YOSEMITE — On Saturday, Nov. 5, Yosemite National Park and The Ansel Adams Gallery will honor the winners of the 2016 Gateway Expressions Student Art and Poetry Contest, held as a way for the park to celebrate the creativity of youth living in the Yosemite gateway communities. The contest is open to all students, grades K-12, who attend school or youth ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park fire managers are planning to continue ignitions of the Mariposa Grove prescribed fire project on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23. An estimated 7 to 10 days of active burn down is anticipated, with the focus in the upper grove for a total of 55 acres. Fire managers have already successfully completed 75 acres ...

YOSEMITE — On Thursday, Sept. 29, Yosemite National Park signed three new sister park agreements with Cumbres de Monterrey National Park in Mexico, Blue Mountains National Park in Australia, and Wadi Rum Protected Area in Jordan. Park officials joined Yosemite Acting Superintendent Linda Mazzu to sign a formal agreement between each park and Yosemite, which cemented a formal relationship as ...

OAKHURST — Visit Yosemite Madera County tallied a milestone recently in the record number of visitors walking through their new doors this summer. That means there were more dollars spent at local attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops by visitors to the county and the south gate entrance to Yosemite National Park. The number of guests at the visitors’ center on Highway 41 this summer totaled 18,174. Compare that ...

FISH CAMP — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) says one-way traffic control will continue this week on State Route 41 just south of Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, as part of a tree removal project taking place in Madera and Mariposa counties. Weather permitting, says Caltrans, the following one-way traffic control will take place: Beginning Monday, Oct. 17 and ending on ...

The Army in Yosemite dates back to October 1, 1890 when Yosemite National Park was established. The Secretary of the Interior asked that Army troops be made available, (as they had been in Yel­lowstone), and begin patrols protecting the park. Cavalry scouting parties were to be sent out to “prevent timber cutting, sheep herding, trespassing or spoliation in particular.” On ...

OAKHURST — Looking for the perfect local gift to give those friends and relatives who are always threatening to move here? Maybe you’re new to the area, or you’ve been here a while and are still seeking information. Stop by Branches Books and Gifts on Saturday, Oct. 15 to meet local authors Kellie Flanagan and Jennifer Moss, who’ll sign their new ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Crisp air, clear trails, and less spendy… fall may be the best time to visit Yosemite National Park, Bass Lake and Madera County, depending on your preferences. Visiting in autumn is a great idea for many reasons but mostly because you avoid the summer crowds, kids are back in school and it’s less expensive than summer, with lodging rates reduced after Labor ...

MARIPOSA — Influenza, commonly called the flu, is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. Each year, over 200,000 people are hospitalized in the United States and on average 36,000 people die due to complications related to influenza. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu is to get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine helps ...

YOSEMITE — After a temporary closure of Tioga Pass (Highway 120 to the east) and Glacier Point Road due to incoming weather, the Yosemite website says this morning that both roads are open for normal traffic. For continuing changes and current conditions in the park, including road closures, visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm For information on roads inside the park, call 209/372-0200 (then ...