Written by Sarah Bolton – MADERA COUNTY – Hello Madera Residents! Welcome to the first edition of the Tree Mortality Community Column. Our company, Blue Ridge Services, is partnering with Madera County to oversee and implement their tree mortality mitigation project. Several members of our team live in Madera County, and like you, we are well aware of the severity ...

By Rebecca Townsend —  O’NEALS — The Minarets Drama Club recently returned from their annual field trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, organized by drama teacher Kayla West and Spanish teacher/dance coach Karen Urrutia-Polnitz. Our students joined others from Sanger and Clovis to watch five productions, including Romeo and Juliet, Sense and Sensibility, Othello, The Way the Mountain ...

NORTH FORK — It’s one of the most beautiful times of year in the Central Sierra, and a couple of great things are happening on the same day — so plan accordingly for lots of fun. The community of North Fork and the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Association are partnering with the Fresno Cycling Club to bring back the 24th Grizzly ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Our local EMC SPCA says they are in desperate need of new foster people to take care of some very special canines and felines. For anyone who has been thinking about ways in which to help, this is a great way to give volunteering with pets a try. “Recently, we’ve had to turn away both cats and ...

YOSEMITE  – In honor of National Public Lands Day, the entrance fee to Yosemite National Park is being waived, and transportation to the park is free that day, as well. Saturday, Sept. 22 is a fee-free day at Yosemite National Park, as are three other days this year, through the National Park Service. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not ...

COARSEGOLD — Gma’s & Pappa’s third annual “Next Firefighter Up” motorcycle poker run to benefit local volunteer fire departments takes place on Saturday, Sept. 22. The beneficiary this year is the North Fork Volunteer Fire Station. The “Next Firefighter Up” Motorcycle Poker Run begins with sign-in at Gma’s & Pappa’s  at 8 a.m., located at 35285 CA-41 in Coarsegold. Motorcyclists from the ...

BASS LAKE – The Mountain Area Runners would like to invite all runners and walkers to join in the celebration of the 31st Smokey Bear Run/Walk at beautiful Bass Lake, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 22. Race day features all types of activities for everyone’s fitness level. There is a 2-mile walk, a 2-mile run, a 10K run (6.2 mi.), and ...

I was heading to Utah for a horse camping trip and wisely planned a little extra time for adventure along my way to Torrey. I had been thinking about driving through some country that I hadn’t been to so headed from Cedar City over Hwy 14 to Cedar Breaks National Monument. That drive over was gorgeous but Cedar Breaks with ...

OAKHURST — Our fabulous first graders at Oakhurst Elementary School know the importance of getting enough exercise every week. Each Friday our “firsties” migrate over to OCI to walk on the track. In addition, they have learned that each time they walk around the track — it is a quarter mile. Walking, running, or jogging with friends makes it so much ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – These people could have said no. When we asked the community to step up and show financial support for local news, these folks became subscribers, advertisers, partners and friends. To each we say: Thank you! Sierra News Online would not exist without you. We love you! If you’d like to join in, subscribe here or advertise here. ...