Written by Elizabeth Gabriel — MARIPOSA — Because of our now-it’s-spring, now-it’s-winter-again weather, you may have been wary of getting a start on your summer garden. Remember, Mariposa’s historic “last frost date” can come in early May. Ease your mind. Mariposa Master Gardeners have been propagating since last fall and seed-germinating since February. The annual spring plant sale is Saturday, Apr. ...

NORTH FORK —  The mountain community is invited to enjoy local wines, hors d’oeuvres and live music by Sugar Pine at “Wine and Cheese in the Garden” on Sunday, May 7, from 2-5 p.m. in the North Fork School Garden. Tours will be conducted by master gardener Hansel Kern. Child care will be provided at no charge, and you must be ...

Submitted by Scoutmaster Dave Smith — NORTH FORK — The combination of continued exceptional drought and epidemic numbers of bark beetles have greatly impacted the conifer forest in the Bass Lake area. Forest Service contractors have spent many months removing dead trees from the campgrounds and day use areas around Bass Lake. In April 2016, Scouts of North Fork Boy ...

Submitted by Beth Atkins — OAKHURST — It was a perfect spring day for a few games of softball last Saturday, as law enforcement from five different agencies joined the Yosemite High School alumni for the 4th annual Battle of the Badges (formerly known as Guns vs. Hoses). On Saturday, Apr. 22, the YHS Badger Softball Boosters hosted the event, ...

OAKHURST — Have you ever wondered what a Grand Jury is, how it works, or if you could ever serve on one? Now is the time to get those answers. On Saturday, Apr. 29, the Oakhurst Branch Library will host an informative workshop about what makes California Grand Juries unique. The event is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon in ...

Written by Elizabeth Gabriel — MARIPOSA COUNTY — Gov. Jerry Brown has declared the drought over – for now — except for Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Tuolumne counties. The latest snowpack numbers showed the Central Sierra is at 168 percent of normal. But that’s no reason to slack off on the water-saving strategies you’ve developed. To help you keep conserving, ...

NORTH FORK — North Fork Boy Scout Troop 357, along with Cub Pack 357, will be holding a recruitment evening at the Scout Building in North Fork (next to the Town Hall) on Thursday Apr. 27 at 7 p.m. In addition to weekly meetings, Scouts of Troop 357 participate in once-a-month weekend activities including camping at Morro Bay and Yosemite ...

Submitted by Debbie Sue Wass — MARIPOSA — The Mariposa County 4-H Citizenship project is planning their 6th annual Multiple Sclerosis Bike-a-Thon for Sunday, Apr. 23. This event is open to the public and all ages are invited to participate. New this year, we are including Runners and Walkers. The 10-mile course starts in Catheys Valley at the corner of ...

Written by Mia Mandel — NORTH FORK — Come celebrate our Destination Imagination champions at Earth Day on Saturday, Apr. 22, in North Fork. Our local North Fork tree-planting team has been awarded third place in the state of California at a tournament in Sacramento! The Fantabulous 4 Diva Dibblers met a challenge put forth by Destination Imagination, a national ...

OAKHURST — Longtime local dentist Dr. David Essex has retired, and ownership of his practice has transferred to Yosemite Dental Care, expanding from Mariposa to provide Oakhurst with a familiar brand of dental service. The office is located at 49722 Road 426, Suite 104, in Oakhurst. “I have been lobbying Yosemite Dental Care in Mariposa for years, stating that when they were ready, I would ...