MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — Yes, it’s the dreaded word wildfires. I’m sure it feels like the wrong time of year to be talking about wildfires for many people, but for me, it’s a year-round conversation as a reporter for our Mountain Communities. One of my responsibilities is to monitor and report on wildfires and emergencies on social media. Many in our ...

Ron Allen, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa County By using a greenhouse, a home gardener can extend the growing season into the chilly winter months. In Mariposa County, a typical small greenhouse can provide temperatures that are 10-15F warmer than outside ambient air. This is a sufficient bump in warmth to keep late season vegetables growing and protect sensitive landscape and ...

SAN FRANCISCO — In response to customer and community feedback, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is offering customers free removal of large-diameter wood from trees that were cut down for safety during the company’s 2021 wildfire response. As PG&E worked to quickly and safely restore power during the 2021 wildfire season, crews inspected and cut down hazardous trees that ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will perform various operations on State Routes 49 and 140 next week in Mariposa County. Work is scheduled to be performed as follows: Route 49 Single-lane closure at various locations from the Mariposa/Madera County Line to Route 140 for guardrail work beginning Monday, January 31, through Friday, February 4, 2022, from ...

George Waldemar Oja 1924 – 2022 George Waldemar Oja passed away on January 18, 2022, after a short illness. He was born in rural Maine on February 17, 1924, to Finnish immigrants Valentin and Tynne Oja. It was a difficult childhood. The family dealt with continuing poverty, losing their home and all their belongings to a fire when George was ...

Puppy Socialization Training Classes | Basic Dog Training | Fun Agility Therapy Dog International | Canine Good Citizen | Private Lessons available year-round Call now 559-658-7122  to pre-register for classes! Puppy Socialization Training Classes | Basic Dog Training | Care Puppy Training & Socialization  Orientation & Enrollment August 31, 2022, Wednesday, 5:30 pm For 5 weeks Basic I Training & Socialization   ...

Dwayne Byron Darling 1936 – 2022 Dwayne Byron Darling of Ahwahnee passed away in his residence on January 17, 2022, at the age of 85, after a long and complicated battle with congestive heart failure. He proudly served overseas in the 82nd, 101st, & 111th Airborne. Then upon leaving the Army, he served as a reservist to the National Guard. ...

SACRAMENTO — California’s community colleges generate $128.2 billion in economic activity, an amount equal to approximately 4.2% of California’s total gross state product, according to a new study that examined a wide range of factors such as payroll, job creation and alumni’s improved standard of living. “This study validates the clear fact that California’s community colleges are an investment playing ...

OAKHURST — It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in January in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and there wasn’t much thought about things like housefires. It’s not wildfire season, and we got a lot of rain and snow just a few weeks ago, so my scanner hasn’t been getting as much use as usual lately.  As always, a ...

OAKHURST — Now’s your chance to shape up all those New Year’s resolutions that may have already fallen by the wayside. There’s lots happening in the way of yoga and mindfulness, as well as a walk in the big park up the road a piece to learn how to take awesome photographs like the one used as our feature this ...