MARIPOSA — The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service with seven performances of a world-premiere piece. The special program will be presented by the orchestra in concerts in five counties in April, May and August of 2016. The program is MSO Founder and Conductor Les Marsden’s own work “Our Nation’s Nature,” an orchestral ...

SACRAMENTO – Some of the monies collected from property owners in the mountain area through the yearly “rural fire fee” are slated to return to the community as grant funding for local projects. On Monday, Apr. 4, Cal Fire announced it had awarded an additional $3 million in grants throughout the state for a variety of fire prevention projects aimed ...

OAKHURST — The Oakhurst Community College Center will hold its annual Community Unity event on campus Tuesday, Apr. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This open house style event brings mountain area vendors, service groups, and colleges together to celebrate the mountain community. There will be free food, music, workshops, and prize drawings. The public and community supporters are ...

Submitted by Paul Hall — COARSEGOLD — The Sierra Shadow Casters, MC (SSCMC) and the merchants of the Coarsegold Historic Village, led by Gma’s & Pappa’s Motorcycle Apparel, are hosting the “Next Firefighter Up” motorcycle poker run to benefit local volunteer fire departments on Saturday, Apr. 9. The two beneficiaries are Madera County Fire Station 8 in Coarsegold (Road 417) ...

OAKHURST — “You’re never too old to be Blue and Gold,” said CHP Public Information Officer Kaci Lutz to the new recruits in the Oakhurst Area CHP Senior Volunteer Program last Friday. Nearly two dozen “seasoned citizens” have signed up to make an important contribution toward improving the public safety, service and security provided by the California Highway Patrol. Senior ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Mar. 27 to Sunday, Apr. 3, 2016: Bass Lake report of trespassing On Sunday, Mar. 27 at 3:47 p.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 37000 block of Shoreline Place in regards to people trespassing. It was determined the property management had made a ...

OAKHURST – Have you ever wondered how jurors are selected to sit on the Grand Jury, how long they serve, or what role the public plays in the Grand Jury’s function? On Saturday, Apr. 16, the Oakhurst Library will host an informative workshop about what makes California Grand Juries unique. The event is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon in ...

FISH CAMP — The 31st annual Elegant Auction to benefit Oakhurst Community Park is slated for Saturday, April 9, at Tenaya Lodge. Doors open at 5 p.m., along with silent auction bidding. Guests will be treated to complimentary champagne to sip while placing their bids, in addition to a gourmet buffet, live music with Wild Hare during the silent auction ...

Written by Virginia Eaton — When I was in my early 40s, I ruptured a disc in my back. I remember lying on the driveway in front of my home in Salt Lake City feeling like I had just been electrocuted as my husband stood over me trying to figure out what to do next. This happened in January, when ...

NORTH FORK — Six months ago, 10-year-old Eli was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. Now, he’s an 11-year-old superhero participating in the Central Valley JDRF 5K fundraiser on Saturday, Apr. 2 at Woodward Park in Fresno. Eli, his family, friends and community supporters will walk together in a team known as Eli’s Superheroes! The walk starts at 9:30 a.m. with registration ...