OAKHURST — You’ll hear the sounds of caroling and smell the sweet scent of holiday treats in the air, see Santa on his fire engine, and witness the community tree almost magically lit with bright bulbs strung for delight. Click on images to enlarge. The annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting takes place in Oakhurst on the first Saturday of December each ...

OAKHURST — A local 4th grade student has tackled an important project successfully, bringing awareness to a devastating disease while raising a significant amount of money for research to cure it, and having some fun in the process. Cody Aleshire, 9, attends Wasuma Elementary School, where he completed a class assignment called the American Heroes Project last year. That’s where his great ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Fresh rain and snow has made conditions right for Sierra National Forest crews who are continuing their pile burning work this week, according to SNF Battalion Chief Burt Stalter. “We burned along the east boundary of Cascadel Woods yesterday to remove piles leftover from the Willow Fire contingency lines.” Starting today, through the remainder of this week, ...

OAKHURST — The Madera County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association (DSA) is holding a 3rd annual Toy Drive at two locations on Saturday, Dec. 3. All proceeds from the event will be given to kids who are spending Christmas day at Valley Children’s Hospital. New, unwrapped toys are requested for this drive. Click on flyers to enlarge. The first location is in Oakhurst, at the Madera ...

COARSEGOLD — It’s always nice to hear what our kids are up to once they leave the immediate area and head off to college, or wherever their plans may take them. In the case of Bree Lewis, Yosemite High School Class of 2015, the news is that she’s currently a sophomore at San Diego State University pursuing Liberal Studies-Elementary Education. The best ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016: Oakhurst burglary On Monday, Nov. 21 at 5:52 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 40000 Block of SR-41 in Oakhurst regarding an alarm, that was determined to be a burglary. Report taken, evidence obtained and ...

You blinked, and it’s here: Thanksgiving, also known as 38 minutes of eating a meal that takes 36 hours to make and 8 hours to digest. When it comes to cooking, in a world of Turducken, nothing seems simple, anymore. Is your turkey free range, organic and college educated? Will you brine, BBQ, bake or deep fry, bringing new meaning ...

COARSEGOLD — Mitchell Riegelhuth and Lori Brown of  G’ma and Pappas Biker Apparel and Accessories, in cooperation with the American Bikers Association, are playing elves this year and gathering donations from generous businesses and individuals, all in order to purchase toys for local kids in one big holiday giveaway. On Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m., anyone with children in need who live in ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A little rain in the foothills and a little snow in Yosemite will lead overnight to a crisp, clear and sunny Thanksgiving day, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. Then, the wetter weather returns on Friday. With Wednesday’s showers clearing to mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, the foothills on Nov. 23 are predicted to reach a high temperature ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for the Sierra Nevada above 7,000 feet from Yosemite to Kings Canyon National Park. This is expected to last from Saturday night to Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service. Six to twelve inches of snowfall are expected in the advisory area. Gusty winds up to 45 miles per hour ...