MADERA COUNTY — The State Center Community College District (SCCCD) Board of Trustees voted at its Mar. 1, meeting to place a local bond measure on the June 7 primary ballot. The bond seeks to generate $485 million to address District needs at Oakhurst Community College Center, Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, and Madera Community College Center, ...

By Dave Briley — MARIPOSA — More than a hundred people crowded into the Chambers of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors on Saturday, Feb. 27, for the multi-agency Tree Mortality Funding Fair, sponsored by the Mariposa County Office of Emergency Services. Federal, state and local organizations participating in the Fair included Cal Fire, the Mariposa County Fire Safe Council, ...

YOSEMITE — While today marked the first day of Aramark’s takeover as concessioner in Yosemite National Park, the dispute over the historic names of several iconic properties continues. But as that issue works its way through the legal process, for many long-time employees it was a sad day and the end of an era. “Badger Pass had a quiet day ...

MADERA COUNTY — Anyone worried about construction delays set to begin this week along the CA-41 corridor near 22 Mile House can relax a little bit, due to a change in the blasting schedule that will accommodate the relocation of a protected amphibian. Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Resident Engineer Haidar Haddadin says blasting is now set to start anywhere from ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park will have a new primary concessioner tomorrow, Mar. 1. Yosemite Hospitality LLC begins its 15-year contract to provide lodging, retail, recreational services, and food to over four million annual visitors to Yosemite. Yosemite Hospitality LLC was selected to be the park’s new primary concessioner in June 2015, following a competitive bid process. “This is a ...

MADERA COUNTY — Yes, Madera County does have public transportation, with several options available. MCC and YARTS serve the general traveling public, and there’s also a Senior Bus, and an Escort Service for doctor’s appointments. Your car may be in the shop, you may not want to drive during bad weather, you may not have reliable transportation, or you may ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that once again, the “pay up or we’ll shut off your electricity” PG&E scam is targeting power customers in the area. In one such scam, PG&E customers have told the company that they are receiving calls that show PG&E’s caller ID (1-800-743-5000) on their phones. Customers are told they ...

COUNTY — The State of California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) has issued a Commuter Alert for intermittent delays in Madera County along State Route 99 and Avenue 12. CalTrans announced today that Security Paving will be completing the final stages of asphalt paving on Avenue 12. The traffic patterns will change for paving operations starting Tuesday, Mar. 1 and return ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – A staff member from the office of State Senator Tom Berryhill will hold a day of Mobile District Office hours in Mariposa and Oakhurst next week. On Wednesday, Mar. 2, Outreach Coordinator Jenna Welch will be available to hear the public’s opinions on legislation, or to help with problems associated with state agencies, such as the Department ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The USGS reports a 4.8 earthquake at 3:04 p.m., about 6 miles WNW of Big Pine, California, followed by a 2.9 aftershock about 5 minutes later in very close proximity. That was followed by a 2.8 at 3:23, and a 4.3 at 3:27 p.m. Big Pine is on the east side of the Sierra on Highway 395, ...