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: ...

SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) was named Assistant Republican Leader by Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes. “I’m honored to be named an Assistant Republican Leader for the 2017-2018 legislative session,” says the lifelong local rancher. “The Leadership Team shows the diversity of California and highlights our members’ real-world experience. We look forward to tackling tough issues and working to ...

MARIPOSA — Festivals across the nation are finding it difficult to continue offering venues for the magical and inspiring art that we call Storytelling. With rising production costs and dwindling sponsors, ticket sales are unable to cover the cost of producing a nationally recognized Storytelling Festival and, unfortunately, the Mariposa Storytelling Festival is no exception. After much discussion, organizers of the event ...

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 ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – Anyone taking to the mountain highways over the weekend should avoid any unwanted delays by making sure there are traction devices in their vehicle. Chain control is now in place on Highway 41 about 3.5 miles north of Cedar Springs. The location could change as conditions warrant. Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drives with snow tires ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The season of giving continues and so far, we’ve profiled an educational foundation, a theater company, an artists’ coalition, radio station, and more, as we invite readers to join in celebrating twelve local community organizations and nonprofits, and the people behind them who are making a difference. For our eighth spotlight, we focus on the Yosemite Area Audubon Society, a group ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — The name of a Mariposa County man who died as a result of injuries sustained in a three-vehicle collision on Highway 41 last week has been released. Brian Chilcott, 40, passed away after being airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno following a head-on collision on Highway 41 near the Rocky Cut between Roads 208 and ...

MARIPOSA — The Mariposa County Arts Council is proud to present their annual Young Masters Youth Exhibition this February at the Treetop Gallery. This special exhibition provides youth in Mariposa an opportunity to express their ideas, narratives, and inspirations with their community through their own pieces of visual artwork. This year’s theme “Self-Portraiture” invites Mariposa’s youth to express their identity ...