Letter To The Editor – Written by Kevin Barry. Our battle for our parks & public lands is moving to Washington! Facing off with the National Park Service over the controversial preferred alternative options, including the removal of our concessions from the Park will be heard on July 9, 2013 in the Sub-committee on National Parks, Forests & Public Lands. ...

COARSEGOLD – Citizens are invited to the fourth Family Freedom Fest on Thursday, July 4, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Historic Coarsegold Village. Organizers have planned a free community event that “celebrates and honors our American Heritage, the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, our Military and the open expression of how we can preserve our freedoms.”

OAKHURST – Billing itself as “America’s Diner,” Denny’s is always open, 24/7, and now they will be open in Oakhurst. The brand new restaurant, located in the newly remodeled ‘Ol Kettle building at 40650 Highway 41, will open Sunday, June 30, at 4 p.m.

YOSEMITE – Sixty-five people will become naturalized United States citizens at Yosemite’s famous overlook on Thursday, June 27, at 11 a.m. This special ceremony commemorates Independence Day and being a U.S. Citizen. The ceremony will feature Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher and representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services providing remarks and administering the Oath of Allegiance to the new ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Association is leading another beautiful and informative tour of one of the many scenic wonders in our own back yard. Explore the Secrets Of Nelder Grove on Saturday, Aug. 10, as 2013 National Forest Service Volunteer of the Year, Brenda Negley shares well known and secret places in Nelder Grove.

MADERA COUNTY – Firefighters were busy on Thursday, June 20, with four small fires that were all quickly extinguished, one by a passing motorist. Crews were first called out to a vehicle fire on Deadwood, on Highway 41 just south of Oakhurst. Engines then responded to a small fire on Road 415 near Sesame Street.

MARIPOSA – Extensive mop-up operations are underway at the Carstens Fire that burned 1,660 acres in the Midpines/Jerseydale area. The fire is 75% contained as of 7 p.m. Friday, June 21, and patrol of the fire lines continue.

MADERA COUNTY — Residents of North Fork were worried that there was a fire in the Cascadel Woods area on Thursday, due to all the helicopter activity. Though there was no fire, Task Force agents did spend the entire day in the Sierra National Forest, ripping out more than 20,000 marijuana plants and hauling out nearly six thousand pounds of ...

OAKHURST — The Children’s Museum of the Sierra is hosting a pair of fundraisers this week that they hope will generate the necessary funds to help keep the museum operating. The first takes place in Yosemite Lakes Park (YLP) – a free concert outside the clubhouse in front of Blue Heron Lake on Friday, June 21.

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has released new information on the schedule for re-entry for those who have been evacuated due to the Carstens Fire. Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, June 19, the Jerseydale/Mariposa Pines area and Triangle Road between Highway 140 and Darrah Road will open to residents only.