YOSEMITE – With the enactment of the continuing resolution by lawmakers in Washington, D.C., Yosemite is in the process of returning to normal operations. The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, Yosemite Museum, and Hetch Hetchy area will all reopen with normal hours today. Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona Campgrounds and the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail winter route also reopened today. The Mariposa ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is continuing work on an emergency project that is rehabilitating and repairing eastbound and westbound State Route 140 from Briceburg to Yosemite National Park. Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes when traveling east into Yosemite. The work is needed after the Ferguson Fire burned through the region in ...

YOSEMITE — Two lost hikers likely owe their lives to the skilled efforts of Yosemite National Park rangers, Search & Rescue personnel and the CHP after they were unable to find their way in the snow and had to call for help. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, Yosemite National Park Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call ...

YOSEMITE – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol re-opened State Route 140 in and near the Ferguson Fire burn scar just after 6:30 a.m. this morning. SR-140, which was shut down just after 7 p.m. last night, was closed for more than 11 hours. This was due to an ongoing storm that impacted the roadway. ...

YOSEMITE – The Wawona Road, El Portal Road and the Big Oak Flat Road will close no later than midnight tonight because of the expected winter storm, say park officials. The Wawona Road will be closed northbound at Chilnualna Falls Road, and southbound at Bridalveil Fall. The El Portal Road will be gated at the park line and at the ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is planning a pre-emptive closure of State Route 140 in and near the Ferguson Fire burn scar beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. This is due to an ongoing storm that could impact the roadway, and the closure is scheduled for the sake of public safety, says Caltrans. The ...

By Joseph Langely —  O’NEALS — Life is fraught with obstacles and delays, as unforeseeable setbacks slam into hopes and dreams without warning. This is the nature of life but, despite the grim countenance of the saying, it makes the final achievement of goals that much sweeter. The trip that Minarets’ AP US History (APUSH) and pre-AP US History classes ...

AHWAHNEE — Coolwater Ranch and the Redwoods kick off their 2019 concert series with guitarist extraordinaire Mike Dowling, on Friday, Jan. 18. Mike digs deep into the musical bag of American roots guitar, favoring the melodic Piedmont style of acoustic blues masters like Mississippi John Hurt and slide great Tampa Red. This artist can’t be pigeonholed as a blues player, ...

The Federal Government shutdown made it a bit harder for us to get up to Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area (Badger Pass) after a good storm that deposited lots of snow but we were determined to get up there and check out the tremendous views from Dewey Point. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 7.57 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevational Range: 7,234′ ...

OAKHURST — Fresno Flats Historical Park and Museum (Sierra Historic Sites Association) invites the community to the Friday Free Lecture Series on  Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. For this first lecture of the year, the topic is based on the book, To Yosemite by Stage, written by Zelda Garey Dubel. Fresno Flats Board Member and local historian Brenda Negley will lead ...