Latest Articles
Sheriff's Office Searches For Next Of Kin
MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking family members of a man who recently died. 67-year old Roberto Mancilla Melendez (DOB 11-30-1945) was admitted to Madera Community Hospital on Dec. 31, 2012. He passed away on January…
Huell Charmed Everyone At The Sugar Pine Railroad
Submitted by Dale Clugston FISH CAMP – His interviewing style has many descriptions. Traditional and unflashy, awestruck curiosity and a relentless enthusiasm. I agree with all of that and maybe a couple of more. He was genuine and a true…
DUI Drivers Will Face Tougher Prosecution
MADERA – Thousands of families are devasted every year through the actions of those who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The District Attorney’s office now has more ammunition to fight back. The District Attorney for…
Driver Arrested After Deadwood Crash
OAKHURST – A collision on Deadwood yesterday resulted in the arrest of an Oakhurst woman for driving under the influence of narcotics. At 1:02 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, Jill Reich, 53, of Oakhurst, was pulling out from a driveway…
Injury Accident On Deadwood Snarls Traffic
OAKHURST – A wreck on Deadwood this afternoon resulted in at least one injury, and backed traffic up for about an hour. Details of just how the crash happened are not yet available from the CHP, but at least two…
Met Cinema Prepares For Feb. 1 Opening
OAKHURST – Work is underway at the Met Cinemas getting everything into ship-shape condition for their much-anticipated reopening on Feb 1. Met Heroes are out in force scrubbing and cleaning, patching and painting, and checking everything from carpets to projectors.
Coarsegold Teachers Train For Anti-Bullying Program
COARSEGOLD – Rivergold Elementary School in Coarsegold will be the first Madera Country school to benefit from the much-anticipated radKIDS® Anti-Bullying Program set to start in February. A rigorous training program for the instructors will take place next week in…
The History Mystery #1 – January 2013
In 1920, John Hughes was the trail crew supervisor for the Sierra National Forest. He collected photographs and created a photographic album that was donated in 1983 to the (then) Minarets Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest by his…
Local Christmas Bird Counts Successful
Annual Christmas bird counts last month in Mariposa, Oakhurst and Yosemite yielded fewer birds than last year, yet organizers of the three local events nonetheless judged them successful–and, as always, fun! The counts were part of the National Audubon Society’s…
Winter Fun In Your Own Backyard – Yosemite Adventures
Yosemite is magnificent in winter, and there is a host of things to do and see during those months when we practically have the place to ourselves. Whether you’re flying down the slopes at Badger Pass on skis, traipsing through…
Highway 41 Crash Results In Murder Conviction
MADERA – A horrific head-on collision near the 22-Mile House on Highway 41, claimed the lives of three young women back in August of 2009. Today, a Madera County jury convicted Justin Eugene Rice of three felony counts of second…
Chukchansi Sues Governor, U.S. Gov’t Over Mono Casino
MADERA COUNTY – The filing of two lawsuits by the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians may cost a lot more than lawyer’s fees and court costs. It may mean the loss of upwards of $20 million in payments if and…
What To Do If You Lose (or Find) a Dog or Cat
In Madera County if a dog or cat has been found, the animal must be reported to Animal Control and cannot be given to anyone else until 30-days has passed FROM the time the found report was placed. It is…
Become The Master Of Your iPhone/iPad, Facebook, Photoshop
OAKHURST – If your über-smart electronic device is smarter than you are, this is your chance to get the upper hand and learn some new skills. Adult education computer classes start up again in January 2013 at Yosemite High School…
Yosemite Area Celebrates California Restaurant Month
OAKHURST – The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau (YSVB) is once again teaming up with Visit California to showcases Yosemite area restaurants during California Restaurant Month. Four restaurants in California’s Gateway to Yosemite are participating this year, offering discounts on signature…
California Dept. Of Fish & Game Has A New Name
CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) becomes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), effective Jan. 1. The new name was mandated by Assembly Bill (AB) 2402, which was signed Sept. 25, 2012, by Gov….
