Latest Articles
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…
If I Were A Thief, You Would Now Be A Victim
MADERA COUNTY – With less than two-dozen shopping days left to make this season merry and bright for family and friends, thieves are finding opportunities at every turn to relieve you of your holiday cheer. With the hustle and bustle…
Parole Denied For School Bus Kidnapper
MADERA – Kidnapper Frederick Woods will not be getting out of prison any time soon. Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz has announced that the Board of Parole Hearings has denied Woods parole for the next 3 years.
4 Mile Trail to Glacier Point & Sentinel Dome Hike
I once heard the 4 Mile Trail described as a three hour long Stairmaster session from start to finish. We accomplished that plus a bonus hike up to Sentinel Dome for views of snow covered Half Dome and other surrounding…
Deck The Tree At The Crazy Y
NORTH FORK – Everyone is invited to come out and help decorate the community Christmas Tree in North Fork on Tuesday, Dec. 4. The festivities will take place in the Post Office parking lot at 5:30 p.m., and all revelers…
Winners Chosen In Road Naming At Mill Site
Submitted by the NFCDC NORTH FORK – On Sept. 25, the Community Development Council (CDC) launched a contest to name two roads at the mill site. One is the road on which the new fire station is located. The other…
Project To Save The Met Needs You
OAKHURST – The Met Cinema now has new owners and a new and innovative business plan. Residents have been anxiously awaiting news, since it was announced that something was in the works to save the local theater. Now the community…
Yosemite Valley Color
A few days ago I posted some roadside color taken on the drive to the Valley, where I walked to Mirror Lake and explored the Valley a little. It was a misty day and unusually quiet and empty of people…
Smash & Grab At The 22-Mile House
MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public’s help in identifying the suspects they say are responsible for a break in at the Valero on Highway 41. A lone thief busted through a window at the…
Traffic Stop On Deadwood Leads To Arrests
OAKHURST – Two men are behind bars after a traffic enforcement stop on Deadwood Tuesday night, Nov. 27. Jason Paul Howard, 25, of North Fork, and Shane Jacob Casey, 19, of Oakhurst, remain behind bars without bail.
North Fork Woman Dies In Single Vehicle Accident
NORTH FORK – A single vehicle accident last night on Douglas Ranger Station Road has taken the life of 26-year-old North Fork resident Allison Demers. The accident happened at about 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The Ford Explorer in…
Oakhurst Practice Offers Free Dentistry Day
OAKHURST – The dental practice of Doctors Rodney Peter and Dennis Jones have a plan to put smiles on the faces of many local residents as they open their doors to offer free dental treatment on Friday, Dec. 7, from…
SierraNewsOnline Celebrates 1000 Fans!
CENTRAL SIERRA – Yes, we are tooting our own horn, and celebrating a milestone for S|N|O. We have just hit 1,000 fans on our Facebook page! We want to welcome all our recent Facebook fans, and thank all of you…
Past Revisited At Old Logging Railroad
FISH CAMP – The sounds of train whistles have fallen silent at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad now that the season has ended, and have been replaced with sounds that haven’t been heard here in nearly a century. Logging…
Hark! The Oakhurst String Orchestra Plays Christmas
OAKHURST – Get ready for not one but two inspiring Christmas concerts presented by the Oakhurst Community String Orchestra (OCSO). The concerts will be Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Oakhurst Lutheran Church, and Thursday, Dec. 6 at Sierra Pines Church. Both…
ALL SOLD OUT – – Scouts Christmas Trees At North Fork Library
NORTH FORK – The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Troop 357 have been busy havesting fresh red fir trees, otherwise known as silver tip, for their annual Christmas Tree Sale at the North Fork Library. The trees will be…
Black Friday For Green Thumbs
OAKHURST – The weather is perfect, business is brisk and there’s a new breed of pansy in town at Western Sierra Nursery. According to local experts, this is an opportune time of year for savvy gardeners, scores of whom were…
Mission To Save The Met Cinema
OAKHURST – When the Met Cinema closed its doors on Nov. 1, the community began asking “what can we do to help.” Now three young men, Matt Sconce, Keith Walker and James Nelson, are teaming up to do something to…
New Postmaster Takes Oath In Oakhurst
OAKHURST – Postmasters and postal employees from all over the area turned out to celebrate the swearing in of Holly Baker as the new Postmaster at the Oakhurst Post Office on Friday, Nov 16. Baker was appointed Postmaster on Oct….
