MOUNTAIN AREA — Cody Aleshire is 10 years old and he’s already made a choice in life to be supportive of others and work hard within the community. A couple of years ago, the Wasuma Elementary School student did a class project called American Heroes. That’s when things got really interesting for Cody and he began a successful, ongoing effort ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — With Halloween just around the corner, children will soon be out in costume trekking through festive displays in search of candy. However, more than ghosts could be lurking amongst the mid-fall fun, as Halloween costumes and decorations present a number of hidden fire hazards. Fortunately, with a few precautions taken, you can make the holiday safer. Here are ...

AHWAHNEE — The Wasuma PTA has organized an exciting and truly different sort of fundraiser, and anyone 18+ is invited to come out and support the students while having a blast — in the dark, no less. It’s the Wasuma PTA Full Moon Glow Ball at River Creek Golf Course in Ahwahnee, set for Friday, Nov. 3, starting at 5:30 ...

OAKHURST — The Bass Lake Education Foundation (BLEF) is once again giving kids a Lego-Up on the STEM world, by running an affordable, sustainable 10-week after-school program designed for middle school students. Using the Lego Mindstorm EV-3 16-Student Curriculum Solution, the program offers a complete bundle for teaching computer science and STEM subjects using robotics. The camp is on Thursdays ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A cold front is expected to move onshore into the Pacific Northwest this evening as a strengthening upper-level trough approaches the West Coast, according to the National Weather Service.  An active fall storm pattern brings areas of heavy rain and high elevation snow, they say, while Northern California will benefit from rainfall this week, aiding the firefighting effort ...

OAKHURST — At just under a year old, Lab mix Hank is a young dog who is somewhat of an old soul, say those who know him best. “He loves long walks under the moonlight, and canned food in his kibble,” according to his Kellen Rescue foster person, speaking of a handsome, loving dog named Henry James, who is also ...

MADERA COUNTY — Stand by homeowners, property owners and others, as secured property tax bills for 2017-18 are currently being dolled up and doled out, according to officials. “It’s that time of year again,” reports Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector.  “We have just begun the 2017-18 tax season by printing and mailing our property tax bills.” Over 56,000 tax ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 9  to Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. Coarsegold danger to self On Monday, Oct. 9 at 5:19 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to regarding a person possibly in need of a mental health evaluation hold. Upon contact the subject was determined to ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption program has a new Dog of the Week for Sierra News Online. Here’s what she has to say. “Hi, my name is Daisy! I am an adorable three-month-old Shepherd and Lab mix! I am about 15-20 pounds now and will be about 45-60 pounds when full grown. “I am a very quiet ...

Why seed after a wildfire? Loss of vegetation leaves land vulnerable to increased runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. It also encourages weeds, degrades habitat, and impairs forest regeneration. Reestablishment of permanent vegetation provides long-term erosion control, may restore lost habitat values, and may help suppress noxious weed invasion after a wildfire. However it takes time and favorable climatic conditions to establish ...