BASS LAKE — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has one man in custody in connection with a home invasion and assault in Bass Lake Annex on Saturday night. Sheriff Jay Varney announced today that one of the suspects has been arrested. Alvin McDonald III, 18, of North Fork, was arrested shortly before 11 a.m. this morning. Sheriff’s personnel are continuing ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Togetherness is one of the simple ideals behind the Thanksgiving holiday and its ensuing weekend. Rather than eat, shop, and repeat, local lovers of the outdoors have a suggestion for the entire friends-and-family entourage: try a little Green Friday. As compared with the (when-did-it-become?) traditional Black Friday — a nearly-sacred day for those who love to shop ...

MADERA COUNTY — The 2017 Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign in Eastern Madera County has begun with the placement of toy donation boxes and cash donation jars in over five dozen schools, businesses and agencies. Dennis Osantowski, in his 4th year as Toys for Tots Coordinator, says that this may be one of the toughest years for the program ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 23  to Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. Coarsegold stolen Ford F350 truck On Monday, Oct. 23, at 4:44 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a business located within the 35000 block of CA-41, regarding a report of a possible burglary in progress. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Want to know some of what’s happening around the foothills this year to celebrate the season, from Harvest Festivals to Halloween Haunts? Here’s a basket full of treats so you can pick and choose. Click on flyers to enlarge.   Pirates for Hope, Thursday, Oct. 26 – Sunday, Oct. 29 in Coarsegold Pirates For Hope are holding their ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 16  to Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. Bass Lake mail theft On Monday, Oct. 16 at 9:28 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a telephonic call of mail theft that occurred at Malum Ridge Road and Marina View Drive. A report was ...

NORTH FORK — As often happens when crews are called up for an incident – whether fire or hurricane – the Crane Valley Hot Shots were released back to their duty station after gearing up to assist in the Puerto Rico disaster. The 20-person crew responded last Saturday to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., ready and willing to ...

NORTH FORK — After a long season of fighting fires across the region, the Sierra National Forest Crane Valley Hot Shots are looking forward to a new assignment – assisting the residents of Puerto Rico who have seen their homeland devastated by Hurricane Maria. Just five days after being released from a 30-day stint in a spike camp on the ...

Written by Richard Keg — It’s been a year since my dad’s heart attack, as of about 10:30 p.m. today. To make sure he remembers to always listen to me, I just posted this on his wall: One year ago today, as of about right now, your heart attack started. I remember sitting here and arguing with you, telling you ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Oakhurst vandalism On Monday, Sept. 25 at 6:47 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 41000 block of Hwy 41 regarding a burglary. Report written, evidence obtained, and case closed. Oakhurst theft On Monday, Sept. ...