El Portal Man Dies In Single Vehicle Accident
MARIPOSA COUNTY – A single-vehicle accident on Highway 140 near Cedar Lodge has claimed the life of an El Portal man. Juan Hernandez Montalvo, 25, was killed when his 2003 Volkswagon Jetta crashed onto the banks of the Merced River…
Met Heroes Reach Their Goal! Theater To Re-Open!
OAKHURST – After two months of sleepless nights, dogged determination and a never-say-die attitude, the Met Heroes have won the day! As the deadline approached, at 8:18 p.m. this evening, Monday, Dec. 31, the tireless team of Matt Sconce, James…
Violas Over Daffodils
Last year, I planted violas over the mini daffodils in patio pots and want to do the same this year. Deer don’t bother these on the patio,…they rarely come up the concrete steps any more and they aren’t attracted to…
Trick Your Ride With A Classic Plate
SACRAMENTO –Classic car owners can now give their ride the look it had back when it was hot off the showroom floor. Vintage-look plates are being offered by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the DMV will be taking…
Last Day To Be A Hero!
OAKHURST – Today is the last day for people to sign up to be a hero and Save The Met! After many weeks of hard work and determination, Movie Heroes, Inc. and all their Met Heroes are within 250 subscribers…
What Will You Do When The Power Goes Out?
Submitted by Dave Wolin It may not seem like it, but we live in a dangerous area. At any moment, the Long Valley Caldera and Mammoth Mountain could explode, decimating Central California. We’re only 100 miles from the San Andreas…
New Year’s Resolutions Are Nothing New
Every year, Americans make resolutions about how they will tackle some perceived personal short-coming in the new year. We wondered how this tradition came to be, and found some interesting history around the web. We also heard from SNO readers…
Minarets Key Club Members Decorate Floats For 2013 Rose Parade
O’NEALS – Key Club members from Minarets High School left town in the wee early hours of the morning on Sunday, Dec. 30, and made their way south to Pasadena, California. What was their mission? These 9 young leaders were…
New Year's "Sensible Celebration" At ECCO
OAKHURST – Final touches are underway for celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO) on Monday, Dec. 31, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Billed as “A Sensible Celebration,” the evening promises a perfect blend of socializing,…
Only 2 Days Left To Save The Met!
OAKHURST – The clock is ticking down to the end of 2012, and also to the end of the chance to save our local theater. And the message from the Met Heroes today is – “We need your help!” Movie…
Oakhurst Man Escapes Injury In Deadwood Crash
OAKHURST – An Oakhurst man escaped serious injury this morning when his car went off Highway 41 and plunged down a steep embankment on Deadwood. Grady Grant, 38, was traveling southbound on Highway 41 about a mile south of Victoria…
Search for Missing Plane Suspended in Yosemite
YOSEMITE – The search for a small plane missing since Monday, Dec. 17 over Yosemite National Park and adjacent areas has been suspended. The single engine plane was last detected via radar in the afternoon of Dec. 17, over the…
Support Yosemite Conservancy With Custom Plates
YOSEMITE – The Yosemite Conservancy invites everyone to show their love for Yosemite and support their projects by purchasing Yosemite license plates. When California drivers purchase Yosemite license plates from the DMV, $20 from each sale goes to support Yosemite…
Oakhurst Audubon Program: "Climate Change Is Happening"
Guest Column submitted by Len Mckenzie OAKHURST – “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” wrote Bob Dylan–and, indeed, they are. They always have, of course, and those words continue to ring true today. The only constant in nature, it’s been said,…
It's Now Or Never For The Met Cinemas
OAKHURST – The Los Angeles Times will be in town today taking pictures of the Met Heroes who have been fighting so hard to save the local theater. Matt Sconce, one of the three local entrepreneurs who have launched a…
CHP Steps Up DUI Enforcement This Weekend
CALIFORNIA – The California Highway Patrol is deadly serious when it comes to keeping drunk drivers off the road, and they will be out in force this weekend. Impaired driving can quickly turn a holiday celebration into a tragedy.
