MADERA COUNTY — Sheriff Jay Varney and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) hosted a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, May 30, to formally recognize recent new hires within the department. Sheriff Varney welcomed communications dispatcher Kayla Boyd and deputies David Ochoa, Andre Pena, Michael Lewis and Johnathan Rodriguez. Communications Dispatcher Kayla Boyd was most recently employed by California Department of ...

OAKHURST — Not far from Yosemite, one of the area’s most treasured other parks is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. At Fresno Flats Historic Park, stakeholders behind the scenes have chosen the milestone as the perfect time to bring new life to the landmark establishment. The official birthday party is on Heritage Day and will be marked by an ...

A man of faith and commitment to his Lord and Savior, Witt O. Hawkins Jr. enjoyed a life was well lived and he was well loved! Born in 1939, the Lord called him home on May 12, 2019, in Oakhurst, California. Witt was born in Chicago, Illinois to father Witt and mother Catherine 79 years ago. Witt, his wife Pam ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing at-risk adult. The last known whereabouts of Antoine Christopher Williams, 41, are in the Eastman Lake area, according to the Sheriff’s Office. His Red Nissan Sentra was found crashed into a tree at Eastman Lake on Friday, May 31 at 6:30 a.m. Mr. ...

OAKHURST — With the season already upon us, Madera County will host a fire safety educational event on Saturday, June 15, with County staff and partners including Cal Fire, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, PG&E and more. Featured presentations and informational booths will provide resources for the public to be fire safe in the foothills, ensuring that County residents remain ...

MADERA — The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced effective 8 a.m. Friday, May 31, hazard reduction burning in Eastern Madera County is restricted below 2,000 feet in elevation. Hazard reduction burning above 2,000 feet is allowed with a valid permit from San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Burn permits may ...

OAKHURST — Some 20 healthcare professionals volunteered their time to conduct required sports physicals for students at Yosemite High School (YHS) last week, with more than 120 athletes seen in under two-and-a-half hours. With the low-cost physicals and the volunteered time, over $2,000 was raised for the YHS Athletic Training class, which will help cover cost for a new concussion ...

OAKHURST — McDonald’s is getting a McMakeover — and one of the biggest changes under Oakhurst’s golden arches is double drive-thru lanes. With interior and exterior renovation work at the popular fast food outlet nearly complete, the restaurant will hold its official “Grand Re-opening Celebration” on June 1, according to Stephanie Chan, a spokesperson for the company. The lobby closed ...

CLOVIS – As warmer weather finally arrives, many of us get out and enjoy the rivers, streams, and lakes on the Sierra National Forest (SNF). These water ways are being fed by the melting snows over the High Sierra, swelling the Upper Kings, San Joaquin, and Merced rivers with swift and extremely cold water. Bass, Shaver, Huntington and many other ...

AHWAHNEE — Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District (BLUSD) hosted a “Plug into the Sun” celebration Thursday at Wasuma Elementary School. The event was held to unveil a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system that will provide 75 percent of the school district’s overall electricity needs. The PV system will reduce the district’s carbon footprint and save a significant amount ...