YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–Officials for Yosemite National Park (YNP) recently announced that reservations to enter the park during peak hours will not be required for 2023. Reservations were required in the summers of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic as earlier reported here. Summer 2022 Reservations were also required in the summer of 2022 when numerous key visitor attractions were ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–The Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit found themselves responding to two late-season fires today, Tuesday, November 15th, 2022. One fire was near North Fork in Madera County and the other fire was near the town of Mariposa in Mariposa County. Flat Fire The first fire started at approximately 11:15 am near the intersection of North Fork Road and Flat Lane. ...

California State Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Proposed Statewide Policy Changes for new Solar Customers to Affect Small Mountain Communities NORTH FORK — Most local residents either know someone who has solar or has already made the switch themselves. The benefits of turning sunshine into electricity have intrigued anyone who enjoys physics and chemistry, or more broadly, anyone who pays a ...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK— Yosemite National Park (YNP) has recently experienced widespread precipitation and snow accumulation which has led to the closure of the fire season. The closure of the fire season occurs when there is a season-ending precipitation event totaling two inches or more. This also allows for residential pile burning to return.   Helicopter 551, Yosemite’s helicopter that was ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will perform various operations next week on State Routes 49 and 140. Work is scheduled as follows: Route 49 • One-way traffic control for shoulder work from Moccasin Creek to Bear Valley Road beginning Monday, November 14, through Friday, November 18, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Route 140 • ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–Every year I hear the same questions about chain controls in our communities. Do I have to carry chains? What do R1, R2, and R3 mean? My vehicle is four-wheel drive, do I still need chains? Keep reading for the answers to these questions and more. During the winter months, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain ...

COARSEGOLD –The California Highway Patrol is reporting a motor vehicle accident that has occurred on Highway 41 near Cavin Road. Two vehicles are involved and there is an ambulance en route. This is a head-on collision and some lane blockage exists. Please avoid the area if possible. We will update this article as more information is available.   Update 12:45pm The ...

Effective Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 08:00 am the SRA land hazard reduction burn permit suspension in Fresno and Kings Counties, will be lifted. FRESNO COUNTY — CAL FIRE Fresno-Kings Unit Chief Dustin Hail is formally canceling the hazard reduction burn permit suspension and advises that those possessing current and valid hazard reduction burn permits can now resume burning only ...

Guest Wins $1,137,500.60 Playing Wheel of Fortune® Slot Machine by IGT  COARSEGOLD, CA – A lucky Chukchansi Gold Rewards Club member hit a $1.13 million jackpot at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino last week marking one of the largest payouts in the region. The player bet two credits and hit the progressive jackpot on Chukchansi’s Wheel of Fortune® slot machine by IGT after placing ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–Effective Monday, November 7 at 8:00 AM debris burning will be allowed in Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. Residents possessing current and valid residential burn permits can now resume burning on permissive burn days. While cooler temperatures have helped to diminish the threat of wildfire, we are still suffering the effects of an extended drought. Property owners and residents ...