Contributed by Len McKenzie, YAAS — The arrival of spring each year heralds a time of rebirth, renewal and the emergence of new life forms. Among the myriad plants and wildlife species that ornament, refresh and animate the spring landscape are the “odes” of the insect world, members of the order Odonata (“toothed ones”), more commonly known people as dragonflies ...

NORTH FORK – A bit of overcast didn’t stop students at North Fork Elementary School from learning about, and being amazed by the power of the sun. On Friday, Mar. 24, students and teachers, administrators and Chawanakee School Board members gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new solar arrays now providing power at the North Fork School. The ...

NORTH FORK — The Squirrel Cage Theatre Co. presents its annual Spring Fling on Saturday, Apr. 29, at the North Fork Town Hall. The show will be one night only, and will be an evening of music and laughs featuring the return of the “Blues Brothers,” backed up by the horn section of Josh Freeman, Aaron Kern, Dan Rosenberg and ...

BASS LAKE — Testimony continued for the third day in the murder trial of George Taylor-Windsor at Bass Lake Superior Court, as the jury heard from a doctor, a detective, and the couple who got a late-night visit from the defendant. Taylor-Windsor, 26, is charged with murder in the death of Jessica Nelson, 23, of Foresthill, Calif., and with attempted murder in ...

NORTH FORK —  The mountain community is invited to enjoy local wines, hors d’oeuvres and live music by Sugar Pine at “Wine and Cheese in the Garden” on Sunday, May 7, from 2-5 p.m. in the North Fork School Garden. Tours will be conducted by master gardener Hansel Kern. Child care will be provided at no charge, and you must be ...

BASS LAKE — Day two of the murder trial of George Taylor-Windsor got underway this morning at Bass Lake Superior Court with testimony from the first people on the scene, and from the fourth man in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Taylor-Windsor, 26, is charged in the Nov. 15, 2016, death of Jessica Nelson, 23, of Foresthill, ...

Submitted by Scoutmaster Dave Smith — NORTH FORK — The combination of continued exceptional drought and epidemic numbers of bark beetles have greatly impacted the conifer forest in the Bass Lake area. Forest Service contractors have spent many months removing dead trees from the campgrounds and day use areas around Bass Lake. In April 2016, Scouts of North Fork Boy ...

Submitted by Beth Atkins — OAKHURST — It was a perfect spring day for a few games of softball last Saturday, as law enforcement from five different agencies joined the Yosemite High School alumni for the 4th annual Battle of the Badges (formerly known as Guns vs. Hoses). On Saturday, Apr. 22, the YHS Badger Softball Boosters hosted the event, ...

BASS LAKE — The murder trial of George Taylor-Windsor got underway this afternoon in Bass Lake Superior Court. Taylor Windsor, 26, who recently moved to the area from Wyoming, is charged in the Nov. 15, 2016, death of Jessica Nelson, 23, of Foresthill, Calif. He is also charged with stabbing Reid Kallenberg, the driver of the pickup in which they ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the public scoping comment period for the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project Environmental Assessment will be open from Wednesday, Apr. 26, to Friday, May 26, 2017. The project will implement actions prescribed in the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (NPS 2014), say park officials. During this public scoping ...