MOUNTAIN AREA — Temperatures are climbing once again this summer season. How will you stay cool? The Mariposa County Health Department recommends avoiding strenuous activity during the heat of the day, staying in a cool environment like an air conditioned home or business, relaxing in the shade while drinking plenty of water, or visiting the community pool facility. Outdoor activities ...

By Virginia Eaton — Playing golf in the summer has some special perks. When you hit the ball on a fairway hardened from the heat it rolls a long, long way. Sometimes it evens rolls in the right direction, which makes me want to do the happy dance. Long roll aside, temperatures in the mid-90s also make the muscles and ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — With so much talk about mosquitoes in the news every day, it seems like a good idea to use a proper repellent. It’s not just a matter of inconvenience to swat away a few bugs. Instead, it’s become more of a necessity to use some kind of repellent for the purpose of proactive healthcare. The market is jammed with products ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — The 2016 Perseid meteor shower is upon us, and the excitement is about to double. At its usual yearly peak, the Perseid can rain down up to 100 meteors per hour. This year, astronomers say we can look forward to twice that, with an outburst at its peak of about 200 meteors per hour. Associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseid ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Watch for kids this week as many of the schools will be back in session in the foothill area, starting Thursday, Aug. 11, and CHP will be in full enforcement at all the elementary schools and high schools. CHP Officer Kaci Lutz reminds everyone to limit the distractions and keep focus on operating your vehicle. “For our young drivers, reckless and ...

We headed off trail to check out some unnamed lakes above the Mono Pass Trail. Those views! Those wildflowers! Of course I was curious how the fishing was and I was not disappointed! Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 10.65 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 9,596′ – 11,328′ Date: July 28, 2016 Maps: Tioga Pass, Mount Dana, Koip Peak ...

Submitted by Visit Yosemite, Madera County — OAKHURST — On Aug. 25, the National Park Service will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In honor of this auspicious event, people everywhere have been asked to discover their own personal connections to parks. Stellar Gallery, Sierra Art Trails, and Visit Yosemite, Madera County are excited to present this exhibit, honoring our Park, Yosemite ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park will host a series of workshops to engage the public in the formulation of alternatives for the park’s Wilderness Stewardship Plan. The workshops will focus on two of the more complex issues to be addressed in the Plan—visitor use and capacity and stock use. At these workshops, the planning team will share preliminary concepts for ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – It is the start of August and the temperature is still telling us that dipping our bodies in cool water and eating watermelon is on the menu. Many locals and vacationers are looking for a cool retreat and Visit Yosemite Madera Country provides some great swimming places to beat the heat: Explore the many water activities on ...

YOSEMITE — Since 1998 when bear incidents in Yosemite reached an all-time high, park officials and Yosemite Conservancy have worked diligently to educate the public, implement new policies, and provide bear-resistant containers for hikers and campers. In 1998, there were approximately 1,600 incidents resulting in $660,000 in property damage. In 2016, bear incidents total just 17, with 7 additional garbage ...