Mariposa United Methodist welcomes new pastor

In early July, Mariposa United Methodist Church welcomed Pastor Mark Buenafe and his wife, Norma, to their new ministry. Pastor Mark and Norma, nicknamed “Norms,” came to Mariposa from the Marina United Methodist Church where he had served for 10 years. During their time in the north Monterey area, Norms taught fourth grade in Echo Valley School. She will be […]

Johnsons welcome new addition to community

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A little ray of sunshine poked through the clouds of 2020 when Emilia Grace Niner Johnson was born on Friday, Aug. 28 in the Central Valley. Emilia is the daughter of Jennah and Matt Johnson of Mariposa. She weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce at birth and measured 19.5 inches long. Both the baby and the mother are healthy and doing […]

Your photos

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Reader Jean Kiser submitted this photo of her grandson Cooper Kiser’s kitten “in the heat wave position.” Do you have a photo for this weekly feature? If so, email it to greg@mariposagazette.com. Please include your name and a short description of the photo.

Another one bites the dust

Rudy Warrior Challenge canned for this year


Every fall, some of the toughest and most rugged physical specimens in Mariposa County gather for an event fit for warriors. “Rudy Warriors,” that is. The Rudy Warrior Challenge is an event featuring a series of Crossfit-syle challenges that competitors take part in. Some of those stations include tasks such as burpees, push-ups, a climbing wall, kettlebells, partner carries, box […]

Back on: Stanners golf tourney rescheduled



The ninth annual Kynan Stanners Memorial golf tournament will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 at Pheasant Run Country Club in Chowchilla. The tournament was originally scheduled for March 28. Therewillbean8a.m.check-inwitha9a.m.shotgun start. Contests include straight drive, long drive, scramble tournament, closest to the pin and hole-in-one. “It’s at the same location as it was going to be in March. We have […]

A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BREED

Some derby drivers travel to a different state to compete


Not being able to compete in sports is hard enough for most athletes during a pandemic. But what about those whose sport only competes on one specific night a year? What about them, the ones who look forward to competing in that one big event, only to have that night be canceled? That’s the case for those who compete in […]

Wichmann waived by Dallas, future unclear



Despite being a starter at times throughout his career, and despite lasting in the National Football League for around five years, Cody Wichmann was waived by the Dallas Cowboys last week. The Mariposa native and 6-foot-6, 315 pound offensive guard was with the Cowboys last year on injured reserve and didn’t suit up as he recovered from injury. He was […]

Itching for sports like a kid waiting for Christmas

MATT’S MUSINGS

We’re now in September. I would have been covering volleyball and football by now, if it were a normal school year. But nothing has been normal since the outbreak of the coronavirus. As a writer, it’s been frustrating because covering sports is my passion. With that said, I’m grateful to have a job, even if I’m not writing about sports […]

Strike up the (virtual) band!

New band teacher a little green, but very passionate about music


If you were to be granted access to log onto the Zoom sessions which are held for band class at Mariposa County High School this year, it might be difficult to distinguish who was the teacher. That’s because the new director of the band, Grant Thompson, isn’t a whole lot older than some of the students in the class. Thompson, […]

State department scholarship programs in place for high school exchange students

ASSE Student Exchange Programs is now looking for American families to host high school students from Eurasia, Germany and countries with significant Muslim population. All these exceptional students have received scholarships through the U.S. State Department-sponsored programs: Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) Program, Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) and Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). These scholarship […]