OAKHURST — Motor vehicle collisions nationwide are the leading cause of death for teenage drivers, and California has the second highest fatality rate involving drivers between the ages of 15-20. To address these shocking statistics and put teen drivers on the road to years of safe driving, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) offers a free, innovative program called Start Smart ...

OAKHURST — At times, driving appears to be relatively easy, but is in fact a complex skill that may diminish as a person ages. The ability to drive safely is affected by changes in one’s physical and mental conditions. Many of these changes take place as we get older, though in different ways and at different times. To address these ...

Submitted by Susan Rappaport — CENTRAL SIERRA — Intertwined within the larger tapestry of our Sierra foothill communities is the small strand of the Mountain Jewish Community. We are a community made up of individuals who come from diverse Jewish backgrounds with different levels of observance Although we are scattered throughout the towns of Mariposa, Ahwahnee, Oakhurst, Coarsegold, North Fork, ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Health Department will be offering flu vaccinations at various clinic sites throughout the county during the coming weeks. Everyone is encouraged to “Get the Shot, Not the Flu.” There will be a $5 administration fee for each flu shot, but no one will be refused service if unable to pay. Medicare members are asked ...

MADERA COUNTY — Sheriff Jay Varney and the Madera County Sheriffs Office welcomed seven new Citizens on Patrol (COP) volunteers to the force on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Sheriff Varney administered the Oath of Office to Janice Guthrie, Lloyd Green, Jarrett Dean, Hal Parks, Chris Reese and John Arredondo during a graduation ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office in Madera. Jon ...

We like to hike with our dogs, so where are those great dog hikes in our area? You have seen my dog Sally tagging along with me on some of our hikes. Now is your turn to share your favorite dog hikes for inclusion in dog hikes in our area. I envision a living document that we can add more ...

SACRAMENTO – In the past two months, California has experienced a rash of large and damaging wildfires and in almost every single case, the fire was preventable. It’s true — 95 percent of all wildfires are caused by the activity of people! Cal Fire is asking, especially with the holiday weekend, that all Californians do their part now to help ...

OAKHURST — Thanks to a retired archaeologist who loves to sing and strum and is always willing to dig up the right kind of talent, there’s a couple of places every week where singers, songwriters, poets and others can express themselves. Stephan Baldwin has lived in Oakhurst for eight years, but he’s been playing guitar and singing folk songs for over 50 years, ...

O’NEALS — What’s the best way to show the progress of an effective education? That’s a loaded question. Some people believe it’s through test scores, while others are convinced that proof of learning is in the action or activity that results from the students’ work. Chawanakee School District’s Minarets High and Minarets Charter are finding a way to answer the ...

OAKHURST — Branches Books & Gifts has relocated to a newly renovated 1,500-square-foot storefront in the Old Mill Village Shopping Center. The store was previously located in the Junction Plaza Center. The new larger space allows the shop to expand its inventory and offer more books, educational toys and, as owner Anne Driscoll likes to say, other awesomeness. The bookshop opened ...