News

Zabickis end successful restaurant career

New owners of Crab Cakes Ray and Jennifer Newman plan minimal changes to the restaurant

Grant sought for Ahwahnee Hills

Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park has applied for $200,000 to help cut down underbrush that one of its board members, a former Cal Fire Captain, said has grown exceedingly dangerous to dozens of homes and Wasuma Elementary School.

Local

Studies continue on OHV park

Madera County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved continuing studies on a proposed 956-acre off-highway vehicle park in O’Neals after Native American sites were discovered in recent weeks.

News

Yosemite park chief abruptly resigns amid criticism over gender bias, sex harassment

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher, facing scrutiny over allegations of gender bias and a hostile work environment, told park employees of his retirement by email late Wednesday. It came after a meeting with the National Park Service regional director in which it was determined that new leadership was needed.

News

Fight over Yosemite trademarks gets trickier

The latest twist in a lawsuit over Yosemite National Park names centers on whether the park's new concession company gets to play a role in the court battle initiated by Delaware North.

News

Interior Department now probing Yosemite harassment complaints

Investigators from the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General will visit Yosemite National Park in coming days to probe allegations of harassment and a hostile work atmosphere. The inspector general is also looking into claims of sexual improprieties at Yellowstone National Park.

News

New California law to further restrict phone use while driving

The measure forbids drivers from “holding and operating” their devices for any reason, though it does include an exception for functions that require limited motion as long as the phone is mounted on the windshield or dashboard of the car.

Local

Chukchansi to hold council election Saturday

On Saturday, the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians will hold an election for three spots on its tribal council, the latest since an embattled vote last year while its casino was closed.

Local

Madera, Mariposa DAs to chair state conference in Fish Camp

The District Attorneys of Madera and Mariposa counties are joining forces to co-chair a state conference held Oct. 4 and 5 at Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp.

Local

Dreams coming into focus

With a new-found passion for photography, Coarsegold resident Martha Klatt wins 10 ribbons at Madera District Fair

Local

La Sierra Guild hosts fundraiser for Valley Children’s

La Sierra Guild will hold a raffle with prizes to benefit Valley Children’s Hospital, with winners drawn Oct. 12. The raffle includes a one night stay with meal at Tenaya Lodge, a train ride on Sugar Pine Railroad, cruise on a 12-passenger boat for five hours from Miller’s Landing, a $100 certificate from Sullivan’s Tire Pros, a $200 certificate from Oakhurst Giftworks, and a $100 dining certificate from DiCicco’s, $100 in gift cards from Yosemite Bank. Tickets are $1 each, and tickets must be purchsed by Oct. 10. The drawing takes place Oct. 12, with the winning tickets drawn by a hospital patient. Winners need not be present to win.

Homepage

Under fire, Yosemite National Park superintendent announces his retirement

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announces his retirement, amid an ongoing investigation into park management.

Local

Mountain Area public enjoys ‘Doughnut with a Deputy’

Outside Zanders Coffee in Coarsegold Wednesday morning, Madera County Sheriff Jay Varney and two of his deputies, Larry Rich and Tyson Pogue, stopped by for a chat with the public. Plus, they brought doughnuts.

Crime

Boozing boater arrested at Bass Lake: Sheriff’s Log Sept. 19 - 25

On Sept. 19, the solo operator of a personal water craft was observed by Madera County Sheriff’s deputies jumping wakes behind a pontoon boat and performing donut maneuvers, while not following a clockwise direction as the lake traffic rules mandate.

Local

Getting groovy for homecoming week

Yosemite High School got groovy Wednesday as part of its homecoming week, celebrated the week of Sept. 26 - 30. There are plenty of fun activities, games, and dress-up options before the big homecoming event and football game on Friday.

Local

“Magnificent Seven”

The new version of “The Magnificent Seven” (a remake of a 1960 Western that I have not seen, itself a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s “The Seven Samurai,” which I have) is one of those movies that starts off looking award-worthy, but gradually loses steam until it’s nearly unwatchable by the end.

Crime

Third marijuana cultivator sentenced in national forest grow

FRESNO - Alejandro Ramirez-Rojo, 31, of Mexico, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $8,752 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana in the Sierra National Forest, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Local

Waite, Burns win 29th Annual Smokey 10K

Two university professors with master’s degrees - Stephen Waite and Katie Burns - won the men’s and women’s 10K at Saturday’s 29th Annual Smokey Bear Run / Walk at Bass Lake.

Local

Property Tax Postponement Program

The State Controllers Property Tax Postponement Program has been reinstated after being suspended by the Governor in 2009.

Calendar

News Briefs - week of September 29

☆ Opening concert ☆ Funds for Phillips family ☆ Rotary Oktoberfest ☆ Fall Festival ☆ Collectible book sale ☆ Fire prevention rally ☆ Fresno Fair

Videos

Firefighters douse Highway 41 grass fire

Aug 29, 2016

Two engines from the Fresno Fire Department respond to a grass fire along Highway 41 at the Olive Avenue underpass on Monday afternoon, Aug. 29. According to bystander Mona Nunez, the fire started around 1:30 p.m. near the chain-link fence at the bottom of the embankment. There was no immediate word from the fire department on a cause.

Gary Funk gfunk@fresnobee.com