SACRAMENTO—A significant rainstorm is expected to impact Central and Northern California beginning Friday, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) urges all motorists to exercise extreme caution and prepare for hazardous driving conditions. Wet roads, reduced visibility, and potential hazards such as downed power lines, flooding, and snow can create dangerous situations. “As major winter storms approach Northern California, our top ...

MERCED COUNTY—The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is proud to announce that it is partnering with the Merced Police Department, Merced County Sheriff’s Office, and other Merced County Law Enforcement Agencies to kick off the “2025 Seat Belts Save Lives Campaign.” The campaign will significantly benefit Merced County by enhancing public safety, reducing injuries, and saving lives. In 2024, Merced County ...

OAKHURST–The California Highway Patrol is responding to a traffic collision near Highway 41 and Road 425B. Two vehicles are reported involved, with one vehicle down an embankment and the other blocking the southbound lane of Hwy 41. Traffic is at a stop coming from Oakhurst up the Deadwood Mountain grade, according to radio traffic. We will update this article when ...

SACRAMENTO – In an ongoing effort to reduce the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers in California, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) on a yearlong campaign of education efforts. The $2.5 million grant-funded “Teen Impaired Driving Education (TIDE) VI” campaign runs through September 30, 2025. Motor vehicle crashes are ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY–The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office recently assisted the California Highway Patrol with a failure to yield and a subsequent vehicle pursuit that entered Mariposa County. The pursuit eventually ended on Highway 140 near Indian Gulch Road after the vehicle crashed and the driver fled. The driver was not located, however, over 200 pounds of methamphetamine were located inside the ...

MADERA COUNTY— The Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reports that shortly before 11:30am on June 19, 2024, their Communications Center received an emergency call reporting an unresponsive female in the water near Angel Falls. Search and Rescue teams, along with USFS, Madera County Fire & CALFire, Sierra Ambulance, and the CHP H-40 helicopter responded to the area. During the operation, ...

COARSEGOLD–The California Department of  Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), in cooperation with California Highway Patrol, CAL TRANS, Pacific Southwest Research Station/Fresno State University, private landowners, and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, aim to reduce large conflagrative fires and high suppression costs, to the citizens of California, by conducting a prescribed burn along the Highway 41 corridor. Historically, this stretch of Highway 41 ...

SACRAMENTO – As Memorial Day weekend approaches and Californians gear up for summer festivities, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is implementing a statewide traffic enforcement effort to help everyone reach their destination safely. Last year over the holiday weekend, 46 people lost their lives in crashes throughout California. Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, May 24, the CHP is initiating a ...

OAKHURST—Looking for a career? Need a job change? Just want to see what’s what in the world of employment? You won’t want to miss the Next Step Job Faire. Here’s your chance to explore careers in a multitude of fields. The faire, sponsored by Yosemite Adult School, takes place on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Yosemite High School Athletic ...

OAKHURST–More motorcyclists will be on the roads as spring weather welcomes the riding season, and this May, during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, all motorists are urged to take an extra look — double check your blind spots — before turning or changing lanes, because that extra second could save a life. Here are some tips for sharing our roads with ...