With the Hite Cove area trails closed, where could we go to check out the Merced River Canyon poppies and other colorful wildflowers? We found a nice trail with lots of yellow poppies and color combinations of all kinds represented by other wildflowers. We also discovered that the wildflowers are running a little later than they were in previous years ...

Written by David Novell – Orangie stuffed the shopping list into his back pocket, not particularly thrilled with the idea of doing the grocery shopping for his household, which of course was not much of a household, consisting of only him and his dad nowadays. But still, it wasn’t all that much fun having just a few bucks to get ...

A little rain didn’t damper our enthusiasm as we learned about archeological sites, spotted Sierra Newts, said hello to cows, saw wildflowers galore and experienced an incredible view from on top of Table Mountain while hiking on a docent-led adventure on the Ruth McKenzie Preserve. We didn’t encounter any rattlesnakes, which was just fine with me, but they are out ...

Written by David Novell – Orangie wanted a popsicle in the worst way. It was over a hundred degrees for the ninth straight day, and he could just taste the ice cold treat, delicious grape or maybe luscious root beer flavored this time. Walking into “the Little Store”, Orangie could tell right away that something was wrong. Very wrong. The ...

MADERA – The case of Kenneth Jackson, 46, who was sentenced to 30 years and 8 months in prison on Aug. 8, 2014, for 21 counts of arson, was back before a judge this morning for resentencing after the Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed 8 of the convictions due to “insufficient evidence.” Jackson was arrested along with his wife ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski’s latest report from the field on Mar. 27: New snow: 10 inches Total settled snow depth: 90 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 42°F (March 26) Low temperature: 1°F (March 24) Ski Conditions and Weather It is snowing again today after a brief three day window of dry weather and seasonal temperatures. ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dog of the Week for SNO is a sweet, gentle giant. “Hi, I’m Maizy, also known as Darla (my name in my previous home)! My foster mom says I’ve been great with all the dogs and cats I’ve met. I’m an adorable 60-75 pound Great Pyrenees and Border Collie mix who’s 3-4 ...

Any day out on one of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s Preserves is a special adventure but when I attended a class to understand more about range management on the McKenzie Preserve with spring wildflowers painting the hills, I came away with a better appreciation for the complex relationship of the soil, sun and things in between. I will return soon ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski’s latest report from the field on Mar. 20 tells the tale of some powder, some corn, rapid melting, the songs of spring in the air and some still-unsettled weather. New snow: 6 inches Total settled snow depth: 91 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 50°F (March 16) Low temperature: -1°F (March ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dog of the Week for SNO is actually four adorable puppies. Meet Cocoa (brown and white female), Saffron (tan and white female), Nutmeg (tan and white male), and Pepper (black with white and tan female). These sweet pups weigh between two and three pounds and are eight weeks old. We are now ...