Contributed by Len McKenzie, YAAS – MOUNTAIN AREA – The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) continues this week, as intrepid observers in Oakhurst and Merced take to the field for one day to make a record of all the birds they see and hear. Organized by ornithologist Frank Chapman of the American Museum of Natural History in 1900 as an ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — With trees already down throughout the region, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Wind Advisory for Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon, including the Mariposa, Madera and Fresno County foothills, and the towns of North Fork, Oakhurst and Mariposa. The Wind Advisory is in effect through 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Winds are northeast ...

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 ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Local nonprofits serving women and children for at least three years may be eligible for a share of $100,000, provided they qualify and apply for the funds by Jan. 11, 2019. The Board of Directors of the Central California Women’s Conference (CCWC) is seeking local community benefit organizations serving women and children to apply for a share ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team at American Pickers are coming back to California to film episodes of their hit series and casting producers are now looking for leads throughout the state. They’re specifically scouting for people with a combination of personality and interesting items — lots of them. Does that sound familiar? If it describes you ...

WORLD — Ants in your pants? Here’s a solution — try a tech-check on jolly old Santa Claus as he and his crew of reindeer make their way around the world. The NORAD Tracks Santa website features Santa’s North Pole Village, including a holiday countdown, games, activities, and more. Kids of all ages can check out NORAD Headquarters in the North Pole ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — We’ll have some rain in the foothills and snow in the higher country around Christmastime, as a storm moves into the area by Monday afternoon and grows stronger into the night. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon from 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24 to 10 a.m. ...

OAKHURST – The staff at Sierra Tel was joined by many of our first responders today as they unveiled their 2019 telephone directory at the Mariposa County Courthouse and at their Headquarters Office in Oakhurst. Sierra Tel serves both Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties. The 392-page directory pays tribute to, and shows appreciation for, the first responders in our local ...

MARIPOSA – During this hectic time of year, it’s important to remember that fire knows no holiday. While the danger of wildland fire may have been mitigated by recent rains, a house fire can ruin your holidays, so please be cautious with your decorations, fireplace, wood stove, Menorah and Christmas tree. Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit would like to remind the ...

MARIPOSA – Cooler weather and recent rains have prompted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) to transition into winter staffing levels as of Monday, Dec. 17, at 8 a.m. The transition to winter preparedness allows Cal Fire to release some seasonal firefighters, reduce staffing on fire engines and close certain wildland fire stations. ...