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December 31, 2009 / Front Page

Radanovich won't seek reelection

Congressman places family first

Congressman George Radanovich has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2010. He issued a statement on the decision on Tuesday morning. More...

Helicopter crashes in Madera County

No report of survivors

A helicopter that was contracted by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has crashed in Madera County near the Fresno County line. The crew was performing a routine aerial survey of deer populations when the crash occurred. More...

Mariposa County: Going up in smoke?

BY DAN TUCKER GAZETTE PUBLISHER

PART ONE In 1996, California voters approved Propositon 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, which allows patients with a valid doctor's recommendation, and the patient's designated Primary Caregivers, to possess and cultivate mar More...

Crime rate has fallen during this decade

BY JILL BALLINGER GAZETTE EDITOR

Most jurisdictions struggle with rising crime in times of economic crisis. In Mariposa County, however, law enforcement has been spared significant spikes in criminal activity, and in fact has seen a downward spiral in crime since 2001. More...

'Musick' to Mariposa's ears: Jim's song of giving continues

BY JILL BALLINGER GAZETTE EDITOR

There are some people who give to the community through service clubs or organizations. Others donate money or goods. A final category of givers is those who give of themselves, to anyone who needs it. More...

Local News

DUI arrests were up statewide, static locally

The number of people arrested in California during the Christmas holiday was up over 2008 statistics. The California Highway Patrol is reporting that 970 people were arrested in California this year compared to 824 during the same period last year. More...

It's a busy time at NMCHC

Gail Tyler held the winning ticket drawn at the Northern Mariposa County History Center’s (NMCHC) Dec. 13 breakfast. More...

More than 300 gather for dinner

Residents of Coulterville and the surr ounding community turned out in force to partake in the holiday camaraderie and enjoy a traditional holiday feast, More...

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Commentary

There 'Oughta Be A Law

On the cusp of a new decade

BY MICHAEL A. FAGALDE, PARTNER IN THE MARIPOSA LAW FIRM OF ALLEN, FAGALDE, ALBERTONI & FLORES, LLP

Now is the time to contemplate the good, the bad, and the ugly of the last decade and to look forward to the next decade. Are the hopes, aspirations, and dreams of lawyers any different than other members of the Mariposa community? More...

MTM Decision

Contributed by Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski regarding her recent, Motorized Travel Management Record of Decision. More...

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Datebook

Community Calendar

Friday, Jan. 1 Books Galore! at the Mariposa County Library, sponsored by the Friends of the Library from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More...

Cookin’ in the Country

It’s not as hard as you might think to make heart healthy food choices that are still irresistibly good. Dr. More...

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Sports

Grizzlies barely escape Denair

Mariposa eeks out 60-58 win

Although they were picked to dominate the Southern Athletic League on the basketball court, Mariposa's Grizzlies barely edged Denair in both teams' SAL opener Tuesday night on the Coyotes' home court, 60-58. More...

Lady Grizzlies upend Waterford

Mariposa now 2-0 in SAL

Mariposa's varsity girls' basketball team downed Waterford, 33-19, in a home contest Monday evening. More...

Mankins heads for NFL Pro Bowl again

By Dan Tucker Gazette Publisher For the second time in his short 5-year National Football League career, MCHS graduate Logan Mankins has been named to the NFL’s Pro Bowl. More...

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Around the County

Teachers, parents unite at board meeting

BY JILL BALLINGER GAZETTE EDITOR

Before the Dec. 17 Mariposa County Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, about 40 members of the district staff, parents, children and community members joined in a candlelight vigil outside the board room. More...

Kops for Kids helps 350 children

MEMBERS OF E CLAMPUS VITUS (PICTURED ABOVE) DONATED TOYS FOR THE KOPS FOR KIDS PROGRAM. PICTURED BELOW IS JAMES MCGUFFY (CENTER) OF MCGUFFY PLUMBING WHO GAVE THE PROGRAM A MONETARY DONATION. More...

New year brings new traffic laws

January not only rings in a new year, but also new laws for 2010. The California Highway Patrol reminds drivers to be familiar with these new traffic laws passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. More...

