Submitted by Haley Gostanian —  MADERA COUNTY — In last few years, there has been an alarming increase of chronic disease diagnoses in our communities. By 2050, it is estimated that one in three Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes. A startling 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year, and 30 million children and adults currently have been ...

COUNTY — If you have questions for your local government representatives or you’re seeking information on tree mortality, stop by one of two upcoming mobile district office hours scheduled by the offices of Senator Tom Berryhill and Assemblyman Frank Bigelow. Staff will be available to hear from the public and a tree mortality specialist will be on-hand to offer answers, as well. The joint office ...

COARSEGOLD — Yosemite High School senior Courtney Herrera will host an Open Western Gymkhana for all ages on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds for her senior project at 10 a.m. Those interested do not need to make reservations, as sign-ups will be on the day of the event. The entry fee is $25 (cash only) per contestant, with ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016: North Fork disturbance On Monday, Oct. 24 at 6:55 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 56000 block of Road 226 in regards to a call of a verbal argument between a male and a ...

Contributed by Len McKenzie —  OAKHURST — Few, if any, birds spark the human imagination more than birds of prey. Foothill area residents will have an opportunity to see some of these charismatic birds at close range, and to learn about their importance as predators atop the food chain, at Yosemite Area Audubon’s monthly program on Thursday, Nov. 10. Master ...

OAKHURST — Boy Scout Troop 316 will hold its annual flag retirement ceremony at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church on Veterans Day. The ceremony will be held on the knoll behind the church. Veterans day is on Friday, Nov. 11 and the ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. Troop 316 has been honoring veterans with this ceremony for over 10 ...

OAKHURST — At 3:20 p.m. this afternoon, as many families were readying their children for a big night out trick or treating, witnesses were understandably horrified to see a vehicle traveling on Highway 49 toward Oakhurst with flames coming out from under the car. The driver of the small passenger vehicle was apparently initially unaware of the problem and continued to operate ...

OAKHURST — Members of the local wellness center Class, the Body Pastiche, opened their emails on Saturday, Oct. 29 to news that was both unexpected and unwanted, as owner Virginia Eaton announced the doors will close for good in less than a month. “I have some news to share with you and while I wish I could share it with you ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Cal Fire has lifted the burn ban locally and so it’s time to take down the yellow fire signs that many have posted around the mountains. The North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, which provided the signs, appreciates any help you can offer to accomplish this task. If you posted signs, the auxiliary asks that you please ...

By Ryan McDougald — OAKHURST — “Maybe it’ll stop you trying to be so desperate about making more money than you can ever use? You can’t take it with you, Mr. Kirby. So what good is it? As near as I can see, the only thing you can take with you is the love of your friends.” The Minarets High ...