MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–The Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit found themselves responding to two late-season fires today, Tuesday, November 15th, 2022. One fire was near North Fork in Madera County and the other fire was near the town of Mariposa in Mariposa County. Flat Fire The first fire started at approximately 11:15 am near the intersection of North Fork Road and Flat Lane. ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the time is now to decide where you and your family want to eat. Fortunately, there are lots of local options this year. Take a look below! The Elderberry House  November 24: All Day. $165.00 per person. 48688 Victoria Lane Oakhurst, CA 93644 Share in a delectable Thanksgiving feast at The Elderberry ...

BASS LAKE — Join us for the Pines Village Arts & Crafts Fair at The Pines Resort at Bass Lake. This awesome event will be held November 25 – 27, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission! There will be over 20 unique craft vendors on each of the dates, who will be selling their hand-made items and ...

OAKHURST — Get your game face on because it’s going to be Game Night at the Sierra Senior Center on November 21 from 6  – 8 p.m. All ages welcome! Play old favorites, learn a new game, or bring a game to share! There will be pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, and cider available for purchase! To RSVP please call 559-658-2200 ...

OAKHURST — Soroptimist International of the Sierras is hosting their 6th Annual Chili Cookoff at the Oakhurst Community Center. There will be a judging contest for “best chili,” live music, and a raffle. This is one of the major Soroptimist fundraisers for the year and will help them implement their ‘Live Your Dream’ and ‘Dream It – Be It’ programs ...

OAKHURST — Oakhurst Boy Scout Troop 316 and Girl Scout Troop were at the Oakhurst Elks’ Veterans Day Dinner helping out with the opening ceremonies. The event was fabulous! A spaghetti dinner with meat or vegetarian sauce, salad, and dessert left everyone with a happy belly. A large raffle with some very cool baskets and other items, such as a very ...

California State Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Proposed Statewide Policy Changes for new Solar Customers to Affect Small Mountain Communities NORTH FORK — Most local residents either know someone who has solar or has already made the switch themselves. The benefits of turning sunshine into electricity have intrigued anyone who enjoys physics and chemistry, or more broadly, anyone who pays a ...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK— Yosemite National Park (YNP) has recently experienced widespread precipitation and snow accumulation which has led to the closure of the fire season. The closure of the fire season occurs when there is a season-ending precipitation event totaling two inches or more. This also allows for residential pile burning to return.   Helicopter 551, Yosemite’s helicopter that was ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — A disabled Korean War veteran and resident of the community for over 60 years, Cleon Jones is in desperate need of assistance after a house fire left him and several family members homeless. Cleon, a former publisher of the Sierra Star, lost his home (as well as his pet dog) on October 30th to a house fire. ...

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES–Every year I hear the same questions about chain controls in our communities. Do I have to carry chains? What do R1, R2, and R3 mean? My vehicle is four-wheel drive, do I still need chains? Keep reading for the answers to these questions and more. During the winter months, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain ...