CENTRAL SIERRA — Due to the recent flooding events in California there is the likelihood that some private household water wells may be damaged or contaminated. Pumps and electrical components can be damaged from floodwaters, silt and debris, posing electrical safety hazards. Contamination of your drinking water during flooding events is a significant health threat. Water from a flooded well should not ...

OAKHURST — Dr. Sue Stone has joined Adventist Health / Community Care – Oakhurst East and Madera Ranchos. Dr. Stone has been practicing family medicine for 35 years. “My approach to medicine is to first find out what’s causing the problem,” says Dr. Stone, “whether it’s diet, emotional issues, or underlying infections, and try to correct it.” Dr. Stone grew up ...

OAKHURST — A licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist is helping to heal minds at Adventist Health / Community Care in Oakhurst. Nina Farley-Bates is a native of Kingsburg who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Fresno. After earning her degree, she went on to earn a Master of Social ...

OAKHURST — When someone broke into a postal parcel box along Road 426 and made off with a package meant for Heather Bratty’s family, they took more than material items. They stole nearly 100 years of irreplaceable family history and left everyone heartbroken at the loss. “It’s not like it was just an order from Amazon,” says an emotional Heather. ...

OAKHURST — In the wake of a recent announcement that one local health care practice is losing two doctors, another has announced a new doctor has already been hired, and another will join him soon. It’s good news for patients at Community Care in Oakhurst. Located at 48677 Victoria Lane, Community Care explains that specialty health care services there are expanding. Dr. ...

COARSEGOLD — Former Navy man and area resident John Zingrich wanted to reconnect with shipmates on the USS John R. Perry, a destroyer escort ship that then-Naval Petty Officer Zingrich sailed on for two years in 1967 – 68 during the Vietnam era. To do this, he created a website and now, his fellow shipmates are posting pictures and memories, and catching up after ...

Mount Dana is the second highest mountain in Yosemite (after Mount Lyell), reaching 13,061 feet tall. “Slow but steady” was our motto as we climbed the 3,000′ gain in elevation over 2 1/2 miles. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 5.21 Miles Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation Range: 9,930′ – 13,061′ Date: September 15, 2016 Maps: Falls Ridge and June Lake Topographic Quads ...

BASS LAKE — Special event doesn’t even begin to describe the excitement as the Tamed Fire Dancers bring their astounding pyrotechnic abilities to the Bass Lake Water Sports Marina for Labor Day weekend. The creative fire dancers will perform at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4 for one show only. “Tamed Fire is just like a Hawaiian luau, only hotter,” says Tom Tuso ...

Written by Dave Hubbard — Doug Hubbard prided himself above all else in being an Idea Man. His long list of career accomplishments attest to his skill not only at conceptualizing his ideas, but of then implementing a plan that would bring those ideas to fruition. His specialty was Interpretation — a communication-based teaching art form manifested through writing, photographs, ...

CALIFORNIA — The minimum age of sale for tobacco products in California increased from 18 to 21, effective June 9, 2016. And for the first time, e-cigarettes are now included in the existing definition of tobacco products statewide. California is the second state in the nation, following Hawaii, to raise the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21. “Today marks ...