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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

OAKHURST — The 2016-17 Reedley College Scholarship Application is now open to students who will be attending the Oakhurst Community College Center, Madera Community College Center (MCCC), or Reedley College (RC), or who will be transferring from one of the MOR campuses to a four-year college/university for fall 2016. The application deadline is Sunday, Apr. 3. There will be scholarship ...

Submitted by Mountain Comforts MOUNTAIN AREA — Living in the Sierra foothills, heating your home with a wood burning stove or fireplace is a way of life for most of the residents. Coming in from the cold to absorb the warmth and seeing the friendly glow of a fire is one of the great things we love about our life ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31, 2016: Oakhurst burglary On Sunday, Jan. 24 at 7:24 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the parking lot at the intersection of Highway 41 and Road 222 regarding a vehicle burglary. Report taken. Case to be closed. Oakhurst ...

SACRAMENTO – Three agencies in Madera and Mariposa Counties that are dedicated to fire safety and resource conservation have been awarded over half-a-million dollars in grants for projects designed to address the massive tree mortality across the area. Cal Fire announced Monday it has awarded 19 State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund grants in six counties that have been greatly ...

NORTH FORK — Plan now for an elegant evening as the North Fork Studio presents their 4th annual Valentines Dinner & Dance on Sunday, Feb. 14. Don your finest attire, make a date with your valentine, and dance to the music of the Sierra Jazz Band. Everyone is invited to gather at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m., ...

CALIFORNIA — If you have a collection of rusty treasures, or know someone who does, here’s the perfect opportunity to be “picked” by the best! California is excited to welcome Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz and Antique Archeology to the area. The team will film episodes of their hit series American Pickers throughout California. Filming is scheduled for March 2016. American ...

Submitted by Jill Gamble O’NEALS – Join the Minarets art club as we present the 3rd annual Up-Cycled Art Hop on Thursday, Feb. 4 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. This year our theme is a life sized Candy Land board game that you can walk through. There is a $5 admission which includes food and beverages, along with the opportunity ...