MOUNTAIN AREA — Cal Fire and the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) announced that the burn suspension in all State Responsibility Areas of Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties has been lifted as of 8 a.m. today. Cal Fire Burn Permits are required and burning is permitted on “Permissive Burn Days” only, as established by the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District. Permits can be obtained from any local ...

OAKHURST — What started as a cozy fire on a rainy day turned into a call to the fire department. At approximately 1 p.m. today, as emergency crews were already responding to a multi-vehicle accident in Coarsegold, firefighters were alerted to respond to reports of a structure fire on Laurel Drive. Engine 12 out of Oakhurst was among the first on scene, ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — An urgent winter weather advisory has been issued for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon including Bass Lake and Fish Camp, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory is currently in effect from 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 through 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30. Above 8,000 feet an accumulation of six to ...

COARSEGOLD – Do you find yourself yearning for tarantula races, costume parade, and hairy leg contest? Perhaps you’re in the mood for some pizza eating, pumpkin cake and poetry, seasonal decorating, and fun for kids in an educational, if arachnidian, environment. Yearn no more. Webs are being woven now for Coarsegold’s 19th annual Tarantula Festival on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10:30 a.m. til 5 p.m. in ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest, is preparing to implement the fall/winter burning program, says District Ranger Denise Tolmie. Projects will consist of three activities: pile burning, broadcast, and underburning. “The objective of these prescribed burns are to reduce fuel loading from recent tree mortality fuel projects within the Wildland Urban Intermix and high ...

CENTRAL SIERRA —  Cal Fire would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 a.m., daylight savings time ends. When you set your clocks back one hour, please make another change that could save your life — change the battery in your smoke detector. Although smoke detectors are in most homes, many do ...

By Natasha Lucas and Willow Sanchez —  O’NEALS — While two local football teams took their rivalry to the field, others were united for a rare dual appearance. On Friday Sept. 22, 2016, the marching bands from both Minarets and Yosemite high school joined together for a performance at Minarets. The last time they played in unison was Veterans Day, 2014. On this ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A series of Pacific weather systems will bring several rounds of precipitation and wind to the western U.S. this week, according to the National Weather Service. Several inches of rain could fall in portions of California, especially in the coastal ranges and foothills. Snow is forecast in the higher mountains. In addition, winds will be strong, especially ...

OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Community College Center and the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce will once again host a Trunk-N-Treat on Monday, Oct. 31, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Oakhurst College Campus. All local children and families are welcome to attend this free event. Trunkers are welcome to come in costume and decorate their vehicles. They should be ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016: Oakhurst DUI arrest On Monday, Oct. 17 at 1:11 a.m. a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the area of Highway 41 and Road 426 for equipment violation. The driver was later found to be under ...