We were on the hunt for those beautiful big white blooms of the dogwoods. We headed to Yosemite Valley to see what we could find. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 7.25 Miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Elevation Range: 3,983 to 4,285′ Date: April 26, 2016 Maps: El Capitan and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Topographic Quads As we drove in, we were watching ...

COARSEGOLD — A crash between a motorhome and a pickup on Thursday night resulted in one person being charged with driving under the influence, and two others with minor injuries. Just after 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, a family from New York was northbound on Highway 41 in a rented Cruise America RV just south of Coarsegold near Coyote ...

MADERA COUNTY — With the Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Austin Quarry currently being prepared by Madera County and independent experts, we were invited by Vulcan Materials to take a look at one of their existing quarries in the area. The River Rock Quarry is located along the San Joaquin River in Fresno County off Old Friant Road. ...

MADERA COUNTY — Everyone is invited to come and learn from UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Barbara Mattice, Cynthia Majors, Lyn Woodall and Agnes Jenkins how to build raised garden beds, including construction, soil content and planting. The Raised Bed Gardening Workshop will be held on Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at Madera Community College Center, 30277 ...

Written by Therese Williams — OAKHURST – Excitement is building up as preparations are under way and registrations are being accepted for the sixth annual Bass Lake Yosemite Triathlon, set for Saturday, June 4. Bass Lake is located in the Sierra National Forest about 20 minutes south of Yosemite National Park, and creates a picturesque triathlon rivaled by few. Triathletes ...

RAYMOND — It was the perfect way to spend a beautiful spring day — taking a drive through the Sierra foothills to the historic town of Raymond, and sharing in the festivities as another piece of history was dedicated by the Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49 of E Clampus Vitus. The “Clampers” are well known for their ribald merrymaking and love ...

YOSEMITE — Visitors to Yosemite National Park can revel in its natural wonders like never before through Yosemite Conservancy’s guided Outdoor Adventures involving high country camping, bird watching and backpacking, among 60 unforgettable experiences offered in 2016. “Our Outdoor Adventures are led by naturalist guides who share lifetimes of experience and insider knowledge of the park,” said Frank Dean, president ...

BASS LAKE — Saturday, May 14, sees the return of the Antique & Classic Boat Show to the beauty of Bass Lake, California. Sponsored by the Bass Lake Lions Club and Tommy & Tammy Tuso of Bass Lake Water Sports, the show will feature the finest preserved and restored watercraft to be found on the West Coast. The show is ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Sunday, Apr. 24 to Sunday, May 1, 2016: Bass Lake burglary On Sunday, Apr. 24 at 1:06 p.m., a deputy responded to the 50000 block of Smoke Tree Trail regarding a possible burglary report. During the investigation it was determined unknown subject(s) took ...

CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies will be joining Cal Fire for a series of events across the state to celebrate Wildfire Awareness Week, May 1-7. Despite near-normal rain and snowpack in some areas, long term drought conditions continue to affect large parts of the state, including many of California’s 18 national forests. Jeanne Wade Evans, ...