MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — CAL FIRE today announced the availability of up to $24 million in grants for projects that support the creation of a robust and diversified wood products market to help meet California’s forest resilience goals. CAL FIRE’s Wood Products and Bioenergy Program, which seeks to maintain and enhance the forestry sector of California to promote healthy resilient forests ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — We made it! The past two weeks have been very busy with the holiday season and a rare winter storm with very low elevation snow.  There have been traffic collisions, hazards and many disabled vehicles on our roads.  There were also some power outages sprinkled in too.  For me this has meant that I’ve been furiously posting ...

OAKHURST — To artist/sculptor Norma Rogers, turning 90 doesn’t mean she plans to slow down any time soon. In fact, she may just be hitting her stride. Norma is the apex of what so-called “seniors” can achieve when they have the drive. After all, at 68, she entered California State University Fresno’s art program at 68 and earned a master’s ...

CLOVIS — The Sierra National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at developed recreation sites. The Bass Lake Ranger District is proposing a new fee of $20 per night at Jerseydale Campground with a $5 extra vehicle fee over two vehicles. The High Sierra Ranger District is proposing a new fee of $20 per night at Kirch Flat Campground with ...

FRESNO — The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) and the Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) are reminding residents of the importance to stay home when sick. If residents are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or they have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or had symptoms of COVID-19, please rest at home. If individuals ...

OAKHURST–Included in this week’s events writeups are events taking place in Yosemite National Park. For us locals, this is arguably the best time of the year to visit our neighbor to the north–fewer crowds, spectacular vistas and the majesty of the valley ringed by snowcapped mountains. Who knows? You might even get to see some frazil ice if the conditions ...

What a beautiful day I had hiking the Lakeview Trail despite that skunk. It was a lovely winter day with blue sky and green grass framing the snow-covered mountains to the east. I was hoping to spot some eagles but it was not in the cards. Where: Eastman Lake, U.S. Army Corps of EngineersDistance: 7.94 MilesDifficulty: Easy to Moderate, depending ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will perform various operations on State Route 49 next week in Mariposa County. Work is scheduled to be performed as follows on Route 49: Single-lane closure from Moccasin Switchback Road to Bear Valley Road for shoulder work beginning Mondy, January 10, through Friday, January 14, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:0 ...

By Helen Willoughby-Peck, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa Gardeners tend to think of winter and the cold weather as a period of rest from the chores of gardening. However, this is the perfect time of year to nurture your soil. Enhancing the quality of your soil is not difficult and doesn’t require expensive products. Soil is a complex, dynamic combination of ...

Winter is a perfect time to think about renovations that bring coziness and warmth to your home. For homeowners who live off the natural gas line, propane is an earth-friendly option that can reliably and efficiently deliver warmer air all season long. When homeowners upgrade to propane during a remodel, they transform a dream home to include comfort and performance ...