YOSEMITE — What’s the latest from Yosemite on snow accumulation and precipitation as the season ends? Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski say the water in Tuolumne Meadows was the most ever recorded, and there’s still as much as 100-inches of snow on the ground in some places. Here’s their last blog post of the winter. New snow: 3 ...

FISH CAMP — While erosion control measures were compromised following heavy rain in the days after Highway 41 was reopened to traffic en route to Yosemite National Park, Caltrans says the road itself remains safe. The roadway just south of the snow play area on Highway 41 suffered collapse and failure requiring closure in late February, and reopened on Mar. 12 ...

MADERA COUNTY — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced a pair of ramp closures on State Route 41 in Madera County that are scheduled for Friday, Apr.28. Maintenance crews will be paving and slurry sealing during this closure. The following on-ramp and off-ramp closure will be in effect, weather permitting: The Children’s Boulevard on-ramp and off-ramp on southbound State Route ...

BASS LAKE — Testimony continued for the third day in the murder trial of George Taylor-Windsor at Bass Lake Superior Court, as the jury heard from a doctor, a detective, and the couple who got a late-night visit from the defendant. Taylor-Windsor, 26, is charged with murder in the death of Jessica Nelson, 23, of Foresthill, Calif., and with attempted murder in ...

BASS LAKE — Day two of the murder trial of George Taylor-Windsor got underway this morning at Bass Lake Superior Court with testimony from the first people on the scene, and from the fourth man in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Taylor-Windsor, 26, is charged in the Nov. 15, 2016, death of Jessica Nelson, 23, of Foresthill, ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the Big Oak Flat road will reopen to all vehicular traffic at 5 a.m. on Monday, May 1. Visitors entering the park via Highway 120 West will once again be able to drive via Big Oak Flat road to Yosemite Valley. Road work will still be underway when the road reopens. Visitors ...

BASS LAKE — The murder trial of George Taylor-Windsor got underway this afternoon in Bass Lake Superior Court. Taylor Windsor, 26, who recently moved to the area from Wyoming, is charged in the Nov. 15, 2016, death of Jessica Nelson, 23, of Foresthill, Calif. He is also charged with stabbing Reid Kallenberg, the driver of the pickup in which they ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY —  The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) has announced effective at 8 a.m. Monday, May 1, all hazard reduction burning will require a permit in Mariposa County. Permits are required year round in Madera County. The following guidelines are required when conducting a hazard reduction burn: Property owners conducting hazard reduction burning ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Apr. 17 to Sunday, Apr. 23, 2017: North Fork narcotics arrest On Monday, Apr. 17 at midnight, a deputy was dispatched to the 34000 block of Road 221 regarding a suspicious person. Upon arrival a male subject was contacted while walking in the ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the public scoping comment period for the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project Environmental Assessment will be open from Wednesday, Apr. 26, to Friday, May 26, 2017. The project will implement actions prescribed in the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (NPS 2014), say park officials. During this public scoping ...