OAKHURST – As of 6 p.m., Road 426 through the Courtney Fire area has now been reopened to the public. An MCAlert has been issued to area residents, and Cal Fire has released official notice that the road is now open. Residents who need more information on the recovery process can call Madera County Office of Emergency Services at 559-675-7770.

It is my privilege to introduce to our community a new group: the Mountain Area Young Professionals (MAYP). We are a group of peers – business owners, entrepreneurs, photographers, managers, Realtors, writers, loan officers, bankers, and other professionals in our various industries.

OAKHURST – It’s one of those “where were you when…” moments: where were you when the Courtney Fire started? In the midst of a dreamy nap on Sunday, Sept. 14, a phone call came alerting us to a fire that would ultimately destroy 30 homes and leave hundreds of residents displaced. The Courtney Fire tore through neighborhoods with destructive force, ...

OAKHURST – The 320-acre Courtney Fire is now 90% contained, with an expected date for total containment of Sunday, Sept. 21. Residents were allowed to return to their homes in the burn area on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Road 426 remains closed to the public, but is expected to be reopened within the next day or so. We will post ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson, Director of The Madera County Office of Emergency Services (OES), is reaching out to everyone impacted by the Courtney Fire disaster. Regardless of the level of damage you may have suffered during this disaster, you are urged to fill out a damage survey, so that the OES can better assist you during recovery. The ...

OAKHURST – All evacuation orders and advisories for the Courtney Fire have been lifted. The road into Bass Lake Heights will remain restricted to residents only. In order to enter the area, you must go to the Oakhurst Substation near True Value, off Highway 49 in Oakhurst, and obtain an “Entry Pass.” These passes are for residents living in the ...

OAKHURST – Cal Fire officials were met with cheers and applause this morning at the Oakhurst Community Center as residents from the Bass Lake Heights area learned that they will be allowed to return to their homes later today. Barring any unforeseen flareups in the burn area, or dangerous issues discovered by PG&E, officials hope to allow reentry about 6 ...

POT LUCK DINNER Neighbors helping neighbors: Shannon Cole and others are organizing a potluck dinner for Courtney Fire area residents and responders on Sunday, Sept. 21, starting at 5 p.m. at the Oakhurst Elks Lodge, located at 42484 Road 41 in Oakhurst. The Elks have donated the facility, explains Shannon.

OAKHURST – On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Oakhurst Library will be hosting a very unique event for the entire mountain community in the library’s Community Room from 10:30 a.m. to noon. All residents, young and old, are invited to hear some of their fellow residents share their favorite memories from their very interesting lives.

OAKHURST – Did you know that Oakhurst was once home to one of the world’s largest video game developers? If you remember Sierra Entertainment or perhaps worked there or know someone who did, there’s a writer who would like to talk to you. Laine Nooney, a media studies researcher and cultural historian of technology, will be visiting Oakhurst from Sept. ...