By Molly Leeper and Victoria Giffen —  O’NEALS — On Saturday, Nov. 5 at Minarets High School, Victoria Giffen and Molly Leeper will be putting on their senior project, a 5k color run called A Running Canvas. This event is designed to accommodate everyone. Whether you just want to get out and do something active while the weather’s still nice, or ...

NORTH FORK — Helping One Woman (H.O.W.) will be honoring Brenda Foster this month at The Pines on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Brenda and Jimmy Foster are long-time residents of North Fork. For many years they led youth activities and graduation exercises throughout the mountain communities. Brenda’s desire has always been to serve others and to leave her imprint with the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Cal Fire has lifted the burn ban locally and so it’s time to take down the yellow fire signs that many have posted around the mountains. The North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, which provided the signs, appreciates any help you can offer to accomplish this task. If you posted signs, the auxiliary asks that you please ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Cal Fire and the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) announced that the burn suspension in all State Responsibility Areas of Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties has been lifted as of 8 a.m. today. Cal Fire Burn Permits are required and burning is permitted on “Permissive Burn Days” only, as established by the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District. Permits can be obtained from any local ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — An urgent winter weather advisory has been issued for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon including Bass Lake and Fish Camp, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory is currently in effect from 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 through 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30. Above 8,000 feet an accumulation of six to ...

COARSEGOLD – Do you find yourself yearning for tarantula races, costume parade, and hairy leg contest? Perhaps you’re in the mood for some pizza eating, pumpkin cake and poetry, seasonal decorating, and fun for kids in an educational, if arachnidian, environment. Yearn no more. Webs are being woven now for Coarsegold’s 19th annual Tarantula Festival on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10:30 a.m. til 5 p.m. in ...

CENTRAL SIERRA —  Cal Fire would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 a.m., daylight savings time ends. When you set your clocks back one hour, please make another change that could save your life — change the battery in your smoke detector. Although smoke detectors are in most homes, many do ...

By Natasha Lucas and Willow Sanchez —  O’NEALS — While two local football teams took their rivalry to the field, others were united for a rare dual appearance. On Friday Sept. 22, 2016, the marching bands from both Minarets and Yosemite high school joined together for a performance at Minarets. The last time they played in unison was Veterans Day, 2014. On this ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A series of Pacific weather systems will bring several rounds of precipitation and wind to the western U.S. this week, according to the National Weather Service. Several inches of rain could fall in portions of California, especially in the coastal ranges and foothills. Snow is forecast in the higher mountains. In addition, winds will be strong, especially ...

YOSEMITE — On Saturday, Nov. 5, Yosemite National Park and The Ansel Adams Gallery will honor the winners of the 2016 Gateway Expressions Student Art and Poetry Contest, held as a way for the park to celebrate the creativity of youth living in the Yosemite gateway communities. The contest is open to all students, grades K-12, who attend school or youth ...