Animal Care & Adoption Center Breaks Ground Soon
AHWAHNEE – With groundbreaking on their new facility just around the corner, the Eastern Madera County SPCA is gearing up to get busy on the new Animal Care and Adoption Center. The EMC SPCA has been working to get a…
Ponderosa Customers Can Now Post Classified Ads
NORTH FORK – SierraNewsOnline is very happy to let our Ponderosa Telephone customers know that they can now post ads on our classifieds.
'Silver Alert' System To Launch January 2013
CALIFORNIA – Sheriff John Anderson sees a potential bonus, and an added safety net, for Madera County senior citizens when SB 1047 – “Silver Alert” notification system – goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013 This notification system, signed into law…
Single Engine Plane Missing in Yosemite Area
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park continues the search for a single engine plane that may have gone missing over the park on Monday, Dec. 17. The plane was last detected via radar in the afternoon on Monday, near the North…
Click It Every Trip, Every Time
SACRAMENTO – Even though California’s seat belt requirement was put into law more than a quarter-of-a-century ago, there are some drivers and passengers who still resist the few seconds it takes to safely buckle up, or they may not properly…
Badger Pass Opens For Downhill
YOSEMITE – It’s time to hit the slopes! Badger Pass opens its downhill operations for the season on Friday, Dec. 21. The tubing hill and terrain parks will not open until they get more snow, which may come as early…
Sheriff Warns Beware Of Door-To-Door Salesman
MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is warning citizens to beware of a man posing as a sales rep making house calls in Madera County. The suspect identifies himself to his victims as Dennis Small, and claims to represent Air…
The Cattle King Pt.1
The Cattle King: The Biography of Henry Miller, Founder of the Miller & Lux Cattle Empire was written by Edward F. Treadwell and printed in 1981. In his foreword Treadwell says that as he …lacked sufficient imagination to write something…
Oakhurst Men Arrested, Uzi Siezed
MADERA COUNTY – Two Oakhurst men are behind bars following a short pursuit over Deadwood on Tuesday night. Jailed are Joshua Russell Murray, 18, and Adrian Joseph Reyes, 28.
Elder Orphans Program Launches Calling Service
MADERA COUNTY – More than a dozen Elder Orphans clients will begin receiving their first telephonic welfare checks today, Dec. 20, says Sheriff John Anderson. Elder Orphans is a program designed by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office to provide older…
Can You Donate Wheelchairs Or Mobility Items?
OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Sierra Rotary and the Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise Rotary are joining together to collect donations of used wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, shower benches, canes or any other type of mobility equipment to be refurbished and distributed across the…
North Fork Woman Jailed For Attempted Murder
Woman arrested last summer for car theft back behind bars for attempted murder – NORTH FORK – A 32-year old North Fork woman sits behind bars at this hour facing attempted murder charges. Nirvana Tannehill, is accused of stabbing an…
Burglary Arrests Of Notorious Gang Members
MADERA COUNTY – A Madera County resident returned home early on Monday, Dec. 17, only to interrupt a burglary in progress. Four suspects, tied to a major gang operating in Madera County, fled the property in her car, according to…
New Laws For California Drivers – What You Need To Know
SACRAMENTO – California motorists need to be aware of new rules governing the California driving public which go in effect on Jan. 1, 2013. These rules are the product of legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law by…
Excellence In Leadership Award For SNF Officer
CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest received two 2012 Regional Forester’s Awards on Nov. 28, for its outstanding contributions to reduce the Forest Service’s environmental footprint in the Northern Region.
