CENTRAL SIERRA — The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Sierra Nevada foothills including Mariposa, Madera, Tulare and Fresno County foothills, and Tulare County mountains, due to recent heavy rains combined with additional rainfall and possible snow melt expected. The Flash Flood Watch will be in effect from 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, ...

MADERA COUNTY — Perhaps the most often-asked question to Sierra News Online concerns accidents on Highway 41 — how many occur each year, and how many are DUI related? The California Highway Patrol in Sacramento provided us with accident statistics from Jan. 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2015, for the Highway 41 corridor from Highway 145 to Fish Camp. We ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – Anyone taking to the mountain highways over the weekend should avoid any unwanted delays by making sure there are traction devices in their vehicle. Chain control is now in place on Highway 41 from three miles north of Coarsegold (the bottom of Deadwood) to Yosemite National Park (R2 – see below). The location could change as conditions warrant. ...

AHWAHNEE —  Robin and the crew at Coolwater Ranch are kicking off their 2017 concert series with guitarist extraordinaire Mike Dowling, on Saturday, Jan. 21. When the late, great Vassar Clements heard Mike Dowling play guitar back in 1975 he did the sensible thing. He hired him. Mike was the guitarist in Vassar’s first touring band and can be heard ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The National Weather Service office in Hanford has issued a new Winter Storm Warning for the southern Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to the Tulare-Kern County Line. Two feet of new snow accumulations or more can be expected above 7,000 feet, while snow levels are predicted to drop to as low as 4,000 feet. A Winter Storm ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The National Weather Service office in Hanford has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the southern Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to the Tulare-Kern County Line. Over one foot of new snow accumulations can be expected above 7,000 feet. Snow levels will start high around 8,000 feet at the storm’s onset early Wednesday afternoon, but will ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Jan. 9 to Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017: Oakhurst fraud On Monday, Jan. 9 at 9:38 a.m. a deputy received a report of the unlawful use of a bank access information in the 49000 block of River Park Road. Report taken. Raymond welfare check ...

MADERA COUNTY – Today’s busy lifestyles can make it hard to find time to volunteer, however, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family and your community. The right match can help you make an impact in the community, learn new skills and even advance your career. As an American Cancer Society volunteer, you also can honor a ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Commuters and others who travel the Highway 41 corridor in the Coarsegold area take note: crews will continue work on the hazard tree removal project for the four to five weeks, according to Caltrans. Delays may be up to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic. The massive project, which is expected to last at least through ...

Submitted by Ryan Schulte — MOUNTAIN AREA — Despite the torrential downpours, Sierra Mountain Little League continues develop a top notch sports experience for kids in the mountain area. The board, led by Dalene Stephens and Troy Smock, has significantly improved the league through management and exceptional volunteer fundraising. The league is making significant investments in the field and coaching ...