O’NEALS — Minarets art teacher Jillian Gamble was awarded an Adopt-a-Teacher grant by the Madera County Schools Foundation, the first of its kind. Granville Homes donated $3,000 to be used in Gamble’s art classes throughout the year. “Ms. Gamble will have the necessary funds to supplement her classes with essential tools and supplies to create art projects with numerous students ...

NORTH FORK – An update has come in from Verizon Wireless concerning the cell tower at Cascadel Woods just above North Fork. While we were told on July 26 that the tower was still being “dialed in,” Verizon has corrected that information, and we are now being told that the cell site “was placed into service on July 25 with ...

OAKHURST – Local businessman Jeff Schneider is spearheading efforts to build Oakhurst a brand-new, state-of-the-art bowling alley. He’s inviting all interested parties to join a kick-off meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Oakhurst Community Center, starting at 7 p.m. Schneider is a Fresno native who migrated to Oakhurst about two years ago when he married his wife Amy, who ...

NORTH FORK – Over a year from the time the Madera County Board of Supervisors approved the conditional use permit for a Verizon Cell Tower in North Fork, residents can finally phone home. Verizon customers all over North Fork are reveling in the fact that can now make a cell phone call from La Cabana or Slim’s Koffee Shak in ...

COARSEGOLD – Time to round up the Mustangs, as Minarets Youth Football program sign-ups are scheduled for Saturday, July 27 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hillside Supermarket. Hillside is located at 28420 Yosemite Springs Pkwy. Minarets Youth Football is a mountain area league that serves kids from age 8 through 8th grade and includes students from all school ...

OAKHURST – Anyone driving by the Mountain House Restaurant in recent days may have noticed the activity in and around the property. “The demo work is underway,” says North Fork resident and project coordinator Vince Smith. “This is a major rebuild, and the Mountain House is on its way back.” When the restaurant closed in late 2009, the area lost ...

NORTH FORK — If you’ve ever had the pleasure of massage therapy for any reason, you’re probably aware of how beneficial the process can be. It’s essential to overall well-being, believes Karen McAleece, who is certified as both a Structural Integrationist and and Swedish Massage Therapist. Her business, “Time to Align,” is located in the North Fork Center for Harmony.

OAKHURST – Mariposa Martial Arts Academy (MMAA) celebrates the grand opening of their new location in the Silver Creek Plaza at 40879 Highway 41 in Oakhurst. Festivities will take place on Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will include loads of healthy fun for kids of all ages (that means grown-ups, too).

OAKHURST – Branches Books has launched their “limb” of an national reading program sponsored by independent bookstores for the summer of 2013: Give Me Summer! Give Me Books! The goal is to create a vibrant community reading program that brings independent bookstores and schools together to read great books.

OAKHURST – Everyone is invited to join in the celebration at The Moment Gallery grand opening and artist reception on Sunday June 30 from 1 – 4 p.m. at 40680 Hwy 41. The Moment is a new gallery, performance space and lounge envisioned and manifested by industrial artist Otto Jeffrey. There’s bound to be something for everybody, including visual and ...