Mono Tribe To Pay Chukchansi To Mitigate Impact
MADERA COUNTY – The North Fork Mono Rancheria hopes to break ground on their new casino early next year. The 305-acre project is located adjacent to Highway 99, between Avenue 17 and 18, just north of Madera. Charles Banks-Altekruse, owner…
A Hallmark Ornaments Lover's Dream
Oakhurst, CA. – The local Hallmark store and ornament collectors donated over $600 worth of the popular decorations to the Children’s Museum of the Sierra for the annual Christmas Tree Auction. The donations came from Dave and Linda Dorsey, owners…
Win A Cord Of Wood – Support The Library
NORTH FORK – Raffle tickets are now on sale for a cord of wood, with proceeds going to help support the North Fork Friends of the Library (FOL). Tickets for the wood, which was donated by Rob Russell, can be…
Father Christmas At Fresno Flats
OAKHURST – The public is invited to come and celebrate the season with Father Christmas at Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park on Sunday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Father Christmas’s antique car will roll over Deadwood…
Christmas Tree Auction Secrets Revealed
BASS LAKE – All festive party-goers and good-hearted philanthropists are encouraged to attend the 11th Annual Christmas Tree & Online Auction set for Sunday, Dec. 2, at the Bass Lake Event Center, Lakeview Room, at 3 p.m. Bidding has already…
Biomass Project Moves Forward In North Fork
NORTH FORK – The North Fork Community Development Council is working with a project team to develop a small combined heat and power generation facility at the North Fork Mill Site. The project is a strategic step to produce green…
Richard Farias Convicted Of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter
MADERA – Richard Farias, 57, of Madera, was convicted on two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter on Tuesday, Nov. 20, by a Superior Court jury. The jury also found Farias guilty of two additional felony counts of causing great bodily…
Accident North Of 22-Mile House
An accident on Highway 41 on Friday, Nov. 16, at about 6:30 a.m., resulted in one vehicle being towed, and no injuries, according the the CHP. One vehicle was slowing to turn onto Road 8063, when it was struck from…
5,000 Lbs. Of Trout Released At Bass Lake
BASS LAKE – The Department of Fish of Game (DFG) planted 5,000 pounds of rainbow trout at Bass Lake on Friday, Nov. 16. The trout were released into the lake at Ducey’s boat ramp on the east side of the…
My Rural Fire Fee Petition Was Denied – Now What?
CALIFORNIA -The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) is reassuring those who have received notification that their Petition for Redetminiation has been denied, in regards to Assembly Bill 29, which has come to be known as the Rural Fire Fee. “Our…
Forget The Turkey, Save Yourself!
Five Ways to Thrive This Thanksgiving – ANYTOWN, USA – This is the time of year we gather in America to express our gratitude and bond over turkey and football. Glossy magazines decorate the aisles of overflowing supermarkets, resplendent with…
Don't Cook Up A Disaster On Turkey Day
Cooking is the leading cause of residential structure fires on Thanksgiving Day. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) would like to provide you with a few simple safety tips to help prevent a…
CHP Serves Up Maximum Enforcement This Thanksgiving
SACRAMENTO – Law enforcement is watching roadways closely this time of year, as Thanksgiving is a Maximum Enforcement Period for the California Highway Patrol. The holiday reporting period begins Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. and runs through Sunday, Nov….
Ice Rink Open At Curry Village
YOSEMITE – The Yosemite Valley Ice Rink is now open. This is a great family-friendly activity beneath the grandeur of Half Dome and Glacier Point. After a few spins around the rink, skaters can gather in the warmth of the…
Yosemite Waterfalls Flowing Again
Weekend storm system produces just under two inches of rain in Yosemite Valley – YOSEMITE – Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and other waterfalls in Yosemite Valley are flowing again after a series of storms over the weekend. Yosemite Falls, which…
North Fork Lions Build New Sidewalks At Town Hall
NORTH FORK – A hard-working contingent from the North Fork Lions Club was out bright and early on Wednesday, Nov. 14, pouring concrete for a new sidewalk at the North Fork Town Hall. The walkway runs from the front door…
Community Christmas Tree Arrives At The Talking Bear
OAKHURST – The season is officially underway in Oakhurst, as the Community Christmas tree arrives at the corner of Highway 41 and Road 426. The 60-foot white fir was harvested under a permit from the Sierra National Forest, and was…
Veterans Bring History To Life For Minarets Film Makers
O’NEALS – When a Black Hawk helicopter touched down on the broad expanse of lawn at Minarets High School on Tuesday, Nov. 13, it was just the beginning of a day set aside to honor our veterans. More than 20…
CHP Mobilizes To Reduce Deadly Trend
SACRAMENTO – Motorcycles are fun and fast and easy on gas, but the number of motorcycle collisions resulting in death has increased in California recently, prompting authorities to address the problem with a year-long, lifesaving effort paid for by a…
The Soaring National Debt
Guest Columnist – Alan R. Graas, Chief Economist, Sierra Asset Management Over the past few years we have expressed increasing concern over the soaring national debt. As we look to the end of this decade, we view the growing national…
What's Up For The Holidays At The Children's Museum
Late Fall Update from the Children’s Museum of the Sierra – Where have all the months gone??!? Seems only a few short weeks ago that we were so excited when the Madera County Arts Council approached us about hosting photography…
Will Madera County Privatize Water Districts?
