MOUNTAIN AREA – Besides the stunning natural beauty of the foothills, another valuable resource is locally abundant: the volunteer spirit. We asked SNO readers on Facebook to help us compile a list of volunteer opportunities, and heard from schools, churches, law enforcement, libraries, theaters, campgrounds and more. Here are volunteer positions from which to choose; the list is updated frequently.

MOUNTAIN AREA – We asked readers on Facebook to send photographs of the great local holiday gift they’d like to recommend to friends in the foothills, and we’d publish the ideas. So, here goes: Click on images to enlarge and for purchase information. Any local mountain-area business was invited to send in one image of the greatest gift idea they ...

OAKHURST – In the midst of what is surely his busiest time of year, Santa Claus took the time to stop by Sierra Tel for a day, to personally check in with local kids and find out what they want for Christmas. The jolly, red-suited fellow’s annual visit to Sierra Tel is a tradition Santa maintains every year, no matter ...

OAKHURST – Early November at the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) was all about members being outside, enjoying the warm sun with the parachute on the field, playing sports and games, and even getting prizes!

OAKHURST – Bob Siebenberg says he campaigned with enthusiasm for the position of Head Coach for Yosemite High School baseball. Now, he looks forward to getting back on the field and down to business. “We have a hard core crew of kids who want to do well and are ready to go to work,” he says.

OAKHURST – Yosemite High School sophomore Joel Bradshaw was chosen recently as Student of the Month by Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise Rotary. Nominations are based on a variety of criteria, including academic achievement, character, community service, extra-curricular program participation and leadership. Bradshaw was nominated by YHS History teacher Rebecca Hardison.

OAKHURST – Madera County Sheriff’s office is reporting that a popular Oakhurst thrift store that donates its proceeds to support animals, was found vandalized, with nearly $1,000 worth of donated Christmas items discovered missing or destroyed. When the owner of A Cause 4 Paws located on Highway 41 arrived at her thrift store yesterday, she found the property had been ...

Submitted by Kristi Winter Yosemite High School has won the 2014-2015 Honorable Edward P. Moffat Madera County Mock Trial held on December 9, 10, and 11. Yosemite High School battled Liberty, Madera, and Dos Palos High Schools. “It was a highly competitive event and we are proud of all of our teams,” said Cecilia Massetti, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. ...

OAKHURST – ROP Small Business Management is a new class at Yosemite High School this year, and a unique one at that. “This class is all about giving juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore different careers and to experience what it is to work in a Small Business environment,” says Rusty Oetinger, the teacher of the class. ROP Small ...

OAKHURST – Leaders of the charitable organization Helping One Woman (HOW) have announced the January recipient of the club’s giving dinner is a young woman who has been a dedicated, long-time caregiver to many, including her recently deceased mother. HOW organizers say the January dinner will honor Leilani Cummings on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015.