NORTH FORK – A pickup that caught fire on Old Town Road (Road 226) this morning blocked traffic and set neighbors’ nerves on edge as it spread into the vegetation. The driver of the Ford pickup was westbound on Road 226 just after 11 a.m., when he reportedly ran out of gas. After retrieving a gas can, he returned to ...

NORTH FORK – Madera County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a suspect in relation to the burglaries in Cascadel Woods during the mandatory evacuations due to the Willow Fire. ‪ Alexander Matthew James, 19, was arrested after he tried to sell some of the items that were stolen during the burglaries, according to the Sheriff’s Office. They say detectives recovered a ...

By Sarah Lingenfelter NORTH FORK – The North Fork Library held their six-week children’s and teen summer reading program encouraging kids, preteens, and teens to read throughout the summer by participating in the positive influence of music. The children’s program featured local music, diverse musicians and musical instruments from around the world, line dancing, fun with bubbles, and musical instrument ...

NORTH FORK – Firefighters continue mop-up and suppression repair on the Willow Fire, which burned 5,702 acres northeast of North Fork, and is now 90 percent contained. Crews are being demobilized to other fires across the state, and the number of personnel assigned to the incident is now 864. The public is reminded that a lot of firefighting equipment will ...

COARSEGOLD – The Coarsegold Rodeo Association (CRA) wants to let the community know about the availability of grant applications for — donation or funding — open to any local nonprofit youth group, or individual kid. The CRA calls the mini-grants “bump bids,” and young people don’t necessarily have to be affiliated with the rodeo to receive one. “Every year we ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, July 27 through Sunday, Aug 2, 2015. Bass Lake Burglary A deputy responded to a radio call on Monday, July 27 at 7:38 a.m., arriving at the 54000 block of Road 432 for report of a commercial burglary. An ...

NORTH FORK – The 3-way stop at Roads 274 and 225 claimed another victim this afternoon as a Prius got the better of a Ford Expedition. A 55-year-old man from Fresno was westbound on Road 225 in a 2014 Prius approaching North Fork at about 1:45 p.m., when he failed to stop at the stop sign at Road 274. A ...

NORTH FORK – Demobilization continues on the Willow Fire, now estimated at 5,702 acres with 80 percent containment. Crews are being released to other fires across the state, and activity is winding down at the Incident Command Post. There are currently 1,313 personnel assigned to the incident. All remaining evacuations will be lifted as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, ...

NORTH FORK – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has announced that the remaining evacuation orders for ‪‎Willow Fire‬ will be lifted today, Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. This includes all roads off of, and including, Douglas Ranger Station Road as well as Willow Canyon Road. Both roads will remain restricted to residents only. Residents will have to show proper ...

NORTH FORK – Things are beginning to wind down on the Willow Fire, and crews and equipment are being released and made available for other fires across the region. The fire is now estimated at 5,702 acres, with 70 percent containment.  Over 1,700 personnel are currently assigned to the incident, but that number will drop dramatically over the next few ...