MADERA COUNTY – Oakhurst resident Jean Newman was honored Saturday evening when Sheriff John Anderson announced her selection as Citizen On Patrol (COP) Volunteer Of The Year. Newman was recognized for volunteering more than 400 hours of service to the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Madera County in 2012. “She demonstrates a strong work ethic, with great enthusiasm,” said ...

NORTH FORK – Hillside Baptist Church is celebrating their 35th Anniversary this month. Pastor Steve and Sarah Crotinger invite the community to join them on Sunday, Apr. 28, for their Anniversary Celebration Service and lunch, starting at 10:30 a.m.

NORTH FORK – There is often a lot of focus on what residents should do in the event of a massive wildfire or destructive storm. But how often do people think about what to do if a dam in the area were to fail? PG&E has scheduled an open house on Monday, Apr. 22, at the North Fork Town Hall, ...

NORTH FORK – The Greater North Fork Gallery will have a special opening at the Earth Day festivities on Saturday, Apr. 20 at the Old Mill Site. The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring work by local artists including Julie Konno, Anne Bredon, Michael Freemire, Joanne Freemire, Ruth Rosenthal, Charlie Overstreet, Diann Miller, Dee Shafer, ...

AHWAHNEE – Mountain area women are invited to raise a glass and share dinner, stories and resources at this month’s meeting of Helping One Woman (HOW), at the Hitching Post, on Wednesday, Apr. 17, at 6 p.m. HOW is a nonprofit woman’s organization that meets monthly for an uplifting evening in honor of one deserving woman who receives the community’s ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Firewood cutting and gathering season on the Sierra National Forest is open from Apr. 1 to Nov. 30. To cut and gather firewood in the Sierra National Forest, you must obtain a woodcutting permit authorizing the permit holder to gather a specified amount of dead and downed wood for personal use from any portion of the ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park (YNP) Fire Managers are planning the first prescribed burn of the 2013 fire season in the southern portion of the park near the community of Wawona. The 150 acre burn is scheduled to start on Thursday, Apr. 4, with the date subject to change depending on weather conditions, and is estimated to take approximately two ...

NORTH FORK – Artist, musicians, poets and comedians, performers of all stripes are invited to show their stuff at Slim Koffee Shak throughout the month of April during Sunday Brunch Open Mic. “Bring your poems, comedy, stories, your instruments (plugged or unplugged) and your performance art,” say organizers. There will be a drum kit set up at Slim’s for performers ...

Hite Cove Hike With Wildflowers & The Mining Ghost Town of HiteFamous for its wildflowers and ghost town, this springtime hike is a must see for its annual California Poppy display. Although the entire hike is about 8 miles, the best poppy viewing is within the first mile or so. Mid March through April is prime viewing time and the ...

OAKHURST – Good Medicine, Sugar Pine and Jean Butterfield are just some of the local musicians on the lineup for St. Patrick’s Day at Crab Cakes. Roman Zabicki and the crew are serving up corned beef and cabbage, along with non-stop music all afternoon, both upstairs and down, in their new location at 49271 Golden Oak Loop on Sunday, Mar. ...