Mariposa Gazette

Bus burns, but student and driver are safe

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:22 +0000

On a routine trip to Mariposa on Monday afternoon, Mariposa Public Utility District (MPUD) fire Captain Dennis Buck happened on a small Maripoas County Unified School District (MCUSD) bus in the smoldering phase of an engine compartment fire.

State champs

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:23 +0000

JCF finds new CEO

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

After a lengthy and thorough recruiting process, the John C. Fremont Healthcare District Hospital Board of Directors has signed a contract with David Hill as the district’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO.)

Hill will begin at John C. Fremont Healthcare District the week of Feb. 20, a few weeks before the district implements electronic health records.

Bill could restore bus funding

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

By Jill Ballinger GAZETTE EDITOR

New legislation could reverse the threat to school bus transportation in Mariposa and all other California counties. After a mid-year cut wiped out much of the district’s funding, state legislators are pushing a new bill to restore transportation money.

Lions go to Reno

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

The Gold Chain Lions Club invites everyone to come on its Reno bus trip, April 17-18. This trip is in the spirit of previous fundraising trips hosted by the Northern Mariposa County History Center, using the same tour company and bus driver, with a very similar itinerary.

A small portion of the cost will go to the Lions charitable account.

Golden Agers host bingo

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

All residents at least 18 years of age are invited to Golden Agers bingo on the first Friday of each month at the senior center on Spriggs Lane.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and games start at 6:30 p.m. Large pots, pull tabs, free coffee and food items are available. All proceeds go toward the upkeep of the senior center building and grounds.

Friday, Feb. 3

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

Books Galore! at the Mariposa County Library, sponsored by the Friends of the Library from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bingo - at the American Legion Hall every Friday except the first Friday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. Only $1.50 per card, minimum of three cards. All proceeds go back to the community.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

Alcoholics Anonymous - noon and 7 p.m. at the fellowship hall at Pioneer Village, Highways 140 and 49 South, 966- 3110.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

Motherload Pistol Club - monthly “run and gun” match at the range at 4443 Old Highway. Sign-ups start at 9:30 a.m. and the shoot starts at 10 a.m. Hearing and eye protection are required for all shooters and spectators. For more information, call Mick Herman at 966-8196.

Monday, Feb. 6

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

Canteen Coffee Time - every Monday at Happy Burger Diner from 5:30 to 11:30 a.m. for veterans and their spouses. Free coffee, tea or fountain drink.

Narcotics Anonymous - 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (downstairs).

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:24 +0000

Take Off Pounds Sensibly - Methodist Church Parish Hall on Sixth Street at 9:30 to 11 a.m. For information call 966- 6061 or 374-3280.

Senior Center - Bridge at 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:25 +0000

Upper Room Community Women’s Bible Study - meets at the senior center in Mariposa. The regular study takes place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Women of all ages are welcome, though no child care is provided.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:25 +0000

Alcoholics Anonymous - noon and 7 p.m. at the fellowship hall at Pioneer Village, Highways 140 and 49 South, 966- 3110.

Mariposa Rotary - meets at 7 a.m. at the Mariposa Senior Center. Information is available at www.mariposarotary.org.

New place to hang their hats

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:27 +0000

Ranger visits Kiwanis Preschool

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:28 +0000

Grads make dean’s list

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:28 +0000

The following students from Mariposa were recently listed on the 2011 fall semester dean’s list at the University of Portland.

Andrew Pritchett, a freshman, is studying nursing. Colin Ritter, a sophomore, is a biology major.

Students must have at least 3.5 grade point average to be eligible for the dean’s list.

MMS students celebrate

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:30 +0000

Cozy school day

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:31 +0000

Girl Scouts receive special package

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:32 +0000

FFA team wins

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:34 +0000

Speech contest focuses on bullying

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:34 +0000

Mariposa AAUW in co-operation with Mountain Crisis Services and Ethos Center is sponsoring a speech contest for high school students on "Bullying...So What."

SFCS hosts fundraiser

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:34 +0000

Yosemite Rotary backs school’s ski program

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:34 +0000

Snowy winters can make it tough for students in rural areas to fulfill their physical education requirements at school. For many years the local ski program at Badger Pass has been the ideal solution for the Yosemite Valley and El Portal schools.

FFA members get state degrees

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:36 +0000

Lane dances for a cause

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:36 +0000

Mariposa County High School graduate Patricia Lane will be participating in the Pediatric AIDS Coalition at UCLA Dance Marathon. The event raises money and awareness for pediatric AIDS. So far, the organization has contributed over $2.15 million toward the fight.

The event takes place Feb. 18 and 19.

Natural Resources competes at state finals

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:37 +0000

Grizzlies bombard Denair, 62-29

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:38 +0000

On Tuesday evening, Mariposa’s varisty hardwood squad blitzed Denair’s Coyotes, 62-29, to push its Southern Athletic League mark to 7-2, setting up a key match with Waterford on Friday night in the battle for second place.

Frosh drill Gustine

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:38 +0000

In their last outing last Friday, Mariposa’s freshman basketball team suffered its first defeat in Southern Athletic League action. The young Grizzlies fell to Ripon Christian, 47-31, leaving them deadlocked with the Knights at 4-1 atop the SAL standings.

