OAKHURST — A water main broke overnight in the Oakhurst/Sierra Lakes portion of customers served by Hillview Water Company, sending about 250,000 gallons of water spewing away and compromising service to between 500-600 area residents. Hillview Water received a report at 4:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, that a ten-inch seamless pipe had broken, causing a 20-foot lateral split and releasing ...

Alicia’s story My name is Alicia Arce, age 27, and my husband is Omar Arce, also 27. He is a Senior Firefighter for Sierra National Forest Engine 51, based in North Fork. I have been married to Omar for three years but together for six. Our daughter Hope Liana is 3 ½ and is an absolute joy. We gave her this name because ...

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers against telephone scammers targeting students and parents during the back-to-school season and demanding payments for non-existent taxes, such as the “Federal Student Tax.” People should be on the lookout for IRS impersonators calling students and demanding that they wire money immediately to pay a fake “federal student tax.” If the person ...

OAKHURST — A man who crashed into a power pole on Road 425B yesterday, knocking out power to over 500 residents, was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Michael Womack II, 27, of Coarsegold, was just west of Stillmeadow Drive in a 1997 Toyota Camry at a stated speed of 30 mph when, due to his high level of intoxication, he ...

Written by Maureen Walling — MADERA COUNTY — When disaster strikes, be it fire, accident or a medical emergency, we all count on our firefighters to be there in minutes to render aid. But what happens if the nearest fire station has no one available to respond? What if the station in your area is closed because there are no ...

OAKHURST  – Crews are on scene of a motor vehicle accident on Road 425B that knocked out power to over 500 customers and started a vegetation fire. Just after 6:30 p.m. a grey sedan hit a power pole near Stillmeadow Drive near the top of Road 425B. Fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and a fire of about one-quarter ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – There’s almost always reason to celebrate, and here’s yours for the next two nights: a light will shine brightly over the foothills as the full “Sturgeon Moon” rises above. The full moon in the wee hours of Thursday, Aug. 18 is known as a sturgeon moon, so named by some Native American tribes in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, since the ancient ...

Written by Sheila Smith — Perhaps you’ve heard about the rising popularity of Tai Chi. Maybe you’ve seen a sampling of its slow-motion movements. Perhaps you’ve heard it has many health benefits. It is the most popular form of group exercise in the entire world. What is it all about? What is Tai Chi? Tai Chi is an ancient form ...

OAKHURST — With the 20th Annual Mountain Heritage Days coming up a month from now, exciting plans continue to be made and fun work days are approaching. For anyone interested in joining in with preparation, arranging for a booth, having a float in the parade, or volunteering to help out on the day of the event, there’s still some time ...

OAKHURST — Sierra Children’s Preschool Program at Oakhurst Elementary School (OES) is accepting applications for enrollment in the 2016-2017 school year for the afternoon session, scheduled from 12:15 – 3:15 p.m.. Lunch is provided to all students enrolled. Applications are being accepted at the Oakhurst Elementary School office. Priority will be given to children: 1. Who are foster children (3-5 years ...