Three Car Accident On Highway 41
MADERA COUNTY – A driver drifting across the double yellow lines on Highway 41 caused a chain reaction that resulted in damage to three vehicles in front of the Blackhawk Lodge on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 11:34 a.m. David Wu,…
Santa Bandit Holdup Caught On Tape
MADERA COUNTY – An armed man wearing a Santa hat robbed two convenience stores Saturday night, Dec. 15, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. The armed robber first held up a store in the city, then moved on to…
Yosemite High Takes Second In Mock Trial
OAKHURST — Yosemite High School’s acclaimed Mock Trial team took second place in Madera County at the Honorable Edward P. Moffat Mock Trial, held Dec. 5 – 8, 2012. Liberty High School garnered first place at the competition and Minarets…
Badger Pass Nordic Center Open For The Season
YOSEMITE – The Badger Pass Nordic Center is open for the season as of Saturday, Dec. 15. The Glacier Point Road to Badger Pass has just opened, so now is the time to get out and do some cross-country skiing…
Another Beautiful Sunset In The Sierra
Keith Sauer was our very first blogger at SierraNewsOnline. His photos are beautiful, and his posts are always delightful to read. Keith has been hiking in the Yosemite area for half a century, and photographing the wildlife in the Sierra…
An Arrest Would Ruin Your Holiday Trip
SACRAMENTO – California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Joe Farrow has an important message for citizens of the Golden State who plan to be on the road this holiday season.
Car Troubles? This Mechanic Will Come To You
When your car breaks down in your driveway, or the parking lot at work, you can call a tow truck. Or, you can call Lee Hulbert, mobile mechanic, and he will come to you. Lee’s At Your Service Mobile Mechanic…
Pottery Barn & Martha Stewart Order From Local Tree Farm
NORTH FORK – With Christmas just around the corner, family owned and run Silvertip Tree Farm still has a good selection of silvertip Christmas trees, also known as California Red Fir (Abies Magnifica). Starting this weekend, the prices are deeply…
Talking To Kids About Tragedy In The News
As events were being reported today from Connecticut, and people began posting on social media, it became apparent that the tragic realities of this story will not be limited to those who want to watch the news. The news of…
Last Call For Oakhurst Time Capsule
OAKHURST – What can you share that represents modern life in this mountain town? The Centennial Committee of the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce wants to know: they’re reaching out to the community for items to be placed in a…
Need an Easy Holiday Appetizer? S|N|O Readers Share
We asked S|N|O fans on Facebook to fork over some favorite “make-and-take” holiday appetizers. Here’s how you responded: Warning: do not read on an empty stomach! Reader Amy Beebe makes bacon and cream cheese-studded jalapenos as her “go-to” dish, adding…
Wreck Involves Two Pickups And A Big Rig
OAKHURST – A truck driver turning into the parking lot at the Grocery Discount Center had his morning disrupted when a pickup ran into the side of his trailer. The truck driver, Richard Lamberson of Upland, Ca., said he was…
Oakhurst Pair Behind Bars
Oakhurst — Two mountain area residents are behind bars following a parole search in Oakhurst last night. William Shannon Reed, 43, and Morgan Jean Brannan, 20, both of Oakhurst, were taken into custody on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at a residence…
Early Morning Search Results In Drug Arrest
OAKHURST – An early morning search of a home in the Royal Oaks area of Oakhurst has landed 36-year old Danny Allen Hamilton in jail, according to Erica Stuart, Public Information Officer for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Stuart says…
Local Matters – Seasonal Tips From The Tire Pros
OAKHURST – The owners of a Sullivan’s Tire Pros have some tips for area drivers that could help families stay safe this holiday season. Mike and Diane Sullivan have owned the familiar shop, located at 40126 Highway 49, for more…
Bird Lovers Invited To Yosemite
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park is participating in the 113th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) to be held on Sunday, Dec. 16. This is the 81st year that Yosemite is participating in the CBC and the park has contributed over…
Night Of Comedy At Bass Lake
