MOUNTAIN COMMNUNITIES — Yosemite National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior want you to prepare for what is very likely to be a long and dry summer. There are many steps you can take NOW to prepare your home for the upcoming fire season. Consider the following ways you can protect you and your family this summer, such ...

PETS & ANIMALS — Throughout the warmer months, many backyards play host to a variety of birds, including hummingbirds. It’s enchanting watching hummingbirds – named for the humming sound of their fast-flapping wings – as their tiny size and speed make them natural wonders. Hummingbirds can fly 25-30 miles per hour, flapping their wings an estimated 70 times per second. ...

MARIPOSA — California has already experienced an unusually early start to fire season amidst an ongoing drought and historically low rainfall and reservoir levels. While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, the fire season in California and across the west is starting earlier and ending later each year. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — Summer’s warm weather is coming, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) customers can benefit by participating in a variety of programs to prepare for the inevitable increase in air conditioning usage associated with hotter weather that typically drives up summer energy costs. To prepare eligible customers are encouraged to take advantage of income-qualified assistance programs including: ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — The Madera/Mariposa Regional Head Start preschool program is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. Your child must turn three years old by Sep. 1, 2022, to be eligible. The Head Start program focuses on increasing the social competence of young children 3 to 4 years of age in Madera and Mariposa counties. Services include early childhood ...

MARIPOSA — The Mariposa County Arts Council’s Music on the Green returns to the Art Park this year for a full season of live music starting on June 3, with local favorites The Jespersons, and on June 4, The Trespassers! The Jespersons are a husband and wife folk duo. Jared Jesperson is a masterful guitar player and sings harmony while ...

BASS LAKE — Tonight, Monday, May 16, and tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 17, Wasuma Elementary school will be hosting the 2022 Eastern Madera County Regional Spelling Bee! The spelling bee will start at 5 p.m. each night. 1st place spellers from from all mountain area schools in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade are competing! Monday night is Kindergarten through 4th ...

NORTH FORK — North Fork Boy Scout Troop 357 will be holding a special recruitment night on Monday, May 23, at the Scout Building, located near the Town Hall in North Fork. This special event begins at 7 p.m. and runs to 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at 32996 Road 228, in North Fork. All boys from age ...

HOME & GARDEN — Designers from coast to coast are cooking up fresh ideas for kitchen upgrades. If you are planning a kitchen upgrade, take inspiration from these on-trend elements. 1. Unique Tile In recent years, backsplash tile has taken a more prominent role in kitchen design and has continued to grow in popularity to the point where tile is ...

OAKHURST — Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC) is thrilled to announce its latest acquisition – the 1,729-acre Wright Ranch conservation easement! Located in western Madera County along the Fresno River, the Wright Ranch’s immense conservation values includes working rangeland, annual grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, mixed conifer forest, cultural and historic resources, wildlife and habitat resources, open space, and scenic views – ...