Written by Clara Briley — COUNTY — 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, according to American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDS), and local statistics on the numbers of people who suffer from these conditions in the Central Valley may be even higher. It’s important for the public to know the signs and symptoms in order to increase awareness of these common ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park anticipates an extremely busy Memorial Day Weekend. Visitors in personal vehicles arriving late morning through mid-day should expect extensive delays getting into and moving about the park, particularly in Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. Visitors are urged to enter the park before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. in order to avoid traffic congestion and ...

OAKHURST — The fine folks of Sierra-Oakhurst Kiwanis invite the community to an open house to learn about the current Kiwanis membership drive. Here’s an opportunity to join a vibrant organization whose mission is clear: Kiwanis serve the children of our community — and sometimes, beyond. Stop by the Yosemite Gateway Restaurant on Tuesday, Jun. 7 from 6 to 7:30 ...

OAKHURST – Stop by Western Sierra Nursery on Friday, May 27 for “An Evening of Whine and Noses” to benefit the Eastern Madera County SPCA (EMC SPCA). While the event has been a go-to fun fundraiser hosted by Mark and Robyn Holland that’s brought many thousands of dollars to the EMC SPCA over last several years, this marks the first ...

OAKHURST — Organizers behind the Yosemite High School PTA are busy pulling all the necessary elements together for a safe Sober Grad Party for the graduating seniors of YHS Class of 2016. The committee in charge is small but mighty and, even as elements are falling nicely into place, this marks an opportunity for parents and the community to participate ...

OAKHURST — Bibliophiles and those with aspirations, please note that local rare book collector Byron Lewis will share his knowledge this weekend in a free forum designed just for you. Lewis says that determining the price of an old book depends on a variety of aspects including its condition, how many people are seeking it and its subject matter. Here’s ...

NORTH FORK — If you’re looking for something special to do this weekend, here’s an idea. The Sierra Mono Museum invites the community to stop by for an open house meet-and-greet on Saturday, May 28 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be served at the free event. Home to a large display of ...

COUNTY — Those who commute on CA-41 from the foothills to Fresno and beyond will be pleased to learn that construction to add passing lanes is progressing efficiently, and the number of construction-related days of significant delay may be about half of what was originally suggested. “Blasting on State Route 41 is currently ahead of schedule,” says Cory Burkarth of ...

OAKHURST — Negotiations between a small, local school district and its teachers union have led to impasse between the two groups, and mediation will take place next week. While the Bass Lake Joint Union School District (BLSD)  and the Bass Lake Teachers Association (BLTA) have agreed on many points as they negotiate their current contract, there are two major issues yet to be worked ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Memorial Day is next week, and due to the unprecedented number of hazard trees present, and the associated risk to the public, the Sierra National Forest (SNF) will delay the opening of a number of campgrounds. Keeping things in perspective, forces have been working virtually non-stop since last fall on this problem, and the majority of ...