OAKHURST — It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in January in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and there wasn’t much thought about things like housefires. It’s not wildfire season, and we got a lot of rain and snow just a few weeks ago, so my scanner hasn’t been getting as much use as usual lately.  As always, a ...

Community – The artwork of 14 student artists kicks off a new decade in the 2022 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar. The District’s annual calendar, designed to educate and inspire the public to live a Healthy Air Life and reduce air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley, is a full-color, bilingual wall calendar, featuring clean-air messages and drawings of students ...

CLOVIS — The Sierra National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at developed recreation sites. The Bass Lake Ranger District is proposing a new fee of $20 per night at Jerseydale Campground with a $5 extra vehicle fee over two vehicles. The High Sierra Ranger District is proposing a new fee of $20 per night at Kirch Flat Campground with ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will perform various operations on State Route 49 next week in Mariposa County. Work is scheduled to be performed as follows on Route 49: Single-lane closure from Moccasin Switchback Road to Bear Valley Road for shoulder work beginning Mondy, January 10, through Friday, January 14, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:0 ...

Mountain Communities – In continued preparation for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) adoption of 988 as the new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, 11-digit dialing is being implemented. However, callers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Mental Health Crisis Lifeline until July 16, 2022. For 988 ...

Message from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services: Mountain Communities – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, in partnership with Madera County Public Works Road Department, will continue tree mortality project work. 1/5/22- Tree crews will continue work along Road 222, in the Bass Lake Annex area. Upon completion, they will move to Road 221. 1/4/22- ...

Mountain Communities – Year-end summary of homes sold in our mountain area in 2021 taken from California Regional Multiple Listing Service Statistics shows an increase over 2020. We had 731 homes (single-family residential properties) in 2021, up from 711 in 2020. Our local median selling price was $400,000 compared to $345,000, up 15%. Prices ranged from $100,000 to $3,850,000. The ...

Oakhurst–Someone knows where you are. It’s time to come forward, to take responsibility for the life you ended, for the life you abandoned on the ground as you sped off.  It’s been 178 days since Eben Hammond died. The life you stole from Eben’s family, friends, community. If you know who this person is (or even have a suspicion because ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The ushering in of a new year brings with it the anticipation of a fresh start, positive changes, and healthy resolutions.  What it should not bring are headlines of tragedies caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. To encourage safe travel for those who are out on the road, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) ...

OAKHURST — It was the day after Christmas 12-26-21, and our area had been receiving some much-needed snow. Families were very excited for the chance to play in the snow together, even though officials had been recommending against travel into the Sierra Nevada Mountains for the week leading up to Christmas, as we reported here. I had spent the day ...