BASS LAKE – The laughs are on the house when the Bass Lake Event Center hosts a free comedy show on Friday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m. Bass Lake Laughs will feature six artists performing stand-up in the Lakeview Room…
Laura Grace Wilkinson
At the age of 65, Laura Grace Wilkinson passed away, Monday Dec. 3, with the love of her life kneeling by her side. Dale and Laura were married for 44 amazing years. Laura was born in San Rafael, California. At…
Changes
Big changes in store for Pat and me. We accepted an offer for our North Fork house, and found a house in the Valley of the Moon (between Sonoma and Santa Rosa) that we would like to buy. It’s in…
Jeronimo Martinez Found Mentally Incompetent To Stand Trial
MADERA – The Madera Superior Court has found defendant Jeronimo Ramirez Martinez mentally incompetent to stand trial, according to District Attorney Michael R. Keitz. Ramirez Martinez is charged with the murders of Fidel Hernandez, 20, and Delfino Hernandez, 41, on…
Mountain Area Warming Centers Are Open
MADERA COUNTY – The County of Madera has established three different Warming Centers in the mountain area, for those seeking comfortable sanctuary during times of extreme winter cold. In Oakhurst, the Sierra Senior Center, located at 49111 Cinder Lane, just…
Burglary Suspect Arrested In Oakhurst
MADERA COUNTY – An Oakhurst man believed to be linked to several burglaries in the Oakhurst area is behind bars. Deputies say video surveillance helped them identify the suspected thief. John William Cotey, 30, was captured Monday morning, Dec. 10,…
Rescue Operation Saves Hiker At Lewis Creek
OAKHURST – A Fresno man is recovering from injuries sustained after falling roughly 50 feet from the Lewis Creek Trail on Sunday. Larry Ross Teixeira, 38, was hiking with friends when he reportedly lost his footing, tumbled down the side…
Oakhurst Cleaners Opens In New Location
OAKHURST – Oakhurst Cleaners has moved to a new location and is now located at 40034 Highway 49. “We moved on December 1,” confirms owner Mike Demeusy. “We’re in the Vons shopping center, right next to Sierra Tel Networks, in…
'Creative Hands' Is A Crafter's Dream
OAKHURST – One look around the Creative Hands section of Pak and Page and it’s immediately clear – this place is so much more than a craft store, it’s a Mecca for artists and others who want to express themselves…
Have A California Gold Rush Christmas
COLUMBIA – A trip back in time to Christmases of long ago is drawing revelers to Columbia State Historic Park. The Park is decorated for the Christmas season and will host a variety of events throughout the month of December….
Effort To Save The Met Heats Up
OAKHURST – The effort to save the Met Cinemas rolls on as Met Heroes took to the streets again last week to help raise awareness. Heroes gathered in the lobby at the Met last Friday afternoon to don costumes and…
Christmas Sing-Along At North Fork Library
NORTH FORK – Sing along to the songs of the season at the North Fork Library on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The library sing-along has become a holiday tradition, with local group Sugar Pine leading everyone in their…
Madera County Weighs Water Issues
MADERA COUNTY – What would happen if the County were to sell your water district to a private company? Madera County has been exploring all the options to help improve service and upgrade systems in the County’s special water districts….
Sheriff Searches For Next Of Kin
MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is hoping the public can help locate relatives of a 50-year old Madera man who passed away on Dec. 5. Dale Jenkins, a white adult male, had no known address in Madera…
Agency Receives Help To Assist Crime Victims
MADERA COUNTY – Victims of crime in Madera County will have some more financial support thanks to a donation from the California Prison Industry Authority (CalPia). The Community Action Partnership of Madera County has received a major donation from CalPia,…
Area Christmas Bird Counts Scheduled
On Christmas Day in 1900, the National Audubon Society (NAS) held it’s first Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Now this annual international bird census numbers more than 1,500 individual counts, and everyone is invited to participate in the 113th CBC, between…
Tioga and Glacier Point Roads Closed For Season
YOSEMITE – The significant storm systems that passed through the Yosemite Area over the weekend resulted in an estimated five and a half feet of snow accumulation in Tuolumne Meadows. Due to this significant storm, the Tioga and Glacier Point…
STI Classifieds Now Available On SierraNewsOnline!
