MARIPOSA – During this hectic time of year, it’s important to remember that fire knows no holiday. While the danger of wildland fire may have been mitigated by recent rains, a house fire can ruin your holidays, so please be cautious with your decorations, fireplace, wood stove, Menorah and Christmas tree. Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit would like to remind the ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dog of the Week for SNO is an adorable puppy who’s a little shy, at first. “Hi, I’m Holly — a five-month-old Lab and Shepherd mix pup who has the funniest ears! My foster mom says I have a kind heart and am good with all dogs and cats, too. I’m crate-trained and ...

MARIPOSA – Cooler weather and recent rains have prompted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) to transition into winter staffing levels as of Monday, Dec. 17, at 8 a.m. The transition to winter preparedness allows Cal Fire to release some seasonal firefighters, reduce staffing on fire engines and close certain wildland fire stations. ...

With so many special events and activities taking place over the next few weeks, we thought it would be helpful to compile a timely list of all the entertainment-related and community-oriented holiday happenings in the mountain area between now and December 25. If we missed anything, let us know and we’ll gladly add it to the Big Local List of ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Dec. 3, to Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. Coarsegold narcotics found in traffic stop On Monday, Dec. 3 at 5:33 a.m. a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the area of Road 415 and Mill Creek Way for a vehicle that passed another ...

MADERA – For 38 years, Augie Capuchino has been the face many people see when firefighters are called out, when they are in need of rescue, are suffering a medical emergency, or are involved in an accident. After nearly four decades of combined service to Madera County and the Sierra National Forest, Agustin Capuchino has retired and was honored today ...

NORTH FORK — Brightly colored packages strapped to the backs of their bikes, members of the local North Fork riding group get together each year for a special reason. Bearing the gifts of new, unwrapped playthings, these men and women support the local Toys for Tots program with an annual ride to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office and the Oakhurst ...

By Anne Guynn —  OAKHURST — Yosemite Badger Wrestlers are on the mat! Yosemite Badger Youth Wrestling includes kindergarten through high school senior athletes. After traveling to Lodi, Dinuba, and Morro Bay, the Yosemite High School team duals at neighboring Mariposa this Tuesday, Dec. 11. “Most of our high school team are new to wrestling and are gaining experience,” says ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — For the second year in a row, one local student is busy organizing an effort to put shoes on the feet of those who need them. Minarets freshman Erika Hafkey is committed to her project, No Más Niños Descalzos, or No More Barefoot Children, which began last year. Erica is the older daughter of Adriana Armenta and Mark Hafkey, and ...

OAKHURST — Stop by Yosemite High School for some merry-making this week, as the Theater Arts Department presents Holiday Shenanigans, a one night comedy variety show that features 25 students from YHS’s Advanced Theater Arts class. “It’s a celebration of the holidays and a chance to laugh and enjoy the spirit of the season with family and friends,” says department chair Lars ...