By Guest Columnist Marc Sobel – Privatization – Change of Direction The Board of Supervisors were poised to privatize the Special Water Districts. At least that was the impression that was left after the Sept. 24 meeting. A special committee…
It's Okay To Burn But You Need A Permit
CAL FIRE transitions into winter preparedness, burning now allowed in Madera County – Cooler weather and recent rains have prompted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) to transition into winter staffing levels as…
Services For Avis Punkin Friday In North Fork
NORTH FORK – The community of North Fork and the Citizens of the Mono Tribe are saddened by the passing of Avis Punkin, North Fork Rancheria Tribal Coucil Treasurer and life-long resident. Funeral services will be Friday, Nov 16, at…
Thanksgiving Dinner Everyone Can Eat
Yes You Can – Make a diabetic-friendly Thanksgiving dinner You blinked, and it’s here: Thanksgiving, also known as 38 minutes of eating a meal that takes 36 hours to make and 8 hours to digest. When it comes to cooking,…
Tables 'n Taters A Huge Success
OAKHURST – Philanthropic organization Mountain Community Women (MCW) has announced the winners of the 23rd annual Tables and Taters luncheon and friendly table-setting competition, held Nov. 5 at the Oakhurst Community Center. With 135 tickets sold at $10 each, MCW…
Thanksgiving Dinner Tonight at Hillside Baptist Church
NORTH FORK – The Hillside Baptist Church will be holding their annual fundraiser tonight, and everyone is invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. One of the biggest outreach ministries at Hillside Baptist is the kids program on Wednesdays. The fundraiser…
Sheriff's New Service Offers Dignity To Seniors
MADERA COUNTY — With so many elderly people living alone these days, being able to check on their safety and welfare has become a concern for friends and relatives, and for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. To address this growing…
Young Artists Honored In Yosemite
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Gallery will celebrate the creativity of youth in the Yosemite gateway communities with an awards ceremony and art exhibition on Saturday Nov. 17. Winners of the art and poetry contests will…
Thieves Steal ATM Machine – Caught On Tape
Sheriff’s seeks public’s help identifying suspects-
Oakhurst Community Band At Mountain Christian Center
OAKHURST – Dedicated members of the Oakhurst Community Concert Band (OCCB) are once again tuning up in preparation for the annual Fall Concert on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m., in the auditorium of Mountain Christian Center. As always with…
Arrests Made In Mining Museum Heist
MARIPOSA – On the heels of the California Mining and Mineral Museum’s reopening, the California Highway Patrol announces the arrest of three suspects in the daring daylight heist on Sept. 28. Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, the CHP, assisted by Mariposa…
Strike At Raley's Ends As Agreement Is Reached
OAKHURST – Striking workers at Raley’s have put down their picket signs and returned to work as a tentative agreement is reached in the 9-day long strike, the first in Raley’s 77-year history. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)…
Fatal Accident Near Raymond Results in DUI Arrest
RAYMOND – A Modesto man killed in a motor vehicle accident near Raymond has been identified as 55-year old Ronald Gene McAnally. On Monday, Nov. 5, McAnally was passenger in a 1995 Honda Accord, being driven by his 17-year-old nephew….
