Madera County will hold its 5th annual Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony Wednesday May 2nd at Courthouse Park in Madera beginning at noon.

Chowchilla Police Chief Jay Varney is hosting the event.  Sheriff John Anderson will share remarks during the Memorial Service; as will Madera Police Chief Michael Kime.

This year’s Ceremony will include reading the names of 10 Officers killed in the line of duty in 2011. Ten vacant chairs will be stationed in front of the Monument. 

As each fallen Officer’s name is read, a single rose will be placed on a chair, honoring that individual, whose life was lost while saving others.

The granite monument, complete with waterfalls, bears the names of eight Madera County Sworn Peace Officers killed in the line of duty.

It was unveiled in 2007, made possible through the tireless efforts of the Madera County Law Enforcement Leaders Association.

Sheriff John Anderson will swear-in eight new volunteers attached to the nationally recognized Citizens on Patrol, Monday April 30th at 7:00 p.m.

Story submitted by Jarrod Lyman -- Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau

Since 1952 the Coarsegold Rodeo has been entertaining families with the thrills and spills of Pro Rodeo action as the historic event marks 60 years.

The rodeo runs for three days kicking off on Friday, May 4 with Heritage Days. Local school children will be able to join in the fun by making crafts and watching various riding demonstrations. In the afternoon, the Rodeo Royalty hopefuls will ride and conduct interviews with the judges starting at  6 p.m.

Rodeo action goes in to high gear on Saturday, May 5 and carries through on Sunday at the Bohna Arena on Road 415 in Coarsegold.

“It’s one of the prettiest rodeo sites in all of California and quite possibly beyond,” said Jarrod Lyman with the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. "I guarantee you’ll be hard pressed to find a more scenic site for such a great event.”