MOUNTAIN AREA – From atop the mountain perch overlooking a vast expanse of green, eyes are carefully trained to spot the early tell-tale signs of forest fire. A wisp of smoke triggers a series of actions that can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.

OAKHURST – Community Medical Providers announced recently that longtime Nurse Practioner Sandy Peck is retiring from practice. Sandy Peck has been working at the local office for 11 years, and has been a Registered Nurse (RN) for 43 years altogether; 26 of those years, Sandy was a RN. For 17 years she’s been a Nurse Practitioner (NP).

MOUNTAIN AREA – Besides the stunning natural beauty of the foothills, another valuable resource is locally abundant: the volunteer spirit. We asked SNO readers on Facebook to help us compile a list of volunteer opportunities, and heard from schools, churches, law enforcement, libraries, theaters, campgrounds and more. Here are volunteer positions from which to choose; the list is updated frequently.

MOUNTAIN AREA – We asked readers on Facebook to send photographs of the great local holiday gift they’d like to recommend to friends in the foothills, and we’d publish the ideas. So, here goes: Click on images to enlarge and for purchase information. Any local mountain-area business was invited to send in one image of the greatest gift idea they ...

OAKHURST – In the midst of what is surely his busiest time of year, Santa Claus took the time to stop by Sierra Tel for a day, to personally check in with local kids and find out what they want for Christmas. The jolly, red-suited fellow’s annual visit to Sierra Tel is a tradition Santa maintains every year, no matter ...

COARSEGOLD – The votes are in and Logan Sesto is the First Place winner of the 2014 Little League Photo Contest, based on a pic his mom Lisa sent in showing Logan with his dedicated coach, Jonas Garner. The photo made it to the final-10 as voting was conducted over several days ending Friday, Dec. 12. Little League Facebook friends ...

OAKHURST – Bob Siebenberg says he campaigned with enthusiasm for the position of Head Coach for Yosemite High School baseball. Now, he looks forward to getting back on the field and down to business. “We have a hard core crew of kids who want to do well and are ready to go to work,” he says.

If you have never visited a national wildlife refuge before, one of the fee-free days would be the perfect opportunity to see what you’ve been missing, like this sandhill crane at the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Get outside and enjoy some of the country’s most magical places – America’s national wildlife refuges – and get free admission on these days ...

AHWAHNEE – Staff at Sierra Meadows Golf and Country Club are reporting they’ve received good news: the club will stay open for the near future after members voted on a proposal that will have them paying a little bit more to play a whole lot longer, they hope. Last month Sierra Meadows owner Robert Bard sent out a letter telling ...

OAKHURST – Madera County Sheriff’s office is reporting that a popular Oakhurst thrift store that donates its proceeds to support animals, was found vandalized, with nearly $1,000 worth of donated Christmas items discovered missing or destroyed. When the owner of A Cause 4 Paws located on Highway 41 arrived at her thrift store yesterday, she found the property had been ...