BASS LAKE – Independence Day was celebrated last weekend it all its glorious forms, from time-honored events like pancake breakfasts and small-town parades, to family picnics, barbecue dinners, patriotic displays and even a laser light show over the lake. “We offered a safe alternative to fireworks, at no charge,” says Michelle Miller of Miller’s Landing, who is secretary of the ...

HUNTINGTON LAKE – Allowing readers a rare glimpse into the softer side of firefighting, Tami Rold-Sanchez shared photographs her Hotshot husband Rafael Sanchez took today of some fellow Crane Valley Hotshots caring for a young fawn separated from its mother. Based out of North Fork, the Crane Valley Hotshots are staying busy this week fighting lightning fires up at Huntington ...

  EARTH – The moon is full tonight, Wednesday, July 1, at 10:20 p.m. and this month’s moon is known as the Full Buck Moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. They say it’s called a Full Buck Moon because the noble buck begin to grow new antlers around this time. This full Moon is also known as the Thunder ...

Cold, grey, foggy, grim, yes, but thanks to volunteer gardeners, Alcatraz Island is awash in color. Pat and I braved the Highway 101 traffic and toured the island. If you like flowers, this is the time to go. On Wednesday afternoons there are docents in the Officers’ Row gardens who are happy to talk to you.

My favorite part of this hike is seeing those harlequin lupine when they are blooming. We lucked out and there were many beautiful displays of yellow, purple and pink harlequins lining the trail in places and grouped together is other spots.

OAKHURST – You’ve probably seen him on one of his horses, the lone man riding carefully down Road 426 towards town in the early dusk, or walking slowly around the perimeter of the high school campus, down School Road, around Fresno Flats. His name is Anthony Francis Monroe, and he goes by the name of Tony. He and four horses ...

COUNTY – Great news moving forward in Exchequer Mountain Bike Park’s quest for a $100,000 grant from Bell Helmets to build an extreme downhill mountain bike trail: out of three contenders in their division, Exchequer is officially the West Coast Finalist and will now compete nationally for the grand prize award.

NORTH FORK – There a lot happening this summer along the beautiful Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. The vistas are breathtaking, and there’s a lot less traffic than you’ll find in Yosemite. If you haven’t driven the Scenic Byway, make it a point to experience the beauty in your own back yard this summer. Here is some of the news, plus ...

BASS LAKE – Snag a fish during the 35th Annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby for a chance to win a portion of the $55,000 prize money swimming through the clear mountain waters on May 2 and 3. Sponsored by the Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce, this fun and competitive fishing event kicks off the summer season at the popular Bass ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park joins parks, programs and partners across the country to encourage everyone to find their park and share their stories online at FindYourPark.com. Launched Mar. 30 by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, Find Your Park is a public awareness and education campaign celebrating the milestone centennial anniversary of the National Park Service ...