By Bob Labozetta —  This is the first of a three-part series about growing tomatoes in the Sierra foothills. Parts two and three on tomato care will follow in the weeks to come. Tomatoes are adversely affected by temperature extremes. When temperatures stay over 90℉ during the day and the nights remain above 70℉, non-adapted tomato blooms often fail to ...

AHWAHNEE – Madera County is giving 75 acres in Awhawnee to the Eastern Madera County SPCA to help the organization complete its new, no-kill animal shelter. On Tuesday, the board of supervisors OK’d the donation of 75.33 acres of “surplus” county land to EMC SPCA. The organization’s president said the donation will allow the nonprofit to secure additional funding for ...

MADERA COUNTY — The 2019 Madera County Academic Pentathlon culminated with the Super Quiz and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Mar. 16, naming Sherman Thomas STEM Academy this year’s seventh grade champion team and North Fork School the eighth grade champion team. More than 200 students participated in this five-event academic competition, held on March 8 and 16. Students competed in ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Mar. 11 to Sunday, Mar. 17, 2019. Coarsegold civil dispute On Monday, Mar. 11 at 8:04 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 46000 block of Road 417 in regards to a civil dispute involving a private security company and tribal members. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service in Hanford says a Pacific storm system will move into and across the region Tuesday night, Mar. 19 through Thursday, Mar. 21. Brief high pressure will build over the area Friday, Mar. 22 before another weaker storm system moves across the region Saturday, Mar. 23. Super Full Moon Rises On First Day Of ...

AHWAHNEE — Friends and neighbors will gather at The Hitchin’ Post on Wednesday, Mar. 20, as the nonprofit group Helping One Woman (HOW) honors Ailene Nicole Thomas. Ailene is a lifelong Mariposa county resident and a Mariposa High School graduate, Class of 2014. Shortly after graduating, say HOW organizers, Ailene met the love of her life: Jonah Seth Mackenzie Thomas. ...

OAKHURST – Yosemite High School’s award winning music department is hosting the 11th annual Nite on the Town on Saturday, Mar. 23 from 4 – 6:30 p.m. The extravaganza is held in the YHS gymnasium, transformed for one afternoon only into a fabulous bistro-style venue with entertainment in all directions. All proceeds benefit the Badger Music Department. Tix are $25 ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Mar. 4 to Sunday, Mar. 10, 2019. Coarsegold theft On Tuesday, Mar. 5 at 9:56 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 45000 block of Park Sierra Drive in regards to a theft. A report was taken for documentation only. Oakhurst possible ...

AHWAHNEE — The Wasuma PTA invites the community to an exciting throwback fundraiser in hopes that everyone will come out and support local students while having a blast in true old-fashioned style. It’s the Wasuma PTA Roaring Twenties Golf Fundraiser at beautiful River Creek Golf Course in Ahwahnee, set for Saturday, Mar. 23, starting at 1 p.m. The cost to enter is ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens about a man who has been making phone calls to residents throughout the county impersonating a sheriff’s sergeant regarding outstanding warrants. This is a scam! The Sheriff’s Office will never request funds or personal identifying information over the phone. If you receive a phone call of this nature, please ...