MOUNTAIN AREA — Free income tax return preparation and electronic filing, for both California state and federal returns, will be available again this year for mountain area residents, offered by the AARP Tax-Aide program. Services are provided free of all costs and charges, to low and moderate income taxpayers of all ages. Tax returns are prepared by specially trained and ...

If you made a new year’s resolution, this should be the week where you’re kicking it into high gear and feeling the joy of a week of accomplishing your goals. If this is you congratulations! However, if you set a resolution and are still waiting to get underway because “the kids aren’t back in school,” “it’s been raining all week,” ...

OAKHURST — The truck captured on video surveillance during a robbery at the Central Valley Community Bank yesterday has been located by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy on patrol last night located the white Toyota Tacoma abandoned not far from the scene of the robbery. According to Commander Tyson Pogue, Sgt. Nick Davis spotted the vehicle on Victoria ...

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA – With a series of wet storms hitting Northern and Central California, now is the time to sign up for emergency alerts from the Sheriff’s Office. Residents are advised to do so now — it only takes a minute. In Madera County, MCAlert is used in the event of emergencies or natural disasters such as floods and severe weather, and ...

OAKHURST — We are receiving updated information from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office concerning the active search for two suspects following a reported bank robbery this afternoon. At about 4:30 p.m., Madera County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Central Valley Community Bank on Highway 41 in Oakhurst for a reported robbery. According to the Sheriff’s Office, one white male adult ...

YOSEMITE — All roads leading into Yosemite Valley will close today at 5 p.m. in anticipation of a significant winter storm moving into the region early tomorrow morning, Saturday, Jan. 7. There will be no visitor services available throughout the storm. Visitors intending to visit Yosemite National Park are highly encouraged to monitor weather reports and check road conditions before ...

OAKHURST — Both lanes of Highway 41 south of Oakhurst was closed for over an hour this afternoon after a large boulder dislodged from the embankment and struck the trailer of a southbound big rig. The 2010 Freightliner was hit in the rear axle, according to CHP as the scene, and the force of the blow knocked it off its ...

OAKHURST — At about 1:15 p.m., CHP responded to an accident on Highway 41 just south of Victoria Lane due to a boulder falling onto a semi-truck. Reports are that another big rig was hit by the truck after it was struck by the boulder. Both lanes were blocked, and remained closed until about 2:20 p.m, when the roadway was ...

CALIFORNIA — Most people would not know what to do in the event of a vehicle accident that involves live power lines. Understanding the dangers and taking specific precautions could save your life. PG&E urges motorists who are in an accident involving power lines to follow these important instructions. If your vehicle comes into contact with a downed power line: ...

BASS LAKE — An Oakhurst woman who crashed her car off the side of a winding road at Bass Lake today has a group of tree workers to thank for rescuing her from the overturned vehicle. At 3:20 this afternoon, the 44-year-old woman was westbound along Road 432 “hurrying to get back to work,” according to her rescuers. As she ...