YOSEMITE — The El Portal Road (Highway 140) into Yosemite National Park has reopened to all vehicular traffic. according to park officials. The road is open and clear, yet visitors are asked to not stop along the road en route to Yosemite Valley. The road may close again at any time in the event of hazardous driving conditions. The Hetch ...

MADERA COUNTY — Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler announced Tuesday he has reconsidered and will run for re-election in the June, 2018 primary election. Wheeler, who has served two years of his third four-year term, announced in November 2016 that he would not seek a fourth term, due to health reasons. After fighting some health issues and seeing ...

EL PORTAL — The El Portal Road (Highway 140) into Yosemite National Park has reopened to all traffic following a rockfall that occurred during early Sunday morning. The road is anticipated to stay open, with controlled traffic, throughout the day. However, the road will close this evening at 6 p.m. to all vehicular traffic based on weather and rockfall concerns. ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite Valley will reopen for day-use visitors tomorrow morning, Jan.10, at 8 a.m., say park officials. There is no access to Yosemite Valley via the El Portal Road (Highway 140) due to a rockfall that occurred early this morning. There is no estimated day or time for the road to reopen. The Hetch Hetchy Road is also closed ...

NORTH FORK — A torrential downpour this morning kept residents on edge as more rain created dangerous conditions for those traveling the roadways in a town that has already had some residents evacuated. County Roads and CHP officers were busy responding to reports of mudslides and flooded roadways, as Sheriff’s deputies continue to monitor water levels and notify residents in ...

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA – With a series of wet storms hitting Northern and Central California, now is the time to sign up for emergency alerts from the Sheriff’s Office. Residents are advised to do so now — it only takes a minute. In Madera County, MCAlert is used in the event of emergencies or natural disasters such as floods and severe weather, and ...

YOSEMITE — A mandatory evacuation notice has been issued for all non-essential personnel for the Yosemite Valley as of 4 p.m. today, according to a notice issued by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. “This decision was made based on high projected water levels and the high likelihood of utility system failures,” states the notice. “The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is ...

MARIPOSA — The Sheriff’s Office is notifying Mariposa County residents that they can pick up sand and sandbags at two local Mariposa County Fire Stations. Locations are Mormon Bar Station 27 at 4621 Highway 49 South in Mariposa, and Don Pedro Station 24 located at 9729 Merced Falls Road, Don Pedro. Residents will need to bring their own shovel to ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park is making preparations for visitor and employee safety in response to weather reports predicting significant precipitation, and possible flooding, over the next several days and through the weekend. The predictions for significant rainfall in Yosemite Valley, well above flood stage on the Merced River, could prompt the park to be closed in the next few ...

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA — A flash flood watch remains in effect from this afternoon through Thursday afternoon in the Mariposa, Madera and Fresno County Foothills from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Hanford. Heavy rainfall is expected during this period resulting in rapid rises along small streams and rivers and the threat of flash flooding. Rainfall ...