Submitted by Haley Gostanian —  MADERA COUNTY — In last few years, there has been an alarming increase of chronic disease diagnoses in our communities. By 2050, it is estimated that one in three Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes. A startling 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year, and 30 million children and adults currently have been ...

MADERA — The 6th annual Madera Pomegranate Festival will be hosted at a new location — the Madera District Fairgrounds — on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This unique event brings in visitors from all over the world to experience the best of Central Valley’s local pomegranate and nut products, and is organized by the Madera ...

COARSEGOLD — Yosemite High School senior Courtney Herrera will host an Open Western Gymkhana for all ages on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds for her senior project at 10 a.m. Those interested do not need to make reservations, as sign-ups will be on the day of the event. The entry fee is $25 (cash only) per contestant, with ...

Contributed by Len McKenzie —  OAKHURST — Few, if any, birds spark the human imagination more than birds of prey. Foothill area residents will have an opportunity to see some of these charismatic birds at close range, and to learn about their importance as predators atop the food chain, at Yosemite Area Audubon’s monthly program on Thursday, Nov. 10. Master ...

OAKHURST — Boy Scout Troop 316 will hold its annual flag retirement ceremony at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church on Veterans Day. The ceremony will be held on the knoll behind the church. Veterans day is on Friday, Nov. 11 and the ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. Troop 316 has been honoring veterans with this ceremony for over 10 ...

NORTH FORK — Helping One Woman (H.O.W.) will be honoring Brenda Foster this month at The Pines on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Brenda and Jimmy Foster are long-time residents of North Fork. For many years they led youth activities and graduation exercises throughout the mountain communities. Brenda’s desire has always been to serve others and to leave her imprint with the ...

MARIPOSA — Students at Mariposa Elementary School invite the community to attend a Veterans Day Commemoration on Thursday, Nov. 10 at the school located at 5044 Jones Street in Mariposa. The ceremony starts at 8:45 a.m. and includes local veterans, representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sheriff’s Honor Guards, the Mariposa County High School Band and Associated Student Body, and ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – If you ever wanted to reach for the moon, chances are good for Sunday night. That’s because, overnight on Sunday, Nov. 13 – Monday, Nov. 14, we get to experience a supermoon, and this one is really special. A supermoon results when the moon reaches its full phase at the closest point to Earth along the satellite’s elliptical orbit, causing la ...

NORTH FORK — The charm was turned up to high for a howling good time in North Fork last night. What better way to spend a frightful dark All Hallows’ Eve than with a gathering of ghouls, goblins and princesses as they haunted the streets for treats in the town’s annual Halloween trunk or treat celebration? This year Bandit Town joined ...

OAKHURST — Members of the local wellness center Class, the Body Pastiche, opened their emails on Saturday, Oct. 29 to news that was both unexpected and unwanted, as owner Virginia Eaton announced the doors will close for good in less than a month. “I have some news to share with you and while I wish I could share it with you ...