MOUNTAIN AREA — Togetherness is one of the simple ideals behind the Thanksgiving holiday and its ensuing weekend. Rather than eat, shop, and repeat, local lovers of the outdoors have a suggestion for the entire friends-and-family entourage: try a little Green Friday. As compared with the (when-did-it-become?) traditional Black Friday — a nearly-sacred day for those who love to shop ...

MARIPOSA – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing Cal Fire’s MMU to transition out of peak fire season effective Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 a.m. in Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. “Although we are seeing a small amount of rain and allowing burning to take place, we would like residents to ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Just before 3 a.m. this morning, firefighters responded to reports of a vegetation fire on Road 600 south of Ahwahnee. As firefighters were working to contain the “600 Fire” near the intersection of Road 810 (Acton Grade), another report came in at 3:27 p.m. from a sheriff’s deputy of another fire about 1/2 mile south at Leland ...

It’s time for a two-fer as the Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption program has two Dogs of the Week for your consideration. Meet adorable sister and brother Chloe Sophia, sitting, and Toby, standing. These two-year-old Poodle mixes are super soft and cuddly. They are very sweet dogs, too, and weigh about 20 pounds each. They were surrendered to us ...

AHWAHNEE — The nonprofit group Helping One Woman (HOW) is meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Hitchin’ Post restaurant to honor Suzy Kessler. The evening of food, fundraising and friendship begins at 6 p.m. Suzy’s son, Yosemite High School freshman PJ Kuzmitski, suffered a life-changing hit to his right knee at football practice on Wednesday, Sept. 27, resulting in the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow is in effect above 7,000-feet, from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 through 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. The Winter Storm Warning is for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, including the towns of Bass Lake, Fish Camp, and ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Nov. 6  to Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. Oakhurst warrant citation and release On Monday, Nov. 6 at 2:56 p.m. a deputy responded to a warrant arrest with a citation and release. Coarsegold narcotics On Monday, Nov. 6 at 10:03 a.m. a deputy ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park has approximately 300 seasonal job openings for the summer of 2018. There are positions open in all areas of the park, and seasonal jobs opportunities at many of the over 400 National Park Service units across the country. The park will be filling a wide variety of positions, including backcountry rangers, entrance station rangers, custodial ...

MADERA COUNTY — The 2017 Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign in Eastern Madera County has begun with the placement of toy donation boxes and cash donation jars in over five dozen schools, businesses and agencies. Dennis Osantowski, in his 4th year as Toys for Tots Coordinator, says that this may be one of the toughest years for the program ...

AHWAHNEE — Here’s a riddle: what do horses, mountain-climbing, and spectacular music have in common? Answer: Robin Ralston. She’s the dedicated patron and mastermind behind the Coolwater Ranch House Concerts. Robin brings top-notch musicians known for entertaining audiences worldwide to play intimate shows in her living room. Following a winding path marked by mixed fortune while maintaining a forward gaze, Robin ...