JVs rebound against ‘Yotes

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:39 +0000

After getting whipped at Ripon Christian last Friday night, 69-59, Mariposa’s junior varsity basketball team rebounded against Denair’s Coyotes Tuesday evening, slashing the visitors, 45- 26.

The JVs completely dominated the contest, leading at the end of the first period, 20-4, and pushing that advantage to 27-10 at the break.

Youth sports sign-ups set

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:39 +0000

Mariposa Girls Youth Softball League (MGYSL) and Little League sign-ups will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VFW Hall on the corner of Highways 140 and 49 North.

For questions on softball call 966-1185. Information about Little League is available by calling 966-1786. Volunteers are always needed, especially umpires.

Youth wrestlers open 2012 season

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:39 +0000

The Mariposa youth wrestling club, Senior Golden Grapplers, opened the 2012 season with an impressive 66 to 10 win over Wilson Middle School in Chowchilla.

Highlights of the match included 72- pound Riley Gibson winning with a second round pin. Evan Sanders, 86 pounds, made quick work of his opponent with a first round pin.

Lady Grizzlies split pair, still in playoff hunt

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:39 +0000

Emily Brossard’s 16 points and 15 rebounds paced Mariposa’s Lady Grizzlies to a convincing 44-28 Southern Atheltic League victory over Denair Monday evening.

Mariposa held a 14- 11 edge at the end of the first quarter, and spread that margin to 22-14 at the intermission, dominating the Coyotes defensively in the second stanza.

INSIDE YOSEMITE

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:46 +0000

By Jill Ballinger GAZETTE EDITOR

Most people equate Yosemite and other national parks with environmental health. Now, there is a program that applies the Park’s environmental mission to the health of the people who visit.

Robert Beattie

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:46 +0000

Robert Mills Beattie left many beloved family and friends on this earth to join God, his family members and friends in heaven on Jan. 24.

Patrick McGovern

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:47 +0000

Patrick McGovern, 84, of Mariposa, passed away at home on Jan. 19. Pat was born in Glangevlin, Ireland, to Michael and Mary McGovern on June 24, 1927.

Pat immigrated to the United States in 1958. He worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for J.P. Dolan Lumber Company as a salesman and contractor.

Robert G. Kirkland

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:47 +0000

Robert G. Kirkland, who was

80 years young, passed from this life on Jan. 27 in the Veterans’ Hospital in Fresno.

He was born in 1931 and was the beloved husband to Janet Kirkland from Hunters Valley. He died from a sudden, fatal bone cancer.

Angela Maria Negrette

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:47 +0000

Angie was born in Vera Cruz, Mexico on Sept 6, 1920. She passed away Jan. 21.

She moved to New Orleans in 1927, and then Los Angeles in 1932. She was a full-time resident of Mariposa from 1964 to the mid-1970s and continued visiting her home here while living in Hayward.

M.L. ‘Sonny’ Lawhon

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:47 +0000

On Jan. 20, the Lawhon family lost “the rock” of its family, M.L. “Sonny” Lawhon, beloved husband, father and Papa.

Sonny was born 72 years ago to Sam and Juanita Lawhon in Madera. He was raised in Texas and Madera, joining the Navy when he was 16 to see the world.

Helping to build

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:48 +0000

Turkey shoot benefits Williams

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:48 +0000

There will be a turkey shoot fundraiser at the Airport Inn on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. For Kenny Williams. He was in a car accident on Highway 140 recently, and he was flown to Modesto were he is now being treated. Williams remains critical condition.

There will also be raffle prizes, and it will be a potluck.

For more information, call 769-6930 or 966-4294.

Tour de Habitat approaches

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:49 +0000

Thank you

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:49 +0000

I wanted to add Ceslie Brandon of Miner's Inn Motel to our thank you list. Your generous rate made it much easier for Stephen’s family and friends to attend his service. I thank you for being so thoughtful.

Rosemary Caballero

‘Under Our Skin’ returns

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:49 +0000

Mountain Crisis Services, Inc. is holding its eighth annual Valentine's Day benefit show on Feb. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m., indoors at the Mariposa County Park Amphitheater.

Workshop focuses on climate change

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:49 +0000

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the community can learn about climate change and the challenges it presents to invasive pest management. Participants will learn how climate change will have impacts on California agriculture that will result in winners and losers in terms of not only crop success, but also in the pests and weeds that will challenge agriculture.

Park releases Half Dome EA

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:49 +0000

Yosemite National Park has announced the availability of the Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan Environmental Assessment for public review. Public comments on the plan will be accepted from Thursday, March 15.

NPS inks rehab pact

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:49 +0000

Yosemite National Park has announced the signing of The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI records the decision of the National Park Service to adopt a long-term plan for the rehabilitation of The Ahwahnee (described as Alternative 3 in environmental assessment released for public review in July 2011).

JJC gets new members

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:50 +0000

Butterfly Festival begins its planning

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:51 +0000

The Mariposa Butterfly Festival is seeking volunteers for the upcoming three-day event that takes place during the first weekend in May. The Festival brings thousands into the community to celebrate the beauty, fantasy, and spirit of the county and town’s namesake “Mariposa” (which means “Butterfly” in Spanish).

Bike events will benefit Habitat