KERN COUNTY  — ABC30 is reporting that a SkyLife helicopter which took off from Porterville has crashed in Kern County. According to officials, the helicopter was flying from Porterville Municipal Airport to Meadows Field Airport, and the pilot was not communicating with air traffic controllers as of 7:05 p.m. ABC30 reports that officials have confirmed four people were killed in ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — A three-year-old girl is safe and sound after being found by a horseback rider in the forest yesterday. On Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m Mariposa County Sheriff deputies responded to a call in the Jerseydale area of Mariposa County for a found child. A Mariposa resident was riding her horse in a remote area of Hites ...

OAKHURST – Sugar Pine Christian Camps is sponsoring its 7th Annual Family Christmas on the Mountain for the community that has supported them for over 60 years. This is a no-cost event. “We love the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ with family and friends in the valley and mountain areas by providing a ...

CALIFORNIA — Head outdoors and enjoy some of the country’s most magical places — America’s national wildlife refuges offer unparalleled opportunities to experience the great outdoors and see a rich diversity of wildlife in beautiful natural settings. If that wasn’t enticement enough, refuges that normally charge entrance fees will offer an additional incentive—free admission on these days in 2016: January ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – Cal Fire is called to many home fires this time of year when the response could have been prevented by simple home heating equipment maintenance procedures. To help reduce the number of home fires the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit is reminding the public that all home-heating equipment should be inspected. The following is a list of heating problems that ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — What would you do if someone were suffering a heart attack? If you want to be able to save a life in a crisis situation, take advantage of this opportunity to learn CPR. The 3-hour training will take place on Saturday, Jan. 16, led by Sierra Ambulance paramedics and Minarets Medical Education owners Bill and Gina Hartley. ...

YOSEMITE — With several major storms coming through the Yosemite Area later this week, Yosemite National Park is closing Tioga Road for the season. Tioga Road typically closes each fall and remains closed throughout the winter months. The road reopens when weather conditions permit in the spring. The incoming storm is expected to drop a significant amount of snow in ...

COARSEGOLD — A firefighter suffered injuries to his neck, shoulder and ribs on Monday evening while at the scene of a motor vehicle accident in Coarsegold. Just after 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, the firefighter responded to a call of an overturned vehicle just south of Serpa Canyon on Highway 41. The 12-year-old driver of a Toyota that rolled off ...

Submitted by Joelle Leder OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce is extremely proud to have the privilege of announcing Mr. Doug Dearing as the recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest possible honor the Chamber may bestow and is presented only to those who have shown extraordinary contributions to the community ...

BASS LAKE — Hazard tree removal along Road 274 on the north side of Bass Lake will continue on Wednesday, Dec. 9, according to Burt Stalter, Fuels Management Specialist on the Bass Lake Ranger District, and one of the fallers on the project. Motorists should expect delays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as trees that have to be dropped ...