If you don’t like heights or walking on a narrow metal grid on top of a flume as it crosses over deep draws, this hike probably is not for you. Where: Sierra National Forest, Brown’s Ditch is owned and operated by PG&E Distance: 4.89 Miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Elevation Range: 3,439′ – 3,780′ Date: December 29, 2016 Maps: Ahwahnee ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Recent storms have brought much needed rain and snow to the Sierra Nevada in the last few weeks, but the result has been damage to some Forest roads. These storms have also created a significant amount of runoff, swelling rivers and creeks beyond their capacity in many locations. With the ground already saturated, road travel requires ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – Anyone taking to the mountain highways over the weekend should avoid any unwanted delays by making sure there are traction devices in their vehicle. Chain control is now in place on Highway 41 from three miles north of Coarsegold (the bottom of Deadwood) to Yosemite National Park (R2 – see below). The location could change as conditions warrant. ...

NORTH FORK — Two people walked away from an accident on a wet road tonight, after the empty utility trailer their truck was pulling overturned in front of La Cabana Mexican Restaurant, blocking both lanes. The late model Ford pickup truck was reportedly headed into town on Road 222 at about 6:30 p.m. this evening, when the vehicle’s brakes locked up, according to ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The National Weather Service office in Hanford has issued a new Winter Storm Warning for the southern Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to the Tulare-Kern County Line. Two feet of new snow accumulations or more can be expected above 7,000 feet, while snow levels are predicted to drop to as low as 4,000 feet. A Winter Storm ...

FRESNO — It started with a Simon and Garfunkel song, as good stories often do. Someone told me It’s all happening at the zoo. I do believe it, I do believe it’s true. That’s when I decided to take the kids to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno. Except the kids weren’t really kids anymore, they were in their final months ...

OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the list of honorees for service to the community in 2016, and invite the public to attend the Installation Dinner & Award Ceremony at the Tenaya Lodge on Friday, February 3, 2017. This year’s Man of the Year is Victor Weitzel of Idea Print Work, Inc. Owner of Idea ...

Contributed by Len McKenzie — OAKHURST — Here’s the event we’ve all been waiting for, as it was cancelled last week due to inclement weather and is now scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19. Sierra foothill residents who have enjoyed Mariposan Matthew Matthiessen’s slide programs for the Yosemite Area Audubon Society (YAAS) or other local organizations know the John C. Fremont ...

CENTRAL SIERRA — The National Weather Service office in Hanford has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the southern Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to the Tulare-Kern County Line. Over one foot of new snow accumulations can be expected above 7,000 feet. Snow levels will start high around 8,000 feet at the storm’s onset early Wednesday afternoon, but will ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Monday, Jan. 9 to Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017: Oakhurst fraud On Monday, Jan. 9 at 9:38 a.m. a deputy received a report of the unlawful use of a bank access information in the 49000 block of River Park Road. Report taken. Raymond welfare check ...