AHWAHNEE – The Oakhurst chapter of nonprofit organization Helping One Woman (HOW) will meet to honor longtime Oakhurst resident Lynette Schrank at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Hitching Post in Ahwahnee. “For 27 years Lynette has been courageously battling Hotchkins disease and breast cancer,” HOW organizers explain. “At present, her health obstacles have become increasingly difficult to ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The USGS reports a 4.8 earthquake at 3:04 p.m., about 6 miles WNW of Big Pine, California, followed by a 2.9 aftershock about 5 minutes later in very close proximity. That was followed by a 2.8 at 3:23, and a 4.3 at 3:27 p.m. Big Pine is on the east side of the Sierra on Highway 395, ...

OAKHURST — With the overwhelming response to the Age Well, Drive Smart class offered by the Oakhurst Area CHP Office, they have scheduled another class for Thursday, Mar. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) implemented the Age Well, Drive Smart program to assist older drivers and their families with the tools to remain safe on ...

OAKHURST — Local Soroptimists once again offer community women the chance to apply for the Live Your Dream Award scholarship, with applications open now through Thursday, Mar 3. The scholarship awards are given to women who are striving to learn new skills and obtain an education, with the goal of improving employment status and standard of living, both personally and ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District is seeking enthusiastic volunteer candidates to fill the position as campground host volunteer for Nelder Grove Campground. The volunteer would start the week before Memorial Day and work through end of September. The volunteer is expected to work on weekends and holidays and will be required to reside ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 14 2016: Coarsegold vandalism On Sunday, Feb. 7 at 4:32 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a residence located in the 43000 block of Ranger Circle Dr. for a report of vandalism to a living room window. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford, beginning Wednesday morning, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. and lasting through Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18. Snow levels are expected to start out near 7,000 feet on Wednesday and lower ...

OAKHURST — A group of parents and community members attended a Board meeting in Madera on Thursday, Feb. 11 and got their wish: the Oakhurst Head Start center, which had been on the verge of closing its doors permanently, will continue operation for the foreseeable future. At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAP-MC) Board ...

MADERA COUNTY — Thanks to the generosity of the Smokey Bear Run/Walk, The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) is pleased to announce the distribution of carbon monoxide alarms to families of Eastern Madera County. Cal Fire and the Smokey Bear Run/Walk will be hosting distribution dates at the following locations: Cal Fire Station ...

OAKHURST — Parents and community members are rallying around a local Head Start program in hope of stalling a newly proposed budget that would result in shutting doors on the child care center, permanently, as of June 1, 2016. The program’s overseer, Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAP-MC) has a regularly scheduled board meeting set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. ...