COARSEGOLD — A Coarsegold resident was found deceased inside his vehicle last night, after being reported missing by his family the day before. Dr. Bradley Wayne Hufft, 59, was last seen on Wednesday afternoon, Apr 12. On Thursday, his family filed a missing persons report with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Shortly after 10 p.m. last night, first responders were ...

OAKHURST/MARIPOSA — When thousands of people were suddenly unable to connect to the internet this past week, phones began ringing at Sierra Tel — the local internet provider hit with a malicious hack of one brand of modems. The service interruptions reportedly began as early as last Friday evening for some, and Sierra Tel became aware of the problem on ...

NORTH FORK — The public is invited to attend a presentation by well-known wildlife biologist Phil Bartholomew on Wednesday, Apr. 19, at the North Fork School. The presentation will be part of the annual Sierra Vista Scenic Byway meeting. In 1928, Orland Bartholomew made a 300-mile trek in mid-winter from Yosemite to Mount Whitney, which included the first winter ascent ...

MARIPOSA — The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra has issued its annual challenge to all Mariposa County residents aged 8 to 18 — compose your own classical music and you may be able to hear it performed by a full, live symphony orchestra. Three winning contestants will also each receive $50, a score containing all winning entries orchestrated by MSO Founding Music ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Following reports of two separate and confirmed accounts of mountain lion activity within the Sierra National Forest in the Jose Basin and Pine Ridge areas, SNF officials are reminding people who are frequent hikers or visitors to be extra cautious. Here are a few tips to keep you safe while enjoying your Forest. If you do ...

BASS LAKE — Last week, the County of Madera hosted its two-day Management Workshop in Bass Lake, Calif., which was titled, “United into the Future.” The annual workshop, held this year on Apr. 5 and 6, gives County staff a chance to share the challenges and successes of the past year, and plan the way forward in providing better service ...

AHWAHNEE — Master guitarist Michael Chapdelaine is returning to Coolwater Ranch on Saturday, Apr. 15. Michael is a brilliant composer and musician, and is the only guitarist ever to win First Prize in the world’s top competitions in both the Classical and Fingerstyle genres; the Guitar Foundation of America International Classical Guitar Competition and the National Fingerstyle Championships at the ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Volunteers are now being recruited for the season to serve as fire lookouts on Miami Mountain. Miami Lookout is a lookout tower located just east of Nippinawasee and is staffed throughout the fire season by Forest Service Volunteers. The tower is a great asset to our mountain community because it is located in a prime location ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park will waive park entrance fees on the weekends of National Park Week, Saturday and Sunday, Apr. 15 – 16, and Apr. 22-23, 2017. National Park Week is a week-long celebration of our National Parks celebrated at National Park Service sites across the United States. Fees being waived for the weekends of National Park Week include ...

YOSEMITE — After years of drought, the central Sierra has experienced much welcome precipitation, and reports from the higher elevations of Yosemite National Park are encouraging. Park staff have completed the April 1 snow surveys, and report that the water content of the snowpack in the Tuolumne drainage is 177 percent of average. In the Merced drainage it is 168 ...