My name is Gina Clugston, and I am the owner, publisher, editor, reporter, photographer, community liason, business manager and chief worrier at Sierra News Online (SNO). I started this little project sitting at my kitchen table in 2012, and have devoted every waking hour, and half my sleeping hours (just ask my husband) to the care and feeding of SNO. ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Apr. 10 to Saturday, Apr. 16, 2016. Coarsegold found property On Sunday, Apr. 10 at 9:08 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a report of found property in the 35000 block of CA-41. A bag containing various hand tools was located by ...

BASS LAKE – Snag a fish during the 36th Annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby, for your chance to win a portion of the $55,000 prize money swimming through the clear mountain waters on Saturday, Apr. 30 and Sunday, May 1. Sponsored by the Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce, this fun and competitive fishing event kicks off the summer season the ...

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY — When I began having chest pains and shortness of breath last Monday evening, I didn’t immediately grab the phone and dial 911. I grabbed my computer and started Googling symptoms of heart attacks in females, in an effort to judge whether this really was an emergency, not knowing if my insurance would pay for the ambulance. ...

OAKHURST — The Golden Chain Theatre Concert Series presents the second annual Classic Country & Rock Music Festival from noon – 8 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 23. Enjoy eight hours of music, beginning at noon with Rene Emilio, a self taught musician and songwriter, who specializes in all types of music, including country and jazz, who has been entertaining for ...

Written by Matt Powers — It’s Actually Not Hard to Garden in the Foothills I’ve heard it all, and I have a large garden in Coarsegold with no fences, poisons, or chemical fertilizers. It took years of trial and error, research, and education in permaculture to understand the complexity of our region though, on that journey, I found easy ways ...

YOSEMITE — The Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park will open for the season to automobile traffic on, Tuesday, Apr. 19, at 9 a.m. The Glacier Point Store will not be open yet, but sources say it should open in early May. Vault toilets will be available for visitors before then. Bridalveil Creek Campground is closed, and will open ...

Written by Joelle Leder — OAKHURST — Soroptimist International of The Sierras will be honoring women in our community at the “Make A Difference for Women” Awards Recognition Program at the Yosemite Gateway Inn Restaurant at noon on Thursday, Apr. 21. Three women have been chosen to receive the “Live Your Dream” scholarship awards. The awards are given to a ...

VENTURA –Bird enthusiasts are invited to join in a coast-wide effort to spot Brown Pelicans during a two-hour birding blitz along the Pacific coast, designed to aid in the conservation of an iconic species. Bird lovers in California, Oregon, Washington, and Baja Mexico are invited to survey California Brown Pelicans on May 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. to better ...

MADERA COUNTY – If you’ve been contacted and threatened with losing your property in a tax auction, the County wants to hear from you. Madera County Treasurer/Tax Collector Tracy Kennedy is warning residents about a scam being perpetrated on people by threatening homeowners with having their homes sold at auction. “It has come to our attention that individuals are contacting ...