BASS LAKE —  Organizers behind the popular Bass Lake youth triathlon My*Tri have announced this morning that the event, previously scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, has been canceled. It’s with heavy hearts that we have made the decision to cancel this year’s MyTri. We feel the air quality and current state of our community does not allow for this great ...

SANTA MARIA — Los Padres National Forest Battalion Chief Gary Helming will be honored with a memorial service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, according to the USFS. The service will be held at the Pacific Christian Center, located at 3435 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria, California, 93455. The memorial is open to the public; however, space is limited. ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – Reader and frequent contributor of sunsets and other nature photographs Courtney Cara dubbed it the Railroad Moon, as our big view of the light in the nighttime sky locally may be filtered through a haze of smoke due to fires burning in the Sierra. You could call it the Mission Moon, South Fork Moon or the Peak Moon ...

TOWER DISTRICT, FRESNO — After eight years in the making, the locally-made feature film Brick Madness is having its Red Carpet Premiere at the Tower Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Written, produced and directed by North Fork natives, Brick Madness is described in promotion as “Best in Show meets King of Kong,” and billed as “a hilarious ...

OAKHURST — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley is continuing to care for dozens of residents affected by multiple wildfires throughout the area. Last night more than 70 residents slept in three Red Cross shelters. The following shelter locations are currently open for anyone impacted by these wildfires: Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B in Oakhurst Sierra Vista ...

OAKHURST — Do you have room for a furry temporary houseguest? Do you have a little love and kindness to give to a homeless animal? Learn about foster opportunities with the Eastern Madera County SPCA at one of two informational meetings this month. Find out what support you receive — the EMC SPCA pays for food and some other items ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Smoke from the Railroad and South Fork Fire burning in both Madera/Mariposa Counties, the Empire Fire burning in Mariposa County, the Pier Fire burning in Tulare County, and all other surrounding wildfires have the potential to affect air quality throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley and foothills above, prompting Air District officials to issue a health cautionary ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – As Labor Day weekend approaches, friends and families will visit outdoor recreation areas throughout Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties. In anticipation of the increased outdoor activities, Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) is urging everyone to exercise extreme caution in every activity. Wildfires continue to burn in California and much of the state remains at high risk for ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District (CRCD) is looking for a three-person firewood cutting crew to do some work made possible through a recently awarded grant, says Anne Melrose, Executive Director of the organization. “The job will entail working in several different locations, including North Fork, Oakhurst, Ahwahnee and Coarsegold,” Anne explains. “Downed trees and logs will be ...

OAKHURST — Local thrift shop A Cause 4 Paws has one-acre of bargain items just waiting for you, and the shop is announcing their yearly “Back to School” Sale.  All stationery and school supplies are at 75 percent off in September. The store is also conducting the annual Halloween Sale during the month of September. Every year, owner Vickie Deane ...