MOUNTAIN AREA — If you’re like most people, you spend countless hours and untold dollars taking care of your home. After all, it’s your castle. You want your castle to be beautiful on the outside and on the inside, so you do your best to maintain the property through thick and thin. It’s a big investment of time and cash, ...

BASS LAKE — A stolen family golf cart affectionately dubbed “The Green Machine,” has been recovered by Madera County Sheriff’s deputies. However owners Chad and Denise Gregerson are more than a little distraught over the complete destruction of what was a beloved family possession, lovingly restored after being rescued from the weeds. At about 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, ...

By Liz Wiles and Vanessa Sanchez Liz says, “Despite attending Minarets in O’Neals since freshman year, when I reached sophomore year, I chose the elective of Creative Writing on the basis of my love for writing and yearning to merge my passion with my academic life, and entered the first class period hoping to add to my current knowledge of ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The USGS reports a 4.8 earthquake at 3:04 p.m., about 6 miles WNW of Big Pine, California, followed by a 2.9 aftershock about 5 minutes later in very close proximity. That was followed by a 2.8 at 3:23, and a 4.3 at 3:27 p.m. Big Pine is on the east side of the Sierra on Highway 395, ...

OAKHURST — With the overwhelming response to the Age Well, Drive Smart class offered by the Oakhurst Area CHP Office, they have scheduled another class for Thursday, Mar. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) implemented the Age Well, Drive Smart program to assist older drivers and their families with the tools to remain safe on ...

OAKHURST — Local Soroptimists once again offer community women the chance to apply for the Live Your Dream Award scholarship, with applications open now through Thursday, Mar 3. The scholarship awards are given to women who are striving to learn new skills and obtain an education, with the goal of improving employment status and standard of living, both personally and ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District is seeking enthusiastic volunteer candidates to fill the position as campground host volunteer for Nelder Grove Campground. The volunteer would start the week before Memorial Day and work through end of September. The volunteer is expected to work on weekends and holidays and will be required to reside ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 14 2016: Coarsegold vandalism On Sunday, Feb. 7 at 4:32 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a residence located in the 43000 block of Ranger Circle Dr. for a report of vandalism to a living room window. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford, beginning Wednesday morning, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. and lasting through Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18. Snow levels are expected to start out near 7,000 feet on Wednesday and lower ...

Written by Nick Hunt O’NEALS — The Minarets High School Marching Band is unique from other high school bands because the percussion is student-led, meaning that we students get to choose and make our own cadences (songs). When we make our own songs or choose what to play, the entire percussion group gets to take part in choosing, rather than ...