MOUNTAIN AREA — A series of Pacific storms will bring heavy rain, mountain snow, and strong winds to much of the western U.S. this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Snow is also forecast for high mountain passes Sunday. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from Sunday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. to Monday, Nov. 27 at 1 ...

OAKHURST — The holiday spirit is in the air and ‘tis the season for holiday trees and decorations to start appearing, as crews delivered a 40-foot white fir to its new home in Oakhurst, where it will serve as this year’s community Christmas Tree. Donated by Sierra Tel, the tree was logged under permit from the Sierra National Forest. The ...

COARSEGOLD — He doesn’t even have his driver’s license yet, but Michael Hotchkiss, 15, is already a go-to guy when it comes to teen driver safety — and he’s been awarded a nice fat check to prove it. The National Foundation for Teen Safe Driving (NFTSD) partnered with Lithia Motors to promote safe driving. The NFTSD promotes the ideal that change ...

OAKHURST — Though we often think about making Christmas merry for kids, the Oakhurst Area CHP and CVS store remind everyone of the seniors who may need some special attention this holiday season. There are special Christmas trees at both locations where you can select an ornament from the tree and then purchase one of the listed gift items. Place ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Togetherness is one of the simple ideals behind the Thanksgiving holiday and its ensuing weekend. Rather than eat, shop, and repeat, local lovers of the outdoors have a suggestion for the entire friends-and-family entourage: try a little Green Friday. As compared with the (when-did-it-become?) traditional Black Friday — a nearly-sacred day for those who love to shop ...

MARIPOSA – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing Cal Fire’s MMU to transition out of peak fire season effective Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 a.m. in Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties. “Although we are seeing a small amount of rain and allowing burning to take place, we would like residents to ...

It’s time for a two-fer as the Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption program has two Dogs of the Week for your consideration. Meet adorable sister and brother Chloe Sophia, sitting, and Toby, standing. These two-year-old Poodle mixes are super soft and cuddly. They are very sweet dogs, too, and weigh about 20 pounds each. They were surrendered to us ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow is in effect above 7,000-feet, from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 through 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. The Winter Storm Warning is for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, including the towns of Bass Lake, Fish Camp, and ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Nov. 6  to Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. Oakhurst warrant citation and release On Monday, Nov. 6 at 2:56 p.m. a deputy responded to a warrant arrest with a citation and release. Coarsegold narcotics On Monday, Nov. 6 at 10:03 a.m. a deputy ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park has approximately 300 seasonal job openings for the summer of 2018. There are positions open in all areas of the park, and seasonal jobs opportunities at many of the over 400 National Park Service units across the country. The park will be filling a wide variety of positions, including backcountry rangers, entrance station rangers, custodial ...