YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park Rangers have sworn in 22,600 Junior Rangers so far this year, setting a record for the most number of Junior Rangers in a year. Each of these young people completed their duties, either by attending a Junior Ranger program or completing a booklet, and took an oath to continue to “Explore, Learn, and Protect” Yosemite ...

OAKHURST – Gentle voices, simple songs, and sincere kindness with calm, focused bedside attention can bring ease and comfort to the dying, say organizers of Threshold Choir, a compassionate network of primarily women’s a cappella choirs whose members lift their voices in song for people in hospice and for others at the thresholds of life. An Oakhurst chapter is now ...

OAKHURST – Start the new year by resolving to learn the life-saving skill of CPR. Register now to participate when Bill and Gina Hartley of Minarets Medical Education teach a free class on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sierra Senior Center. The gracious folks at the Senior Center have offered the use of their ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — While the weather may not put one in mind of spring and flowering fruit trees, this is the time to be thinking about preparing for a bountiful harvest next fall. Do you know how to prune your fruit trees so that they are the strongest, best shaped, and ready to provide you with the juiciest fruit possible? ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – So you’re driving along minding your own business, eyes on the road, hands at 10 and 2, not texting or eating a sandwich, and you get caught up in an accident and are whisked away to the hospital. Or you suffer some type of medical episode, and end up in the emergency room. That scenario is bad ...

T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. When down through the chimney, all covered with soot, Came the “Spirit of Fire,” an ugly galoot. His eyes glowed like embers, his features were stern, As he looked all around for something to burn. What he saw made him grumble ...

OAKHURST – More than twenty years after local activists fought hard to support the passing of legislation that would guarantee the expansion of higher education in Oakhurst, a new struggle for the town’s share of a facilities bond proposed by the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) is now heating up. At stake is Oakhurst’s piece of a potential $485 ...

BASS LAKE — From magic shows to top-notch cuisine to a party in the wild west followed by fireworks, Bass Lake has you covered on New Year’s Eve. In just a little over a week the sky will be illuminated by a spectacular fireworks show thanks to generous donations made by the owners of the Pines Resort, Bass Lake Chamber ...

COLORADO — He sees you when you’re sleeping, and knows when you’re awake, but does Santa know that he’s been the subject of particularly watchful eyes for six decades? The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) out of Peterson Air Force Base is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of tracking Santa’s yuletide journey! The NORAD Tracks Santa website features Santa’s North ...

Lisbeth (Beth) Stauffer passed away on Nov. 20, 2015 at the age of 73. She was born June 20, 1942 in Fresno to Judge Denver and Betty Peckinpah. Raised in Oakhurst, Mrs. Stauffer graduated from Sierra High. She had a private practice in hypnotherapy for 25 years, and enjoyed collecting rocks and crystals, studying the Bible, reading, and playing poker. ...