MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — The Sierra National Forest High Sierra Ranger District will be closing Dinkey Creek Visitor Center on September 4th and High Sierra Visitor Center (at Kaiser Pass) on September 19th for the 2022 season. The High Sierra Ranger District Office remains open all year around. The District Office is currently open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to ...

By Tery Susman, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County. MARIPOSA — Wildfires can create immediate and potentially long-term soil erosion. However, there are a number of ways to mitigate this post-fire concern. The following has been adapted from the California Native Plant Society Fire Recovery Guide.  1. Leave the mess; keep it under cover. Much needed soil protection is provided ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — The Clean Air Centers Pilot Program was established by AB 836 (Wicks) and provides the Valley Air District $750,000 in funding to create a network of clean air centers to provide vulnerable populations a respite from wildfires and other smoke events. The program will pay public or private organizations up to 100% of the cost of large ...

By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa County This is the first part of “The Partnership between Humans and Nature during Fire Recovery.” MARIPOSA — Wildfire has entered our common vocabulary over the past 15+ years across California and Mariposa County. From the Telegraph Fire in ’08 to the Washburn, Agua, and Oak Fires, Mariposa County has experienced unpredictable blazes, ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — In recent months some of you may have begun to notice increased involvement in our local area by a business that is, in reality, already far more embedded in our local community than it might appear to be at first glance. That company is Solar Negotiators DBA Solar Maintenance Pros, and owner/C.E.O, Chris Moran, and President Leroy ...

Submitted by Connie Popelish, North Fork History Group. In a 2013 interview, Bill Vanderburg told the North Fork History Group about a saloon on the east side of Road 200 that was built to straddle Fine Gold Creek. He said it was a bar and dance hall with Fine Gold Creek flowing underneath it. Then some years later, the building ...

MADERA COUNTY — It’s National “Clear the Shelter” for the entire month of August! Starting August 9, 2022, all dogs and cats in the Madera County Animal Shelter are only $25.00 to adopt! Call the shelter to make an appointment to find your new dog or cat today.  Appointments are available Monday – Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Open ...

Submitted by Karen Morris, CHS President.  These are carved tools made out of wood. They were recently donated to the Coarsegold Historic Museum. Do you know what they were used for or how old they might be? The one standing upright has holes in the bottom but the bottom is covered in felt. You can comment here or at chs@sti.net ...

FRESNO STATE — The quarantines and remote work culture of the COVID-19 pandemic brought many back to nature. People spent more time in their backyards or in local parks, and this lifestyle shift led to a reported uptick in the purchase of bird feeders. While feeding birds and connecting to wildlife seems like a good thing, it can actually prove ...

MARIPOSA — John C. Fremont Healthcare District (see map below) announced at the June 29th John C. Fremont Healthcare District board meeting the election of Linda Pribyl, previous board secretary treasurer, as the new board chair replacing Candy O’Donel-Browne who is stepping down after six years as chair. O’Donel-Browne is taking over as the secretary treasurer of the board. Pribyl ...