YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park announced today that a prestigious group of park supporters and advocates has been announced to be Yosemite Centennial Ambassadors. The Yosemite Centennial Ambassadors were selected from a wide variety of backgrounds and include musicians, scientists, artists, athletes, historians, writers, public officials and educators. Each ambassador shares a unique story, love, and commitment for Yosemite National ...

MADERA COUNTY – Following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office of reports taken locally from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31, 2016: Oakhurst burglary On Sunday, Jan. 24 at 7:24 a.m. a deputy was dispatched to the parking lot at the intersection of Highway 41 and Road 222 regarding a vehicle burglary. Report taken. Case to be closed. Oakhurst ...

SACRAMENTO – Three agencies in Madera and Mariposa Counties that are dedicated to fire safety and resource conservation have been awarded over half-a-million dollars in grants for projects designed to address the massive tree mortality across the area. Cal Fire announced Monday it has awarded 19 State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund grants in six counties that have been greatly ...

Four of us piled in my rig and we headed up for our toughest snowshoe adventure this year, full of fresh snow. The Merced Crest is famous for the spectacular views of the high country to the east. We started our adventure with beautiful blue sky with a few clouds and we had a few surprises along the way. Where: ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — A winter storm warning and hazardous weather conditions could mean up to two feet of snow in the high country, while rain, possible thunderstorms and snowfall are anticipated in the lower elevations this weekend. A flash flood watch issued for the Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills has been canceled as of mid-morning Saturday, Jan. 30. Click on ...

YOSEMITE — The National Park Service announced $15 million in support of 69 projects in 63 parks, including $1,165,000 for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at Yosemite National Park. This funding augments other National Park Service funds and a Yosemite Conservancy donation of $20 million to make the restoration project possible. This landmark restoration of the ...

Guest column by Marcia Penner Freedman — What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet — William Shakespeare Juliet stands on her balcony speaking into the night. She wants Romeo to deny thy father and replace thy name. She offers to no longer be a Capulet. Juliet is a naïve ...

MADERA COUNTY – Construction is underway now on both sides of CA-41, north of Highway 145 near the 22 Mile House, as a project eight years in the making finally gets its start. Caltrans spokesperson Gloria Rodriguez confirmed that construction has commenced to add passing lanes in both directions along 1.7 miles of State Route 41 just north of Highway ...

Submitted by Helping Hands OAKHURST — On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Churches around the United States use this day to celebrate God’s gift of life according to Psalm 139. The third Sunday of January, which was this past Jan. 17, was celebrated locally and ...

I have a personal goal of trying to have at least one adventure each week. Sometimes the adventures are big ones and sometimes they are pretty small ones, but they are adventures. The recent wet weather had me daydreaming about an adventure over at the coast and I had been watching for a break in the weather to escape. We ...