YOSEMITE – A small school house tucked away in the big outdoors offers nearly unlimited possibilities, with an emphasis on environmental science, art, project-based and multiage learning, and flexibility. Yosemite Wawona Charter School serves grades K-8 and is now open for enrollment to students in Madera and Mariposa Counties. School starts August 17. “There are many reasons families looking for ...

OAKHURST – Two local students just experienced life-changing weeks away from home, attending summer programs designed to elevate the country’s young leaders while allowing them first-person access to the ideals and practices that shape the American goverment. Quentin Lawrence and Meagan Montalto, Yosemite High School class of 2016, shared their recent experiences with American Legion Boys State and American Legion ...

By Kellie Flanagan – MOUNTAIN AREA – More than half of California is mountain lion habitat. Sometimes, more than others, we’re reminded of that. It happened this month, and wasn’t reported right away. Dan Fidler got a call stating that a mountain lion had killed livestock on Jose Basin Road in Fresno County in a nocturnal attack that left residents ...

This hike was not for sissies. That is what one of my hiking buddies said to me on the way down the hill from the Dana Glacier as we had just finished descending three glacial moraines while it was hailing. One of the most difficult hikes that I have done, it was also a beautiful one that had white puffy ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park is restoring the federally endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog to alpine lakes within the park. The yellow-legged frog was once the most common frog in mountain lakes throughout the Sierra Nevada, but introduced predators and diseases caused their population to decline by over 95 percent. Park experts are encouraged by the results of initial restoration ...

Submitted by Karen Morris, Coarsegold Historical Society/Museum – The picture of these two little women is painted on paper with a fabric backing. It was donated to the Coarsegold Historical Society and now hangs in the Adobe building on the museum grounds. Do you recognize who these two young girls are? We are asking for help in identifying the girls ...

OAKHURST – It’s been said we eat with our eyes before our mouth, and now you can easily do both in a most imaginative way, for free, on three different occasions. The public is cordially invited to a Celebration of Tasteful Art at local Timberline Gallery, which amounts to a splendid collaboration between 16 artists and 16 local restaurants, resulting ...

UPDATE – Aug. 11, 2015: Scott and Nick of DarkSky Photography announced today their Kickstarter bid was successful to the tune of $9,151 with 130 backers, and the Range of Light: Night and Day on the John Muir Trail trip is ON. By Scott Lange — After meeting in a physics class at the City College of San Francisco a little ...

AHWAHNEE – The For Sale sign has come down at Sierra Meadows Golf Course and Country Club, as the entire place is officially under new ownership. The 142-acre property was purchased from former owner Robert Bard by business partners Charlie Sheldon and Reid Spice. “Charlie and I have been friends and business partners for over 15 years,” says Reid. “We ...

BASS LAKE – Independence Day was celebrated last weekend it all its glorious forms, from time-honored events like pancake breakfasts and small-town parades, to family picnics, barbecue dinners, patriotic displays and even a laser light show over the lake. “We offered a safe alternative to fireworks, at no charge,” says Michelle Miller of Miller’s Landing, who is secretary of the ...