MARIPOSA — Two John C. Fremont Healthcare District’s staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Our Infection Control department has conducted contact tracing with support from the Mariposa County Health & Human Services Agency. Staff members identified as close contacts have been placed into quarantine. All staff, including the COVID-19 confirmed staff member, have worn face masks, performed hand hygiene ...

Madera – Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) will be holding two Facebook Live Events this week: Tuesday, July 21st in English and Thursday, July 23rd in Spanish from 6-7pm. Join Sara Bosse, Public Health Director and Dr. Simon Paul, Public Health Officer as they provide an update on COVID-19 and discuss important and commonly requested topics such as: ...

Yosemite – Yosemite National Park announces the opening of civic engagement for the Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project. Ackerson Meadow is the largest mid-elevation meadow complex in Yosemite National Park. Currently, a large unnatural erosion gully, up to 14 feet deep and 100 feet wide, is actively draining 90 acres of former wetlands in the meadow and threatening an additional 100 ...

Special to Sierra News Online OAKHURST – As the great bard once said — “All the world’s a stage.” While this holds true in the metaphor of life, in March, due to COVID-19, the physical stage of Oakhurst’s Golden Chain Theatre went dark for the first time in 54 years. Now local patrons of the arts are needed more than ...

OAKHURST — The Oakhurst Sunrise Rotary Club is holding their first fundraiser of the 2020-21 Rotary Year with an online auction and drive-through dinner event. The theme of this year’s event is “Cajun Fest Re-imagined.” The drive-through dinner, to be held at 6 p.m. Saturday (July 18) at the Oakhurst Community Center, will feature shrimp, ribs, corn and dirty rice. ...

OAKHURST — Area law enforcement agencies have organized a heartfelt sendoff for Bill Howie, the man seen waving to passing motorists outside the CHP station most mornings for years.Howie, 94, a Valley native, used to run Mountain Auto Parts in Oakhurst. Since 2004, he’s perched on his walker on the sidewalk outside the CHP office waving enthusiastic “good mornings” to ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Fire is a natural part of California’s ecosystem. If used properly, fire can improve the health and resiliency of both forests and rangelands, control weeds, increase species diversity, promote native species, and reduce the smoke and damage of catastrophic wildfires, according to the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the Southern Sierra Prescribed Fire Council.Prescribed fire ...

Submitted by Debby Carter, SHSA Librarian (Fresno Flats) MOUNTAIN AREA — An article on the front page of the October 29, 1970, Sierra Star reads: “Bass Lake Receives 200 Bed Hospital: On Tuesday, Oct. 27, a full 200-bed hospital will be delivered to Bass Lake. According to Supervisor Lonnie Cornwell and Chairman of the Board Herman Neufeld of Madera County, ...

Special to Sierra News Online MADERA – Wines made in Madera County are getting noticed — even amid a pandemic. The results are in from the distinguished Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place June 22 in Santa Rosa. Several Madera County wineries received “high” recognition at the competition. Ficklin Vineyards received double gold, 95 points, for both their Aged 10 ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District is seeking enthusiastic volunteer candidates to fill the position as campground host volunteer for Nelder Grove Campground. The volunteer would start July 31, 2020 and work through end of September. Volunteer is expected to work on weekends and holidays. The volunteer will be required to reside in the designated ...