Guest Columnist and District Attorney Michael Keitz has something to say about Proposition 36. As we approach the general election on November 6th, there are numerous initiatives to consider. Notable among them is Proposition 36, which is touted as a “reform” of the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” law. Remarkably, in 2004 a similar “reform” of Three Strikes was defeated ...

O’NEALS – The fruit is already off the vine at Westbrook Wine Farm and Winery, where the red roofs rise above vineyards recently laden with grapes. Harvest is over and the vines have been “denuded of their offspring, which are now fermenting in the winery,” as owner Ray Krause puts it. He is a 48-year California wine industry veteran who ...

MARIPOSA – Vines rise from big buckets lining two greenhouses at Mariposa Loofa, where about 300 loofa sponges begin as gourds and are grown to lengths of 2 and 3 feet each. Linda and Chris Dahl own and operate the Mariposa Loofa farm, about seven miles south of Mariposa off Highway 41. This weekend, Sept. 29-30, the enterprise is open ...

OAKHURST – Richard “Rich” Regert is celebrating 45 years with Farmers Insurance this year, and his wife and business partner, Sharon, now has 25 years with the agency herself. Regert began his career with Farmers Insurance as an underwriter in 1966, becoming an agent in 1973. His parents both worked for Farmers, so in 1987 he moved to Oakhurst to ...

Oakhurst residents can look forward to a sweet addition to their town OAKHURST – For more than 50 years, Reimer’s Candies & Gifts has been hand-crafting sweet treats at the little red candy factory in Three Rivers, California. Now owners Lynn and Mary Ann Bretz are bringing their old-fashioned candy store and ice cream shop to the mountain area.

Governor agrees to halt abuse of disability access law SACRAMENTO – California’s business owners have been plagued for decades by lawsuits aimed at getting cash for lawyers and their handicapped clients. It’s been especially hard on small businesses in towns where most buildings were constructed long before the Americans with Disabilities Act became federal law in 1990. In fact, nearly ...

OAKHURST – Simple to Superb Local Boutique invites everyone to the first of what they hope will become an annual wine tasting event on Friday, Sept. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. Those attending will have the opportunity to see what’s new in fashion for fall and winter. Owner Diane Valadon and manager Krista Gorman say they are excited to ...

OAKHURST – A popular bed and breakfast near Yosemite is under new ownership. Steve and Mary Kay Eicholtz took over A Bed of Roses B&B earlier this year and have been keeping busy ever since, making numerous changes to the property. Although taking over the property has proven to be a lot of work, the couple agree that they are ...

OAKHURST – All Weather Roofing & Building Supply Co. has a new owner, and he is having fun in his new venture! Barry Shrewsbury invites everyone to stop in on Saturday, Sept. 15, to take the tour. Since Shrewsbury took over the business on July 20, lots of things are new. The most interesting to many is the fact that ...

Typically I start my day with a cup of coffee, quick check for important emails and at least a glance at the morning news. This last Friday was totally atypical. Of course it started with coffee, but from there it went downhill…on a steel cable that is. I went zipping on Friday. Zipping through the trees, zipping over ponds and ...