Beloved husband, father and grandfather Edward Refugio Cruz passed away on Dec. 9, 2018, at the age of 75. Born on Feb. 13, 1943, in Long Beach, California, Edward enjoyed baseball, fishing and traveling. He worked for the Los Angeles County Superior Court for 36 years. A resident of Coarsegold for nearly two decades, he was an active member of ...

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 ...

COARSEGOLD – This is the third year that the folks at G’ma and Pappas have made Christmas extra-special for mountain area kids. Mitch Riegelhuth and Lori Brown teamed up with the Sierra Shadow Casters Motorcycle Club to give shiny bicycles, sturdy helmets and brand-new toys to about 300 kids at a very special event on Dec. 15 at G’m and ...

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 mood will be especially festive this particular holiday season for anyone connected to the Outpouring in Oakhurst: this marks the tenth year of the community celebration of Christmas, a free community feast open to everyone. All are invited to the Oakhurst Outpouring on Sunday, Dec. 23 from 3 – 7 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center. As ...

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 ...