YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park announced today that a prestigious group of park supporters and advocates has been announced to be Yosemite Centennial Ambassadors. The Yosemite Centennial Ambassadors were selected from a wide variety of backgrounds and include musicians, scientists, artists, athletes, historians, writers, public officials and educators. Each ambassador shares a unique story, love, and commitment for Yosemite National ...

Submitted by Mountain Comforts MOUNTAIN AREA — Living in the Sierra foothills, heating your home with a wood burning stove or fireplace is a way of life for most of the residents. Coming in from the cold to absorb the warmth and seeing the friendly glow of a fire is one of the great things we love about our life ...

Four of us piled in my rig and we headed up for our toughest snowshoe adventure this year, full of fresh snow. The Merced Crest is famous for the spectacular views of the high country to the east. We started our adventure with beautiful blue sky with a few clouds and we had a few surprises along the way. Where: ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A winter storm warning and hazardous weather conditions could mean up to two feet of snow in the high country, while rain, possible thunderstorms and snowfall are anticipated in the lower elevations this weekend. A flash flood watch issued for the Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills has been canceled as of mid-morning Saturday, Jan. 30. Click on ...

YOSEMITE — The National Park Service announced $15 million in support of 69 projects in 63 parks, including $1,165,000 for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at Yosemite National Park. This funding augments other National Park Service funds and a Yosemite Conservancy donation of $20 million to make the restoration project possible. This landmark restoration of the ...

Guest column by Marcia Penner Freedman — What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet — William Shakespeare Juliet stands on her balcony speaking into the night. She wants Romeo to deny thy father and replace thy name. She offers to no longer be a Capulet. Juliet is a naïve ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford is reporting that our next storm system will start to hit the Central California Interior beginning late Friday and continue into the weekend. The exact track and timing are still uncertain, say the experts, but this system has the potential to bring hazardous impacts to the region. Snow is likely ...

Submitted by Cara Goger —  MARIPOSA — On Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, renowned landscape photographer Michael Frye offers a Lightroom workshop in Yosemite Valley, the proceeds of which will benefit the Yosemite Renaissance arts programs and the Mariposa County Arts Council. Lightroom has rapidly become the software tool of choice for many photographers because it’s simple, yet powerful – easy ...

MADERA COUNTY – Construction is underway now on both sides of CA-41, north of Highway 145 near the 22 Mile House, as a project eight years in the making finally gets its start. Caltrans spokesperson Gloria Rodriguez confirmed that construction has commenced to add passing lanes in both directions along 1.7 miles of State Route 41 just north of Highway ...

YOSEMITE — Share your passion for Yosemite National Park, connect with other nature-lovers, and make a lasting impact by becoming a volunteer with Yosemite Conservancy. Yosemite volunteers provide crucial services welcoming visitors and working hard to preserve Yosemite’s natural beauty. Volunteers experience the beauty of the park, camaraderie with like-minded people, enjoy inside information from the National Park Service (NPS), ...