Submitted by Samantha Grant O’NEALS — My twin sister Hallie and I are throwing the first-ever carnival at Minarets High School, a  Christmas Carnival for our Senior Legacy Project. We wanted to plan an event that would incorporate what we love and decided to raise money for the Eastern Madera County SPCA (EMC SPCA). We have two dogs, Ryder and ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A set of storm systems arriving this week are expected to bring more than an inch of rain to the foothills and better than a foot of snow to higher elevations. A Winter Storm Watch has already been issued for the southern Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon from 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 ...

OAKHURST – Under the guidance of former Fresno police officer Dave Maynez, now Director of Campus Safety for Yosemite Unified School District (YUSD), some area schools have recently rolled out a forward-thinking Safe School Plan with multiple components that could make a big difference in the event of a natural disaster, criminal activity, fire or other emergency. Among the recent ...

By Lexey Jenkins — COARSEGOLD – This is an exciting two months for Coarsegold 4-H. Horse Expo was this month on Nov. 10. Makayla Beckstead and Abigail LaSpada medaled in level two, and Colton Beckstead, Madeline Vellandi and Emily Nowka medaled in level one. Our next 4-H meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 10: our annual Christmas party from 6 ...

By Virginia Eaton — I do not have cable or network television at home because my peace of mind cannot handle crisis media, which seems to be all that is offered these days. During the last few months, we have been inundated with horror, terror and sadness, as our world seemingly devolves into a post-apocalyptic zombie movie. There is a ...

MARIPOSA – A celebration of the determined and varied life of Ruth Catalan, who left us on October 30, will be held at the Mariposa Senior Center on Spriggs Lane on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., with a special memorial program from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Ruth retired to ...

OAKHURST – It’s going to be difficult to contain the excitement on Saturday, Dec. 5, as kids and their grown-ups are invited to attend Breakfast with Santa at the Community Center, followed by Secret Santa Shopping at the Children’s Museum of the Sierra, and wrapping up the day with the Oakhurst Community Christmas Tree Lighting and ensuing festivities. Kiwanis-sponsored Breakfast ...

Submitted by Burt Stalter, Dave Smith and Anne Lombardo SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Forest thinnings, also known as fuel treatments, are done in our National Forests to reduce vegetation that can feed wildfires. Fuel treatments involve the thinning of trees, mastication of brush, branches and little trees or ladder fuels that can carry the fire into the crowns of the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – You won’t be needing the heavy rain gear this week, as forecasts from the National Weather Service in Hanford, California predict a low-impact event Thursday evening, with a cold front bringing the chance of light snow above 5,500 feet and some rain to fall in the foothills. Overall, they say, weather will have minimal impact on the ...

OAKHURST – Love the look of holiday lights but not looking forward to getting out the ladder to put up your Christmas display this year? The nonprofit and always-busy Boys & Girls Club of Oakhurst (BGC) has a great idea for area businesses in a clear case of win-win. “Get into the holiday spirit and light up Oakhurst. We’ll do ...