MOUNTAIN AREA — It doesn’t matter that it’s technically spring: the National Weather Service says a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Sierra Nevada high country above 8,000 feet from Yosemite to Kings Canyon National Parks, starting Friday morning at 5 a.m., May 24 and continuing through Saturday morning, May 26 at 5 a.m. In lower elevations, there’s ...

SACRAMENTO – For most of us, it’s a habit. You get behind the wheel, you pull that strap over and click your seat belt into place. Over the upcoming holiday weekend, the California Highway Patrol is going to assist us all in reinforcing that habit during a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) where the use of seat belts will be the ...

YOSEMITE — For two days over Memorial Weekend, Sunday and Monday, May 27 – 28, Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) will provide free transit service from a multitude of locations into Yosemite National Park. For the special service, YARTS will run on: Highway 41 (Fresno, Oakhurst) Highway 140 (Merced, Mariposa) Highway 120 North (Sonora, Groveland) Hwy 395/120 (Mammoth Lakes, ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa Yosemite Rotary invites those from near and far to an afternoon of fine art and wine tasting on Saturday, May 26, on the lawn at the historic Mariposa County Courthouse. In the heart of Mariposa, underneath the trees, it’s a perfect setting in which to enjoy local artists’ works while tasting great foothill wines. The fun ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A number of opportunities are available locally for adults seeking to further their education, through Yosemite Adult School. English as a Second Language classes are offered on Tuesdays in Oakhurst and on Thursdays in Coarsegold, and a computer class is offered in Wednesdays in Oakhurst. On Tuesday nights they offer English as a Second Language classes in ...

MADERA COUNTY — Caltrans officials say one-way traffic control will be in place on some busy stretches of Highway 41 in the next week, as part of a tree maintenance project. The following one-way traffic control will take place, weather permitting: • On Saturday, May 19, one-way traffic control will be in effect on State Route 41 in Madera County ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – Crews are on scene of a vegetation fire north of Highway 140 in the Catheys Valley area of Mariposa County. Just after 5 p.m., a small fire was reported in the 3800 block of Highway 49 in the Bootjack area. However, that fire was reportedly put out by locals, and engines en route spotted a smoke off ...

COARSEGOLD — At the time, Buford didn’t know any better. He sure does now — and we think he wants you to know, as well. On Tuesday, May 15, little Buford the Chihuahua went out to potty. He’s a six-month-old pup who weighs about 6.5 pounds. His humans, Lisa and Todd Lawrence, were out of town on vacation, and Buford ...

MARIPOSA – Effective Thursday, May 17, at 8 a.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit will suspended all burning below the 2,000 foot elevation in Madera and Mariposa County. Open burning is allowed above the 2,000 elevation with valid permits only. Permits are free of charge and available at any Cal Fire station. Residents ...

MARIPOSA – The Mariposa Master Gardener’s annual spring tour this year includes two hillside pool-scapes (blending California native plants with traditional varieties), an inspiring lake-side organic garden (integrating animal husbandry), a mountain-view garden sprinkled with maple groves, and an enchanting creek side property with welcoming wildflowers, blooming along meandering trails, accentuated by enchanting yard art. On Saturday, May 19, the ...