SACRAMENTO – While recent rains and cooler temperatures have lowered the threat of wildfires in some areas of the State, Cal Fire continues to have extra firefighter staffing statewide and remains at peak fire season in Central and Southern California. Last week alone Cal Fire crews responded to nearly 50 new wildfires. Even as Cal fire transitions out of peak ...

YOSEMITE  – Badger Pass Ski Area, located in Yosemite National Park, has announced that it will offer free skiing to fourth grade students who complete and present their Every Kid in a Park pass. Every Kid in a Park is an initiative launched by President Obama to encourage youth and their families to visit public lands by offering free entry ...

COARSEGOLD – A ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday celebrated the opening of a brand new business in Coarsegold. “We’re happy to introduce our latest member, Coarsegold Tax Services, to the community,” said Coarsegold Chamber President Dave Wolin. “Felecia Vernon Chancey, owner of Coarsegold Tax Services, is a CPA and is well known as a professional in the tax and accounting ...

Submitted by Lars Thorson OAKHURST – Yosemite High School’s Theater Arts Department is proud to present The Boys Next Door and The Girls Next Door, running four nights, Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 18 – 21. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the YHS Theatre. The play follows four mentally disabled adults who live together in a group home environment. ...

Submitted by William Miller COARSEGOLD – Yosemite Lakes Owners Association (YLOA) and Yosemite Lakes Community Church have scheduled a timely Town Hall Meeting on El Niño preparation. The meeting is open to anyone in the greater foothills community, and is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the YLOA Clubhouse. A “monster” El Niño event has ...

MARIPOSA – It’s with great appreciation and gratitude that we recognize the many individuals, organizations, and businesses that supported the BBQ Benefit Dinner held on Oct. 24 in support of the family of Sheriff Deputy Rudy Mirelez: Madera County Sheriff’s Office Explorers, California Highway Patrol, the Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Mariposa Sheriff’s Office, Pony Espresso, Coast Hardware, Foster ...

OAKHURST – District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will be hosting his final Town Hall meeting of the year on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center. Guest speakers will include Battalion Chief Troy Cheek of Cal Fire, Firewise Coordinator Roger Maybee, and Ryan Hayashi of the Valley Air District speaking on the wood burning ...

NORTH FORK – It was a day of joy and celebration last Saturday as the family of Mike Nolen expressed their gratitude to the first responders and community members who made it possible for Mike to live to tell the tale. Cal Fire’s Rancheria Station, just south of North Fork, played host to the firefighters, Emergency Services personnel, and citizens ...

OAKHURST – One lane of Highway 41 in Oakhurst was blocked for a short time this morning after a three-vehicle accident near Hodges Hill Drive. At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Donald Setaro, Jr., 48, of Oakhurst, was southbound on Highway 41 in a 2015 U-Haul truck approaching the north end of Hodges Hill Drive. Mr. Setaro had signaled ...

MADERA COUNTY – Those arrested for DUI in Madera County, especially repeat offenders and those involved in fatal or injury crashes, can expect to face highly trained, specialized prosecutors, thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, says District Attorney David Linn. The $131,585 grant to the Madera County District Attorney’s Office will fund a Vertical Prosecution ...