S|N|O is very excited to announce that we have teamed up with Sierra Tel Internet to provide our readers with the most comprehensive classified ads in the mountain area! Thanks to the efforts of Laura Norman at STI, our readers…
Jean Butterfield Celebrates Her First CD
Acoustic Americana Folk-Grass: Butterfield holds two CD release parties this weekend OAKHURST – Multi-talented singer, songwriter and local musician Jean Butterfield has scheduled two events to mark the release of her first CD, Brothers In Time. Butterfield is a frequent…
Winter Concert At Mountain Christian Center
OAKHURST – It’s a holiday music lover’s delight as bands and choirs from area schools join together for the Yosemite High Winter Concert this Thursday, Dec. 6, at Mountain Christian Center. Yosemite High Bands, Percussion and Choir will perform together…
Christmas Tree Auction A Festive Success
BASS LAKE – The halls were decked and the trees trimmed in the most imaginative ways as the 11th Annual Christmas Tree Auction got underway in the Lakeside Room at the Pines Resort on Sunday, Dec. 2. Every year, this…
When Do You Need Chains In Yosemite?
Written by Dave Henderson, Park Ranger YOSEMITE – Winter is sneaking up on us and we all know the climate around here changes pretty fast. Greetings everyone from your friendly Yosemite Traffic Management Office! In anticipation of winter each year,…
Christmas Dinner On A Grand Scale
Ahwahnee Hotel Presents 86th Yuletide Extravagance – Bracebridge Dinner Is Served YOSEMITE – The annual transformation is set to begin, as adventurous guests from around the world gather to attend the Bracebridge Dinner, celebrated annually at the Ahwahnee hotel since…
Zip Yosemite Gives Confidence To Valley Kids
It was going to be just another beautiful fall day. The air was fresh and crisp, the sky was a brilliant shade of blue and the leaves were aflame in hues of orange and red. But the peacefulness of this…
Audubon Presentation Features Yosemite’s Sky Islands
The alpine zone at the crest of the Sierra Nevada is the highest-elevation ecosystem in California. Yosemite National Park has a large number of relatively flat, cold, windswept, unglaciated alpine summits that are possibly the oldest habitats in the region,…
Log Trucks Roll Down Highway 41
FISH CAMP – Where are all those logging trucks coming from? Or going to for that matter? All guessing aside, many of them are carrying logs from the Sugar Pine Fuels Reduction Project, along Highway 41 between Sugar Pine and…
Met Heroes Take To The Streets To Save Theater
OAKHURST – The “Save The Met” super-heroes were out in force on Monday, summoning their super powers of persuasion and encouraging people to join them in saving the Met Cinemas. About 20 people, both the young and more “seasoned” citizens,…
Midpines Man Arrested For Murder
MARIPOSA – One man is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in the community of Midpines on Saturday, Dec. 1. At about 9 p.m., Mariposa County sheriff’s deputies and detectives responded to a disturbance call at a…
Small Hospital Well-Suited to Serve Big Needs
MARIPOSA – The John C. Fremont (JCF) Health Care District has a message for residents of Oakhurst and other nearby mountain towns: the next time you or someone you know needs medical attention, the JCF hospital staff and physicians are…
Here's What's Comin' Around The Mountain
A Round-up of Holiday Happenings – MOUNTAIN AREA – Time to get out your shiny red shoes, light-up Christmas ties or whatever it is that shows you’ve got spirit during the holidays. The mountain area does not disappoint when it…
Update- ALERT – Major Gas Line Break Closes Hwy 99 In Madera
MADERA – Highway 99 is closed between Avenue 7 and Avenue 12 due to a gas line break, according to reports from the CHP. Traffic in the Madera area is snarled due to the incident, and motorists are being advise…
Give Children The Gift Of A Second Language
OAKHURST – Area children are being offered the opportunity to learn a new language at The Children’s Museum of the Sierra. The museum began providing a Spanish immersion program on Sept. 11, with two classes each week, offering homeschool students…