Written by Karen Bauer — OAKHURST — Pet adoptions, photos with your pet and discounted spay/neuter certificates courtesy of the Eastern Madera County SPCA and Friends of Madera Shelter (FMAS) will all be available along with a glass (or two!) of wine on Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Yosemite Wine Tails in Oakhurst. Collette Goga, ...

UPDATE JUNE 27, 2017: Emadco Reverses Plans For Rate Increase, Says Rates Will Decrease MOUNTAIN AREA — Customers of Emadco Disposal Service, Inc., Madera County’s waste disposal service company, will soon be seeing an increase in their monthly rate. Emadco customers will receive this letter in the coming days: The purpose of this notice is to inform you of a ...

OAKHURST — Oak Creek Intermediate 7th grader Sebastian Valdez is dedicated to his studies and that dedication was rewarded at school’s end this year, when he was awarded a sweet new ride for his efforts. Principal Brad Marcus posed proudly with the new trail bike given to Sebastian, one of several students eligible for a drawing due to his perfect attendance throughout ...

OAKHURST — Oakhurst Elementary School recently honored 34 students who earned perfect attendance for the 2016-2017 school year. The honor is earned by getting to school every single day and being on time. Research strongly supports a strong connection between excellent attendance and academic success. As the end of the year approached, school principal Kathleen Murphy approached each child individually to ...

OAKHURST — Peggy Decker-Anderson reminds locals and visitors that Aqua Aerobics is happening at the Baker Swim Complex at Yosemite High School. Classes are Monday through Friday from 8 to 9 a.m. through August 11th. The cost is $4 a day, $10 a week or $30 a month.* “See ya at the pool,” says Peggy, who is returning as instructor ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service in Hanford has upgraded the previously issued heat watch to an Excessive Heat Warning starting at noon on Sunday, June 18 to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20. Meanwhile, in Yosemite, heat will cause snow to melt and waters to rise. The Excessive Heat Warning is for the San Joaquin Valley and Mariposa, Madera, ...

MADERA COUNTY — One of the toughest challenges cancer patients face is getting to and from treatment. Many patients don’t own a vehicle, can’t afford gas, or don’t have access to public transportation. Some may be too ill to drive, or have no family members who can help with all their transportation needs. “Without access to reliable transportation, cancer patients ...

OAKHURST — Anyone interested in books, poetry, alternative healing and spirituality will want to hear local poet and energy healer Ashley Pinkerton read from her new book on Friday, June 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. The book is called, Spiraling Forward: A Dance Through the Cycles of Life, and Ashley will be at Branches Books & Gifts. Local musician ...

AHWAHNEE — Twenty-five jazz guitarists and ten bass players from across the United States and Canada will be performing at a free concert at Sierra Meadows on Thursday, June 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. The concert is the grand finale of an annual five-day Yosemite Jazz Guitar and Bass Workshop, being held June 18-23 at Evergreen Conference Center in Oakhurst. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued an Excessive Heat Watch, which is in effect from Friday afternoon through Monday evening. The warning has been issued for the Central San Joaquin Valley and Mariposa, Madera and Fresno County Foothills including the cities of Oakhurst and Mariposa, and surrounding areas. High temperatures are predicted to be warming ...