We chose a hike close by where we had Giant Sequoias all to ourselves and our crazy dogs could stretch their legs. If you have never visited Nelder Grove, it is a small grove of Giant Sequoias, full of local history and relics from the logging that occurred in the 1880s.

MADERA COUNTY – The trial of Kenneth Jackson and Allison Waterman on arson and conspiracy charges got underway today in Madera County Superior Court. Both have been behind bars awaiting trial for over six months. Jackson and Waterman were arrested on June 25, 2013, after dozens of suspicious fires in the Yosemite Lakes Park (YLP) community of Coarsegold.

Trio Also Faces Arson Charges for Setting Fire COARSEGOLD – Three Coarsegold teenagers were arrested late last night after vandalizing the Yosemite Lakes Park Clubhouse over the weekend, and setting fire to stolen property. The three teenagers, one age 14, the other two age 16, were booked into Madera County Juvenile Hall on multiple felony charges, including commercial burglary, felony ...

MADERA COUNTY – Greg Noll, Oakhurst resident and 19-year veteran of the Fresno Police Department, is hoping to put his experience to work as the next Madera County Sheriff. Noll, 49, is a 1981 graduate of Yosemite High School, and moved his family back to the area seven years ago so his kids could enjoy living in the mountains where ...

Submitted by Peggy Decker, Unit Director of the Oakhurst Boys & Girls Club OAKHURST – Back in December, the Oakhurst Boys and Girls Club mixed Christmas decorations, apple cider, red licorice, red grapes, green grapes, pizzas, candy canes, cookies, presents and cheer. Also add 77 great kids, some families and a Yosemite Dance Company recital. What you get is an ...

COARSEGOLD – A single vehicle accident shut down Road 415 for over an hour this evening after a Coarsegold resident rolled his pickup on the sharp corner near Sesame St. At about 5:30 p.m., on Sunday, Jan. 26, Emmette Davidson, 76, was headed home westbound on Road 415, when he came into a curve too fast, hit the bank on ...

Sadly, Tom Pimentel (retired 2010), bon vivant and longtime Yosemite area resident was killed in a car accident on Friday evening, January 17, 2014. His grandsons, Jensen and Gus Fouch, were in the car with him. They sustained minor injuries and are home and doing well. Tom first came to Yosemite in 1968, shortly after graduating high school in Los ...

NORTH FORK – Hundreds of visitors took advantage of the perfect weather last Saturday to stop in for a stroll through Old Town, and to meet new owner Jen McMillan. Now renamed “Bandit Town”, this much-loved local landmark is entering a new chapter after being vacant for two decades. Jen purchased the Western-themed property in December, and has been assessing ...

YOSEMITE LAKES PARK – Experts say 97% of all Americans will have a loved one or friend need life-saving blood in their lifetimes, and 75% of people who reach age 72 will have needed blood themselves. Ladies of the Lakes (LOL), in partnership with the Central Valley Blood Bank, are hosting a blood drive on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 9 ...

SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford has issued a Red Flag Warning for very low humidities over the southern Sierra Nevada, in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 15. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and ...