MADERA COUNTY — As the holiday season begins to draw near, our local Marine Corps League Detachment 1121 members gear up for the annual campaign that has been making Christmas wishes come true for needy children since 1947. Now, the 2018 Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign in Eastern Madera County has begun with the placement of toy donation boxes ...

By Eileen Holladay —  OAKHURST — Laurel Duckworth says she became a teacher because she wanted to spend as much time as possible with her sons, Shane and Ian. Inspired by her own mother, also an educator, Mrs. Duckworth has been teaching for 20 years; this is her ninth year at Oak Creek Intermediate. She enjoys teaching math and PE, ...

OAKHURST — The office of the Superintendent of Yosemite Unified School District has announced a special meeting of the Board of Trustees. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the YUSD office board room, located on the campus at Yosemite High. The special meeting is related to the current search for a permanent district superintendent and ...

MARIPOSA – If you are interested in helping animals when disaster strikes your area, this is your chance to make a difference. The Central California Animal Disaster Team (CCADT) is hosting a volunteer orientation workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mariposa Government Center. The CCADT is recruiting volunteers who live in Mariposa County and ...

OAKHURST – Do you live in the Oakhurst area? Are you a head of household and attending college? If so, you are invited to apply for the “Live Your Dream” Education and Training Awards for Women. The local Soroptimist International of the Sierras Club in Oakhurst is now accepting applications for the 2018 awards. Applications are due online by Nov. 15 ...

OAKHURST – Scout Troop 316 spent Saturday afternoon placing flags on the graves of those who served in honor of Veterans Day. Members of Cub Scout Troop 316 gathered at Oakhill Cemetery to ensure that local veterans are recognized with colors flying on this special day. For nearly 50 years, the scouts of Troop 341 performed this duty, and they ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dog of the Week is back with beautiful black Lab and Terrier mix puppy, Mimi, who barely survived to this age. “Hi, I’m Mimi and my foster mom says I’m a friendly and loving girl, approximately five months old and weighing about 15 to 20-pounds right now. “I’m blessed to have gotten ACT’s ...

OAKHURST – The Madera County Sheriff’s Foundation invites the public to a meet-and-greet at Judy’s Donuts in Oakhurst on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 7 to 10 a.m. The Madera County Sheriff’s Foundation objectives are to promote civic spirit in support of law enforcement. They would love to get to know you over coffee and donuts, served up free for this ...

NORTH FORK – Public Coffee House, in collaboration with the North Fork Public Library, will serve a free Thanksgiving dinner and breakfast the weekend before the holiday. On Friday, Nov. 16, PCH will provide a turkey dinner from 5 to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 17, they will serve a breakfast of biscuits and gravy. All mountain area communities ...

Written by Paul Hall – COARSEGOLD – The third annual Bicycle & Toy Giveaway for underprivileged mountain kids is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. The event is a collaborative effort with G’ma and Pappa’s Motorcycle Apparel and the Sierra Shadow Casters Motorcycle Club based in Coarsegold. Last year, children ages 3 to 12 years from all over ...