YOSEMITE — Conditions permitting, El Portal Road (Highway 140) into Yosemite is scheduled to reopen tomorrow, Sunday, June 18, at 6 a.m. The first two miles of the road from the park boundary will be signed as a no-stopping zone. Hopefully, this will help to ease the miles-long backups at the Highway 41 south entrance that motorists saw today. As ...

YOSEMITE — With Highway 140 (El Portal) closed into Yosemite National Park, we are receiving reports that as of noon today, traffic is backed up 4 to 5 miles on Highway 41 at the south entrance. Highway 140 will be closed at least through the weekend due to a rock slide, so anyone planning a trip to the park should ...

Written by Karen Bauer — OAKHURST — Pet adoptions, photos with your pet and discounted spay/neuter certificates courtesy of the Eastern Madera County SPCA and Friends of Madera Shelter (FMAS) will all be available along with a glass (or two!) of wine on Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Yosemite Wine Tails in Oakhurst. Collette Goga, ...

NORTH FORK — With temperatures climbing near the 100 degree mark, the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary is once again making signs available free of charge, to remind people of the constant danger of wildfire posed by one errant spark. One year ago a group of citizens in North Fork took the threat of wildfire seriously and put up ...

AHWAHNEE — The Sierra Shadow Casters motorcycle club is holding its very popular Sierra Memorial Poker Run through Yosemite on Saturday, June 24. Proceeds from the 8th annual event will go to local charities which benefit children’s causes. The ride begins in Ahwahnee at the Hitchin’ Post, with registration from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and kickstands up at 9:45. Riders ...

NORTH FORK — Once again, Calvary Chapel will be hosting a week of Vacation Bible School (VBS), scheduled this year for June 19 through the 23 at the North Fork Rec Center. Children in kindergarten through 7th grade are welcome to attend VBS, which will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Parents must register their kids at ...

Written by Debbie Wass — MARIPOSA — The Mariposa County Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the University of California Cooperative Extension will be presenting its annual Hot Topics in Integrated Weed Management workshop on Wednesday, July 19, at McCay Hall in Catheys Valley. If you are interested in learning about 2017 updates from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, ...

MADERA COUNTY — One of the toughest challenges cancer patients face is getting to and from treatment. Many patients don’t own a vehicle, can’t afford gas, or don’t have access to public transportation. Some may be too ill to drive, or have no family members who can help with all their transportation needs. “Without access to reliable transportation, cancer patients ...

AHWAHNEE — Today was a celebration of our veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces, and also a recognition of what can be accomplished through the hard work and dedication of a group of veterans and local citizens. Hundreds gathered at the Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park this morning for the dedication of the Veterans’ Memorial — a ...

AHWAHNEE — Twenty-five jazz guitarists and ten bass players from across the United States and Canada will be performing at a free concert at Sierra Meadows on Thursday, June 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. The concert is the grand finale of an annual five-day Yosemite Jazz Guitar and Bass Workshop, being held June 18-23 at Evergreen Conference Center in Oakhurst. ...