YOSEMITE – The Merced River pushes past spectators with enormous gusto, as a wide area is cordoned off under the trees at Happy Isle Bridge. Yosemite Search and Rescue (YOSAR) teams are preparing to demonstrate swift water rescue techniques in order to convey a crucial message to the visiting public: stay safe out there. Click on images to enlarge. A ...

Written by Lexey Jenkins — COARSEGOLD — The rodeo was April 30 and May 1, and April 29 was Heritage day. At the rodeo our club had a snow cone booth, a Pepsi booth, and a petting zoo. We make the cotton candy that we sell ourselves. Kids from our club worked in those booths and in the petting zoo ...

NORTH FORK – Once again the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians is providing free lunch for the children of North Fork, in conjunction with the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Lunch will be served Monday through Friday, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Rec Center, 33507 Road 230, from June 20 through Aug. 5. This is a great ...

OAKHURST — The Oakhurst Area CHP invites those students and parents who are entering the world of teenage driving to attend a “Start Smart” presentation at the Oakhurst Branch Library on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is offered by CHP Office Kaci Lutz and there is no charge for the workshop. Start Smart is a ...

MADERA COUNTY — Visit Yosemite Madera County achieved another milestone in the number of visitors walking through their doors in May. That means more dollars spent at local attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops by visitors to the county, says Therese Williams, Director of Public Relations for Visit Yosemite Madera County. In May 2016, the staff welcomed 3,198 visitors — an ...

OAKHURST — The community is invited to a Flag Day Celebration at Oakhurst Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Jun. 13, starting at 6 p.m. with a flag observance at 7 p.m. The evening benefits the Semper Fi fund, and includes a pulled pork dinner, short program, music, and a closing flag-burning ceremony. The suggested donation for adults’ dinner is $10. Children ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — The U.S. Forest Service has begun the 90-day public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Forest Plans for the Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests. During this time, the USFS is holding public meetings, tribal forums and a webinar to engage with the public in discussions about these documents. Everyone is ...

OAKHURST – Poke your head under the sink, check your garage and peek into your storage shed. If you see empty cans of paint, old oil filters, solvents, household sewing needles or any of a host of hazardous materials and want to get rid of them, you’re in luck. You can shed much of your excess household toxic waste on ...

CALIFORNIA — The minimum age of sale for tobacco products in California increased from 18 to 21, effective June 9, 2016. And for the first time, e-cigarettes are now included in the existing definition of tobacco products statewide. California is the second state in the nation, following Hawaii, to raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21. “Today marks ...

Written by Dave Hubbard — Sierra silver mines required the building of wagon routes for the delivery of food and supplies. One of these would become the Tioga Road. The Tioga Road has been called “the road to broken dreams”…and perhaps it was true. One thing is certain…over the years its many miles of unexcelled scenic grandeur have fulfilled a ...