YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park and the Yosemite Climbing Association invite the public to participate in the Facelift, an annual event held to clean up trash and debris from around the park after the busy summer season. This year’s Facelift event will honor Yosemite National Park’s 125th Anniversary with special service projects and interactive anniversary-themed activities. Volunteers are needed to ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa County Arts Council is pleased to offer a series of free photography classes for residents of Mariposa County 55 years of age and older this fall and winter. F/STOP is a digital photography workshop focused on the artistic elements of photography using iPod Touch cameras. Because of the popularity of this program, classes have been expanded ...

YOSEMITE – The Tenaya Fire is now 100 percent contained at 415 acres. Total containment was achieved at noon yesterday, Sept. 16. Fire crews will continue mop up activities over the next few days. All trails have been reopened, however signs are posted warning hikers to stay on the trail while hiking adjacent to this fire. The Tenaya Fire is ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – A head-on collision north of Mariposa this morning sent both drivers to the hospital with major injuries. On Thursday, Sept. 17, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Richie Nicol, 27, of Aberdeen, Scotland, was driving a 2014 Chevrolet rental vehicle westbound on Highway 140  just east of Colorado Road. Mr. Nicol was driving in the wrong lane, according to CHP. Sterling ...

OAKHURST – Fourteen years after the tragic events of 9/11, Sierra Tel continues to honor those who died, those who responded, and those who have served their country in emergency services and in all branches of the armed forces, both at home and abroad. As the flag flew at half-staff over the Oakhurst Community Park on Friday, Sept. 11, Yosemite ...

To The Editor: On June 9, 2014, the reality of near non-existent fire protection in Madera County was on full display in Bonadelle Ranchos. The unimaginable happened… a family’s home burned just six lots away from County Fire Station 19. A single career firefighter, aided by two “paid call” firefighters, quickly responded. An aggressive attack on the fire was initiated; ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST  – Due to the diligence and hard work of crews and aircraft resources, the fire has now reached 67 percent containment. The weather conditions have cooperated with firefighting efforts to allow the increase in containment. Lines continued to be patrolled and mopped up throughout the night. Total acreage increased to 140,760 acres and the Rough Fire remains ...

Submitted by Paul Hill COARSEGOLD – The Coarsegold-based motorcycle club Sierra Shadow Casters (SSC) is hosting the Sierra Wind Poker Run on Saturday, Sept. 19, in support of the popular Children’s Museum of the Sierra in Oakhurst. Anyone who rides a street-legal motorcycle is invited to join in the fun for this worthy cause. A poker run is when a ...

YOSEMITE – There are currently four fires burning in Yosemite. One is being actively suppressed, while the other three are being closely monitored. Tenaya Fire (37 46.091 x 119 34.641 – Mariposa Co., 7200’ El. 8/7). The estimated acreage on the Tenaya Fire is now 415 acres with 90 percent containment. The change in estimated size is due to more ...

BASS LAKE – The man charged with misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter in the death of David Flores, 13, of Fresno, who died after being run over by a jet ski at Bass Lake on June 27, was back in Bass Lake Superior Court today. Phat Chau, 55, of San Jose, appeared with his attorney Michael Idiart this morning, and after discovery ...