SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Did you know that not only can you obtain your campfire permit at any Forest Service Office, but you can also get a permit online? Campfire Permits are required for open fires, such as campfire, barbecues and portable stoves on federally controlled lands and private lands that are the property of another person. On private lands, ...

OAKHURST — Yosemite Unified School District has announced that two key positions have been filled by new hires, and the 2018-19 school year will begin with fresh faces in football and music. Chance Sigala has been brought on as Varsity Head Football Coach, and Megan Rice has been hired as the new Choral and Instrumental Music Director. “Chance comes to ...

OAKHURST – Sierra National Forest (SNF) officials continue their spring prescribed burning program within the Bass Lake Ranger District. Using the advantage of favorable weather conditions, extra fire personnel and equipment will be committed to the project until the treatments are extinguished, as burn days permit. Projects will include understory burning in the months of May and early June. According ...

BASS LAKE — On the shore of Bass Lake with perfect weather, 87 people gathered Monday night to honor the Yosemite High School Class of 2018 Valedictorians. The 32nd annual Paul and Martha Pitman Awards Banquet was held on the Gazebo Deck at The Pines Resort to recognize 23 outstanding students in the YHS graduating Class of 2018. The Pitman ...

OAKHURST — Founded in 1968, Soroptimist International of The Sierras is celebrating 50 years of service in the Oakhurst area, and inviting the community to join them for a very special luncheon at The Pines Resort on Sunday, May 20. The event, held in the Lakeview Room, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tickets are $30. “We will be ...

OAKHURST — Yosemite Unified School District’s Board of Trustees regular meeting on Wednesday, May 9, will take place in the cafeteria at Yosemite High School. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., and the Agenda appears below. Yosemite Unified School District is comprised of Coarsegold Elementary, Rivergold Elementary, Yosemite High School, and an Educational Options program. In advance of the meeting, ...

OAKHURST – Visit Yosemite Madera County reports that tourism was instrumental to the County’s success in 2017, with visitor spending reaching $283.7 million in Madera County. According to the Dean Runyan Associates report released today by Visit California. The tourism industry supported 4,040 jobs and generated $25.8 million in local and state tax revenue last year. Statewide, visitors spent a ...

BASS LAKE – Anglers had a chance to snag big money at the annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby, held on Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6 and ultimately, the really big fish — worth $10k and $5k — got away. The annual event is sponsored by the Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce, and kicks off the summer season at the ...

BASS LAKE – Residents and anyone visiting the Bass Lake area on Saturday, May 12, will want to be aware of activities that may disrupt travel during the morning hours. Vacation Races, an event company that produces half-marathon and ultra-marathon races, will be holding its annual Yosemite Half Marathon on the Bass Lake Ranger District. The race will take place ...

SACRAMENTO — California’s wet winter created a sizable crop of new growth grass, but don’t let the wet weather fool you as the abundant grass dries into fuel-ripe tinder. Now is the time to act to prevent wildfires. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared May 6-12 “Wildfire Awareness Week” to urge homeowners that Fire Defense is Self Defense, Get Ready ...