MADERA COUNTY — Residents of North Fork were worried that there was a fire in the Cascadel Woods area on Thursday, due to all the helicopter activity. Though there was no fire, Task Force agents did spend the entire day in the Sierra National Forest, ripping out more than 20,000 marijuana plants and hauling out nearly six thousand pounds of ...

PRATHER – There will a town hall meeting tonight in Prather to discuss the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to designate some 2 million acres of the Sierra Nevada as critical habitat for the yellow-legged frog and Yosemite toad. Opponents of the move cite the possible closure of vast areas in 14 counties and 9 National Forests to such ...

OAKHURST – Organizers behind the mountain chapter of Helping One Woman (H.O.W.) are honored to be marking one year in operation, as the group gathers for the 12th time in as many months. H.O.W. meets at the Queen’s Inn this Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m. in support of Linda Jeffries, who is grieving her husband after he sustained a ...

This open letter to the community was submitted by Kim Moore My Easter Gift On March 31, 2013, Easter morning, I woke up at my usual time, 5:00 am, and got ready for work. I live in the foothills, so my day starts early. I am a nurse in the Emergency Department (ED) at Community Regional Medical Center. It was ...

MARIPOSA – We all agree there is nothing like a juicy, home-grown tomato. Or like a juicy, home-grown cantaloupe, onion, zucchini, cucumber, blackberry or ear of corn. Or like fresh thyme, basil, rosemary or dill. But starting plants from seed is a hassle and buying plants can be expensive. Mariposa County Master Gardeners can help. The annual plant sale is ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park (YNP) Fire Managers are planning the first prescribed burn of the 2013 fire season in the southern portion of the park near the community of Wawona. The 150 acre burn is scheduled to start on Thursday, Apr. 4, with the date subject to change depending on weather conditions, and is estimated to take approximately two ...

FISH CAMP – An afternoon hike from the Tenaya Lodge could have ended badly, but thanks to the efforts of the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue, a father and son were returned safely after getting lost in the forest. On Friday, Mar. 8, at about 8 p.m. the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an overdue ...

FISH CAMP – Anyone interested in a career in hospitality is encourage to attend the Job Fair at the Tenaya Lodge, over two Saturdays, Feb. 23, and Mar. 9. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interviews will be conducted on site with Human Resources and Department Managers.

OAKHURST – The public is invited to attend the Tea Party Action Meeting, “Defending Our 2nd Amendment Rights,” on Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn Restaurant. Speakers will include Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California, and Madera County Sheriff John Anderson. The meeting will address California Concealed Weapon ...

After establishing our home on Malum Ridge overlooking Peckinpah Mountain, I heard from neighbors about the logging history in our town and was curious about the Peckinpah name. Being a bit of a history buff, I decided to dig a bit further and this is what I found.