Fifteen Mountain Area Boy Scouts, members of Troop 341, spent their Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday conquering Death Valley by pedaling 56 miles to receive credit for their Bicycling Merit Badge as well as meet a requirement for the Eagle Badge.

The ride was assistant scoutmaster John Dufresne's idea and he has been preparing them for it since September.

When winter rains hit two weeks ago, many were happy to see a break in the long dry spell. However, for the Golden Chain Theatre, the wet weather left some negative repercussions when water from an adjoining property caused flooding to a portion of the building. The theatre is now facing large bills for the clean-up and new carpet in the saloon area of the building.

According to Jen Piccolotti, theatre president, the flooding occurred because plants and trees was cleared off land above the theatre for future development, causing mud and water to run off the hill and into the theatre.

It was a week of technological education while experiencing the American culture for 13 Chinese exchange students -- ages 11 to 16 -- last week in Oakhurst. The students were part of Sierra Homestay, which brings Chinese exchange students to the area every year in summer months. This was a first for both a winter and a technology program.

Students arrived in San Francisco and soon made their way to the Mountain Area where they learned about local geology, "going green," the California Gold Rush, toured Sierra Telephone, a local coffee company and the mining museum in Mariposa, visited Yosemite National Park and spent a day at local schools before moving on to Silicon Valley.

As more and more children are becoming statistics of abuse, law enforcement, hospitals and social services continue to battle against the devastating epidemic. As high as 80%, some say 90%, of child abuse is drug related, according to Holly Dye, founder and executive director of the National Drug Endangered Training and Advocacy Center in Lexington, Ky.

As reported in the Jan. 26 Sierra Star, the Mountain Area is not immune to drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine, and the problems that come with drug addiction.

As drug addiction sweeps the nation, touching every socio-economic class from those living in poverty to the country club set, not even the small communities of Eastern Madera County have escaped the grip of one of the most powerful and potent drugs on the street -- Methamphetamine.

"In this town everybody's life is affected by meth one way or another," said a former meth user who agreed to speak on the subject with the promise of anonymity. "People you wouldn't think about do it, sell it and everybody likes to turn a blind eye. Small towns have the biggest secrets."

As the first official graduating class of Minarets High School approaches, seniors are busy with what they call "Senior Legacy Experiences" and they are busy planning everything from a blood drive to a youth soccer camp and even a used book store.

For two female seniors, they hope that lives will not only be changed for the better but that the legacy of their project will continue on long after they have left the halls of the high school.

The Golden Chain Theatre was filled Friday night for the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce 2012 Board of Directors Installation and Awards Banquet where man, woman, volunteer, and business of the year were announced.

The prime rib banquet was catered by Sierra Sky Ranch and the evening was emceed by chamber board member Randy Papike.

The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday, Jan. 10 to send a letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein, outlining support for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians' $250 million off reservation casino north of Madera. The letter was written in response to a directive made by Feinstein to the Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to verify local support, feeling the support is not there.

The proposed 305-acre site on Highway 99 is about 36 miles from the North Fork Rancheria.

Thanks to hundreds of Tootsie Rolls and the dedication of The Knights of Columbus, more than $2,000 was donated to two local organizations Friday, Jan. 6. Mountain Hope Association and Social Vocational Services, who both help the developmentally disabled, were the grateful recipients of more than $1,000 each.

"They need funds to help them with education and also for fun things to do," said Dick Rekart, fundraiser coordinator. "It (funds raised) all stays in this area -- Oakhurst. We've been doing this for over 10 years."

Experience Based Learning, Inc. went before the Madera County Planning Commission Tuesday, Jan. 3, for a conditional use permit for a zipline course in Ahwahnee off Metcalf Gap Road, but the plan to proceed with a 5-line course on 20-acres was denied.

Even though Norman Allinder, director of the Resource Management Agency Planning Department, and lead planner Robert Mansfield, said they were recommending approval, the organization's plans were stopped when the fire department pointed out that road access to the course was not in compliance with fire department regulations.