NORTH FORK — Lisa Saroyan is the proud new owner of the Red Barn Coffee Co., a drive-though coffee stand located here in North Fork, CA. Lisa originally lived in Fresno but has always wanted to relocate to the area, so when she and her husband saw an opportunity to buy a house, they happily relocated to the area. Lisa ...

CALIFORNIA – September 9, 2020 – Yesterday, and overnight, wind conditions allowed many fires to grow significantly with extreme fire behavior. While containment on many of last month’s lightning fires grows closer, several new wildfires ignited and were fanned by strong gusty winds. Today approximately 14,000 firefighters are battling 28 major wildfires across California.  The newest fire, the Willow in Yuba County, ...

For the interactive 360° virtual reality experience, go to: https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node254 The hike to Lukens Lake is a relatively easy one by Yosemite standards, in spite of the 8,200′ elevation.  The trail extends about 0.8 miles from Tioga Road, and only climbs about 200 feet. This is a good trail for young kids (not too long and not too steep.) As ...

BAKERSFIELD — The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office has issued a temporary emergency closure of the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area in Fresno and Madera counties due to wildland fire danger. The closure is effective immediately and remains in effect until further notice. The Creek Fire is exhibiting extreme fire behavior and has burned nearly ...

Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020 – 10:30 am – If you have safely evacuated from the #CreekFire, please consider registering yourself through the American Red Cross Safe and Well website. This public resource allows family and friends to search for you so they can have the peace of mind that you are well. https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/

SACRAMENTO – Labor Day typically marks the end of the summer travel period, but 2020 has been anything but typical. Although many Californians may forego the long weekend road trip this year for a staycation, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will still implement its Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). The CHP advises all drivers to take precautions that keep ...

MADERA COUNTY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES – Bears are attracted to anything scented or edible (such as lip balm, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, sunscreen, insect repellent, etc.) and improperly stored human or pet food and garbage are temptations bears can’t resist. Once bears gain access to food or garbage, they become less cautious of people and may exhibit bold behavior in their search ...

For the interactive 360° VR experience, go to: https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node263. Here at 12,400′ elevation on the Mt. Dana trail, you’re only 600 feet below the summit. There is very little plant life, as you are well-above the timber line in the alpine zone. Weather here can deteriorate rapidly. On this day, the sky was completely cloudless and temperatures were in the ...

FRESNO — Fresno State is ranked among Washington Monthly’s top 30 national universities that best serve the country in the areas of social mobility, research, and civic engagement. The magazine announced Monday that Fresno State ranked No. 26 out of 389 private and public universities. Fresno State is joined in the top 30 by six Ivy League institutions, seven University ...

By Connie Popelish, North Fork History Group Some of the special features of North Fork architecture include the unique buildings made of blocks of pumice and cement, known as pumitile. Pumitile concrete bricks were manufactured by the Jourdan Concrete Pipe Company of Fresno, beginning around 1931. Initially, the company made concrete pipes for sewage systems, but eventually branched out, designing open-interior ...