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 about 3.5 miles north of Cedar Springs. The location could change as conditions warrant. Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drives with snow tires ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — In the midst of the holiday season we’re sharing the stories of a dozen groups and nonprofit organizations whose members are making a difference in our communities. We’ve profiled education, art, community, theater, broadcast, wildlife, music and more. Now we turn to our feline and canine companions, and the local organization that has been steadfast in its efforts to ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service has upgraded the winter storm watch to a winter storm warning for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, beginning Friday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. The winter storm watch continues through 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24. According to the NWS, snow will begin above 6,000 feet in the Yosemite area ...

MADERA COUNTY —  “Over ninety million dollars in property tax payments were collected and posted from the December tenth property tax deadline,” reports Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector. All payments were posted and balanced by Friday, Dec. 16. “That’s amazing, given that we had an extra day for taxpayers to make their payments on Monday, December 12th. All posted and ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — **UPDATED 7 p.m. Dec. 21: The NWS has upgraded this to a winter storm warning for heavy snow, meaning severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Signinficant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous.** Check with US National Weather Service Hanford California for more information and we will re-post latest news on Thursday. ...

SACRAMENTO — The California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants all motorists on the roadways to drive safely during their travel this holiday season. As part of its upcoming Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), the CHP reminds motorists to buckle up, avoid distracted driving, designate a sober driver, and always travel at a safe speed for conditions. The CHP Christmas MEP will begin ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the longest night, marking the point during the year when the Northern Hemisphere is the most inclined away from the Sun. The day is the official start of winter and yet each day from now will grow ever-so-gradually longer as the sun returns. On Winter Solstice, the ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016: North Fork vandalism to mailboxes  On Monday, Dec. 12 at 6:37 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to Road 200 and Wyle Ranch Road regarding a vandalism to a community mailboxes. A report was taken and ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — ‘Tis the season for readers to join in celebrating twelve local organizations and nonprofits, and the people behind them, making a difference in our communities. For our fourth such close-up, we look at Yosemite Western Artists. Day #4 Yosemite Western Artists What is it? YWA is association of artists and art patrons working in all disciplines, dedicated to promoting the visual arts ...

MARIPOSA — The Central Valley Burn Prevention Coalition is introducing a new program geared toward senior citizens, and will schedule an event for seniors in your area upon request. The Remembering When program, developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is centered around 16 key messages aimed at fire and fall prevention to help older adults live safely at ...