OAKHURST — A local dining establishment is taking on a fresh name for a new era, as the place formerly known as Yosemite Gateway Restaurant formally transforms into Oakhurst Grill and Whiskey 41 Lounge. General Manager Christian Guizar says the community is invited to come out for a special grand re-opening on Saturday, Mar. 24 in honor of the news. ...

COARSEGOLD — Homeowners who lost everything they own in a house fire this morning are not letting the tragedy break their spirit – they’re just grateful that everyone is safe. Scott and Cindy Varnado live on Miwok Avenue in the Indian Lakes area of Coarsegold. Scott was out working on some plumbing in the garage when Cindy’s mom, Mary Norris, ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Want to know some of what’s happening around the foothills this year to celebrate the season, from Harvest Festivals to Halloween Haunts? Here’s a basket full of treats so you can pick and choose. Click on flyers to enlarge.   Pirates for Hope, Thursday, Oct. 26 – Sunday, Oct. 29 in Coarsegold Pirates For Hope are holding their ...

OAKHURST — Fire steals, even from those who fight it. It robs creatures of habitat, takes possessions, property, land, and sometimes, life. Fire also gives back: flames can be restorative, over time, for overgrown forests filled with beetle-infested, drought-plagued timber. Fire makes way for fledgling trees and new families of fauna to thrive on once-sterile ground. And fire can remind ...

SANTA MARIA — Los Padres National Forest Battalion Chief Gary Helming will be honored with a memorial service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, according to the USFS. The service will be held at the Pacific Christian Center, located at 3435 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria, California, 93455. The memorial is open to the public; however, space is limited. ...

MADERA COUNTY — As residents consider their vote on Measure L, the proposed Public Safety Tax scheduled for the Mar. 7 special election, many are questioning the information they’re getting and want answers from the County clarifying details of the measure. We contacted the County to get their response to questions we’ve received from the public, and to assertions put ...

OAKHURST — The anniversary of the attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 was ceremoniously honored at Yosemite High School on Monday, Sept. 12, as Patriot Day was sponsored by Sierra Tel in a new location. It was a fitting change of pace as this year also marks the first time that high school students here will study events surrounding ...

NORTH FORK — Imagine driving home from a day of shopping and getting a text that says your house is on fire. That’s what happened to Leia Wentworth, 26, of North Fork, who was living with her father and daughter in the first house that went up in flames during the Fork Fire. The fire started just before 6 p.m. ...

O’NEALS — Anyone who travels on Road 200 in the O’Neals area has gotten a good laugh, a moment of “Aaah, isn’t that sweet,” or has turned around to go back for pictures of the little Minions in the field at Ryan and Staci Smith’s house near Ponderosa Telephone. The Minions — or Sminions, as the Smith’s have dubbed them ...

COARSEGOLD — During times of unthinkable tragedy, there is often someone who rushes in to help. They may go unrecognized, and sometimes they may suffer a different kind of trauma than those who have lost a loved one. The community is mourning the loss of Ruby Alvarez, a beautiful, vibrant 24-year-old mom, daughter, niece and sister, who was known by ...