Submitted by Justine Reynolds NORTH FORK – A project that is expected to play an important role in dealing with the devastating tree mortality in the Sierra and provide much-needed jobs in the area has taken another big step forward. On Friday, Dec. 11, North Fork Community Power closed on New Markets Tax Credit financing with Fresno-based Central Valley New ...

Submitted by Monika Moulin OAKHURST – For the sixth consecutive year, upwards of 50 singers from local area church choirs will come together for a beautiful Christmas program, including choristers from New Community United Methodist Church, Oakhurst Lutheran Church, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, and others. Two performances on will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13, at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – The National Weather Service in Hanford is confirming more wet weather as a Winter Storm Warning has been issued from noon on Sunday, Dec. 13, through noon on Monday, Dec. 14, for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon. Several inches of snow is expected, with localized amounts up to 14 inches in the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – Cal Fire is called to many home fires this time of year when the response could have been prevented by simple home heating equipment maintenance procedures. To help reduce the number of home fires the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit is reminding the public that all home-heating equipment should be inspected. The following is a list of heating problems that ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — What would you do if someone were suffering a heart attack? If you want to be able to save a life in a crisis situation, take advantage of this opportunity to learn CPR. The 3-hour training will take place on Saturday, Jan. 16, led by Sierra Ambulance paramedics and Minarets Medical Education owners Bill and Gina Hartley. ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Sunday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Coarsegold assault On Sunday, Nov. 29 at 2:52 p.m. a deputy was dispatched to a residence located within the 45400 block of Meadow Brook Road regarding a report of an assault. This ...

MADERA COUNTY — Sheriff Jay Varney‬ wants to remind the community that with the holiday season upon us, mail and package thefts increase. Thieves steal mail for identity theft purposes all year long and, near the holidays, the Sheriff’s Office sees an increase in these crimes. This is primarily due to packages and checks being delivered for the holiday season. ...

BASS LAKE — Hazard tree removal along Road 274 on the north side of Bass Lake will continue on Wednesday, Dec. 9, according to Burt Stalter, Fuels Management Specialist on the Bass Lake Ranger District, and one of the fallers on the project. Motorists should expect delays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as trees that have to be dropped ...

MADERA COUNTY — Madera County’s nationally recognized Search & Rescue Team is currently accepting new applications through the end of the year. Applications can be picked up at either the Sheriff’s main office at 2725 Falcon Drive in Madera, or the Sheriff’s substation at 48267 Liberty Drive in Oakhurst. Interested candidates are urged to complete and submit an application. They ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A set of storm systems arriving this week are expected to bring more than an inch of rain to the foothills and better than a foot of snow to higher elevations. A Winter Storm Watch has already been issued for the southern Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon from 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 ...