YOSEMITE — Two lost hikers likely owe their lives to the skilled efforts of Yosemite National Park rangers, Search & Rescue personnel and the CHP after they were unable to find their way in the snow and had to call for help. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, Yosemite National Park Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call ...

YOSEMITE – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol re-opened State Route 140 in and near the Ferguson Fire burn scar just after 6:30 a.m. this morning. SR-140, which was shut down just after 7 p.m. last night, was closed for more than 11 hours. This was due to an ongoing storm that impacted the roadway. ...

YOSEMITE – The Wawona Road, El Portal Road and the Big Oak Flat Road will close no later than midnight tonight because of the expected winter storm, say park officials. The Wawona Road will be closed northbound at Chilnualna Falls Road, and southbound at Bridalveil Fall. The El Portal Road will be gated at the park line and at the ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is planning a pre-emptive closure of State Route 140 in and near the Ferguson Fire burn scar beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. This is due to an ongoing storm that could impact the roadway, and the closure is scheduled for the sake of public safety, says Caltrans. The ...

SAN FRANCISCO – As Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) faces billions of dollars in claims over the California wildfires of 2017 and 2018, the company has announced that they intend to file for bankruptcy. In a statement released today, PG&E says they will file petitions to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on or about Jan. 29. ...

WASHINGTON ― Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning Jan. 28, and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the ...

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the first Phillips Station snow survey of 2019. The manual survey recorded 25.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 80 percent of average for this location. Statewide, the Sierra snowpack is 67 percent of average. The results confirm that despite early winter ...

YOSEMITE – As the federal government shutdown drags on into the new year, Yosemite National Park remains open, however reports have been flooding in of people using the roadsides as bathrooms, discarding trash everywhere and endangering natural resources. Park officials announced today that there will now be limited access to the park along the Highway 41 corridor from the South ...

CALIFORNIA — Here are a handful of the hundreds of laws that go into effect on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019: FAMILIES Employment: lactation accommodation AB 1976 Requires employers to make private space available for women who are breastfeeding at work, other than a bathroom. The law previously required space other than a toilet stall. FOOD Food facilities: single-use plastic straws AB ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park is open, however visitor services are limited due to the lapse in federal appropriations. During the government shutdown, national parks are working to remain as open and accessible to the American people as possible, say park officials. Unfortunately, Wawona Campground and Hodgdon Meadow Campground are closed due to impacts from human waste and public safety ...