CENTRAL SIERRA — A winter storm warning is in effect for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to the Kern County line, from 4 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, until 4 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. The warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for areas above 7,000 feet. Heavy snow and blowing snow are expected, with accumulations of 12 to 20 ...

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA — The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a wide area of the central and southern Sierra from 4 a.m. today through 4 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. A strong and moist Pacific storm will bring widespread rain to much of the area Friday. Periods of moderate to heavy rain will lead ...

By Bree Lewis — Before recently, I had never been out of the country, not even to Mexico, or even on a plane for that matter. So, when I received an email saying “Volunteer in Thailand this Winter Break for Only 500 Dollars,” it was like winning a fake free cruise on one of those pop-up links: you never actually ...

By Shane Hogg — O’NEALS — For the first time in its history, Minarets High School boys varsity soccer team has qualified for playoffs. The game will be at Minarets on Wednesday, Feb. 15 vs. Frazier Mountain at 5 p.m. This year’s team finished the season in second place in the West Sequoia League, the highest finish in its history. The ...

My adventure this week was full of beautiful green foothills with small streams and lovely waterfalls. A historic railroad bed, gold mining, and the Sierra Newt all played a prominent role! Where: Sierra Foothill Conservancy, McKenzie Preserve Distance: 8.36 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 629′ – 1,501′ Date: February 5, 2017 Maps: Academy, Millerton East Topographic Quads Dog Hike? No, ...

NORTH FORK — In her first time participating in the North Fork Lions Club Student Speaker Contest, Minarets High School senior Delaney Finnegan won top honors. This year marks the 80th annual competition, and the topic for this year’s speeches is “Is the Right to Privacy a Threat to our National Security?” Four students delivered their speeches on Wednesday, Feb. ...

SAN FRANCISCO — Last year, metallic balloons striking electric lines caused 429 power outages in PG&E’s service area alone, disrupting electric service to more than 200,000 homes and businesses. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, PG&E reminds customers that sparks – and not just the romantic kind – can fly on February 14 if improperly secured helium-filled metallic balloons come in contact ...

MADERA COUNTY — The Cedar Valley area remains impacted by rains, says the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. An evacuation advisory is still in effect for Lakeside Drive south of the Fire Station, Deer Run Trail Road, Lazy Oak Drive, and Cedar Place. Residents in these areas should be prepared to evacuate immediately if conditions change. The east side of Church Street ...

CEDAR VALLEY — With all the concern generated by media reports yesterday that the earthen dam in Cedar Valley was in imminent danger of failure, we followed up with Madera County Public Works to find out what is really going on. Ahmad Alkhayyat is the Director of Public Works for Madera County. We asked Alkhayyat about media reports that the earthen ...

YOSEMITE — The Big Oak Flat Road in Yosemite National Park (Hwy 120) has reopened to all vehicular traffic following a rockfall that occurred on Sunday morning, Feb. 5, say park officials. Visitors are urged to drive with caution along the road, as there is the possibility of more mud and debris entering the roadway. Water and debris remain on ...