MADERA COUNTY – The numbers are in and it’s clear Madera County continued to thrive from visitor spending in 2018. Visit California’s latest economic impact report demonstrates visitor spending reached $338.8 million and supported 4,230 jobs in Madera County, a 4.4 percent boost from last year. This growth highlights the ongoing importance of tourism to the region and California’s economy. ...

OAKHURST – An Oakhurst acupuncturist who also makes Chinese herbal formulas used to treat thoroughbred race horses felt a personal connection to Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. While Gloria Garland spent most of Saturday clearing brush at Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park, she still found time to watch the 145th running of the Derby. “Wow, what an amazing and contentious race!” she said ...

Mom was celebrating her birthday and requested a day trip over to Moss Landing, just north of Monterey. Walking on the beach, eating fried oysters at Phil’s Fish Market & Eatery and stopping by the vegetable stand on the way home were on her birthday list. Mom’s birthday was a big one and I won’t say just how big, but ...

OAKHURST — Another sensational production completes its successful run at the Golden Chain Theatre as our local troupe of talented thespians present Oliver! — the classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist. The old streets of London and its surrounds come to life as young Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an ...

OAKHURST — Local adventurer, author and photographer Tony Krizan has spent more than 30 years hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. On Saturday, May 11, he’ll share his personal experiences hiking along local area trails in a slide show presentation from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Oakhurst Branch Library’s Community Room, 49044 Civic Circle Dr., Oakhurst. “Hiking has been ...

OAKHURST — Supporters and organizers gathered at Sierra Mountain Little League (SMLL) fields last week as Rotary Club of Oakhurst Sierra presented a $5,000 check to the SMLL Board of Directors. The money will go toward construction of a desperately needed retaining wall at the back of the little league field where about 175 local kids ages 4 – 12 ...

By Jeannie O. Harsha —  OAKHURST — Students at Oakhurst Elementary School (OES) just completed their annual Week of Words – a celebration of the wonder and magic of reading.   Local author and illustrator Michael Elsohn Ross kicked off WOW week with an informative assembly about his experience as a writer-illustrator of nearly four dozen books. His newest one, ...

BASS LAKE – Catch a fish during the 39th Annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby for your chance to win a portion of the more than $55,000 prize money swimming through the clear mountain waters on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 2019. Grab your friends, family, and fishing poles and head to Bass Lake for the day, when 1,000 ...

Warm weather’s spring snow melt is fueling Yosemite’s waterfalls and I couldn’t resist a drive up to Yosemite Valley to check them out. And, what about those dogwoods? Were they blooming yet? Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: About 10 miles to drive my Yosemite Valley Loop, but you can also walk it or take the free shuttle to explore it ...

Written by Tuolunme Winter Ranger Laura Pilewski – YOSEMITE — This is our last post of the winter 2018-2019 season and it is time for us to migrate south to our summer range in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. It has again been a great honor and pleasure serving the public as the Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers. No two ...