NORTH FORK — The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians is applying for a $1.2 million federal grant to construct a 4,050-square-foot emergency services building adjacent to the North Fork Fire Station. The new facility, which could be operational by 2022, would provide living barracks for the fire station — and dedicated space for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office and ...

COARSEGOLD — The Madera County Sheriff’s Department is scheduled to conduct an ‘active shooter’ training session at the Yosemite Lakes Park clubhouse on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 – 11 a.m. The program, open to the public, is scheduled to last about an hour, with another hour reserved for Q&A. The training is intended to help participants protect themselves during ...

MARIPOSA — The 32nd annual Mariposa Storytelling Festival kicks off Friday, March 13 with Mariposa Story Slam!, a local amateur storytelling competition with this year’s theme echoing its Friday the 13th date: “Stranger Than Fiction.” Story Slam! performances take place in the hall of the Mariposa United Methodist Church, with community members telling a true story from their own experience ...

OAKHURST — The Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees is searching for a community member willing to serve on the district’s School Board. An open position on the Board has occurred due to the resignation of Curt Pollock. Pollock, who served on the Board from December 2014 to December 2019, has moved out of the area ...

AHWAHNEE — When Ahwahnee resident Rick Hamilton’s 6-year-old son, Kalel, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) just over a year ago, the family’s world was turned upside down. “DMD is a fatal genetic muscle-wasting disease,” Hamilton said. “Currently there is not a cure, but we have been pursuing therapies over the last year that we think will preserve our ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of ongoing scam phone calls with criminals threatening to shut off power if a payment is not made. There reportedly have been double the number of scam attempts, in some areas, compared to this time last year. PG&E’s Corporate Security department has received several reports ...

MADERA — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a swearing-in, promotional and special awards ceremony to recognize recent new hires and promotions within the department. The event will take place Thursday (Jan. 16) at 4 p.m. at MCSO headquarters, which is located at 2725 Falcon Drive in Madera. Among MCSO personnel to be recognized: Promotions: Ian Weaver, Sergeant Matthew ...

OAKHURST —  Yosemite High School’s track team is hosting an “All Comers” track meet. The event will take place at the YHS track on Jan. 25 beginning at 9 a.m. with registration and field events. The meet is a senior project/fundraiser for the YHS track team. Ages five and older are welcome to participate in “a day of fun and ...

OAKHURST — Soroptimist International of The Sierras will be hosting its 5th annual ‘Dream It – Be It’ Career Conference for area girls later this month. The free event will take place Jan. 25 in Oakhurst. Seating for the conference is limited and attendees must pre-register and also provide a signed parental consent form, which is available on the club’s ...

NORTH FORK – North Fork University’s inaugural program — “Meeting of the Minds” — drew about 40 curious “students” to the STUDIO Friday night. The “class” featured a lively discussion from a round table of historical figures including Winston Churchill, Hawaiian Queen Lili’uokalani (local actress Cassandra Hepburn), Chinese philosopher Dr. Sun Yet-sun, painter Pablo Picasso and President Abraham Lincoln. The ...