OAKHURST — The Yosemite Unified School Board is seeking potential candidates to replace retiring board member, Joe Smith, Yosemite Unified School District (YUSD) announced. Candidates must live in Trustee Area 4 (see full map below). Potential candidates may pick up applications from Raylene Trent at the YUSD district office or email rtrent@yosemiteusd.org to obtain a copy of the application. Questions can ...

MADERA COUNTY — Yosemite High School won the 2017-2018 Honorable Edward P. Moffat Madera County Mock Trial held on Dec. 5, 6, and 9, beating out Liberty, Madera, and Madera South High Schools. Yosemite High’s defense and Liberty High School’s prosecution teams competed in the championship round held on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. Yosemite won the competition and ...

O’NEALS — We have two hands, one to help ourselves and one to help others. On Friday, Dec. 22, Minarets students and staff are again choosing to dedicate the last day of the semester to giving back to our community. Students and teachers come together to find someway to give back. Last year was the inaugural Community Day and events included ...

O’NEALS — FFA members, their families, teachers, and community members gathered to watch Freshman compete in the Creed Speaking Contest, among other activities while at the at the Minarets FFA annual Fall Banquet, held Wednesday, Nov. 29. In the Creed contest, Jeremiah Stout placed 4th, Morgan Pelowski placed 3rd, Justin Linderholm  placed 2nd, and a big congratulations to Justin Bowe ...

O’NEALS — Want to get ahead on college credits before you’re even out of high school? Well, Minarets is expanding the number of dual enrollment classes offered. Last year, the school offered a Welding class and a Health class that counted for both high school and community college credit. Starting next semester, Minarets will be offering both of these classes, ...

By Isabel Olivas —  COARSEGOLD — It may be a tale as old as time, but this year the Minarets Drama Club is putting on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. To date, this will be their biggest production yet and the actors are working tirelessly at rehearsals. According to the Drama Director, Mrs. West, they will be taking a minimalist ...

Submitted by Mountain Area Ski School — MOUNTAIN AREA — Can you ski? Can you snowboard? Cooler temperatures and clouds over the Sierra crest are a reminder that winter is on its way, and with it the Mountain Area Ski School’s 56th year of ski and snowboard programs for our mountain area school students! “The Mountain Area Ski School (MASS) ...

RAYMOND — Students at Raymond-Knowles Elementary (RKS) are encouraged to help others as part of the school’s educational environment and drive to create, connect and compete. In order to graduate with honors from the K-8 school, 45 hours of community service are required over the course of 7th through 8th grades. They’re almost always working on something to benefit others. Locally, ...

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 ...

AHWAHNEE — The nonprofit group Helping One Woman (HOW) is meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Hitchin’ Post restaurant to honor Suzy Kessler. The evening of food, fundraising and friendship begins at 6 p.m. Suzy’s son, Yosemite High School freshman PJ Kuzmitski, suffered a life-changing hit to his right knee at football practice on Wednesday, Sept. 27, resulting in the ...