MOUNTAIN AREA — Do your kids want to keep an eye on the big guy in the red suit this holiday season? Here’s how: The North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating the 62nd Anniversary of tracking Santa’s yuletide journey!  The NORAD Tracks Santa website, www.noradsanta.org, launched Dec. 1, features Santa’s North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, activities, ...

COARSEGOLD — People are invited to celebrate New Year’s at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino with an all-night party inspired by the vintage glamour of old Hollywood, say organizers, taking you into the wee hours of 2018. “Don your best celebration attire and get ready to feel like a star as you walk the red carpet on this special evening.” Complimentary ...

CLOVIS — The Sierra National Forest (SNF) is requesting public input for the California 2019 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program application cycle. Part of the grant process is gathering input or project ideas that individuals and organizations would like to have included in the 2018 submission. This feedback will be considered in development of the preliminary grant ...

MADERA COUNTY– Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Dec. 11 to Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Bass Lake found wallet On Monday, Dec. 11 at 7:42 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the 39000 block of Cedar Vista Drive regarding a found wallet. Report written, property obtained and case closed. North Fork ...

OAKHURST — Tucked away under the trees on scenic acreage in the Sierra Nevada foothills is a simply beautiful conference center equipped with sweeping views and peaceful trails, while featuring comfortable and affordable accommodations and being blessed with a brilliant executive chef capable of creating mouthwatering cuisine. For anyone who wants to ring in the new year with friends and ...

Our hiking adventure required some specific ingredients. It needed to be somewhere close by. We wanted to get a workout in . . . and be back in town by mid afternoon. We found it on the Spring Cove Trail at Bass Lake! Not only did we get some elevational gain, we got some bonus exercise in as we climbed ...

OAKHURST — The public is invited to enjoy a special winter exhibit — Avian: Birds in a Changing World — presented by Sierra Art Trails, Yosemite Area Audubon, and Visit Yosemite Madera County. Avian is a natural blend of the missions of two California non-profit organizations based in the Sierra Foothills surrounding Yosemite National Park, and is a fundraising exhibit ...

The 4 Mile Trail led me from the Yosemite Valley floor where the old Leidig Hotel stood in 1870 up to Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome, full of wonderful views of Yosemite Falls and the snowy high country. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 12.8 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 3,979′ – 8,107′ Date: November 29, 2017 Maps: El ...

OAKHURST — State Center Community College District will hold its spring semester Extreme Registration on Friday, Dec. 8 from 2 – 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 3 from noon – 7 p.m. Extreme Registration is a one-stop shop that offers everything a student will need to enroll at Oakhurst Community College Center, Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, ...

BASS LAKE — It’s nice when a traditional community event takes on new life, and that’s what people are saying has happened with the annual Christmas Tree Auction held last Friday night at the Pines Resort in the Lakeview Room. It has always been a great event, raising funds for the Boys and Girls Club in Oakhurst and a host ...