SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the fourth Phillips Station snow survey of 2019. The manual survey recorded 106.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 51 inches, which is 200 percent of average for this location. Statewide, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is 162 percent of average. California has experienced more than ...

OAHURST – Sierra Tel has announced that “after strategic review and much deliberation,” the Sierra Tel Business Center storefront location in the Old Mill Village Shopping Center in Oakhurst will be closing effective May 31. “Our Business Center has been proud to serve the evolving needs of the community while striving to provide excellent customer service,” said Sierra Tel in ...

MADERA – Interested in investigating complaints of misappropriation and malfeasance around Madera County? If so, the deadline to apply for the 2019-2020 grand jury is April 22. California’s Constitution requires every county in the state maintain a grand jury to “investigate citizen-generated complaints or concerns.” To be eligible, a person must be 18, a U.S. citizen and a Madera County ...

A little rain didn’t damper our enthusiasm as we learned about archeological sites, spotted Sierra Newts, said hello to cows, saw wildflowers galore and experienced an incredible view from on top of Table Mountain while hiking on a docent-led adventure on the Ruth McKenzie Preserve. We didn’t encounter any rattlesnakes, which was just fine with me, but they are out ...

COARSEGOLD — Like many of our children growing up in the mountains, Hannah Lewis loves her dog. He’s a blue-nosed brindle pit the family named Kenpo, after the Japanese martial arts. It’s no wonder they’re mutually devoted — she’s had Kenpo since he was six weeks old; he is seven years old now. Hannah’s almost 16. She likes music, and ...

OAKHURST — The 12th annual Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous at the Oakhurst Community Center comes to town during the week of Sunday, Apr. 7 through Saturday, Apr. 13, 2019. “This special week of carving is guaranteed to be fun for the whole family and we would like to extend a special invitation to you to come and join us,” says organizer ...

OAKHURST – The owner of Oakhurst’s only independent bookstore has decided to start a new chapter in life. Local bibliophiles need not panic — Branches Books & Gifts is “definitely not closing.” But the popular bookstore is officially “on the market,” says owner Anne Driscoll, who confirms she’s decided to turn the page in her personal life. “I just want ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski’s latest report from the field on Mar. 27: New snow: 10 inches Total settled snow depth: 90 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 42°F (March 26) Low temperature: 1°F (March 24) Ski Conditions and Weather It is snowing again today after a brief three day window of dry weather and seasonal temperatures. ...

BASS LAKE – It’s a sure sign that summer is just around the corner – the season opening on Friday, Mar 29, of two popular local lakeside businesses, The Forks Resort and Miller’s Landing Resort. The Forks will be celebrating their 72nd season and Miller’s Landing marks season number 38. The Forks and Miller’s Landing are both long-time favorites on ...

By Therese Righter — O’NEALS — Are you ready? The countdown is on — just ten days until Relay for Life: Sierra Mountain Communities for a Cure begins! The entire community is invited to join in the celebrations as we memorialize those we have lost, honor those who are currently fighting and those who have won their battle with the ...