Chowchilla Mountain Road Closed for the Season
YOSEMITE – Due to recent weather and road conditions, the Chowchilla Mountain Road will be closed and inaccessible for the season from the park boundary to the Wawona Golf Course. The closure will be in effect as of Thursday morning,…
Volunteers Pick Up Where School Funding Drops Off
Local Education Foundation to Mountain Area: “Your Kids Are Awesome!” OAKHURST – Creative juices were flowing as 15 excited middle school kids rolled baseball-size mounds of clay in their warm hands, as a prelude to sculpting. So began the newest…
Museum To Reopen Following Robbery
MARIPOSA – After robbers made off with some $2 million worth of precious gems and minerals on Sept. 28, the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa was closed. California State Parks announced in a news release last week…
'Dentistry From The Heart' Bring Smiles
Coarsegold Practice Successfully Celebrates “Dentistry From The Heart” COARSEGOLD – Scores of area residents turned out Saturday for Dentistry From The Heart (DFTH), as patients, volunteers and doctors alike deemed the trial event a true success. The day of free…
New Mountain Lodge Hosts Open 'Haus'
Newly Opened Evergreen Haus: Comfy Mountain Lodging And Affordable Rates OAKHURST – If fabled heroine Goldilocks had found herself at Evergreen Haus before she met the three bears, the fairy tale would have ended right there. According to owner Edward…
Roadside Color
It took me more than two hours to drive from North Fork to Yosemite Valley today because of all the color along 41/Wawona Road. The mistyweather put some shine on the leaves (but this shot was before the rain).
Mirror Lake Loop Hike
Brilliant yellow Big Leaf Maples, golden oaks and red dogwoods lined the trail along the recently reopened Mirror Lake Loop, which was closed in 2009 due to a rock fall. Before we hit the trail, we took a leisurely walk…
The Color Of Veterans Day
“The War To End All Wars” officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. But the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I, then known as The Great War, went into effect…
Manna House Gives It All Away
OAKHURST – Push through the double glass doors at Manna House and you’ll instantly feel welcome. Sunlight streams into a large, clean room as volunteers bustle about filling boxes with pantry staples destined for anyone who needs them. A spacious…
Sad To See The Closing Of The Met Cinema
Dear Editor Its a very sad day to see the “Met” close. The owners presented these kids with something to do other than loiter in parking lots, then getting in trouble when they did. For years, since “Danas Place” there…
Everyone Stays Warm Thanks To Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts amass a mountain of coats for mountain area folks COARSEGOLD – 15 girls in Girl Scout Troop 2866 have scoured closets, cleared out cedar chests and successfully collected 250 gently used coats and jackets as part of their…
Local Musicians Perform In Clovis
Three mountain area musicians are taking their show on the road, and joining three Fresno area musicians to present a concert of chamber music, from Mozart to the modern era. The concert is Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Unitarian Universalist…
New System Serves Those Who Live Alone
MADERA COUNTY – Every year there are countless cases of people dying alone in their homes. Sometimes it is days or even weeks before anyone knows they are gone. Sheriff John Anderson is determined to afford these citizens some dignity.
Free Smiles Saturday In Coarsegold
Local dentists provide no-cost care – COARSEGOLD – Look for smiles to be a little brighter this weekend, as three area dentists host the mountain community’s first Dentistry From The Heart (DFTH) event, providing a free day of dental care…
One Mountain Area Burglary Suspect Captured, Police Search For Partner
MADERA COUNTY – Bobbi Jo Heiss, 25 of Oakhurst, is in custody, suspected in a string of break-ins in the Oakhurst and North Fork areas, and her partner-in-crime is being sought by police, according to a news release from the…
Local Matters – The Produce Place
OAKHURST – Since Kandie Stier opened The Produce Place in 2010, she has created a bright and inviting spot for people to stop in for a nice interlude during their day, check their e-mail using her free wifi, and enjoy…
Links To Election Results
Here are the links to the results of the General Election, November 6, 2012 – -California State Election Results – http://vote.sos.ca.gov/ -Madera County Election Results – http://www.madera-county.com/special_functions/elections/nov2012/resultsc25.htm (wait for the scroll) -Mariposa County Election Results – http://www.mariposacounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/19098 -National Results –…
Jesse Ross Cabin
If you haven’t purchased the book Exploring the Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway and spent a day or two or three on the tour that is literally in our back yard, then now is the time, before the snows come….
Spring Valley School Receives First 5 Grant
O’NEALS – Spring Valley School is the recipient of a $2,500 grant to cover much-needed supplies for the school’s transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten, awarded by First 5 of Madera County. TK was created by a California law, passed in…
A Sad Goodbye From The Owners At The Met
OAKHURST – People in the community are wondering what they can do to save the Met Cinema, but in reality, it would all be too little to late. As with so many things these days, it’s all about the bottom…
Yosemite Author Featured At Oakhurst Audubon Program
Contributed by Len McKenzie OAKHURST – Perhaps no national park stirs in its legion of aficionados stronger passion, emotional connection and devotion than Yosemite. By anyone’s measure a special place, the park draws millions of visitors from around the world…
Two Men Stabbed In Weekend Armed Robbery
MADERA COUNTY – Two men stabbed Sunday night in an armed robbery remained hospitalized, and the search to find their assailants is underway, says the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Marijuana in Yosemite Threatens Endangered Species
YOSEMITE – California is one of the largest supplying states of both legal and illegal marijuana. In 2006, it was estimated that 22 million marijuana plants are grown and cultivated in California alone. That number has since grown. In the…
Lottery Open For Yosemite's Ostrander Ski Hut
YOSEMITE – Historic Ostrander Ski Hut offers an epic winter experience for cross country ski and snowshoe enthusiasts. Yosemite Conservancy is now accepting lottery registration forms for the 2012-2013 season at Ostrander Ski Hut, a popular overnight destination for those…
Want To Have Your Stories Of Yosemite Published?
