YOSEMITE – The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is undergoing some major changes, and most of the area will be closed for about 24 months, beginning on July 6. The project is designed to “restore dynamic ecological processes and increase the resiliency of this treasured grove to withstand emerging stressors today and in the future,” say park officials.

MADERA COUNTY – Two separate single-vehicle accidents yesterday resulted in the arrest of both drivers after they were determined to be under the influence by officers at the scene. At about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 15, several people reported that a vehicle had gone off the roadway on Road 632 just west of Sugar Pine Drive. When first responders ...

Submitted by Robyn Flory NORTH FORK – Students have been hard at work preparing for the North Fork School’s 26th Annual 8th Grade Play, to be presented on Friday, Mar. 27. This year’s play is called “Happily Never After!” and is a comedy about what might happen if our Fairy Tale Prince and Princesses really didn’t live happily ever after. ...

MADERA COUNTY – A head-on collision on Highway 41 just south of Avenue 12 yesterday has claimed the life of a 13-year-old from Mariposa. Just after noon on Saturday, Mar. 14, Antonio Lopez, 70, of Los Banos, was northbound in a 2006 Toyota Tundra, just south of Avenue 12, traveling at about 65 mph, according to CHP.

Submitted by Lou Ann & Katsuro Sakaki CATHEYS VALLEY – The Wayward Ponies’ Home sixth annual Open House was a huge success thanks to the efforts and generosity of many people. Our second potluck raffle rocked, and people went home with exciting prizes donated by local merchants and professionals:

YOSEMITE – Yosemite Conservancy has unveiled a compelling line-up of Outdoor Adventures for 2015 with more than 60 programs for visitors to explore the park on guided adventures with local experts involving backpacking, photography, bird watching and more. Summer Camp for grown-ups, beginning backpacking and hikes to rarely seen alpine areas are among the guided outdoor adventures offered for visitors ...

FRESNO — Four Madera County Sheriff’s deputies are among those to be honored during the American Red Cross Central Valley Real Heroes Event next Friday, for their efforts during the Courtney Fire last summer. The annual event recognizes local heroes in the Central Valley who are seemingly ordinary people but have touched the lives of community members through their selfless ...

FRESNO – The woman responsible for the death of Yosemite High School graduate Matthew Harkenrider in a deadly DUI crash on Aug. 14, 2014, was sentenced this morning to 13 years in prison, reports KSEE24 in Fresno. Roberta Lynn Soto, 45, of Kingsburg, originally pleaded not guilty to the charges on Aug. 22, as a judge, officers and attorneys gathered ...

BASS LAKE – The Southern Yosemite Region was hit close to home and heart with the wildfires of 2013/2014. Surrounded by national parks, forests and wildlands, we depend on the over 300 wildland firefighters who live and work in our mountain communities. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation was created “To honor, recognize, and support wildland firefighters, past, present and future, and ...

MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff Jay Varney is warning residents about several reports of attempted telephone scams where the caller claims to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or an IRS Investigative Service. The caller attempts to convince the potential victim that money is owed or a lawsuit has been filed. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has received reports from ...