Coarsegold News

A federal gaming agency is urging a Washington, D.C., judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Chukchansi faction no longer considered in power by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The three leaders vying for control of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians - and its $9 million-a-month haul from its Madera County casino - have undeniably different styles.

Four Valley tribes are among 353 American Indian and Alaskan Native entities nationwide that were awarded $563 million in housing grants from the the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Three grass fires in Yosemite Lakes Park near Coarsegold -- one burning 50 acres and threatening six homes -- have kept fire crews busy Wednesday afternoon, said Karen Guillemin, Cal Fire spokeswoman for the Madera-Mariposa-Merced unit.

Elijah Johnson, 22, of Coarsegold, is facing DUI charges and resisting arrest following a crash on Highway 41 in Coarsegold.

A 22-year-old man faces charges of DUI and resisting arrest after a crash Sunday night on Highway 41 south of Coarsegold, the Madera County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday.

The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has finally stepped into the feud over control of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians — and its lucrative Highway 41 casino — by identifying Nancy Ayala as the tribe's leader.

The first fire that was called out at 12:30 p.m. June 8 at 44410 Road 415, across from Road 416.

The County of Madera has established Cooling Centers in Eastern Madera County for times of extreme summer heat.

Over the past decade, increased consumer demand for more fuel-efficient RVs and technical innovations in the RV industry have led to a growth in the popularity of Class B motorhomes.

The Oakhurst Community College Center and Madera Community College Center held their 2013 Commencement ceremony May 17 in the Madera Center amphitheater where 20 area students were among 205 students who received their associate of arts and associate in science degrees.

A 15-acre wildfire that began at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on River Road and Raymond Road in Coarsegold was almost contained as of 4 p.m., said Cal Fire spokesperson Karen Guillemin.

School's almost out, summertime is getting close and the weather forecast predicts lots of sunshine.

A Madera County woman escaped uninjured after a wild car crash that occurred when her medical condition flared up at the wheel, police said.