OAKHURST — Four-hundred-plus kids and you couldn’t hear one of them. In what’s referred to as “the ultimate game of hide and seek,” that’s how we want it. At Oakhurst Elementary School (OES) last week, students in grades K-5 were called to the expansive multi-purpose room for a singular purpose: to practice a safety drill in which they would shelter ...

NORTH FORK — The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California is developing a Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan for approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to ensure that all citizens of North Fork are prepared to deal with natural disasters. The Tribe has hired Jamie Caplan Consulting LLC to lead the effort in developing the plan. “This firm ...

It’s time to discuss a very serious topic: Suicide. It goes without saying that there are many stressful things we go through in life and it can be especially hard for teenagers in high school. With all of life’s difficulties, everyone goes through low points in their lives, even if it’s not the same for each and every person. Stress, ...

Written by Karen Kale —  MOUNTAIN AREA — We are in need of more volunteer drivers in Madera County, especially from the foothill communities. It is estimated 600 residents will be diagnosed with cancer this year in Madera County, and for many of them getting to treatments can be their biggest roadblock. A successful transportation assistance program can be a ...

OAKHURST — Women of Soroptimist International of The Sierras invite the community to their Spring Soup and Salad Luncheon on Thursday, March. 15. The fundraising feast and festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center. Click on image to enlarge. All are welcome to join the luncheon which includes a salad bar, fresh fruit, a variety ...

NORTH FORK — Saturday, Feb. 17, will mark the 39th year that the community of North Fork has chosen one of its own to honor as Citizen of the Year. This year’s list of nominees is a long one. A dozen people have had their names anonymously submitted as citizens worthy of recognition for their contributions to the community. The ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dog of the Week is the adorable and loving Zoey! Zoey is a four-and-a-half-month old Husky who is crate, leash, and house trained. She has been great with every dog and cat she’s met, too. She’s about 26-pounds right now and will be 50 to 60-pounds when full grown. Zoey rides nicely in the ...

O’NEALS — Minarets FFA represents the mountain area very well once more this school year. On Thursday, Feb. 1, Minarets FFA brought 32 speakers to the East Fresno Madera FFA Speaking Contest. The night included creed speaking, impromptu speaking, job interview, extemporaneous public speaking, and prepared public speech.​ In impromptu, sophomores Mackenzie Camacho, Kate Hough, Meranda Adams, and Ella Vermeulen ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — University of California, Cooperative Extension’s Livestock & Natural Resources Advisor for Fresno and Madera Counties, Rebecca Ozeran, is hosting a workshop for local ranchers at McCay Hall in Catheys Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and again at Kearney Ag Research and Extension Center, Parlier on Thursday Feb. 22, 2018 from 2 ...

OAKHURST — If you’ve taken a leap of faith into the age of technology and purchased an iPhone, you may be wondering how this compact marvel of engineering can actually make your life easier. On Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, a representative from California Phones will be available at the Oakhurst Branch Library from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to offer ...