FRESNO – The Valley Performing Arts Council, in partnership with Fresno Grand Opera, will bring to life a magical holiday tradition that has connected families and communities for more than 100 years when it presents The Nutcracker at two performances Thanksgiving weekend. The ballet will be performed Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28 and 29, at 1 p.m. at William Saroyan ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park has recorded the lowest number of human-bear incidents since 1975, when the park initiated its first human-bear management program, say park officials. A bear incident is counted when a bear causes property damage, obtains food, acts aggressively, or injures a person. In 2015, there were 76 incidents, which resulted in $4,909 in property damage. This ...

COARSEGOLD – Though not every El Niño brings torrential rain and the resulting disasters, analysts believe with 95 percent certainty that this winter’s event will do just that, says John Kirk of the California Department of Water Resources. Kirk addressed a standing-room-only crowd at the Clubhouse in Yosemite Lakes Park on Saturday, introducing them to new terms and concepts, such ...

OAKHURST — With the overwhelming response to the Age Well, Drive Smart class offered by the Oakhurst Area CHP Office, they have scheduled another class for Friday, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. This Friday’s class is full, and Public Information Officer Kaci Lutz is encouraging those who wish to be part of this free class to register for the next ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Effective Monday, Nov. 23, at 8 a.m., the burn permit suspension in Madera Mariposa Merced Unit (MMU) of Cal Fire will be lifted, which will affect State Responsibility Areas within Mariposa, Madera and Merced Counties. Cal Fire MMU Unit Chief, Nancy Koerperich, is formally cancelling the burn permit suspension, with no elevation restrictions, and advises that those ...

Submitted by the Mariposa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association MARIPOSA — Seasons Greetings… it’s that time of year again! The KOPS for KIDS program has been a staple in our community during the Christmas season and the deputies of the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office are beginning to feel the Christmas spirit. The KOPS for KIDS program is beginning its 19th year ...

OAKHURST – The Tenaya Lodge hosted the California Communications Association annual CalCom Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and three locals nominated by Sierra Tel won in their categories. Jesse Parr, son of Sierra Tel employee Jacob Parr, was awarded the $2500 Robert Ringman Scholarship. The Robert Ringman Scholarship Trust Fund was established to recognize the importance of education in the ...

MARIPOSA – A 46-year-old Mariposa man has been taken into custody following allegations of sexual assault by a woman he met online. On the afternoon of Nov. 13, Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an adult female victim reporting she had been raped on a ranch located on the CYA road in the Mt. Bullion area of Mariposa County. According ...

Submitted by The North Fork History Group – MADERA COUNTY — With the new courthouse recently opened in Madera, there were a lot of bare walls just waiting to display beautiful works of art for visitors and employees to enjoy. Rather than purchasing artwork for the building, the County decided to offer local photographers the opportunity to submit digital photographs ...

MADERA – On Tuesday, Nov. 17, the Madera High School “Autism Social Skills Class” will present one of their projects to the Madera County Board of Supervisors. The project is a large-scale mosaic of the Madera County Seal. The Board will host a public presentation during their regular meeting to promote the students and to thank them for the present. ...