By Virginia Eaton — I have been developing a Fall Prevention program for Oakhurst area residents and the most poignant fact from the research has been this: if you are afraid of falling, you are more likely to fall! Those lacking confidence in their ability to stay upright tend to keep their eyes down and thus miss important obstacles. They ...

OAKHURST — A group of parents and community members attended a Board meeting in Madera on Thursday, Feb. 11 and got their wish: the Oakhurst Head Start center, which had been on the verge of closing its doors permanently, will continue operation for the foreseeable future. At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAP-MC) Board ...

MADERA COUNTY — Thanks to the generosity of the Smokey Bear Run/Walk, The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) is pleased to announce the distribution of carbon monoxide alarms to families of Eastern Madera County. Cal Fire and the Smokey Bear Run/Walk will be hosting distribution dates at the following locations: Cal Fire Station ...

OAKHURST — Parents and community members are rallying around a local Head Start program in hope of stalling a newly proposed budget that would result in shutting doors on the child care center, permanently, as of June 1, 2016. The program’s overseer, Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAP-MC) has a regularly scheduled board meeting set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. ...

CLOVIS — Beginning Monday, Feb. 22, the North Fork, Prather and Clovis Forest Services offices will have available free use personal firewood permits to allow the public to collect firewood in designated areas. “The Sierra National Forest, in cooperation with state and local organizations, is working hard to address the changing forest conditions,” said the SNF in a statement released ...

OAKHURST – The California Carvers Guild, along with the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Yosemite/Madera County, are proud to bring you the 9th Annual Woodcarver’s Rendezvous at the Oakhurst Community Center during the week of Apr. 17-23. Woodcarvers travel from far and wide to attend this unique event located just outside Yosemite’s southern entrance along Highway 41. “This ...

COARSEGOLD — Tom Wheeler will host his next Town Hall meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11, at Yosemite Lakes Park Clubhouse from 6 to 8 p.m. On the agenda for the meeting is a talk by the new District Ranger on the Bass Lake Ranger District, Denise Tolmie. There will also be a presentation by the president of Reedley College and ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Jan. 30 through Saturday, Feb. 6: Coarsegold public intoxication On Sunday, Jan. 31 at 5:08 p.m. an adult male was contacted at a business located in the 46000 block of Lucky Lane. The male was subsequently arrested for public intoxication. He was ...

COUNTY — In a battle of wits, Yosemite High School released its tight grip on the Madera County Academic Decathlon championship, coming in second and leaving room for Chowchilla High School to triumph for the first time since 1992. Still, Yosemite took home 29 medals, including 9 gold, and tied for first place in the Super Quiz. Six schools competed ...

By Virginia Eaton — I’m not sure who decided that an exercise class ought to be an hour long. Why not 40 minutes, or 70 minutes? I think human beings squeeze appointments into a calendar to accommodate the calendar rather than the human being! The body needs regular movement and exercise throughout the day, and a single 60-minute session a ...