FRIANT — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and partners announce the opening of a new link of the San Joaquin River Parkway Trail, part of the Friant Interactive Nature Site (FINS), and new outdoor educational facilities at the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery. The trail stretches nearly a mile from the community of Friant to Lost Lake Recreation Area ...

BASS LAKE — Visitor and residents along Bass Lake will see water levels begin to drop in the coming weeks as water is released in the annual drawdown. Beginning Sept. 29, PG&E will be begin operation of the power houses at Crane Valley and along the river as they lower the lake level to provide water to downstream users. “The ...

MADERA COUNTY — After an emotional meeting lasting nearly 11 hours, the Madera County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to move forward with the Austin Quarry project, planned for the southwest corner of Highways 41 and 145. Today’s hearing was to consider two appeals of the Planning Commission’s July 19 decision to certify a Final Environmental Impact Report, approve two ...

When a firefighter gets an assignment, he or she often leaves behind a family who keeps the home fires burning in a good way. Such is the case with Erin and Michael Capuchino of Oakhurst. Both in their thirties, Erin and Michael have been married since 2002; for the last three years, Michael has been a wildland firefighter. The Capuchinos have three ...

CENTRAL SIERRA – In light of the major wildland fires the county experienced last summer, expectations for another long hot summer, and the serious drought conditions we have been facing, Sheriff Varney says it is imperative for all people who live or work in Madera County – especially those in the foothills – to register or update their information for ...

30 miles on the back on a horse through the box of the Paria Canyon in Utah through red slot canyons and colorful cliffs full of history was my kind of ride. Riding though the areas that the Indians used, early Mormon settlers traveled, outlaws hung out, cattlemen drove their herd through and rustlers stole them was a special treat. ...

Written by Virginia Eaton —  Is walking exercise? I hear this question a lot and it makes me scratch my head! Of course walking is exercise and it’s one of the best forms of exercise. The human body was made to amble and most people can walk, even if it’s just around the block or to the mailbox and back. If ...

Submitted by Dave Smith —  NORTH FORK — North Fork Scout Troop 357 has been busy throughout this winter and spring. Along with weekly meetings where Scouts practice various skills such as first aid, fire building, and map and compass, the Scouts have participated in a number of weekend events. In January, the troop spent an afternoon at Boomers! in ...

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. ...

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 ...