SACRAMENTO – As California’s severe drought and bark beetle epidemic has left millions of trees dead, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection last week voted to extend a drought mortality exemption to the state’s tree removal permitting process. “With massive tree mortality across California, this exemption streamlines the process for landowners who are working to reduce their wildfire ...

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA — Anyone wishing to support the families of the SkyLife crew that was lost last week in a tragic accident, can do so by donating to a YouCaring fund that has been set up by their colleagues. On Thursday, Dec. 10, Skylife H4, a medical helicopter based out of Visalia, Calif., was on an emergency flight from Porterville ...

Submitted by the Sierra National Forest SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Following four years of drought, forests throughout the Southern Sierra are experiencing a tree mortality event at a scale unprecedented in recorded history. Locals and visitors to the Sierra National Forest (SNF) are well aware of this event, as dead trees are visible in staggering numbers throughout the landscape. Beyond ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming Festive Holiday Concert features no fewer than four musical sleigh rides. And considering both the weather forecasts and season to date, a sleigh may be a suitable way to negotiate the Yosemite region, suggests MSO Founder/Conductor Les Marsden. The MSO’s popular annual concert event will be held in Mariposa County High School’s Fiester ...

YOSEMITE — Public scoping for Yosemite National Park’s planning and environmental impact analysis for the Yosemite Wilderness Stewardship Plan is open, and comments will be accepted through Jan. 29, 2016. Yosemite’s Wilderness is currently managed under the 1989 Wilderness Management Plan. The park needs to update this plan to incorporate current information about visitor use patterns, methods of managing visitor ...

BASS LAKE — More than 1,300 dead and dying trees have been taken down along Road 274, eliminating hazards to motorists and providing residents with a wealth of easily accessible firewood. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, crews from Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service completed the last stretch of Road 274 between Marina View and Mono Wind Way, dropping about ...

OAKHURST – Two mountain area residents were transported to the hospital last night after suffering major injuries in a rollover while attempting to evade police, according to CHP. Around midnight on Friday, Dec. 11, officers initiated a traffic stop on a brand new 2016 Nissan Maxima on Highway 41 near 49 in Oakhurst. The Nissan was being driven by Anthony ...

MADERA COUNTY — The last of 15 defendants charged in the attempted armed takeover at the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in October 2014 has settled his case, according to District Attorney David Linn. Vernon King was charged with  kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing serious injury, and assault with a stun ...

Submitted by Justine Reynolds NORTH FORK – A project that is expected to play an important role in dealing with the devastating tree mortality in the Sierra and provide much-needed jobs in the area has taken another big step forward. On Friday, Dec. 11, North Fork Community Power closed on New Markets Tax Credit financing with Fresno-based Central Valley New ...

OAKHURST — Crews are working on a section of Highway 41 between Highway 49 and Road 426, making repairs where the recent rains have undermined the roadway. Cal Trans workers are out in force, and hope to complete the project by Saturday afternoon, but the extent of the damage is being determined as they dig out the problem area and ...