By Karen Morris, CHS President COARSEGOLD — The Coarsegold Historical Society has three pieces of mining machinery on display at the Coarsegold Historic Museum. They were donated quite a few years ago and we need help with the names and how they were used. We think the middle one was possibly some kind of rock crusher. If you can help ...

FRESNO — Fresno State’s Department of Viticulture and Enology and Viticulture and Enology Research Center welcomes area grape growers, managers, winemakers and winery personnel to sign up for its Grape Day virtual webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 4., from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by American Vineyard Magazine [12] and features research seminars on grape and wine topics by ...

If you are up to a good workout to a land that escaped the glaciers, Dana Plateau is a good one. And if you go now, you will see beautiful columbine blooms which are at their prime in the bouldery wash as you hike up there. Those columbines don’t stick around very long though. And you just might get a ...

VALLEJO, Calif. — In May, National Forests in California enacted state-wide campfire restrictions, until further notice, to protect the health and safety of communities and firefighters. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a campfire on National Forests in California remain prohibited, except for developed campgrounds and certain permitted facilities. Check with local National Forests for any additional fire restrictions in place ...

YOSEMITE — The comet C2020 F3 (NEOWISE) was discovered on March 27, 2020, and became the first readily visible comet to appear in the night sky of the northern hemisphere for many years. It reached its brightest near the end of July, and has been visible to the naked eye on clear nights. It’s not expected to return to pass ...

MARIPOSA — Two John C. Fremont Healthcare District’s staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Our Infection Control department has conducted contact tracing with support from the Mariposa County Health & Human Services Agency. Staff members identified as close contacts have been placed into quarantine. All staff, including the COVID-19 confirmed staff member, have worn face masks, performed hand hygiene ...

I love hiking Yosemite’s Mono Pass Trail, a historic Native American trail and there are also many lakes along and off this trail. Some lakes have names such as Sardine, Spillway, Helen, Kuna, Bingaman and Parker Pass Lakes and many aren’t named. I brought my fishing pole with me. . .  just in case. Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: About 9 ...

I hiked alone but I wasn’t by myself. I walked in the footprints of miners dreaming of hitting a huge ledge of silver, building a town in the Tioga Pass area at 10,760′ elevation to support their mining operations but that town was only there for about 4 years. Oh, and that part about not being by myself? Besides the ...

OAKHURST — Zander Wood, the 5-year-old Oakhurst boy severely injured in late May after being accidentally electrocuted, continues his recovery. Now being treated at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, Zander’s courageous story was recently profiled on ABC30 News. In case you missed it, here’s a link to the video — and ABC30 Reporter Gilbert Magallon’s uplifting update.

Special to Sierra News Online MADERA – Wines made in Madera County are getting noticed — even amid a pandemic. The results are in from the distinguished Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place June 22 in Santa Rosa. Several Madera County wineries received “high” recognition at the competition. Ficklin Vineyards received double gold, 95 points, for both their Aged 10 ...