OAKHURST — The theater was full, as was the stage, where nervously excited young people sat facing the audience of loved ones while their names were called during Community Awards, given to members of Yosemite High School Class of 2016 on Monday, May 8. Principal Randy Seals greeted the students and families, expressing appreciation for the citizen and community groups and individuals who are ...

COARSEGOLD — A burn pile that escaped the control of a homeowner today in Yosemite Lakes Park, sparked a vegetation fire in a neighborhood on Glacier Court. At 12:10 p.m. firefighters were called out to reports of a grass fire threatening several homes in an area just off Yosemite Springs Parkway. Cal Fire Engines 4255, 4294 and 4295 responded, along with ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Oakhurst CPR owner Kevin Stafford seems destined to provide service to the public, and he was just a young man still in his teens when the idea of how he would do that began to take form. Kevin stepped foot into the medical field at just 17 years old, when he took a first responder course in Boot ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park Rangers continue to search for Alexander Joseph Sevier, 24 years old, who was last seen in Yosemite Valley on Wednesday morning, May 3. Sevier, an active member of the U.S Navy, traveled to Yosemite alone, and arrived in the park on Monday, May 1. He was staying at Housekeeping Camp and neighbors in the camp ...

BASS LAKE — The 37th Annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby took place this past weekend under dark skies, and that didn’t seem to prevent excited people from having a good time. Anglers like these were hoping to win a share of $55,000 worth of prize money by plucking tagged fish from the clear mountain lake on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7. Many of ...

BASS LAKE — The mama-razzi and the paparazzi were out in full force for a time-honored tradition, taking pictures of the 18 students who are deemed Pitman Award recipients for Yosemite High School’s graduating class of 2017. Click on images to enlarge. Photos by Virginia Lazar. The 31st annual Paul and Martha Pitman Awards Banquet was held on the Gazebo Deck at ...

By Anita Johnson — COARSEGOLD — Live music, extreme inflatables, and a special dance to honor a local celebrity will be just part of the fun that visitors can expect to experience by attending Gold Rush Days at the Coarsegold Historic Village, organized by the Coarsegold Rodeo Association. The CRA says Wild Hare is playing a free concert Friday night starting ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa Butterfly Festival kicks off this Friday, May 5 with Taste of Mariposa and hat contest, and the continues through the weekend with a healthy-kids run, competitive trail run, parade, and live music at the Art Park on Saturday and Sunday, May 6 – 7, in historic downtown Mariposa. Every year on the first weekend of May, vendors, ...

COARSEGOLD – Madera County Sheriff’s deputies and family are currently searching for a missing Coarsegold man. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Keith Allen Bendz, 45, was reported missing on Tuesday, Apr. 25. He was last seen on the morning of Monday, Apr. 24, say family members. Mr. Bendz is described as 5′ 8″ tall, weighing approximately 185 pounds, with a medium ...

By Evan Higgins — OAKHURST — Remember when you were young and everything seemed so obvious? No one should go hungry. We should all be equal to one another. Nature is a miracle and it should be cared for no matter the cost. War, what is that? How can that be? Then you looked out at the world that you ...