OAKHURST – Emergency access issues are a major concern in Eastern Madera County as numerous areas only provide one way in and one way out. Supervisor Tom Wheeler plans to help communities address these issues beginning with a town hall meeting at the Oakhurst Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.

AHWAHNEE — Wasuma Elementary School math and science teacher Amy Smith reports via digital photos that her middle schoolers have been busy experimenting in the science lab. “Students are working on measuring volume with water displacement,” Smith explained. Pictured in the foreground, left to right, are Dalton Smith and Diego Combs, examining results.

YOSEMITE LAKES PARK – We think you’ve been good, so mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 9, as the original LOL – that’s Ladies of the Lakes – invite you to their Holiday Boutique at the Yosemite Lakes Park Clubhouse, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With over 50 vendors including local crafters, artists and home-based businesses, the day is ...

MADERA – The City of Madera is known as The Heart of Pomegranate Country, and the third annual Madera Pomegranate Festival will prove why. This year’s event is bigger and better than ever with new attractions, such as go-kart racing and the Fresno Chaffee Zoomobile, along with old favorites such as the Pomegranate Grenade Launch, numerous cooking demos and dozens ...

NORTH FORK – The North Fork Christian Center is hosting its 4th annual Halloween night Coat Giveaway and Trunk or Treat event on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. Last year about 100 coats, sweaters and sweatshirts were distributed, and this year there is a huge inventory from small kids to large adult sizes.

NORTH FORK – The annual breakfast to benefit the Heifer Project is this Sunday, Oct. 20, at Grace Community Church in North Fork. Planned by the Board of Christian Education, and orchestrated by the folks at Grace Community, this yearly pancake breakfast raises money to buy animals or trees to benefit families in poverty stricken areas around the world.

MARIPOSA – On Saturday, Oct. 12, Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant on Burl Drive during a marijuana investigation. According to the Sheriff’s Office, approximately 175 pounds of processed marijuana was located at the garden site.

YOSEMITE – Things are up and running again in Yosemite National Park, and here is an update from the Yosemite Daily Report on what’s open and what may be closed for the season. Yosemite Valley Shuttle – Resumed standard operations on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.

Submitted by Eastern Madera County EMC SPCA President Sharon Fitzgerald EASTERN MADERA COUNTY — Friends of Madera Animal Shelter (FMAS) announced it has recently received a grant from the Red and Nancy Arnold Foundation for $1.5 million. The money is allocated to benefit the residents of Madera County by providing FREE spay and neuter surgeries for their dogs and cats. ...

MADERA COUNTY – This week the Madera County Sheriff’s Office will hold an introductory meeting for citizens interested in joining the nationally recognized Citizens On Patrol volunteer organization. The event is Wednesday Oct. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Sheriff’s Annex, 28281 Avenue 14 in Madera, and anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend.