By Therese Righter — O’NEALS — Are you ready? The countdown is on — just ten days until Relay for Life: Sierra Mountain Communities for a Cure begins! The entire community is invited to join in the celebrations as we memorialize those we have lost, honor those who are currently fighting and those who have won their battle with the ...

By Bob Labozetta —  This is the first of a three-part series about growing tomatoes in the Sierra foothills. Parts two and three on tomato care will follow in the weeks to come. Tomatoes are adversely affected by temperature extremes. When temperatures stay over 90℉ during the day and the nights remain above 70℉, non-adapted tomato blooms often fail to ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski’s latest report from the field on Mar. 20 tells the tale of some powder, some corn, rapid melting, the songs of spring in the air and some still-unsettled weather. New snow: 6 inches Total settled snow depth: 91 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 50°F (March 16) Low temperature: -1°F (March ...

Written by Chad McCollum – FRESNO – Every eight minutes, American Red Cross volunteers meet a family devastated by a home fire or other disaster. When a family has lost nearly everything, they rely on generous Red Cross supporters for relief and hope. On Wednesday, Mar. 27 – Red Cross Giving Day – families are counting on your support. The ...

MADERA COUNTY — The 2019 Madera County Academic Pentathlon culminated with the Super Quiz and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Mar. 16, naming Sherman Thomas STEM Academy this year’s seventh grade champion team and North Fork School the eighth grade champion team. More than 200 students participated in this five-event academic competition, held on March 8 and 16. Students competed in ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Mar. 11 to Sunday, Mar. 17, 2019. Coarsegold civil dispute On Monday, Mar. 11 at 8:04 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 46000 block of Road 417 in regards to a civil dispute involving a private security company and tribal members. ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — If you’re headed toward the park, take note that Caltrans has announced intermittent one-way traffic control on eastbound and westbound Highway 140 from Slate Gulch near Midpines to Yosemite National Park. The crews will be out on the road for slope repair and clearing. Work will occur as follows: One-way traffic control will take place during work ...

YOSEMITE — If you’re in Yosemite National Park, anticipate delays on the Wawona Road. Beginning Monday, Mar. 18 and continuing through Wednesday, Mar. 20, officials say a contractor crew will be completing repairs along the Wawona Road recent burn areas between the Rostrum and Chinquapin. The work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the repairs, expect ...

OAKHURST — The art-and-education-supporting community is invited to enjoy an afternoon of art, food, drinks and fun activities at the Minarets annual Art Show on Saturday, Mar. 23, at Idle Hour Winery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring a variety of art from traditional to digital, all artwork is made by students from Minarets and the funds from sales ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski latest report from the field recounts some windy time at Tioga Pass as they remind wilderness travelers to prepare for potentially difficult conditions in the higher elevations. New snow: 18 inches Total settled snow depth: 96 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 40°F (March 12) Low temperature: -7°F (March 10 and 13) Ski ...