EASTERN MADERA COUNTY — Those planning a night out this Saturday need to be certain they have designated a sober driver, as should always be the case. The Oakhurst Area of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver license safety checkpoint on Saturday, Aug. 19, somewhere within the unincorporated area of northeastern ...

NORTH FORK — It was another stellar line-up of classic cars as the North Fork Chamber hosted Hot August Night last Saturday. About 300 people strolled along the main street to “oooh and aaah” at the more than 50 beautiful rides, and enjoy the wares offered by food, craft and other vendors. There were also two pop-up art galleries hosted ...

YOSEMITE — The South Fork Fire continues to move away from the community of Wawona as crews strengthen the fireline on the west flank and hold it to the north of the Merced River. There was no fly-over with updated estimates overnight, so the fire is still estimated at 2,407 acres with 7 percent containment. There are currently 512 personnel ...

OAKHURST — Law enforcement officers were busy today in the Miami and Lewis Creek areas north of Oakhurst, eradicating several large marijuana grows from public lands. Members of CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) worked in short-haul teams out of the Batterson Work Station heliport, removing plants and the accompanying infrastructure from illegal grows on the Sierra National Forest. A short-haul ...

YOSEMITE — The community of Wawona gathered last night to hear from fire officials and law enforcement about suppression efforts and evacuation plans for the South Fork Fire. The fire is now estimated at 2,407 acres with 7 percent containment. Incident Commander Deron Mills of the South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team is also the Deputy Fire Chief in Yosemite, ...

YOSEMITE — For the third straight day, residents and visitors on the southern end of Yosemite National Park woke to a haze from the smoke of the South Fork Fire. The smoke had lifted by this afternoon in the community of Wawona, where residents are still in a preparation mode for any possible evacuation. However, the fire is not directly ...

MADERA COUNTY — Those who travel through the city of Madera area should be advised that several on- and off-ramps will be closed for the next month during the overnight hours. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces that closures will be in effect for the next four to six weeks on State Route 99 as construction crews work to ...

YOSEMITE — As the South Fork Fire continues to threaten the areas surrounding the community of Wawona, certain trails have been closed to the public. “In order to maintain the safety of park visitors and allow fire management operations to continue unimpeded, the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park is designating the following area as closed until further notice is given: ...

YOSEMITE — The South Fork Fire, burning inside Yosemite National Park just east of Wawona, has grown by several hundred acres overnight. It is now estimated at 2,296 acres, still with 5 percent containment. The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team took over management of the fire yesterday. They will host a community meeting at the Wawona Community Center ...

MERCED – Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) announced today that it will provide free transit service to Yosemite National Park on all free National Park Service (NPS) gate days for the next three years. YARTS will receive funding through the Federal Lands Access Program for a three-year demonstration project to operate free buses to Yosemite on all free NPS ...