MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Fire Department is the recipient of a $70,000 grant to purchase new extrication equipment referred to as “the jaws of life.” The grant funding was provided through the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Madera County Fire Department Assistant Chief Matthew Watson stated that “This new equipment will ...

The Sierra National Forest (SNF) has updated its Closure Order for  elect recreation sites, roads, and trails. Forest Order 05-15-00-21-26 will be effective on December 16, 2021 through January 20, 2022. This order supersedes Forest Order 05-15-00-21-23. Many of the areas listed  in this closure are seasonally closed during the late fall/winter months. Forest Order No. 05-15-00-21-26 Sierra National Forest ...

While not our local coverage area – holiday travel to the area will be impeded. PORTERVILLE – The Sequoia National Forest will begin seasonal Forest Service Road closures in the Western Divide Ranger and Kern River Ranger districts due to recent and forecasted snowfall. According to Forest Supervisor Teresa Benson, the roads are closed to provide public safety, maintain winter ...

Mariposa – Update from Mariposa County Sheriff. This is a tragic situation and has been a very unique case to investigate from the onset. As of Friday October 15th, we have determined the official cause of death. Our Pathologist has completed his report based on the autopsy, our investigation, and a multitude of toxicology results. The Cause of death for Jonathan ...

OAKHURST — Jeff Aiello, creator of the Talk of the Hill Facebook group and page, along with his wife, Jill, saw a need and met it. A lifelong resident of the Oakhurst/Bass Lake area, he is also a television producer, cinematographer and broadcast executive with an intimate knowledge of the Sierra Nevada. including many contacts in media and government agencies. ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Sierra National Forest. This Order is effective from September 23, 2021, through November 15, 2021. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 C.F.R. ...

Porterville – To better provide public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing California wildfire crisis, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of all National Forests in California. This closure will be in effect from Aug. 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. through September 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This order does not affect the Humboldt-Toiyabe ...

Mariposa – As of the date of this update cause of death remains a question. Detectives continue conducting interviews and investigating all potential possible explanations for the death of the Gerrish / Chung family. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office began a Search and Rescue operation after a family was reported missing Monday night August 16th at 11pm. Search teams located the ...

OAKHURST – You gaze, mesmerized, at the scene before you:  majestic Half Dome — known as Tis-sa-sak to the first settlers of this valley — crowns Tenaya Canyon leading to the Yosemite high country. El Capitan, sentinel of Yosemite Valley, guards the western edge. The scene is pure majesty, a valley ringed by mountains approaching 10,000 feet in elevation. You ...

Mariposa – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office began a Search and Rescue operation after a family was reported missing Monday night August 16th at 11pm. Search teams located the family’s vehicle near the Sierra National Forest gate leading to Hites Cove in the Jerseydale area. A short time later the family; John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, one year old daughter Muji and ...