OAKHURST — We are receiving updated information from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office concerning the active search for two suspects following a reported bank robbery this afternoon. At about 4:30 p.m., Madera County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Central Valley Community Bank on Highway 41 in Oakhurst for a reported robbery. According to the Sheriff’s Office, one white male adult ...

TOLLHOUSE — In the midst of tragedy, friends and family of Josh Miller want to send a message about the effects war can have on the human spirit, and the subsequent risks for those who suffer from depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A 2016 study released by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) confirms that an average of 20 veterans commit suicide every ...

Sometimes you just to need to get outside in winter and take a brisk walk on a dirt road through rolling green foothills with cows. Where: Near Raymond and Coarsegold, following a dirt road. Distance: 9.89 Miles Difficulty: Easy Elevation Range: 1,171′ – 1,752′ Date: December 19, 2016 Maps: Ben Hur and Daulton Topographic Quad Maps Dog Hike? Yes, depending ...

MARIPOSA — Festivals across the nation are finding it difficult to continue offering venues for the magical and inspiring art that we call Storytelling. With rising production costs and dwindling sponsors, ticket sales are unable to cover the cost of producing a nationally recognized Storytelling Festival and, unfortunately, the Mariposa Storytelling Festival is no exception. After much discussion, organizers of the event ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016: North Fork family disturbance On Monday, Dec. 19 at 5:40 a.m. deputies were dispatched to a family disturbance in the 31000 block of Road 222. Upon arrival, one adult female was arrested for being under ...

By Michael Vaughan — OAKHURST — Minarets boys soccer earned a hard fought 1-0 win at Yosemite on Thursday, Dec. 22. The physical game was knotted 0-0 at halftime with neither team able to capitalize in the final one-third of the field. In the second half, Minarets looked much more threatening. Junior captain Jacob Cullen, also the Mustangs’ Varsity quarterback, broke ...

CALIFORNIA — As the season of festivities continues, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is encouraging motorists to resolve to begin the New Year with a safe celebration that includes a designated sober driver. Together, motorists and law enforcement can help make this holiday and every day safe for traveling on California roadways. The CHP will observe the New Year with ...

Favorite Dog Hikes of SNO Readers Thank you to the SNO readers who shared their favorite dog hikes with me. I look forward to adding more to this “living document” as more come in. I have included some basic information on these dog hikes and purposefully did not include detailed information on health, safety and conditioning related to hiking with ...

OAKHURST — When Anthony Gonzales’s truck was stolen from a local business on Halloween, he was forced to use his dirt bike for transportation, and it looked like Christmas might be tough this year. But an encounter with a Madera County Sheriff’s deputy at the gas station yesterday brought some Christmas cheer, rather than the feared citation for an expired ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — In the midst of the holiday season we’re sharing the stories of a dozen groups and nonprofit organizations whose members are making a difference in our communities. We’ve profiled education, art, community, theater, broadcast, wildlife, music and more. Now we turn to our feline and canine companions, and the local organization that has been steadfast in its efforts to ...