Kaleidoscopic splashes of yellow here, mounds of orange there and then a little later, oceans of purple, sometimes with some red to liven up the wildflower colors as I hiked up new trails with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. At the top of the Ruth McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve vernal pools were especially beautiful, ringed with white meadowfoam. Where: Sierra Foothill ...

MADERA – Deputy District Attorney Katherine Rigby formally filed her paperwork to run for Madera County Superior Court Judge in the June 7 primary.  Rigby was honored to have 8 of the Madera County Superior Court Judges present with her showing their support when she filed. Rigby is a fourth generation Maderan and grew up here since birth.  After attending ...

AHWAHNEE – The Friends of The Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park wish to announce the retirement of longtime President, Fern Facchino. For Fern’s many years of service we extend our gratitude and admiration and wish her well. To help with a smooth transition, Senior Director Tony Ward will be stepping in as Interim President. Tony’s founding of the Park in 2006, ...

A two-car accident on Hwy. 41 claims the life of a 24-year-old male. MADERA – On March 14, 2022, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a traffic collision on State Route 41, north of Road 406, with medical personnel responding. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Madera Area responded to the scene ...

Tragic accident in North Fork takes the life of an 80-year-old man.  NORTH FORK – March 14, 2022, at approximately 12:21 p.m., the Merced Communications Center (MCC) received a call of a male with no pulse trapped under a vehicle in the 30000 block of Wyle Ranch Way in North Fork, California. Oakhurst Area Units, Officer J. Buttgereit, Officer K. ...

Sierra National Forest continues with the winter/spring prescribed burning within the Bass Lake Ranger District. CLOVIS — The Sierra National Forest (SNF) will continue prescribed burning within the Bass Lake Ranger District, beginning Monday, March 14, as weather and air quality is optimal to start ignitions. These treatments will consist of understory burning. This includes removing fuels created during tree ...

Sierra National Forest Seeks Public Input for Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Funding CLOVIS — The Sierra National Forest (SNF) is requesting public input for the California 2022 State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program application cycle. As part of the grant process, the SNF is requesting public comment on the draft applications submitted to the State. This ...

Daylight Saving Begins, PG&E Customers Can Spring Forward with Safety  SAN FRANCISCO — It’s time to spring forward! Aside from setting your watch and clocks one hour forward and enjoying more daylight, this is the perfect time to make your home and family are safer. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has some simple tips that can help. Carbon Monoxide ...

Wildflowers, miners, gold mines, an old railroad bed and a beautiful but deadly river all have roles in this week’s blog. Oh, and can’t forget about the geese!Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Merced River Recreation Management AreaDistance: 13.36 miles round trip but you can go shorter or longerDifficulty: EasyElevation Range: 1,001′ – 1,215′Elevation Total Ascent: 1,125′Date: March 7, 2022CALTOPO: ...

Daylight Saving Time: Turn your clocks forward and test your smoke alarms CENTRAL VALLEY — Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 13, and the American Red Cross of Central California reminds everyone to TURN your clocks forward one hour and TEST your smoke alarms. Did you know working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire ...