thursday when their sharp situational awareness headed off what could have led to disastrous results. Just after 12:30 p.m. Engine 4255 had made its way to the end of Duke Road just off Road 200 and was ...