YOSEMITE – Amateur and professional writers are invited to submit short stories that describe their memories and experiences at Yosemite National Park. One hundred and fifty of the stories will be chosen to be published in a commemorative book, intended…
Workers On Strike At Raley's
OAKHURST – Tough economic times hit Oakhurst in a very public way today as Raley’s employees went on strike for the first time in the company’s 77-year history. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union members spent Sunday carrying signs…
Calling All Cars From The '50s – Hollywood Needs You
FRESNO – If you “wanna be in pictures,” or at least want to see your classic car in the movies, this is your chance. 1950 -1955 cars and trucks are needed for a movie project in Fresno, on Saturday, Dec….
Who Should Own Your Water Company?
Guest Column submitted by Marc Sobel Privatizing – A Bad Idea A for-profit company approached the County Board of Supervisors in April requesting this county allow for the privatization of all the County’s Water and Waste Treatment Special Districts affecting…
Bringing Home ‘Rescued’ Plants
Every year, while visiting my favorite nurseries, I prowl the sale tables in late August and September. I cheerfully call these plants that I purchase “rescued plants.” I bring them home at a much discounted price and find them a…
Fire and Manzanita Myths
It is a commonly heard in casual remarks on gardening topics and maintaining a landscape in the Sierra Foothills that Manzanita and other chaparral plants must be cut down and removed because they are so very flammable.
Duel At Dawn
This morning at dawn, out of our North Fork window I saw two turkey duels going on, no doubt determining pecking order, i.e. who gets the babes and who chooses roosting spots at night. I grabbed my camera and shot…
North Fork Mono Tribe Deserves Their Casino
Guest Column written by Richard Lehman – “Reservation shopping” and “off reservation casinos” are clever phrases used by opponents to vilify efforts by the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to acquire land for gaming purposes. Yet, an extensive eight…
This Checklist Could Save Your Family
Don’t let your holiday season by ruined by a preventable tragedy – Home fires occur when using dangerous heating equipment or unsafe practices. Before you nestle in for the winter, there are critical things you need to do to keep…
Oakhurst Loses Its Theater – Met Cinema Closed
OAKHURST – We are all shocked and saddened to learn that the Met Cinema has closed. Ray and Irma Martinez, have posted on facebook and on their website that they have had to close their doors as of November 1st.
1848-1850: Indian Unrest
There is a wonderful book all living in the San Joaquin Valley (and foothills) should own: Garden of the Sun, A History of the San Joaquin Valley: 1772-1939. The book is full of interesting events and people who made the…
Strutting Wild Game Birds Walk Nature's Runway
CALIFORNIA – With shorter days and a chilly nip in the air, we know fall has arrived and winter is not too far off. As the season changes, so do the habits of wildlife. Bears stock up on calories for…
Michael Moore Meets Oakhurst
A standing room only crowd filled Theater One to capacity at the Oakhurst Met Cinema complex Saturday night, Oct. 27, for a “Pre-Election Bringing Home the Truth Rally” staged by the Democratic Club of Oakhurst. The evening featured a screening…
Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
Keep your family fire-safe with this one simple step – Daylight savings time ends this Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 a.m. When you set your clocks backward one hour, please make another change that could save your life – change…
Dustin Gran Murder Trial Postponed
MADERA COUNTY – The jury trial of Dustin Gran, charged with first degree murder in the 2008 death of Krista Pike, has been postponed.
Driver Arrested For DUI In Highway 41 Wreck
The wreck that tied up Highway 41 for several hours on Tuesday, Oct. 30, has been determined to be the result of someone driving under the influence, says the California Highway Patrol. Esmeralda Hernandez, 29, of Clovis, was northbound on…
How You Can Help Victims Of Hurricane Sandy
We may be far removed from the devastation of the massive storm along the eastern seaboard, but there are ways you can help. We want to provide residents of our mountain communities with information about things you can do to…