CALIFORNIA — The minimum age of sale for tobacco products in California increased from 18 to 21, effective June 9, 2016. And for the first time, e-cigarettes are now included in the existing definition of tobacco products statewide. California is the second state in the nation, following Hawaii, to raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21. “Today marks ...

OAKHURST – Everyone is invited to get their delicious grub on while supporting the Oakhurst Community Center as the all-you-can-eat extravaganza known annually as Rib Fest takes place on Saturday, June 25. Arrive hungry and leave the fancy clothes at home, because this is a night where food, friends, and fundraising take center stage. Proceeds benefit the Oakhurst Community Center, ...

COARSEGOLD – Flit, flutter or fly by the Coarsegold Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, Jun. 18 in the Coarsegold Historic Village for a family-friendly event starting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance to the Hummingbird Festival is free; some activities come with a fee. In this second year of the fest, look for arts and crafts, vendors, food, and music. ...

Written by Virginia Eaton — I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolution (NYR) but, for some people, they are extremely helpful in attaining a goal. Sadly, by March, most people have abandoned their resolutions. However, if you’ve stayed focused and moving forward on your health or weight resolutions, you can count yourself as one of the elite NYR ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, May 29 to Sunday June 5, 2016: Oakhurst vandalism On Sunday, May 29 at 6:16 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 50000 block of School Road regarding a report of a fire on the baseball field. Report taken, evidence obtained, no ...

OAKHURST — There’s nothing quite like the sense of a good job done well, and that was the predominant feeling in the room recently when 146 smiling students from Yosemite High School displayed their senior projects for their families, friends and community. Senior project are not easy: the process starts at the end of junior year when students are asked ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has released the most recent blasting schedule for the passing lanes construction project on CA-41. For Wednesday, Jun. 8, Caltrans spokesperson Cory Burkarth says three blasts will take place. The first blast is scheduled to take place shortly after 9 a.m. Motorists should be prepared for delays that may last up to ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — SNO reader Brian Bissmeyer was standing at the Jerseydale Fire Station as smoke from the Dove Fire was billowing up from the mountain in the early moments of the incident. Brian sent us this 50 seconds of video footage from before any response was in the air. As of 4 p.m. there are 100 personnel assigned to ...

BASS LAKE — Multiple crews, engines, and water tenders are responding to a fully involved house fire in a two-story home on Chickadee. CHP is closing down Road 432 between the Pines Resort and Road 331. UPDATE at 12:50 p.m. — Road closure moved to between Idyllwild and Deer Lane. UPDATE at 3:45 p.m. — Roads remain closed.   For ...

MADERA COUNTY — There’s a lot at stake for the foothills when citizens head to the polls on Tuesday, June 7. One of the big issues on the ballot for this primary is Measure C. If at least 55 percent of voters mark their ballots “yes” on Measure C, the proposed bond will generate $485 million to address improvements and other needs for community ...