MARIPOISA COUNTY – The strange sight of a wildland fire putting up smoke in January greeted residents this morning during their morning commute. What has been named the Windsong Fire was reported this morning at 2:45 a.m. Cal Fire engines were the first on scene, though the fire is burning on Sierra National Forest land in Mariposa County.

Optimizing Pasture, Supplemental Feed, and Managing Risk MARIPOSA – With the first part of the season being so dry, many ranchers are dealing with the shortage of forage on their rangelands by buying hay, culling livestock, and supplementary feeding, among other things. To address the issue of drought, UC Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center is hosting a workshop addressing ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – Online registration is now open for Yosemite Girls Softball League (YGSL), and all girls ages 5 – 15 are invited to participate. No experience is required. The last day to register is Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. The organization is also currently seeking volunteer coaches, and has a player clinic coming up soon. Interested players are encouraged to ...

FRESNO – Oakhurst resident and Fresno Police Sergeant Greg Noll was recently recognized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Committee of Fresno for his work in the community while working for the Fresno Police Department. The Unity Community has been a vital force at the grassroots level in organizing the Dr. King birthday celebrations every year in Fresno. Noll, ...

SACRAMENTO – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) released a draft economic analysis of its proposal to designate 1,831,820 acres of critical habitat in California for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern distinct population segment of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad. The draft economic analysis estimates the costs associated with the designation of critical habitat ...

MADERA COUNTY – Mike Salvador, Undersheriff of Madera County, is looking to step into the shoes of his mentor, Sheriff John Anderson, who retires this year after four terms in office. Salvador has been a resident of Madera since making it his home in 1991, raising his family, building his career and donating time and service to a host of ...

SAN FRANCISCO – With California facing water shortfalls in the driest year in recorded state history, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today proclaimed a State of Emergency and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for these drought conditions. “We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s ...

OAKHURST – It has been nearly 13 years since Gary Flynn, co-owner of the Sportsmen’s Den in Oakhurst, was gunned down in broad daylight in his place of business. During a press conference Friday afternoon, Sheriff Anderson told reporters, “We have cleared the case of the Sportsmen’s Den homicide in 2001,” and said his office will ask the Madera County ...

MADERA COUNTY – Due to Red Flag Alert conditions and lack of precipitation, the menace of wildfires still remains prevalent with the potential to destroy life and property. Due to these extreme conditions, Nancy Koerperich, Cal Fire MMU Unit & Fire Chief has suspended all burning with the State Responsibility Areas in Madera County, beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday ...

NORTH FORK – When North Fork resident Carolinda Bybee left home on Saturday, Jan. 11, she said she was going to visit friends. No one had seen her since, and the search for the 35-year-old spread across mountain roads and social media. This afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Freda Bybee contacted SierraNewsOnline with very sad news. “Thank you all ...