MOUNTAIN AREA — Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team at American Pickers are coming back to California to film episodes of their hit series and casting producers are now looking for leads throughout the state. They’re specifically scouting for people with a combination of personality and interesting items — lots of them. Does that sound familiar? If it describes you ...

BASS LAKE — Revelers are welcome to ring in 2019 at The Pines Resort with a Glitz & Glam Party in the Lakeview Room on New Year’s Eve — Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. The $15 per person cover charge includes party favors, light snacks, photo booths, a champagne toast at midnight, and a front row view to the midnight fireworks ...

WORLD — Ants in your pants? Here’s a solution — try a tech-check on jolly old Santa Claus as he and his crew of reindeer make their way around the world. The NORAD Tracks Santa website features Santa’s North Pole Village, including a holiday countdown, games, activities, and more. Kids of all ages can check out NORAD Headquarters in the North Pole ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — We’ll have some rain in the foothills and snow in the higher country around Christmastime, as a storm moves into the area by Monday afternoon and grows stronger into the night. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon from 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24 to 10 a.m. ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dog of the Week for SNO is a sweet and loyal senior dog named Bertha. “I’m Bertha, a Terrier mix. My foster mom says I’m such a kind, loyal, and fun girl! What can I say? I agree. “I’ve been with ACT for four-and-a-half years. I do have lots of love to ...

OAKHURST — Students at Oak Creek Intermediate school brought in just shy of 500 canned and non-perishable food items to benefit Manna House, says Principal Brad Barcus. “Classrooms were challenged to bring in items as part of a class competition,” he explains. “Mrs. Duckworth’s class brought in the most items with 174. Mrs. Bodine’s Class brought in the highest percentage ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Winter Solstice this year will be enhanced by the presence of a full moon and the peaking of a major meteor shower. 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 marks the ...

OAKHURST — The spirit of giving was predominant as teachers and school representatives convened by request to celebrate one of the year’s highlights: Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Mini-Grants for education. Local Kiwanis and others gathered on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at El Cid Mexican Restaurant to give and receive money in support of projects and products that help mountain area students. Eighteen ...

OAKHURST – The staff at Sierra Tel was joined by many of our first responders today as they unveiled their 2019 telephone directory at the Mariposa County Courthouse and at their Headquarters Office in Oakhurst. Sierra Tel serves both Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties. The 392-page directory pays tribute to, and shows appreciation for, the first responders in our local ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Dec. 10, to Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Oakhurst assault On Monday, Dec. 10 at 12:41 a.m. deputies were dispatched to Victoria Lane regarding a possible verbal domestic. Upon arrival it was determined a male and female engaged in a verbal argument when ...