Bomb squad officers investigating a suspicious package left near an automatic teller machine in Coarsegold found that the box -- tightly sealed with tape -- contained two gray and white kittens, not explosives.
Madera County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Erica Stuart said the suspicious package was reported at 8:14 a.m. Thursday.
The bomb squad was called and about 20 people were evacuated from five businesses, including Yosemite Bank, in an office complex near Highway 41. The squad placed a small device near the box, which detached the top of the box.
"Had there been explosive material inside, it would have blown up," Stuart said. Instead, the kittens tumbled out of the open box. The kittens were adopted by a Coarsegold woman, Stuart said.
Deputies are investigating who abandoned the animals, Stuart said.
The driver of a pickup was hospitalized after the truck and a minivan collided in southwest Fresno.
Suspect in Fresno burglaries arrested
Vacaville police Wednesday arrested a man suspected of six burglaries in southeast Fresno in September.
Jray Hill, 19, was arrested at a Vacaville home on suspicion of multiple counts of burglary and possession of stolen property.
Vacaville police arrested Hill and two other people after a probation search of the home.
Police booked Hill into Solano County Jail.
In September, a burglar targeted residents in the Beazer Homes development at Peach and Jensen avenues and in the Centex Homes development at Sunnyside Avenue and Kings Canyon Road.
The burglar took electronics, jewelry and cash while the victims were asleep or in the shower.
Fire alarms clear Clovis West High
Clovis West High School was evacuated briefly this morning when fire alarms went off.
Clovis Unified School District spokeswoman Kelly Avants said no fire was discovered. Students and faculty were outside buildings for about 15 minutes. Avants said the alarm's cause is under investigation.
Also ...
Lawmakers to host community summit
Assembly Member Mike Villines and state Sen. Dave Cogdill will host the fifth annual Fresno-Madera Community Renewal Summit from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at New Covenant Community Church.
The daylong event will feature presentations and workshops by local corporate leaders and nonprofit groups on how to revitalize communities and successfully apply for grants and other funding.
Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m.
Tioga, Glacier Point roads have reopened
The Tioga and Glacier Point roads in Yosemite National Park have reopened, a park spokesman said.
The roads were closed this week because of snow and icy conditions. There are no commercial services open along Tioga Road. The Glacier Point store is closed for the season.
Both roads may close at any time during the fall and winter season because of snow and icy conditions. Drivers are urged to go slowly and use caution.
Madera police get $108,000 DUI grant
The state Office of Traffic Safety has awarded a $108,000 grant to the Madera Police Department for a yearlong anti-DUI program.
Sgt. Thomas Burns credited a previous grant with a reduction in the number of accident-related injuries. Burns said the new grant will be used to target impaired drivers and educate the public.
Officers also will target motorcycle safety.
Pickup driver hurt in SW Fresno
The driver of a pickup was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries after a traffic collision this morning in southwest Fresno.
Police said the driver of a minivan failed to yield at a stop sign on Kern Street and collided with the pickup, which was northbound on Pottle Avenue.
No other information was immediately available.
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