MADERA — Supervisors made it official Tuesday morning: Former Sheriff Jay Varney is now the County’s top day-to-day administrator.At the start of today’s (June 2) meeting, which was chaired by Supervisor Rob Poythress, the board formally appointed Varney to be the County’s new chief administrative officer. “He will take over as a strong leader,” said Supervisor Frazier. “Jay is exactly who ...

MARIPOSA — Emphasizing that visitor safety remains their top priority, tourism officials of gateway communities in Madera and Mariposa counties are nonetheless voicing concern over planned new restricted access to Yosemite National Park.  “On May 18, Yosemite National Park leadership shared its draft reopening strategy with the region’s gateway communities. The proposal would limit daily access to 3,600 vehicles, 1,700 ...

BASS LAKE — It’s official: The 2020 July 4 fireworks show at Bass Lake has been canceled.After 24 hours of conflicting reports about whether the popular event will be allowed to take place this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bass Lake Chamber posted late Thursday on its Facebook page: “It’s with a lot of sadness that we’re announcing that ...

MADERA — Robert Eugene Moye, the North Fork man charged in the July 2019 murder of prominent Mono tribal elder Gaylen Lee, was arraigned in Madera County Superior Court on Wednesday. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moye, 47, appeared in Department 22 via video hookup for an informational hearing and to formally be advised of all of the charges against ...

NORTH FORK – The board of directors at the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center has made the “difficult” decision to cancel the 50th annual Indian Fair Days and Pow Wow. “The event, planned for August 1-2, 2020, is canceled due to the public health emergency, COVID-19,” said a press release issued Thursday by tribal officials. “Planning a large event ...

NORTH FORK — Mono tribal officials are hopeful the last remaining legal barriers may soon be removed in the tribe’s nearly 20-year effort to build a casino and hotel off Highway 99 near Madera.On June 2, the California Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case of United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria v Newsom. ...

BASS LAKE — A Fresno man died Sunday afternoon (May 17) while trying to cross Willow Creek near Angel Falls.The Madera County Sheriff’s Office confirmed late Sunday afternoon that Marcos Moreno, 30, of Fresno, drowned in what was initially reported to be a “medical” rescue off Road 274 at Willow Creek.The accident happened around 12:30 p.m. above Bass Lake.Law enforcement ...

NORTH FORK – The board of directors of the North Fork Boosters Club announced last last week that the 2020 edition of the Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree, one of the mountain area’s most popular annual events, is being cancelled due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.“This is tough!” said a post on the Boosters Facebook page. “For sixty straight years ...

BASS LAKE — Warmer weather and pent-up desire to be outdoors spurred by two months of quarantining has drawn larger crowds than usual to Bass Lake this month, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, public restrooms at the popular recreation spot have been closed and trash service suspended. So MCSO has stepped in to ...

By Hailey Carlton, student journalist for Minarets Press O’NEALS — With the ongoing pandemic and school closures, seniors are missing out on all of the fun end of the year senior activities, including prom, grad night, the senior assembly — and even an in-person graduation ceremony. To try and make these seniors feel special, senior Rebecca Townsend came up with ...