Nature shrugs, netting shredded

New slide erases summer’s progress

Last week Mother Nature delivered a significant blow to Caltrans’ State Route 140 Ferguson Slide Permanent Restoration Project when another massive rock slide shredded the steel netting the state agency had installed to secure the hillside, burying the excavated highway surface being prepared for the construction of a rock shed. Remarkably, Caltrans Public Information Officer Angela DePrato, told another news […]

County’s suicide rate is second highest in state

Rural areas see more deaths

Mariposa County has a lot to offer residents — beautiful scenery, low crime rates and a small population. But the County has another side to it, a darker side that drives some people to take the drastic step to suicide. According to the California Department of Public Health, the suicide rate in the rural counties of the state is not […]

Supes pile on mining rules

Smallcombe, Caan, Carrier pass CUP

Mariposa County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Nov. 17 to amend the General Plan, making all mining subject to a discretionary, conditional use permit (CUP). The decision was announced after a lengthy, contentious three-hour-plus public hearing before a crowd of 65 at the supervisors chambers. Previously, mining was a permitted endeavor in the General Plan in Agriculture Working Landscape […]

Merchants offering small-town shopping, big deals on Black Friday

Saturday also brings discounts

It’s known as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when Christmas shoppers come out in hordes to take advantage of steeply-reduced gifts. The name Black Friday has been around for at least 50 years, and was started by Philadelphia police who used the words to describe the traffic and pedestrian problems that occurred when people took advantage of days off […]

Dentists challenge donors to Habitat



Timothy Barnes and Dennis Miller, local dentists at General Dentistry in Mariposa, are again challenging year-end donors to Habitat for Humanity to match their donation of $1,500 for safe, decent, affordable housing. Donations in any amount may be made to HFH of Mariposa County, P.O. Box 1420, Mariposa, CA 95338. “Habitat Challenge” may be noted on the check. These donations […]

Local studio hosts ‘Wonderland’ event



Pure Training Studio is hosting “Wonderland,” a Christmas-themed family event on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mariposa County Courthouse. The event will feature a 5K run/walk, a reindeer ride stationary bike competition, children’s activities and a silent auction. In the past, the event has raised more than $6,000 for Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, […]

SHERIFFS’ REPORT



Nov. 17 • Theft of mail was reported from Meadow Lane. • A petty theft report was taken on Circle Drive. • A vandalism report was received from French Camp Road. • A suspicious vehicle was on Stroming Road. • A report of trespassing was received from Chilnualna Falls Road in Fish Camp. Nov. 18 • Two loose horses were […]

MOST WANTED



Peter Hanson Age: 38Height: 6’0’Weight: 200Bail Amount: $75,000 Wanted for: Burglary and vandalism If you know the whereabouts of this individual, please contact the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. You do not need to identify yourself, inform the person answering the phone that you have information about a person who has an active arrest warrant in Mariposa. If you have contact […]

Book sale held twice



Books Galore!, a twiceweekly book sale offered by the Mariposa Friends of the Library, is open for business from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Friday and Tuesday. The location is Merle’s Room at the Mariposa Library, 4978 10th Street in town.

Wood sculptor brings birds and fish to life

Sometimes people think carvings are taxidermy

One of the biggest compliments Mariposa wood sculptor William Bishop received occurred during his first Ducks Unlimited dinner years ago. A man walked up behind his sculpture, checked to see if anyone was looking, and blew on it, figuring some feathers would fly up. That is how realisticlooking his artwork is. It’s hard to tell that his artwork is crafted […]