MOUNTAIN AREA — Residents and visitors were rattled just after midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 28 as an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 near Hawthorne, Nevada, was discernible throughout the region. The first quake was felt at approximately 12:18 a.m., with multiple aftershocks reported and confirmed through the USGS Nevada Seismological Laboratory. According to experts, the initial quake’s epicenter was ...

MADERA COUNTY — Commuters and others will want to know that delays are expected for Wednesday, Dec. 28 on SR-41, as the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has scheduled some traffic control to accommodate maintenance. Caltrans says traffic will be reduced to one lane on SR-41 between Road 208 and Road 406 during the daytime hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for paving ...

SACRAMENTO — With the new year just around the corner, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to inform the public of several new laws or changes to existing law that, unless otherwise noted, take effect on January 1, 2017. The following are summaries of some transportation-related laws taking effect, according to the DMV. Use of Electronic Wireless Devices ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – Anyone taking to the mountain highways over the weekend should avoid any unwanted delays by making sure there are traction devices in their vehicle. Chain control is now in place on Highway 41 about 3.5 miles north of Cedar Springs. The location could change as conditions warrant. Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drives with snow tires ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service has upgraded the winter storm watch to a winter storm warning for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, beginning Friday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. The winter storm watch continues through 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24. According to the NWS, snow will begin above 6,000 feet in the Yosemite area ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — **UPDATED 7 p.m. Dec. 21: The NWS has upgraded this to a winter storm warning for heavy snow, meaning severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Signinficant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous.** Check with US National Weather Service Hanford California for more information and we will re-post latest news on Thursday. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) says that one-way traffic control will will cease on State Route 41 north of Oakhurst, as crews get a holiday break during the massive tree removal project taking place in Madera and Mariposa counties. Typically, one-way traffic control takes place each day from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. at various locations along the corridor, with closure zones ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the longest night, marking the point during the year when the Northern Hemisphere is the most inclined away from the Sun. The day is the official start of winter and yet each day from now will grow ever-so-gradually longer as the sun returns. On Winter Solstice, the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The season of giving continues and so far, we’ve profiled an educational foundation, a theater company, an artists’ coalition, radio station, and more, as we invite readers to join in celebrating twelve local community organizations and nonprofits, and the people behind them who are making a difference. For our eighth spotlight, we focus on the Yosemite Area Audubon Society, a group ...

YOSEMITE — After being closed overnight due to winter storm warning and flood watch, all roads in Yosemite have been reopened as of 9 a.m. today, say Park officials. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point remain closed for the winter. The Merced River crested below flood stage early this morning, resulting in no major damage to park roads or operations. All roads leading into ...