CLOVIS – Residents of the mountain area have been greeted the past two mornings with an orange haze and the smell of smoke, though there is no active fire in the immediate area. The smoke is coming from the Lions Fire, which started on the Sierra National Forest around June 1 as a lightning strike, and is burning near the ...

Everyone I know has been breathing a sigh of relief for the rain that has once again filled our wells and reservoirs, while bracing for the impact of summer sunshine on the landscape. If you haven’t already lined someone up to take care of the weed whacking, you may want to get that on your “to do” list. And while you’re ...

Bergamo was great and we were really looking forward to Cinque Terre. Unfortunately, what we didn’t realize was — most of Western Europe had a three-day weekend and the UK had a whole week off and, you know what?  They all descended on the highway between Bergamo and Cinque Terre. We fly for twelve hours to get away from California ...

MARIPOSA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) would like to remind Eastern Madera and Mariposa County residents of the fire danger and use of illegal fireworks. All fireworks, including “Safe and Sane,” are illegal in Mariposa County as well as all areas east of the Madera Canal in Madera County. Public displays will be available ...

OAKHURST — A mom calls out to her son, “Harry, wake up! You’ll be late for school.” The son replies, “Mom, I don’t want to go to school — the teachers and students hate me! Give me one reason I should go?” The mom says back, “You should go because you’re the principal!” Fortunately, 32 students at Oakhurst Elementary School ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — An easy-going group of like-minded, ultra-competent individuals, the Sierra Freepackers unit of the Back Country Horsemen of California (BCHCSFP) is comprised of a small but committed unit of volunteers, currently 50 members strong. Despite their moderate size, the group consistently ranks among the highest per capita for volunteer hours in trail maintenance, public awareness and education, logging ...

MADERA – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that they are currently recruiting for Sheriff’s Cadet II candidates. The successful candidate(s) will attend a police academy as a County-sponsored attendee, and will ideally commit to becoming a Deputy Sheriff – Basic POST with Madera County after academy graduation. No experience is required. Successful candidates will have their ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – In light of the disastrous tree mortality, the profusion of vegetation (fuel!) after the winter rains, and the large number of fires already this season, it is imperative for all people who live or work in Madera and Mariposa Counties – especially those in the foothills – to register or update their information for emergency contact. Madera ...

MADERA – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware that a man has been making phone calls to citizens throughout the county impersonating a sheriff’s sergeant regarding outstanding warrants. THIS IS A SCAM. The Sheriff’s Office will never request funds or personal identifying information over the phone. Based on the information provided to the Sheriff’s Office, the man ...

OAKHURST — Driving is a complex skill that may diminish as a person ages, say experts, and the ability to drive safely is affected by changes in one’s physical and mental conditions. Many of these changes take place as we get older, though in different ways and at different times. To address these changes and the challenges they pose, the California ...