Submitted by Cindy Harp — MARIPOSA — Did you know that the Sierra Foothill Conservancy is the reason there are hiking / biking trails around the Mariposa Reservoir? The Mariposa branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be hosting a free public program featuring Executive Director Bridget Fithian and Membership Coordinator Nancy Fluharty of the Sierra Foothill ...

SIERRA NEVADA – The manual snow survey conducted on May 1 by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada found a Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) of 27.8 inches, 190 percent of the May 1 long-term average there of 14.6 inches. Electronic measurements indicate the water content of the statewide snowpack as of May 1 ...

YOSEMITE — Beginning Friday, May 5, the Glacier Point Road will be open to bicyclists wishing to ride on the road. The road has been swept, but persons riding bicycles need to be aware that tree debris and small rocks may still fall onto the road. Crews will evaluate the road next week for possible opening to vehicles, pending weather ...

MARIPOSA — After a destructive fire season in 2016, conditions in California are already drying out, prompting Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., to declare May 7 – 13, 2017 as “Wildfire Awareness Week.” During Wildfire Awareness Week, Cal Fire is stressing the critical role all residents play in preparing for fire season now. Approximately 90 percent of all wildfires in ...

COARSEGOLD — Hundreds of Coarsegold residents were without power for several hours after a pickup hit a power pole on Road 415 near Texas Flat Mine Road. At about 5:40 p.m. this afternoon, calls came in to 911 that a truck had hit a power pole and there were live power lines and a pole across both lanes of Road ...

COARSEGOLD — Cal Fire and CHP are responding to reports of a vehicle into a power pole on Road 415 near Texas Mine Flat Road. There are live wires down and a power pole blocking both lanes of Road 415. Power has been reported out from Deadwood to Coarsegold. PG&E outage reports indicate nearly 1,100 homes without power. Estimated time to ...

MADERA — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying a trio of thieves who stole a man’s iPhone while he was in a gas station, and then dragged him behind their truck. On Tuesday, Apr. 25,  at approximately 3:09 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the Lucky 7 gas station (37019 Avenue 12) in Madera ...

MADERA COUNTY — As of today, Thursday, May 4, Caltrans has suspended work on Highway 41 north of Road 208 near the area known as the Rocky Cut. According to Caltrans spokesman Cory Burkarth, “heavy traffic volume during the day and the nature of the work doesn’t allow for the ability to quickly move traffic through the work zone.” Burkarth ...

SACRAMENTO – For a sixth year in a row the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presented Cal Fire and DynCorp International with the FAA’s Diamond Award of Excellence for Aviation Maintenance. The award recognizes Cal Fire’s aviation maintenance technicians after passing the difficult aircraft safety training program. More than 75 technicians were recognized and each awarded with the William (Bill) O’Brian ...

BASS LAKE – Residents and anyone visiting the Bass Lake area on Saturday, May 13, should be aware of activities that may disrupt their travels during the morning hours. Vacation Races, an event company that produces half-marathon and ultra-marathon races, will be holding its annual Yosemite Half Marathon. Starting with a race expo on Friday, May 12, runners and spectators ...