MADERA COUNTY — Sherman Thomas STEM Academy swept the overall Madera County Math Tournament and took first place for both the 7th and 8th grade competitions on Friday. Ranchos Middle School came in second place in the overall 7th grade math competition and Coarsegold Elementary School placed third. Dairyland Elementary Schools 8th grade team placed second in the competition and ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — After abundant rainfall this winter and spring, we’re being treated to a wild host of wildflowers decorating the mountains with bright splashes of yellow mustard, orange poppy, white popcorn, and purple-blue lupine. Now, we’re being treated to what’s known as a pink full moon, and that designation doesn’t reflect the color of the moon in the sky, ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — With a beautifully warm and sunny weekend behind us and tax day upon us, cooler temperatures return as a disturbance moves into the region bringing increased wind and precipitation across central California Monday, Apr. 15 into Tuesday, Apr. 16. Dry conditions return Wednesday with a warming trend through the end of the week. Snow levels will start ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Apr. 1 to Sunday, Apr. 7, 2019. Oakhurst burglary On Tuesday, Apr. 2 at 10 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 48000 block of Liberty Drive regarding a burglary report. A report was written and the case was closed. Oakhurst harassment ...

BASS LAKE – A mountain area man was arrested for DUI after crashing his SUV on a sharp corner on Road 274 this afternoon. Herbert Rogers, 68, with addresses listed in both Oakhurst and Fresno, was westbound on Road 274 in a Ford SUV approaching the curve near Fawn Point. Tracks at the scene show that he drove straight off ...

MARIPOSA – Recent rains and warm sunshine has fueled recent vegetation growth. The fire season is fast approaching and if vegetation is not managed it can create hazardous conditions for wildfire. Cal Fire’s Defensible Space Inspectors (DSI) are visiting homes within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) to enforce the Defensible Space code, Public Resource Code (PRC) 4291. It requires residents ...

OAKHURST — Yosemite High School is gearing up for Junior/Senior Prom 2019 and organizers are hoping the community can take a collective look in its closets to see if anything is suitable for students to wear. Prom clothes are expensive, as are senior years in public schools. With expenses varying from the cost of school trips, to special tests, and ...

MADERA – If you have not yet signed up to be notified in the event of a fire, flood or other emergency, now is the time to register. It is free and it’s important, not only for your safety but for the safety of first responders. On Wednesday, May 1, at around 10 a.m., Madera County’s Emergency Alert System (MCAlert) ...

BASS LAKE – A Coarsegold man was taken into custody for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs after running off the road near Bass Lake this evening. The 47-year-old was northbound on Road 222 about 1/2-mile north of The Forks Resort just after 7 p.m. when he drove off the right side of the road and came ...

By Ed Bailey — During the first quarter of 2019, members of the of Fresno Realtors Association Multiple Listing Services in the Yosemite Gateway Branch sold 104 mountain area homes (single family residential properties) — coincidentally, the same number as last year. Boundaries for the mountain area include Oakhurst, Ahwahnee, Coarsegold, North Fork, Wishon, Bass Lake, Wawona, Fish Camp, Yosemite ...