MOUNTAIN AREA — An easy-going group of like-minded, ultra-competent individuals, the Sierra Freepackers unit of the Back Country Horsemen of California (BCHCSFP) is comprised of a small but committed unit of volunteers, currently 50 members strong. Despite their moderate size, the group consistently ranks among the highest per capita for volunteer hours in trail maintenance, public awareness and education, logging ...

CLOVIS – With the unprecedented number of hazard trees, the winter storm damage to many forest roads, and the associated risks of both, the Sierra National Forest (SNF) has issued a Forest Order closing certain roads, campgrounds and day use areas. In January and February 2017 the Sierra National Forest received heavy rain, snow, and winds that resulted in significant ...

I got a sneak preview of the newly revamped Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park after it has been closed to the public since Spring of 2015. 250 acres with nearly 500 mature trees is a must see if you are visiting Yosemite. Reopening this Friday, parking at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center and taking a shuttle up to Mariposa ...

OAKHURST — You may have seen him, the man who sits by the flags. He’s there early, just about every morning, sitting in front of the CHP on Highway 49. Central Valley native, WWII veteran, business owner, father, Bud Light drinker, world traveler — Bill is now nearly 92 years old. He gets up every day and walks from his ...

MADERA – Madera County residents will soon see an increase in the work to remove dead trees along county roads and near infrastructure. The Madera County Board of Supervisors has approved an agreement with Blue Ridge Services, Inc. for tree mortality operations management services. This agreement provides for an escalation in the county-wide effort to reduce risk to public infrastructure ...

Our plan was to take a blooming Dogwood adventure in Yosemite Valley. First stop were the Half Dome Village dogwoods, then the Mirror Lake Loop dogwoods and the finale was the pink dogwood near the employee housing but we also had a few surprises along the way with a trail issue and some romantic critters. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: ...

COARSEGOLD — District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will host a Town Hall meeting on Thursday Apr. 26, at the Coarsegold Community Center, 35540 CA-41, from 6 to 8 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend. Dylan Stone, Regional Planner for the Madera County Transportation Commission will discuss the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. There will be an update from ...

NORTH FORK – Interest in the 2018 election is running high, as was evidenced by the packed house at the North Fork Town Hall debate last Friday between the candidates for Madera County District Attorney and District 5 Supervisor. North Fork Citizen of the Year Tom Burdette moderated the debate, which was hosted by Sierra News Online and the North ...

NORTH FORK – It was a packed house at the North Fork Town Hall on Friday as more than 150 people gathered to hear from the candidates running for Madera County District 5 Supervisor and District Attorney. North Fork Citizen of the Year Tom Burdette moderated the debate, which was hosted by Sierra News Online and the North Fork Boosters. ...

Frogs were singing and turtles were basking on logs at the Stockton Creek Nature Preserve where I learned how to identify some of our local amphibians and reptiles with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. Where: Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Stockton Creek Nature Preserve Distance: 2.21 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 2,250′ – 2.406′ Date: April 15, 2018 Maps: Ben Hur, Buckingham Mountain ...