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Child care worker busted for smoking pot

And with teenagers no less

A woman who works as a child care provider has been arrested for providing marijuana to a minor. Genei Baker of Mariposa allegedly smoked pot with two teenage girls at her home, and one of them ended up at John C. More...

Assault rate jumps by 42%

Economy strains nerves

By Jill Ballinger, Gazette Editor

After years of a consistent decline in assaults in Mariposa County, that number jumped by 42 percent to close out the decade. The figure, released by Mariposa County Sheriff Brian Muller on Jan. More...

Mobile razed in Midpines

Quick response saves most of structure

A structure fire was reported at 11:32 a.m. in the Midpines Mobile Home Park on Dec. 30 by Jack Webb, the owner of the 66-foot mobile home. More...

Park visitation numbers rise

Nation's 'crown jewel' proves its recession-proof

By Jill Ballinger Gazette Editor Yosemite National Park appears to be at least a little bit recession proof. As 2009 closed, the Park showed a five percent increase in visitors for the year, and that’s without the December numbers. More...

Unemployment numbers rise

BY JILL BALLINGER GAZETTE EDITOR

After an encouraging couple of months in the local job market, the unemployment rate has returned to double-digit figures in Mariposa County. More...

County addresses station's necessity

BY JILL BALLINGER GAZETTE EDITOR

For about two decades, Mariposa County has been trying to figure out how and where to build a volunteer fire station in the Bridgeport area. More...

For the Record

Sheriff’s Dispatch Log

Dec. 21: •There was a suicidal subject on Harris Road. •A bull was on someone’s property on Highway 49 South. •A vehicle hit a power pole on Incline Road. More...

Mariposa County Fire Department response log

Dec. 20: .Structure fire call on Parambelle - #32 Ponderosa Basin, #29 Lushmeadows, #22 MPUD Rescue .EMS call on Morningstar - #37 Bootjack .EMS call on Highway 140 - #21 Midpines More...

Merry Mountain Christmas lists winners

The winners of the Merry Mountain Christmas Parade have been announced. They are listed by category. Floats: Mariposa County Probation. Equestrian: Mariposa Mountain Riders, Melissa Moors (Buttefly Cafe) and Merced Rodeo Committee. More...

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Letters

Wrong aid for Mariposa

'Tis the Christmas season and most of our friends and neighbors feel a renewed spirit of compassion, giving, and neighborly generosity. A parade. Yule tide cheer. More...

Beautiful music

In a filled Mariposa County High School auditorium on Dec. 11, Rod Fiester and Tina Tiner presented us with an evening of beautiful music with competent, dedicated singers. More...

Sincere gratitude

What an honor my community has bestowed upon me. I was absolutely thrilled to find out I had been voted "Best Dentist" in the MARIPOSA GAZETTE’S poll. Thank you everyone. More...

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Obituaries

Alice P. Meriam

y Meriam , 95, died Dec. 26, at the Ewing Wing of the John C. Fremont Hospital. At her specific request, there will be no memorial service. More...

Bonnie Lemaster

g posa County, Bonnie a proud Native American has taken her journey to the spirit world on December 17, 2009. Born on April 22nd 1950, at Lewis Memorial Hospital in Yosemite Ca. More...

Barbara E. Magar

Barbara E. Magar of Hornitos died Dec. 22 at her home surrounded by family. She was 68. Mrs. Magar was born June 23, 1941, in Saginaw, Mich. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4 at Winton District Cemetery. More...

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Inside Education

Photos

THE MARIPOSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FIRST AND SECOND GRADE TERRIFIC KIDS FOR DECEMBER ARE EMMALEE BRESHEARS, AUTUMN SMITH, DYLAN HEARD, ANDREA GARCIA, JACK ROMERO, RAYLEEN CAMPBELL, JADE NAVARETTE AND COLT More...

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Friends and Family

Thank you

The Friends of the Library’s 18th annual Christmas Home Tour on Dec. 5 and 6, was once again a great success. More...

Pretzer is MVP

Q PRETZER, WHO WAS THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER FOR THE MARIPOSA BEARS NOVICE TEAM. GREAT SEASON! DAD, MOM, TIERNEY AND APRIL PRETZER More...

Thank you

We wish to thank all who helped us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary at McCay Hall in Cathey’s Valley on Nov. 7. More...

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