NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – Reader and frequent contributor of sunsets and other nature photographs Courtney Cara dubbed it the Railroad Moon, as our big view of the light in the nighttime sky locally may be filtered through a haze of smoke due to fires burning in the Sierra. You could call it the Mission Moon, South Fork Moon or the Peak Moon ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Smoke from the Railroad and South Fork Fire burning in both Madera/Mariposa Counties, the Empire Fire burning in Mariposa County, the Pier Fire burning in Tulare County, and all other surrounding wildfires have the potential to affect air quality throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley and foothills above, prompting Air District officials to issue a health cautionary ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – As Labor Day weekend approaches, friends and families will visit outdoor recreation areas throughout Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties. In anticipation of the increased outdoor activities, Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) is urging everyone to exercise extreme caution in every activity. Wildfires continue to burn in California and much of the state remains at high risk for ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District (CRCD) is looking for a three-person firewood cutting crew to do some work made possible through a recently awarded grant, says Anne Melrose, Executive Director of the organization. “The job will entail working in several different locations, including North Fork, Oakhurst, Ahwahnee and Coarsegold,” Anne explains. “Downed trees and logs will be ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Aug. 21, to Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. Oakhurst aggravated assault On Monday, Aug. 21 at 12:02 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the Mini Mart regarding an assault that occurred behind the Chevron Gas Station located within the 40000 block of CA-41. ...

COARSEGOLD — Firefighters responded to a fire in the 30500 block of Hogan’s Mountain Road this evening. Just before 7:30 p.m., a full wildland dispatch was called out to what was reported as a structure fire. At 7:40 p.m., the first engine at scene reported one outbuilding fully involved, with about 1/4 acre of vegetation also burning. By 7:43 p.m., ...

COARSEGOLD — Concerned citizens and dog lovers as far away as Pennsylvania have been asking about Hank the Yellow Lab, who went missing after a crash on Highway 41 yesterday afternoon. We are delighted to report that Hank has been found. Cody Lankton is a good friend of both Hank and Austin — the driver involved in the crash — ...

The world darkens around you. As the last rays of sunshine ripple through the air, the temperature begins to plummet. The birdsong stops as the sun ceases to be visible. Night — at 10 a.m. This is the power of a total solar eclipse. A solar eclipse is caused when the path of the Moon’s orbit leads it directly between ...

COARSEGOLD — Hank the Yellow Lab ran away from a crash involving his owner on Highway 41 this afternoon just before 4:30 p.m. Hank was understandably traumatized after the vehicle he was riding in rolled over just south of Coarsegold. (see map below for exact location). If you see this dog, please take care of him and call Sierra News ...

COARSEGOLD — A man has been taken to the hospital and placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI following a rollover accident on Highway 41. At approximately 4:20 p.m. CHP received reports of a crash just south of Coarsegold at Coyote Hollow Lane. According to CHP, Austin Turney, 33, was northbound on Highway 41 in a Ford Explorer Sport. He ...