EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – Heavy smoke continues to blanket the area this morning as the Aspen Fire on the east side of the San Joaquin River continues to burn. The Aspen Fire was discovered just after midnight on Tuesday, July 23, burning below Stump Springs Road north of Aspen Springs in the Sierra National Forest – High Sierra Ranger District. ...

COARSEGOLD – You get up, you go to work. Pay some bills, maybe have not such a great day, but you get the job done and you’re ready to do it again tomorrow. You hop in the truck, grabbing your poles and pick your daughter up from dance class. Turns out, your day is about to get better. That’s how ...

EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – Agents with the Madera County Narcotic Enforcement Team (MADNET) completed a marathon mission on Wednesday, June 12, eradicating nearly 15,000 marijuana plants in two separate grow sites in the Sierra National Forrest. Working at an elevation of almost 6,000 feet, it took agents 12 hours to not only haul out thousands of marijuana plants, but reclaim ...

YOSEMITE LAKES PARK – If the firefighters weren’t weary enough of calls to fires in YLP, the residents certainly were. They lined the streets in groups, some in lawn chairs, some of roof tops, watching and photographing the latest suppression efforts in a string of fires that has plagued the area for weeks on end. The most recent had been ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park Fire Managers have rescheduled a prescribed burn in the Wawona area for Monday, Apr. 15. The burn, originally scheduled for the beginning of April, was postponed because of wet conditions. Ignition of the burn is dependent on weather and moisture levels. The burn area is located near the community of Wawona. The total prescribed burn ...

As the warm weather returns, humans are not the only species coming out to enjoy the sun. Snakes, too, can be found basking in the sun’s rays. Although most snakes in the state are harmless, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds the public to steer clear of the venomous rattlesnake and know what to do if one strikes. ...

FISH CAMP—Since its beginnings in 1965, Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad (YMSPRR) has been a staple of our mountain community—and the world. Folks come from all over the world during the season for a chance to ride one of the few remaining narrow-gauge railroads in existence. Local residents enjoy it just as much. Snow melts and spring blooms mark the ...

NORTH FORK—This article is a continuation of last week’s “Noma Resort: Hidden Oasis on Yosemite’s Doorstep.”   Noma Resort sits near the entrance to the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, at the historic apple orchard near Clearwater Fire Station. It’s one of the loveliest areas of the Byway, especially since the devastating forest fires of the last several years. The Leyva Brothers, ...

NORTH FORK—Most people who have visited the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway enjoy its peace, unlike the national park to the north.  Likely they consider it an island of tranquility in the midst of a busy world. Noma Resort strives to be part of that serenity. A Partnership of Brothers That’s how the three Leyva brothers (of six total) who partner ...

O’NEALS–The tiny town of O’Neals has had a post office since 1887. The town area of approximately 500 citizens is home to Spring Valley Elementary School, Minarets High School, including 2 Charter schools and Ponderosa Telephone.  Westbrook Wine Farm (a lovely boutique wine farm) and a handful of home businesses also call O’neals home. The local office for J. S. ...