News

Flu shots available for Mountain Area residents

With flu season upon us, flu shots are being offered at the following locations:

This arieal view of the work being done on the new Hillview Water Company water treatment plant on Crane Valley Road (426). The photo shows the foundation for two 300,000 gallon water tanks that will be installed at the site.

Work continues on Hillview Water Company improvements

Hillview Water Company is making progress on its new water treatment plants on Crane Valley Road (Road 426) that will remove uranium, arsenic, iron, and manganese for about about 3,300 customers in the Oakhurst/Sierra Lakes service area.

News

Cadillac Cowboys lead singer Kevin Blake Willard was ‘larger than life’

Kevin Blake Willard and the Cadillac Cowboys performed at bars, rodeos and festivals for more than 20 years. He died Tuesday following a car accident.

The North Fork Booster Club will host a motorcycle poker run on Sept. 30 to raise funds for a new gas range at the North Fork Town Hall.

Calendar

North Fork Boosters to host fundraising Granite Gambler poker run

The North Fork Booster Club will host a motorcycle poker run, known as the Granite Gambler, on Sept. 30, to raise funds for a new gas range at the North Fork Town Hall.

A view of the snowy Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, through a webcam shot around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Local

As rain pours in Mountain Area, part of Highway 120 temporarily closed in Yosemite

UPDATE (10:45 a.m.): The portion of Highway 120 that was closed for snow was reopened. Glacier Point Road remained closed.

Lynn Q. Feldman, Fresno field office director, USCIS, addresses the crowed gathered at Tuesday’s Naturalization Ceremony. About 200 people attended the ceremony at the iconic overlook in Yosemite National Park.

Local

Citizenship ceremony in Yosemite National Park for 50 new Americans

Yosemite National Park along with U.S. Citizenship and and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducted a special Naturalization Ceremony yesterday at Glacier Point.

A film on the life and times of Peter Cavanaugh working in the music industry is a finalist in the Moondance International Film Festival for 2017.

Local

Film on Hall of Famer Peter Cavanaugh is a festival finalist

The Michigan based film Local DJ: The Story of Flint Rock n’ Roll was recently awarded Finalist status in the highly regarded Moondance International Film Festival for 2017. The Michigan feature documentary was included in the honor among films from Ireland, Turkey, Iran, Singapore and Australia.

Crime

Man arrested for drunkenly screaming racial slurs: Madera County Sheriff’s Log, Sept. 11-17

On Sept. 11, a man at a home on Victoria Lane in Oakhurst was arrested for public intoxication when he was reported as allegedly yelling racial slurs at his neighbors.

Obituaries

Obituary - Alan Ross Green

Alan Ross Green died Sept. 8, 2017 at the age of 64. He was born Dec. 19, 1952 in London, England to Otis and Gloria.

Local

At the heart of the matter

Artichoke hearts rank as one of my all-time favorite foods. I love them fresh and also the marinated ones in jars. Sometimes there are good recipes that use the canned, water-pack type, but I admit those are not my first choice. It’s amazing that we can enjoy artichokes as a culinary treat, given that they are thistles. I love the Globe variety of artichoke as those have great flavor and are meaty. If you like chokes as much as I do, it is my hope you find a recipe to try from the selection here. I also hope you are looking forward to some nice fall weather.

John Masterson celebrated his 86th birthday with cards and balloons at his Tuesday Qigong practice.

Local

Masterson still going Qigong strong at 86

Members of the Oakhurst Wild Goose Qigong Practice Group were delighted to celebrate John Masterson’s 86th birthday with cards and balloons at their Tuesday practice before his weekend family celebrations began.

Obituaries

Obituary - Johnny R. Morris

Johnny R. Morris died Sept. 10, 2017 at the age of 79. He was born in Davenport, Oklahoma, and worked as a heavy equipment operator for PG&E.

Like most of the Yosemite High golfers, Sarah Meeks has been improving week after week, as the team is competing for another North Sequoia League title.

Local

Oetinger to compete at Pebble Beach

Lady Badgers currently in first place in NSL

Tony and “C.A.” share a drink, one of several as Tony pulls Swann into his plan to kill his wife Margot.

Local

GCT dials “M for Murder”

If you like a good murder mystery, you won’t want to miss the Golden Chain Theatre’s latest production, the classic Dial M for Murder, now playing weekends through Oct. 1.

Regina Carr has joined Yosemite High School as its new principal, and served her first day on Sept. 12. She said she looks forward to building a strong connection between students, parents, and staff in her new role.

Education

New Yosemite principal: ‘This is my dream job’

Regina Carr, the new principal of Yosemite High School, has an immense fondness for both the school and the Mountain Area.

Local

News Briefs - September 21 edition

☆ Impacted by wildfire? ☆ Free jet ski rides at Bass Lake ☆ Democratic Club meeting ☆ Oakhurst Library needs volunteers ☆ Sally Moreno campaign event ☆ Sierra Art Trails ☆ Spirit Night donations sought ☆ Farm and Ranch Tour ☆ Plant sale ☆ Oakhurst Music Festival ☆ Parking lot sale ☆ EMT course ☆ Teen safe driving

From left, Sarah McIntyre, Jean Russell, and Jeanna Erickson-Schweikert guarantee everyone a fun time at the Chawanakee Education Foundation’s Bonanza Night at Bandit Town in North Fork.

Local

‘Bonanza Night’ will benefit Chawanakee School District

The Chawanakee Educational Foundation will present Bonanza Night Sept. 23 at Bandit Town (55420 Road 226 in North Fork), to benefit the Chawanakee Unified School District’s schools and programs.

Local

Airbnb to begin collecting bed tax in Madera County on Oct. 1

Airbnb, the world’s leading community-driven hospitality company, has partnered with Madera County on a new tax agreement. Beginning Oct. 1, Airbnb will begin collecting and remitting the 9% Transient Occupancy Tax and the 2% Tourism Business Improvement District taxes on all eligible bookings in the unincorporated areas of Madera County.

The Sierra Mono Museum has long been in danger of closing due to a lack of financial support. However, a $605,000 grant will help the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians restore and upgrade the facility.

Local

North Fork Rancheria awarded $605,000 grant to restore Sierra Mono Museum

Great news came in last week for fans of the Sierra Mono Museum in North Fork, as the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians was awarded a $605,000 grant to help restore and upgrade the museum’s facilities and displays.

Local

District Attorney requests further evidence in opposition to Waterman parole be sent as soon as possible

Madera County District Attorney David A. Linn announced on Sept. 5, that he had filed an opposition to the pending parole release of Alice Waterman from the Central California Women’s Facility.

Videos

Food, hungry law enforcement: How it all came together

Sep 13, 2017

Evergreen Conference Center of Oakhurst Director Steve Rumage tells about the decision to offer meals to law enforcement after the power went out and ECCO was ordered to evacuate due to the Railroad Fire.

Morgan Voorhis The Sierra Star