MARIPOSA — Local Rotarians Richard and Ophelia McInturff traveled to Pakistan recently to team up with other Rotarians and join in the fight to eradicate polio. In the process, they gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and touched deeply upon the great secret of service to humanity: you get much more than you give. “Everyone wants the same things for their ...

MADERA – For 38 years, Augie Capuchino has been the face many people see when firefighters are called out, when they are in need of rescue, are suffering a medical emergency, or are involved in an accident. After nearly four decades of combined service to Madera County and the Sierra National Forest, Agustin Capuchino has retired and was honored today ...

Mom and I had been looking forward to seeing Disney’s The Lion King but we also couldn’t wait to eat lunch at Chef Paul’s before the big event. We had planned on eating there last year when we saw Shen Yun but were so sad to find out that they were closed for the holidays on that adventure. Not this ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — For the second year in a row, one local student is busy organizing an effort to put shoes on the feet of those who need them. Minarets freshman Erika Hafkey is committed to her project, No Más Niños Descalzos, or No More Barefoot Children, which began last year. Erica is the older daughter of Adriana Armenta and Mark Hafkey, and ...

YOSEMITE — Here are some good dates to add to your calendar for the coming year: the National Park Service says it will waive entrance fees at Yosemite National Park and other locations on five days in 2019. “The entrance fee-free days hosted by the National Park Service are special opportunities to invite visitors, volunteers and veterans to celebrate some ...

This photo is in the collection of the Sierra Mono Museum. The photograph was taken by Alexander Hood. The man with the baby is Mike McDonald holding his son Wally. Any help with identifying the woman and children in the photo would be appreciated. Thank you, Christina McDonald Sierra Mono Museum   Follow-Up on The History Mystery #69 We were ...

Fresh snow and our local mountains look especially beautiful! It was time for me to hike somewhere special to capture those snowy views of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon. If you are looking for a great way to burn off those holiday calories or if you just want to check out the killer views from the famous points along the ...

NORTH FORK – There were tears of joy in the Paradise area last weekend when five families who have lost everything in the Camp Fire were blessed with temporary homes as they work to rebuild their lives. North Fork residents Diane and Vince Mercado have made it their mission to see that as many families as possible have a roof ...

“Ramble to the summit of Mount Hoffmann, eleven thousand feet high, the highest point in life’s journey my feet have yet touched.” (John Muir: My First Summer in the Sierra, 1911, p. 199.) We rambled in John Muir’s footsteps but didn’t make it to the top. We did explore around beautiful May Lake, up along the mountain, and even spotted ...

A weather forecast of 16 degrees and 25 mph winds didn’t deter us from bundling up and heading to the Kuna Crest for my last fishing adventure for this year. Icy creeks led the way to Bingaman Lake where we also met up with some beautiful wildlife. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 8.65 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: ...