It was a story that touched the hearts of Mountain Area residents a year ago. Four family members, including two well-liked Oakhurst Elementary School students, Jayden, 8, and Alexis Montoya, 10, were killed in their sleep by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning on Jan. 16, 2011.
It was a story the Chicago-based company, First Alert, took notice of. Company leaders decided they would do what they could to make sure such a tragic incident never happens in Oakhurst again. The company, manufacturers of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and other home safety equipment, donated carbon monoxide detectors to every family of the 345 K-through-fifth-grade students at the school.
Debbie Hanson, director of external affairs for first Alert, said the company works with fire departments and safety experts around the country to help educate people about carbon monoxide and fire prevention.
Writer Wallace Stegner called national parks "...the best idea we ever had." A uniquely American contribution to world culture, the national park concept began to emerge in the late 19th century with the creation of Yellowstone, Sequoia and Yose
People experiencing the blues, feelings of depression and other mood disorders might be able to use vitamin D to alleviate symptoms of depression. New studies point to low blood levels of vitamin D as a culprit in depression. Simply increasing these level
Valentine's Day is often a time for adult couples to show their affection. But Valentine's Day is a fun time for kids, too. Kids often enjoy handing out and receiving Valentine's Day cards, and parents often enjoy seeing their kids' cr
By Tiffany Tuell
Volunteers at K.O.M.B.'s (Keep Our Mountains Beautiful) roadside litter cleanups receive a variety of responses. Some people drive by with a honk, a wave and a "thank you." Others wave with a rude gesture, then roll down their window and th
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.
As the rain fell outside, a full house at the North Fork Town Hall gave a standing ovation to Vince and Ginny Smith as they were named the 2011 Citizens of the Year.
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 stor
Irish Wolfhound Grand Champion Cruiser, 4, is saying good-bye to his career as a show dog and enjoying the laid-back life of retirement after a successful 2 1/2-year career. He will, however, be involved in community service and starting up a family of mini cruisers.
Cruiser received a gold invitation to the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Show in New York — only the No. 1 dog in the breed receives this invitation — it was going to be his last show. But after traveling 13 miles in two hours in inclement weather and hitting black ice, owner Gail Hawksworth decided it was best, for Cruiser''s safety, to turn around in Wyoming and return home.
