NORTH FORK – As if firefighters weren’t weary enough from this long summer of fires, they were called out this afternoon for reports of a smoke on House Ranch Road just off Road 200 between North Fork and O’Neals. It was a burn pile. Someone apparently decided that a few drops of rain had erased the danger of years of ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Aug. 31 through Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015. Oakhurst theft On Monday, Aug. 31 at 7:51 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 49000 block of Road 426 in Oakhurst regarding the theft of a bicycle. An investigation was conducted ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Aug. 24 through Sunday, Aug 30, 2015. Oakhurst burglary On Monday, Aug. 24 at 8:59 a.m., a deputy was dispatched to the 40000 block of Greenwood Way in regards to a burglary to a storage shed. A criminal investigation ...

By Lluvia Moreno, Minarets Correspondent O’NEALS – We’ve all felt that moment of panic when we turn and realize something important is missing from its place, and the terrifying feeling when you’re not sure if you will see your belongings again. Unfortunately sometimes, those items are gone for good. On Thursday, Aug. 13, this nightmare became a reality at Minarets ...

BASS LAKE – District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will hold the next in his series of Town Hall meetings on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pines Resort on Bass Lake. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Troy Cheek will be one of the featured speakers, along with Firewise Coordinator Roger Maybee. This is a good chance for ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug 16, 2015. Oakhurst Arrest A deputy was on patrol in the Oakhurst area on Monday, Aug. 10 at 8:16 a.m. when he spotted a subject who was wanted by probation. The deputy arrested the ...

Laces were tied, backpacks were zipped, lunches were packed and perhaps even some tears were shed as mountain area residents got kids ready to return to school today, Monday, Aug. 17. Many noted on social media that it was a cruel coincidence Starbucks in Oakhurst is closed this week for a remodel. Undaunted, the community united and carried on despite ...

O’NEALS – The community is invited to show up and support the Mustangs football team on Friday, Aug. 21, as Minarets High School is having a scrimmage game at North Fork School at 3:15 p.m. — it’s Varsity vs. JV. Supporters want to see the color purple represented throughout the area for the next ten Fridays, as that’s the hue ...

OAKHURST – Celebrating artists and artisans, fostering art education, bringing locals and visitors together for a weekend experience unlike any other in the region: these are the days of Sierra Art Trails open studio tour. Now in its 13th year, Sierra Art Trails (SAT) is set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2, 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally during the week of Monday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug 9, 2015. North Fork Burglary Deputies responded on Monday, Aug. 3 at 12:05 a.m. to the area of the 33200 block of West Vista Dr. for a burglary report at a vacation home. The ...