YOSEMITE — A mandatory evacuation notice has been issued for all non-essential personnel for the Yosemite Valley as of 4 p.m. today, according to a notice issued by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. “This decision was made based on high projected water levels and the high likelihood of utility system failures,” states the notice. “The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is ...

CALIFORNIA — Most people would not know what to do in the event of a vehicle accident that involves live power lines. Understanding the dangers and taking specific precautions could save your life. PG&E urges motorists who are in an accident involving power lines to follow these important instructions. If your vehicle comes into contact with a downed power line: ...

CALIFORNIA — We’ve covered laws from the DMV including those pertaining to use of wireless electronic devices, child car safety seats, motorcycle lane-splitting and related others in an earlier report that’s available for review at this link. Governor Jerry Brown signed over 800 California laws in 2016. Here are a handful that go into effect Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, unless otherwise noted: ...

WASHINGTON — As tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service, the states and the tax industry reminded taxpayers to be on the lookout for an array of evolving tax scams related to identity theft and refund fraud. Every tax season, there is an increase in schemes that target innocent taxpayers by email, by phone and on-line. The IRS reminds taxpayers ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Residents and visitors were rattled just after midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 28 as an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 near Hawthorne, Nevada, was discernible throughout the region. The first quake was felt at approximately 12:18 a.m., with multiple aftershocks reported and confirmed through the USGS Nevada Seismological Laboratory. According to experts, the initial quake’s epicenter was ...

SACRAMENTO — With the new year just around the corner, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to inform the public of several new laws or changes to existing law that, unless otherwise noted, take effect on January 1, 2017. The following are summaries of some transportation-related laws taking effect, according to the DMV. Use of Electronic Wireless Devices ...

CALIFORNIA — As the season of festivities continues, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is encouraging motorists to resolve to begin the New Year with a safe celebration that includes a designated sober driver. Together, motorists and law enforcement can help make this holiday and every day safe for traveling on California roadways. The CHP will observe the New Year with ...

SACRAMENTO — Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte) released the following statement on President Obama signing the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN): “This bipartisan plan does a host of good for California. Our current water infrastructure was built a long time ago and is nowhere near what this state requires now to deliver water to families, farms and ...

CLOVIS — The Sierra National Forest will host an open house on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at the Sierra National Forest Supervisors Office located at 1600 Tollhouse Road in Clovis from 6 to 8 p.m., to provide the public an opportunity to review and comment on the Forest’s preliminary OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) 2016/2017 grant cycle application. Public feedback from ...

SACRAMENTO – More than $15 million spread across 34 California counties will be used to remove dead and dying trees and thin fuels that could otherwise exacerbate wildfires, Cal Fire announced today. Agencies in Mariposa and Madera Counties are the recipients of more than $2 million from those grant disbursements, to be used for the removal of dead and dying ...