Tesoro Viejo wins two national awards in prestigious awards program MADERA, CA – Tesoro Viejo – Madera County’s newest master-planned community – was recently awarded two Silver Awards at The National Sales and Marketing Awards (known as “The Nationals”) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  The community was recognized for Best Master Planned Community of the Year and ...

By Ron Allen, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa County Although autumn is generally the best time to add native plants to your landscape, spring is the next best time. Choosing a planting site is important. Fire-prone plants such as manzanitas, pines and plants with resinous leaves and stems should be located well away from structures. Toyon and Redbud are fire-resistant, look ...

Submitted by Jessica McGrail and Priya Cheema, Student Journalists for Minarets Press The “Adopt-a-Senior” event is back up and running for this year’s senior class! As of Feb. 21, 2021, Courtney Herrera, the organizer, has set up a new Facebook group for the Class of 2021 for any senior in the mountain community. For those interested in getting involved, parents ...

Hello, I’m Charlie. I could give you a glowing report about what a perfect little guy I am, but since I am also humble I will let my foster Mom sing my praises when you call about me. I am a 10-year-old Cocker mix and just the perfect size for a lap. I like everyone…big people, little people, dogs and even cats are OK. My foster Mom takes me for a long ...

Submitted by Ryan Abner and Molly Smith, Student Journalists for Minarets Press As the deadline for Slick Rock film submissions creeps up on March 12, problems are beginning to surface with the practicality of students trying to create content during lockdowns and the overall pandemic. While students not being able to create exactly what they want isn’t a substantial issue ...

Submitted by Stevi Valenzuela, Student Journalist for Minarets Press On Feb. 6, seniors Matthew Sheller and Moises Agundez hosted a non-hazardous household waste drop-off event for their Senior Legacy Experience (SLE), free to all of Madera County. Last year, Sheller’s brother Michael held the same SLE, inspiring Sheller and Agundez to carry it on another year with the hopes someone ...

Treat yourself, family and friends to dinner at the Oakhurst, Mariposa or North Fork Pizza Factory locations March 19th & 20th from 4pm to close.  Rotary District 5220, Area 9 clubs, Oakhurst Sierra, Oakhurst Sunrise and Mariposa Yosemite have partnered with local Pizza Factory locations for a fundraiser to benefit our local communities and global disaster relief. Oakhurst, Mariposa and ...

Bette Jean Mertens passed on February 2, 2021, at the age of 88. The youngest of Arthur and Edith Thorson’s ten children, Bette grew up in the small Iowa farm town of Radcliffe. Her passion in high school was basketball, where she excelled as a guard. Bette was so proud of her teammates and their winning record in a season ...

Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) Ready to Vaccinate Under New Expanded Eligibility Guidelines MADERA COUNTY – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines effective Monday, March 15, 2021. Under the new expansion, these additional groups are now eligible: Those who live, work, or volunteer in any congregate residential setting such as an incarceration/detention ...

Submitted by Jolene Anderson & Mia Hipwood, Student Journalists for Minaret’s Press With the anniversary of COVID-19 mandated quarantine coming up this Saturday, students and staff at Minarets High School reflect on the past year, talking about their struggles and disappointments. Freshman Acacia Edeluchel recalls that her teachers had previously talked about the possibility of schools closing, but she didn’t ...