Those colorful harlequin lupines can put on quite the display on this trail but what would they look like this year? We were definitely looking forward to seeing how much water was coming over Alder Creek Falls and the many other wildflowers along this trail. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 13.36 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 4,028′ – 5,845′ Date: ...

Written by Virginia Eaton — For the first time since 1996 the FDA has updated the requirements for the type of information that should appear on food labels and how that information should look. This is a boon for consumers who have been inundated with information about what is healthy and what is harmful but, when you pick up a ...

Written by Bill Ritchey — Realistic Training for Real Emergencies MADERA COUNTY — On a Sunday morning in March, the time had come for twelve Madera County Fire Department Paid Call Firefighter (PCF) recruits to finally get their hands dirty. Nearly halfway through their 200-hour academy, they gathered at a Madera wrecking yard among dozens of mangled cars. Their mission: ...

O’NEALS — The community at large was characteristically generous toward its graduating students the evening Minarets High School Senior Scholarship Awards took place on Tuesday, May 17. “One of the many highlights of the evening was the Evelyn Ducoff Foundation scholarship presentation,” says Minarets’ Claudia Vandenbergh. “The Foundation provides two $10,000 scholarships to Minarets’ students pursuing an education and career in ...

Written by Clara Briley — COUNTY — 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, according to American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDS), and local statistics on the numbers of people who suffer from these conditions in the Central Valley may be even higher. It’s important for the public to know the signs and symptoms in order to increase awareness of these common ...

OAKHURST — The fine folks of Sierra-Oakhurst Kiwanis invite the community to an open house to learn about the current Kiwanis membership drive. Here’s an opportunity to join a vibrant organization whose mission is clear: Kiwanis serve the children of our community — and sometimes, beyond. Stop by the Yosemite Gateway Restaurant on Tuesday, Jun. 7 from 6 to 7:30 ...

Tioga Road reopened May 18 and we headed over there as soon as it opened and before it closed temporarily. We were so curious to check out the snow conditions, hoping for iced over lakes and beautiful reflections. We made several stops along the way and wanted to share this report on conditions. Siesta Lake, along Tioga Road, is 7,959′ ...

Written by Virginia Eaton —  Is walking exercise? I hear this question a lot and it makes me scratch my head! Of course walking is exercise and it’s one of the best forms of exercise. The human body was made to amble and most people can walk, even if it’s just around the block or to the mailbox and back. If ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway’s first Summer Tour will take place on Saturday, June 4, and the community is invited to participate in a tour of the Willow Fire burn area and a discussion of the results, suppression efforts and the future of the land affected. Join Sierra National Forest Fuels Specialist Burt Stalter of the ...

OAKHURST — If you’re someone who talks about the “good ol’ days” when the whole town celebrated local heritage together and nobody wanted to miss it, you can plan to attend a meeting on Thursday, May 19, and share in the vision to bring back Sierra Mountaineer Days. Gwen Dunn, formerly Gwen Lopez, is determined to do just that. She’s ...