SACRAMENTO — As wildfires burn across California, new estimates on the number of dead trees in California were announced, prompting continued concern for California’s forest health and wildfire danger. Today, the US Forest Service released the outcome of its latest aerial surveys over California forestland, finding that over 66 million trees have now died due to drought and bark beetles ...

OAKHURST — Motorists should continue to be on the lookout for crews who will be painting new striping on a portion of State Route 41 just north of Oakhurst, as well as north of Road 222, the turnoff to Bass Lake. Department of Transportation (Caltrans) spokesman Cory Burkarth said today that the road painting that began on Tuesday, June 21 ...

OAKHURST — It takes a village to put on a successful Sober Grad night, and all the members of that village came together on behalf of Yosemite High’s Class of 2016 overnight from Wednesday, June 8 to 6 a.m. on Thursday, June 9. The YHS PTA organizes Sober Grad and wants to say the biggest thank you to all of ...

Written by Lexey Jenkins — COARSEGOLD — Hello and happy summer!  This is our last month of the 4-H year. This month is also 4-H camp, for ages 14 – 18 at Huntington Lake. 4-H camp is a very fun experience, and you can even become a junior counselor or teen counselor. It’s too late to sign up this year ...

MADERA COUNTY — Travelers can rest assured, knowing that blasting operations have concluded on the Highway 41 passing lanes project now under construction, according to the Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans’ Cory Burkharth confirmed today — there will not be any more blasting. “This week the contractor is placing aggregate base rock for the southbound widening lane,” says Burkharth. “Next ...

COARSEGOLD — During times of unthinkable tragedy, there is often someone who rushes in to help. They may go unrecognized, and sometimes they may suffer a different kind of trauma than those who have lost a loved one. The community is mourning the loss of Ruby Alvarez, a beautiful, vibrant 24-year-old mom, daughter, niece and sister, who was known by ...

EARTH — In a rare occurence, and for the first time since 1948, the full moon on Monday, June 20 will appear on the same night as summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The sun will be high, and the moon will be low. Known as the honey moon for its sometimes-amber color, or strawberry moon for seasonal abundance, you ...

Submitted by Mathew Sands — OAKHURST — This marks the third year for one of the most highly regarded live music events in the Yosemite area. Sierra Tel presents 2016 Sounds of Solstice Music Festival on Saturday, Jun. 18 at Oakhurst Community Park. All proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Club of Oakhurst. Bootstrap Circus, The Green Machine, Ten Ton Chicken ...

Written by Virginia Eaton — There’s a lot of research studying the care and feeding of the bacteria in our gut. Researchers have found numerous links between the health of the gut microbiome (the colonization of bacteria that live in our intestines) and the immune system, autism, depression, autoimmune diseases and conditions in the bowel. This includes inflammatory bowel disease, ...

MARIPOSA – While recent rains this winter and spring have been a welcome sight in California, drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. This suspension took effect June 17, and bans all residential outdoor ...