MOUNTAIN AREA — A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for some of our local area, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), as isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms remain possible in the Sierra through Friday, July 26. A large area of high pressure maintains widespread triple digit heat across the San Joaquin Valley, West Side Hills and Kern County ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park (YNP) is proud to announce that Thomas (Tom) Karl Standen III is the recipient of the 2018 Barry Hance Memorial Award. A ceremony in his honor was attended by approximately 400 Yosemite National Park employees, retirees, volunteers and park partners including several past Barry Hance Memorial Award recipients. The Barry Hance Memorial Award is a ...

YOSEMITE — The massive tree mortality in the central Sierra and Yosemite National Park is something locals are always well aware of but, for two visitors from Sacramento, the reality hit home in a big way last week. Having spent the day exploring Yosemite National Park on Sunday, July 7, visitors Mike and Debbie Sanchez suddenly found themselves in the ...

By Greg M. Stock — YOSEMITE — Recent earthquakes centered near Ridgecrest, CA, were strongly felt in and around Yosemite Valley. The largest of these, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake at 8:19 p.m. on Friday, July 5, caused shaking of the floor of Yosemite Valley that lasted ten seconds. Despite this shaking, it seems that there were not any rockfalls triggered ...

YOSEMITE VALLEY — One of the area’s most spectacular waterways is among the stars of a new series of “forever” stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The Merced River is one of 12 U.S. rivers featured in the new “National Wild and Scenic River System” stamp series, which was unveiled and went on sale earlier this summer. The colorful ...

MARIPOSA — Starting July 1, Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) will begin the second year of the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) for Mariposa County. This program will provide up to four (4) free YARTS round-trip tickets to Mariposa county residents who apply until all tickets have been issued or June 30, 2020, whichever comes first. In order ...

Wild azaleas were showing off their white flowers and we caught a whiff of their scent before we saw them. This was the perfect time to see them blooming between Fish Camp and the Mariposa Grove plus got a nice workout as we wandered through Mariposa Grove to Wawona Point. Where: Sierra National Forest, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove of ...

By Sal Maccarone — Great architectural achievements always reflect a careful blending of art and science. Throughout the process of building something great these two disciplines will come together and, by designing and building a structure which reflects certain considerations, all things will work in harmony to produce a three dimensional form of art. Becoming an important piece of architecture ...

YOSEMITE — An all-American concert featuring a full symphony orchestra is a special way to celebrate America’s birthday. But to experience such a concert in Yosemite National Park in a historic location is a rare, extra-special opportunity. The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra regularly performs in Yosemite Valley, but its first-ever outdoor Wawona concert will allow attendees to revel in a simpler ...

YOSEMITE — Officials in Yosemite National Park have announced that the Tioga Road will open to unrestricted vehicular traffic on Monday, July 1, at 8 a.m. From now until the full opening Monday morning, vehicular access will continue to be available from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will continue to be no stopping ...