I hiked alone but I wasn’t by myself. I walked in the footprints of miners dreaming of hitting a huge ledge of silver, building a town in the Tioga Pass area at 10,760′ elevation to support their mining operations but that town was only there for about 4 years. Oh, and that part about not being by myself? Besides the ...

I walked up the same dirt road, but a different spur road, to a beautiful meadow. Interesting history with hard working men who had a vision for this country but not all of these stories have a happy ending. Distance: 6.77 Miles (but you can go shorter or longer) Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 3,418′ to 4,840′ Date: April 15, 2020 ...

I pulled on my cowboy boots, put my hat and chinks on, then rode the range along the Arizona/Mexican border. I was an Indian, a cowboy, an outlaw, a Spanish explorer and a miner for 7 days on my trusty steed Shawnee. When you are riding that beautiful country full of history, how can not dream of these things? When ...

OAKHURST — This year, Vision Academy of the Arts Summer Camps presents Making the Band, An Express Musical for Young Voices, as the first in their three-week series of creative and affordable summer programs for youth starting Monday, June 17. The trio of camps are designed to stand alone or as a group, taking place at Oakhurst Elementary School where ...

COARSEGOLD — “My number one core value is that we be here for our students,” says Dr. Stephanie Osowski, the new principal at Yosemite High School. “I have two ears and one mouth for a reason. My job initially will be to listen to what everybody is telling me. I want to hear their concerns — and their celebrations.” Dr. ...

OAKHURST — A movie crew took over Fresno Flats Historical Village and Park on Saturday to shoot scenes for a new movie called “Ride to Iron Mountain.” The movie is being directed by Brian Anderson, a former professional musician turned film maker, whose previous credits include a six-and-a-half hour, 10-part documentary available on Facebook called “Biker America: God and Country.” ...

Written by David Novell – By far the most beautiful girl at Orangie’s school – Polk Elementary – was Diane Harrrison, whose soft brown shiny hair, dimpled smile, and big blue eyes made Orangie go sort of crazy whenever he was around her. In fact, she was so beautiful that Orangie had never yet been able to speak one single ...

COARSEGOLD — The pending sale of an apartment complex called the Grandmother’s Village has upended the lives of dozens of local seniors. The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians confirmed this week the tribe is buying the 40-acre property located on Oonay Nation Road. The real estate deal closes escrow May 1. “The property will provide low-income housing for tribal members ...

Written by David Novell – The sky was deep blue as Orangie walked out onto the sidewalk, a big paper bag in each arm. He found himself whistling “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino, including all the background stuff after each melody line, which is part of what made it such a cool song. Orangie’s very first record that was his ...

OAKHURST — For the past quarter-century local nonprofit Vision Academy of the Arts has awarded over $160,000 to more than 130 local high school seniors graduating in Eastern Madera County, as part of the nonprofit’s dedication to enrichment in education through the arts. Now, Vision Academy for the Arts invites to the community to come out in support of their ...