RAYMOND — One of the best parts of living in the foothills is walking on storied ground, and participating in the events and festivals that remember the legacy of the territory. The Raymond Old West Fest celebrates the town’s unique contribution to the early history of California with music, poetry, art and storytelling. Featured acts include Dave Stamey, Jack Hannah, Gary ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 24 2017. Oakhurst warrant citation On Monday, Sept. 18 at 12:46 a.m. a deputy initiated a vehicle stop conducted on the 40000 block of CA-41. The male driver was found to have a $5,000 misdemeanor warrant for ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Autumn arrives and, as if on cue, rain clears the air around us. Buckeye withers and leaves drop to the ground, temperatures cool and skies darken earlier. Sweater weather approaches, and we rejoice. Happy fall, y’all! The autumnal equinox, when days and nights are approximately equal in length, arrives this year on Friday, Sept. 22 at precisely ...

By Michelle Townsend —  The Constitution is the most important document in the United States. It establishes the American government and our position as a democracy. The Constitution also lays out our freedoms as Americans; this is celebrated every September 17th in remembrance of the day the delegates signed the document at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 17 2017. Ahwahnee vandalism On Monday, Sept. 11 at 2:02 a.m. deputy was dispatched to the 59000 block of Road 601 regarding vandalism. Upon arrival an investigation ensued and a report was taken. Case closed due to ...

On the Jan. 15, 1939, Southern Pacific Railroad Schedule there is a stop between Knowles and Knowles Junction off the Raymond train called Hillside, not Hills Pride, like the bar in Knowles, Hillside. In several references, including a 1934 Madera County map, Hillside is listed in an article about Alexander McGilvray, who ran the McGilvray Quarry until 1928 when the ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – Reader and frequent contributor of sunsets and other nature photographs Courtney Cara dubbed it the Railroad Moon, as our big view of the light in the nighttime sky locally may be filtered through a haze of smoke due to fires burning in the Sierra. You could call it the Mission Moon, South Fork Moon or the Peak Moon ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Smoke from the Railroad and South Fork Fire burning in both Madera/Mariposa Counties, the Empire Fire burning in Mariposa County, the Pier Fire burning in Tulare County, and all other surrounding wildfires have the potential to affect air quality throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley and foothills above, prompting Air District officials to issue a health cautionary ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – As Labor Day weekend approaches, friends and families will visit outdoor recreation areas throughout Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties. In anticipation of the increased outdoor activities, Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) is urging everyone to exercise extreme caution in every activity. Wildfires continue to burn in California and much of the state remains at high risk for ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Aug. 14, to Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017. Ahwahnee residential burglary On Monday, Aug. 14, at 6:38 p.m., a deputy was dispatched to the 59000 block of Road 601 regarding a residential burglary. Due to the lack of investigative leads, witnesses, and suspect(s) ...