News

15,600 marijuana plants destroyed in Eastern Madera County

Additional pot gardens expected to be eradicated in the Mountain Area

Tensions linger between Yosemite Unified officials, staff, and the public

Close to 150 people attended the Yosemite Unified School District’s Board of Trustees meeting Monday, with several voicing criticisms of the board and the district’s new superintendent.

Local

DUI checkpoint scheduled in Eastern Madera County Saturday

On Saturday evening, the California Highway Patrol’s Oakhurst office will ramp up its enforcement on drunk or drug-impaired drivers, with additional officers out on patrol alongside a DUI checkpoint somewhere in Eastern Madera County, officials said in a release.

Local

Airbnb agrees to collect bed taxes for Madera County

The Madera County Board of Supervisors approved an arrangement with Airbnb Aug. 8 that will allow the online vacation rental company to collect Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from homeowners the company works with in the county.

Education

Chawanakee Unified focuses on the future

With work underway on new facilities including a brand new elementary school, as well as expanded classes and extracurricular programs, Chawanakee Unified School District (CUSD) is approaching the new school year with an eye towards the future.

Local

Mandatory evacuation issued for Yosemite’s Wawona as South Fork Fire threatens

A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for the community of Wawona as the South Fork Fire in southern Yosemite grew overnight.

Sports

Pizza Factory becomes exclusive provider with San Jose Sharks

Pizzeria franchise, headquartered in Oakhurst, is now affiliated with an NHL powerhouse.

Local

Firefighters continue to gain hold of South Fork Fire in Yosemite

More than 500 firefighters are making headway against a smoky inferno near Wawona inside Yosemite National Park, officials reported Friday afternoon, as the flames showed no growth from previous days.

Local

Schoolyard bullies used to torment her. But now this Yosemite High student has bikers at her back

Not everyone gets a special motorcycle escort to their first day of high school. But bikers said this Yosemite High School student deserves it.

Local

Have old tires lying around? Here’s how to get rid of them, for free

Through funding from CalRecycle, the Madera County Code Enforcement Department will host a Waste Tire Amnesty Day in North Fork on Aug. 25 , meaning up to nine tires without rims can be disposed of, entirely for free.

Local

South Fork Fire closes campgrounds, trails in Yosemite

A growing blaze in Yosemite National Park, near the community of Wawona, has forced the closure of multiple campgrounds and periodic closures of one of the park’s well-traveled roads.

Crime

Murder, sexual assaults, and alcohol near a cemetery: Madera County Sheriff’s Log, Aug. 7-13

On Aug. 7, Timothy Fadgen, 47 of Oakhurst, was shot and killed by three male Hispanic suspects over a marijuana grow near his home on Road 423. For more details, click here.

Local

How Medicare helps people with diabetes

At a recent meeting of my staff, the topic of diabetes came up.

Local

Annabelle: Creation

We were first introduced to possessed doll Annabelle in 2013’s The Conjuring, where she was freaky, but inconsequential. She was spun off into her own prequel movie in 2014, which I didn’t see, but I’m told couldn’t scare a cockroach away from a spotlight.

Local

Dogs play for life

Dogs live to play. Let’s let them play to live. This is the idea behind an innovative training program for shelter dogs rooted in the notion that a dog’s natural instinct is to play.

Local

Additional resources ordered on 1,613-acre South Fork Fire in Yosemite National Park

A growing wildfire in Yosemite National Park, about 1.5 miles east of Wawona, was at 1,613 acres Tuesday morning with additional crews set to arrive by the afternoon to work on controlling the blaze.

Local

Elderly woman airlifted after running red light, crashing into two vehicles in Oakhurst

A 90-year-old woman from Oakhurst was airlifted with significant injuries Monday afternoon after officers said she ran a red light at Highway 41 and Road 426 and slammed into two vehicles before hitting a wall.

News

There’s a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse coming. Here’s what you need to know

Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley won’t experience a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, but astronomers say it will still be worth watching – safely.

Local

News Briefs - August 17 edition

☆ Collectible book sale ☆ Great American Eclipse ☆ Run for the Gold ☆ Get well wishes ☆ Assessed property values online ☆ CalVet Connect ☆ Library workshop ☆ Wine in the Woods ☆ Music on the Green ☆ Zen movie night ☆ Bunco ☆ Frugal Friends’ Fashion Show ☆ Angels Amongst Us ☆ Fall Festival advertising ☆ Correction

Education

Finding individualized, unique programs in YUSD’s Alternative Education

Everyone’s familiar with the three R’s - but many educators feel the 5 C’s are more accurate for today’s ever changing world: Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Citizenship, and Creativity.

Videos

Here's how to protect your home with defensible space

Aug 11, 2017

After the rampaging Detwiler Fire devastated a large portion of Mariposa County in July, the importance of keeping defensible space around homes and property was made all the more clear. The defensible space inspection team from Cal Fire's Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit offers these tips on how to make sure your home is one that can be saved during wildfires.

Mark Evan Smith The Sierra Star