YOSEMITE — While attention has been focused on the South Fork Fire which prompted the evacuation of Wawona last Saturday, the Empire Fire continues to burn near Bridalveil Campground, which is closed to the public to house South Fork Fire firefighters. The Empire Fire was reported on Aug. 1, and has grown to 2,013 acres – up from 1,200 acres ...

NORTH FORK — The public is invited to attend the grand opening ceremony of the new North Fork Rancheria Housing Services Building on Friday, Aug. 25, at 1 p.m. The new facility is located at 57907 Old Mill Site Court in North Fork. Lunch will be provided. The Housing Services Building was made possible through a 2014 Indian Community Development ...

Written by Ronnie Sweeting — MARIPOSA –– The last weekend of Music on the Green – the free summer concert series brought to you by The Mariposa County Arts Council and its many fine sponsors – at The Art Park in historic, downtown Mariposa, Calif., will feature two of the best: Good Medicine on Friday, Aug. 26, and The Roger ...

Have you ever been up to Shaver Lake?  I know, Bass Lake is much closer and handier, but Shaver is higher and bigger and less than an hour away. Getting to Shaver Lake involves some tight and twisty roads, so be prepared for slower speeds. The scenery is nice so be sure to take a look around as you go. ...

It is hard to believe that it is the middle of August and the snow up at the higher elevations is really hanging in there. Sally and I wandered our way through that snow in the Twenty Lakes Basin by beautiful lakes in the Hoover Wilderness. Where: Hoover Wilderness Distance: 10 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 10,108′ – 10,342′ Date: ...

YOSEMITE — A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for the community of Wawona inside Yosemite National Park due to increased activity on the west flank of the South Fork Fire. The evacuation order is for all areas east of Highway 41 along Chilnualna Falls Road and Forest Drive, including the Big Trees Lodge. Residents and visitors must vacate by ...

MERCED – Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) announced today that it will provide free transit service to Yosemite National Park on all free National Park Service (NPS) gate days for the next three years. YARTS will receive funding through the Federal Lands Access Program for a three-year demonstration project to operate free buses to Yosemite on all free NPS ...

Written by Ronnie Sweeting – MARIPOSA — Music on the Green – brought to you by The Mariposa County Arts Council and many fine sponsors – presents the second-to-last weekend of the 2017 season of free concerts with The Jeffrey Kile Revue on Friday Aug. 18, and Bootstrap Circus on Saturday, Aug. 19. Jeffrey Kile has been a music fixture ...

One of the reasons that I love hiking in this country is because of the rich mining history that occurred in these parts and when I am up here, I cannot stop thinking of the characters that braved this tough country to pursue their dreams of finding gold and silver. “The Great Silver Belt,” which runs from Tioga Hill to ...

YOSEMITE — The Empire Fire, burning in the wilderness area of Yosemite National Park southeast of Bridalveil Campground, is now estimated at 1,200 acres. Smoke from the fire — along with smoke from the South Fork Fire near Wawona — continues to obscure views inside the park, particularly in the morning hours. There are currently 33 personnel assigned to the ...