MARIPOSA – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing Cal Fire’s Madera-Mariposa- Merced Unit (MMU) to transition out of peak fire season effective Monday, Nov. 14, at 8 a.m. in Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. “The 2016 fire season was challenging throughout the State of California, and the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit was very ...

OAKHURST — Here, kitty, kitty, kitty! Local thrift shop Cause 4 Paws is collecting empty cans and bottles which will be recycled and, at the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to the Cause 4 Paws free spay and neuter program. Foothill residents are encouraged to collect recyclables in plastic bags and bring the donations to Cause 4 ...

Submitted by Evan Higgins — OAKHURST — The Yosemite High School International Baccalaureate (IB) program invites the community to an interdisciplinary showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the Badger Gallery on campus, from 6 – 8 p.m. We are living during a divisive time in human history. Politically, environmentally, economically and globally things seem to be at the tipping point. ...

NORTH FORK — The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is offering a free workshop, “Introduction to Grant Writing,” on Dec. 6 and 7, in North Fork. This two-day intensive workshop is focused on building grant writing skills for organizations and agencies in the Sierra Nevada region. “The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) looks to the organizations, agencies, and local governments in the region ...

BASS LAKE — Julie Greenwood has defeated incumbent Ron Bucheger for a seat on the Bass Lake Unified School District Board of Trustees for Area 3. Greenwood garnered 619 votes to Bucheger’s 297. Before the election, Greenwood shared with SNO that her time in classrooms has provided an insight into what a day in the life of a teacher is ...

MADERA COUNTY — Votes are still being counted at this hour in the Madera County election, and are being continuously updated at votemadera.com. For a complete tally of Madera County election results, click here. For state-wide results, click here.

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 5, 2016: Oakhurst recovered property On Monday, Oct. 31 at 6:46 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 50000 block of School Road regarding a report of a white 2 door Toyota Tercel driving around the school. ...

CALIFORNIA — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is expanding its initiative to assist private forestland owners in addressing tree mortality and other drought-related damage to improve forest health. NRCS will provide financial assistance for landowners with dead and dying conifer forest trees in certain counties. Removing dead tree debris and other woody material will also help ...

Last week I talked about belief systems, and perception being the lens through which we see and understand the world (you may want to read my previous blog before reading this one). Our thoughts and imagination create our belief systems, and our belief systems are shared with the world through the words that we use. While some poets may believe ...

OAKHURST — A multi-vehicle accident late Friday evening on a busy stretch of Highway 41 on the north end of town sent one juvenile down the hill to the hospital with major injuries. At approximately 10:25 p.m., emergency crews were called to respond to the scene of a three-vehicle accident on Highway 41 near El Cid Restaurant. According to CHP on site, two ...