YOSEMITE – Hundreds of black bears make their home in Yosemite and seeing a wild bear is often the highlight of a trip to the park. As the Yosemite Conservancy describes it, “bears remind us of ourselves, and the complex relationship between bears and humans has changed over time as we strive to keep bears wild.” Yosemite Conservancy sponsors a ...

AUBERRY – The Musick Fire, which was burning in the Jose Basin area west of Shaver Lake, is now 100 percent contained at 33 acres. The fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon on the Sierra National Forest. Quick actions and available firefighters coming from the recent Willow Fire made for an effective plan that allowed crews to ...

YOSEMITE – All trails to Yosemite Falls are temporarily closed from the Valley and from various trailheads above Yosemite Creek due to fire suppression activity in the area. On Monday, Aug. 10 at 3:30 p.m., several visitors called 9-1-1 to report a fire at the top of Upper Yosemite Fall switchbacks. Yosemite Helicopter 551 responded with the park helitack crew ...

NORTH FORK – After a summer of fires and the stress of evacuations, the North Fork community was ready for a street party last Saturday night. With about 15 vendors, 3 live bands and more than 50 classic cars lining the street, a great time was had by all of the nearly 600 people who came out to celebrate and ...

Written by Mary Beth Harrison NORTH FORK – A gala gathering of North Fork residents along with many of her family members gathered at Grace Community Church in North Fork on Aug. 1, to say farewell to Jo Ann Griffin, a long time North Fork resident and teacher. Jo Ann came to North Fork with her husband, David Royce, in ...

AUBERRY – The Musick Fire, burning along Forest Road 9S07 between Power House Road and Highway 168, is adding to the already smoky skies and frayed nerves of the mountain area. The fire was reported shortly after noon today at about 5 to 10 acres. Crews are on scene and more are en route to the fire, which was most ...

LAKE COUNTY, CALIF. – As firefighters battled the Jerusalem Fire, estimated at 5,000 acres and burning southeast of Clear Lake in northern California, Cal Fire Law Enforcement officers arrested Juan Ramos Silva, 49, of Lower Lake, Calif., for one count of arson and allegedly starting a backfire. Silva was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 9, at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Press ...

REEDLEY – Reedley College is offering a free class in Irrigation Technical Training that is open to the public. The class is offered to residents in the Fresno, Tulare, Kings or Madera Counties and will provide training to workers, employers and students that are currently unemployed or underemployed as a result of the drought. With the water technology industry needing ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes most of Madera County, has been highlighted and ranked in the coveted #1 position of best place for manufacturing jobs in a report published by Newgeography.com. According to the Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC), the report documents a 59.8% growth rate in manufacturing jobs from 2009-2014. Additionally, Madera ...

What’s your first memory of Smokey Bear? Smokey Bear has been one of the most effective characters for a continuing ad campaign — ever. He’s been in print, television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) and is recognized by 95 percent of adults and 77 percent of children in the U.S., according to the Ad Council. Smokey’s likeness has been ...