Why seed after a wildfire? Loss of vegetation leaves land vulnerable to increased runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. It also encourages weeds, degrades habitat, and impairs forest regeneration. Reestablishment of permanent vegetation provides long-term erosion control, may restore lost habitat values, and may help suppress noxious weed invasion after a wildfire. However it takes time and favorable climatic conditions to establish ...

AHWAHNEE — District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will host the next in his series of Town Hall meetings on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wasuma Elementary School. Items on the agenda include an update from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and Madera County Fire Department. There will also be a presentation by Matt ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – On the nights of Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Thursday, Oct. 5, take a look up in the sky and notice the Harvest Moon, the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox of Sept. 22. The moon is precisely full at 11:40 a.m. PST on Thursday, Oct. 5 and should look round and bright for both nights, at least. According ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Oakhurst vandalism On Monday, Sept. 25 at 6:47 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 41000 block of Hwy 41 regarding a burglary. Report written, evidence obtained, and case closed. Oakhurst theft On Monday, Sept. ...

AHWAHNEE — Firefighters made quick work of a fire reported near the address 36976 Road 600 in the Ahwahnee area. Just after noon today, a full wildland dispatch was call out to an “unknown type fire” in the area. A column of smoke was also seen by a lookout nearby. Resources from Cal Fire, Madera County Fire and the Sierra ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 24 2017. Oakhurst warrant citation On Monday, Sept. 18 at 12:46 a.m. a deputy initiated a vehicle stop conducted on the 40000 block of CA-41. The male driver was found to have a $5,000 misdemeanor warrant for ...

AHWAHNEE — Another season of amazing mountain music launches with Hill Country blues duo extraordinaire David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach, who take the house stage together at Coolwater Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 30. David plays extraordinary slide guitar combined with a voice soulful beyond his years, says Coolwater’s Robin Ralston. “He is now joined by Bob Beach, harmonica, flute and ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Autumn arrives and, as if on cue, rain clears the air around us. Buckeye withers and leaves drop to the ground, temperatures cool and skies darken earlier. Sweater weather approaches, and we rejoice. Happy fall, y’all! The autumnal equinox, when days and nights are approximately equal in length, arrives this year on Friday, Sept. 22 at precisely ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 17 2017. Ahwahnee vandalism On Monday, Sept. 11 at 2:02 a.m. deputy was dispatched to the 59000 block of Road 601 regarding vandalism. Upon arrival an investigation ensued and a report was taken. Case closed due to ...

AHWAHNEE – Brandon Healey of Ahwahnee has been named a 2017 President’s Scholar as part of the incoming freshman class at California State  University, Long Beach (CSULB) and as such has received a scholarship. “The President’s Scholars program continues to be one of the best of its kind in the nation,” said CSULB President Jane Close Conoley. “The students selected and ...