O’NEALS — A four-car crash on Highway 41 in the early morning hours has claimed the life of a young woman from Oakhurst. Just before 1 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, Ruby Alvarez, 24, was southbound in a Honda Civic, just south of Road 200, when she crossed over the double yellow lines into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on into a ...

MARIPOSA – While recent rains this winter and spring have been a welcome sight in California, drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. This suspension took effect June 17, and bans all residential outdoor ...

NORTH FORK — A two-vehicle crash on Road 225 slowed traffic this afternoon and resulted in scrapes and bruises to the seven people involved. Just after 5:30 p.m., Brian McNamara, 50, of North Fork and his wife were westbound on Road 225 approaching Road 230 — the entrance to the Rec Center — at a stated speed of 45 mph. ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park anticipates an extremely busy weekend, as record visitation continues and the park prepares for President Obama’s historic visit to Yosemite June 17 – 19. The White House announced last week that the President and First Family will celebrate Father’s Day weekend with a family trip to Carlsbad Caverns and Yosemite National Parks. “We are honored ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park managers will be hosting a delegation from Sister Park, Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany, from June 19 to 25. During the visit, park managers will exchange ideas and practices and further the Sister Park Arrangement. Berchtesgaden is located in the southern mountains of Germany near the Austrian border, a region famous for the filming of iconic ...

YOSEMITE — It has been one week since an Oakhurst man was swept away in the Merced River in Yosemite, and searchers have been unsuccessful in what would soon become a recovery effort. The man has been identified by friends as Ernie Hager, 60, and on Saturday, June 11, searchers were called away from those efforts when a second victim ...

NORTH FORK – Once again the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians is providing free lunch for the children of North Fork, in conjunction with the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Lunch will be served Monday through Friday, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Rec Center, 33507 Road 230, from June 20 through Aug. 5. This is a great ...

MADERA COUNTY — Visit Yosemite Madera County achieved another milestone in the number of visitors walking through their doors in May. That means more dollars spent at local attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops by visitors to the county, says Therese Williams, Director of Public Relations for Visit Yosemite Madera County. In May 2016, the staff welcomed 3,198 visitors — an ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — The U.S. Forest Service has begun the 90-day public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Forest Plans for the Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests. During this time, the USFS is holding public meetings, tribal forums and a webinar to engage with the public in discussions about these documents. Everyone is ...

NORTH FORK — Christmas in July returns to Grace Community Church, and now is the time for vendors to reserve their space. There will be booths both outside and inside Grace Hall on Saturday, July 23, offering crafts, art, photography, jewelry, clothing and other great surprises. The festivities will start at 9 a.m. and run through 3 p.m. Frank Prudhomme ...