SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is recruiting volunteers who reside and travel in rural and tribal communities to participate in the latest testing phase of a “road charge” pilot. Up to 500 volunteers will participate in a seven-month simulated road charge system, which charges drivers based on the number of miles they travel rather than the amount ...

By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, Master Gardener of Mariposa County In the winter months, more time is spent inside than outside when it comes to the garden. Although there are still things do such as pruning and mulching, the dreaming part of gardening is reserved for the colder, precipitation-filled days of the year. However, before being swayed to purchase dozens of seed ...

OAKHURST — Join Helping One Woman Oakhurst for their second dinner of 2023 when they will honor their February recipient, Bettie Perry. Bettie is lovingly sponsored by Cheryce Chartier. ♥ This month’s Helping One Woman (HOW) recipient is Bettie Perry and her HOW dinner will be Wednesday, February 15th at 6 p.m. at The Hitchin’ Post in Ahwahnee. See map below. When: ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY—The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has concluded its work on State Route 140 (SR-140) near Briceburg to clear away debris and repair the road after a rockslide on Sunday, January 15, 2023, forced its closure. All lanes are now open. Crews made safe and fast progress clearing the area and making needed repairs after the closure. Once a ...

NORTH FORK—Sierra National Forest (SNF) – Bass Lake Ranger District fire personnel are looking to start burning the piles in the Madera County Roads project around the Bass Lake area, with a total of 567 acres. We are planning to start some test fires on January 30, 2023. If ignition proves to be successful, we will continue lighting the piles. ...

NORTH FORK — On Saturday, January 28, Boy Scout Troop 357 spent several hours picking up trash along the road from the North Fork Scout Building to a point near the old mill site on Mammoth Pool Road. The Scouts gathered up over five full bags of trash along the 9/10 mile span of road. During a previous roadside service ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–Hazardous conditions due to icy roads are causing school delays this morning. Also, traffic collisions and hazards are being reported. Please use caution on the roads and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.   We will update this article throughout the day as more information is available.   Traffic Collisions 12:35 pm Type: Trfc Collision-1141 Enrt Location: ...

YOSEMITE — “I knew my destiny when I first experienced Yosemite,” Ansel Adams’ words could not be truer for Yosemite Postmaster John O. Reynolds. After decades of working for the United States Postal Service, Reynolds will be leaving exactly where he started over 44 years ago in the majestic Post Office nestled in Yosemite National Park. On Tuesday, January 31, ...

MADERA COUNTY — For a limited time only you can collect trading cards from your animal friends at Visit Yosemite Madera County’s Welcoming Committee. These awesome cards can be found at various locations around Madera County. Mr. Mead the Saber Toothed Cat MR. MEAD can be found at Fossil Discovery Center, located at 19450 Ave. 21 1/2, Chowchilla, CA. Saber-toothed cats, also ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — At the Soroptimist Business Meeting on January 5, 2023, five new members were installed into the club. President of Soroptimist International of The Sierras Heather Nocket said, “We love to have new members join us and become volunteers for the programs we bring to our mountain community. The energy and new ideas they will bring to our ...