As the Madera County Planning Commission prepares to consider the Madera Ranch Inc. proposal for a rock quarry operation in the foothills of Madera County, two additional companies have notified county officials of their intent to develop quarries in the same general area of the county.

Vulcan Materials Company, the nation's leading producer of construction aggregates, is planning to operate the Austin Quarry on 356 acres of a 671-acre parcel on the southwest corner of highways 41 and 145.

Although it was 39 degrees outside, the Yosemite High School music department, aided by Laura Derry's rendition of "Fever" was heating up the gymnasium last Saturday night.

More than 400 people filled the gym for the second annual Nite on the Town concert. Attendees were treated to 34 musical performances by talented Yosemite High instrumentalists and singers.

After three hours of discussion Monday, the Madera County Board of Supervisors continued the hearing for the 315-lot Sierra Meadows Estates Subdivision to Monday, April 5.

The Madera County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the project at a Nov. 17 public hearing in Coarsegold.

2008 lawsuit overturns earlier approval

The Madera County Planning Commission will consider a request at 6 p.m. March 16 to rezone 121 acres of a 540-acre foothill parcel to allow for an open-pit rock quarry.

Kathy McCorry, executive director of the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce, was among 31 chamber executives to recently graduate from Academy, a professional development program presented by the Western Association of Chamber Executives.

Academy is an interactive three days a year for three years training program concentrating on chamber management for chamber executives.

84 chalets and 20 Ducey's suites closed four days a week through mid-May

In a cost-savings move amid a slow economy and a decline in discretionary spending, The Pines Resort at Bass Lake has implemented a partial closure of their lodging operations.

Additional county budget adjustments and reductions will be discussed during a board of supervisors public budget workshop April 1 in Madera.

Steven Rodriguez, county administrative officer, encouraged the public to attend during a town hall meeting last Thursday in North Fork hosted by Supervisor Tom Wheeler.

A special meeting before the Madera County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m., Monday, March 1, at the county government center in Madera to consider the approval of the 315-lot Sierra Meadows Estates Subdivision.

The Madera County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the project at a Nov. 17 public hearing in Coarsegold.

The draft plan to spend an estimated $1.1 billion for road improvements throughout Madera County over the next 25 years was presented during a public workshop in Oakhurst last week.

Nine area residents were present at the Oakhurst Community Center Feb. 9 for a public workshop for the proposed Madera County 2011 Regional Transportation Plan.

Kragen Auto Parts will almost double in size when the store, located in the Vons Shopping Center, moves up the street to the building once occupied by True Value Hardware.

The new location at 40088 Highway 49 is expected to open the first week in March with a new name -- O'Reilly Auto Parts.