MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is preparing to submit the department’s annual Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant request. The application will be available for a 30-day review by the public beginning on Mar. 6, and ending on Apr. 2. Those who wish to participate in the Grant Request Public Review and Comment may do so by either ...

YOSEMITE — National Park Service employees will be back on the job in Yosemite National Park now that congress has agreed to fund the government for a few more weeks. All NPS services were halted on Saturday morning, including the staffing of the Visitors Centers, entrance gate fee collection and information, campground reservation management, trash collection, and maintenance of such ...

It had been 27 years since I walked the area around Foresta, not since I was assigned as a Strike Team Leader on Structure Protection at Foresta and El Portal on the lightening caused A-Rock Fire that burned 17,700 acres and 45 structures back in 1990. I was way overdue to spend some leisurely time exploring the waterfalls, old barns, ...

YOSEMITE — As we head into the first full day of the government shutdown, employees in Yosemite National Park are busy implementing the guidelines set out by the Department of the Interior as to how the Park will operate going forward. The gates are open, but there is no National Park Service (NPS) staff on duty for the most part. ...

YOSEMITE — With the failure of U.S. congressional leaders to reach an agreement and stop a government shutdown, the situation in Yosemite National Park remains unclear. Despite dozens of phone calls, emails and texts to Park officials in Yosemite throughout the day, no one has yet responded to our repeated requests for detailed information on closures and services, or the ...

MARIPOSA COUNTY — The Northern Mariposa County History Center will be reopening its doors to the public on Thursday, Feb. 8, with a similar schedule as in 2017 – Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., plus Memorial Day and Labor Day. There will be a Gala Reopening preview on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 2 to 5 p.m., ...

MADERA COUNTY– Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Jan. 9 to Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. Raymond domestic dispute and emergency protective order On Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 1:15 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to a residence located within the 32000 block of Front Street, regarding a report of a domestic dispute. ...

We sure got in a good workout with the over 3,000′ elevational gain on this hike and saw Yosemite from some famous viewpoints along the way. Stanford Point, Crocker Point and Dewey Point delivered many ooohs and awes. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 10.40 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 4,384′ – 7,387 Date: January 12, 2018 Maps: El ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski are celebrating their seventh season in the park. Here’s their third blog post of the season. Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update for January 10, 2018 New snow [as of Jan. 10]: 14 inches Total settled snow depth: 10 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 47°F (January 7) Low temperature: 17°F (January 7) ...

YOSEMITE  – In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the entrance fee to Yosemite National Park is being waived, and transportation to the park is free that day, as well. Monday, Jan. 15 is a fee-free day at Yosemite National Park, as are three other days this year, through the National Park Service. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free ...