CENTRAL SIERRA — Smoke from the Soberanes Fire in Monterey County and the Canyon Fire burning in Santa Barbara County are affecting air quality in locations throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Sierra, warns the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Unusually high particulate matter levels throughout are prompting Air District officials to issue a health cautionary statement. Air ...

MADERA COUNTY — Good news, travelers, as the long-awaited passing lanes project on SR-41 near the 22 Mile House is now complete. “The new lanes were opened to traffic yesterday,” says Caltrans’ Corey Burkarth, “and we anticipate accepting the project tomorrow once the contractor completes the task of removing signs from the project site that are no longer needed.” Construction ...

Written by Lizz Wiles — O’NEALS — In May 2016, Minarets High School hosted the newly adopted Common Core State Standards method of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. The test was given to me and other juniors over a four-day period. English and Mathematics alternated daily to give us plenty of breathing periods throughout the exam. Teachers monitored their assigned ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — With summer nearly over and many of the crowds dwindling, it’s nice to know that local people are out cleaning up our environment on the weekends. In two separate though not random acts of kindness, a pair of groups stayed busy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday picking up trash: the Girl Scouts of Troop 132 and volunteers with Keep Our Mountains Beautiful (KOMB). ...

Written by Linda Giampa — CALIFORNIA — Whether heading out for a long backpacking trip, local day hikes, or an all-terrain run with our dogs, all of us are consistently aware of the need to pack provisions for varying weather, terrain and potential dangers. However, very few of us would stop to think about ticks or the dangers of tick-borne ...

Here is a classic example of how Owner Mitigation + Firefighter Hard Work = Success. Though the official fire season may be winding down in the next few months, finger crossed, preparation to ensure that your home is fire ready and fire safe is an ongoing task that is best accomplished in the wet and cooler weather. This dramatic photo ...

OAKHURST — Yosemite Unified Superintendent Jim Sargent has accepted a position with the Madera County Office of Education to work region-wide, directing District and School Renewal. Present at so many events throughout the school community for years, he has served as Superintendent at YUSD since July of 2012 following his previous service as a Superintendent at Caruthers Unified in Fresno County. ...

NORTH FORK — The Grizzly Century Bike Run will return this year after missing last year due to smoke and fires. One of the premier 100-mile rides in the state, it includes challenging climbs, the spectacular scenery of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway and the High Sierra, quiet roads, and the some of the best food and friendly support to ...

BASS LAKE — If you’re going to cry because summer is officially over, you may as well do it at the lake. Miller’s Landing Resort is hosting its last Hot Summer Nights party of the season on Friday, Sept. 23, and it’s going to be a good one. “Head to the lake for hot tri-tip, even hotter music by Rock ...

YOSEMITE – The 6th Annual Gateway Expressions Student Art and Poetry Contest starts now! Yosemite National Park is excited to celebrate the “incredible creativity of youth in its gateway communities and the power of Yosemite to inspire art.” YNP together with the Ansel Adams Gallery invite local youth to participate in the sixth annual event open to all students, grades K-12, who attend school or ...