WawonaNews.com - April 2019
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Roadwork on 41
State Route 41, North of Narrow Gauge Inn has roadway that is giving way. Caltrans Central Valley District 6 is working to rectify this situation from 6AM-6PM Monday-Saturday. This is expected to continue for the next 3-4 weeks. Please use caution as you travel through this area.
State Route 41, North of Narrow Gauge Inn has roadway that is giving way. Caltrans Central Valley District 6 is working to rectify this situation from 6AM-6PM Monday-Saturday. This is expected to continue for the next 3-4 weeks. Please use caution as you travel through this area.
Fire in Yosemite
Parker Bevington, Wawona Fire Captain
NEW LOCATION! Wawona Fire Station
Friday, April 12
Doors at 6pm, lecture from 6:30-7:30pm
Come join Wawona Fire Captain Parker Bevington for an up-close look at fire operations in Yosemite National Park. Drawing from his experience through 17 fire seasons and working hundreds of fires, Captain Bevington will share the history, evolution, and current capabilities of Yosemite Fire. This lecture will be hosted at the Wawona Fire Station and will feature the equipment and strategies that NPS fire fighters utilize when responding to both wildland and structural fire incidents in the park. Bring your curiosity and questions for this informative, interactive evening!
Parker Bevington, Wawona Fire Captain
NEW LOCATION! Wawona Fire Station
Friday, April 12
Doors at 6pm, lecture from 6:30-7:30pm
Come join Wawona Fire Captain Parker Bevington for an up-close look at fire operations in Yosemite National Park. Drawing from his experience through 17 fire seasons and working hundreds of fires, Captain Bevington will share the history, evolution, and current capabilities of Yosemite Fire. This lecture will be hosted at the Wawona Fire Station and will feature the equipment and strategies that NPS fire fighters utilize when responding to both wildland and structural fire incidents in the park. Bring your curiosity and questions for this informative, interactive evening!
Yosemite National Park to Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday April 20, 2019
Visitors are invited to help us celebrate Earth Day, National Junior Ranger Day, National Park Week, and John Muir’s Birthday in Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite National Park will be celebrating Earth Day, National Junior Ranger Day, National Park Week, and John Muir’s Birthday on Saturday, April 20, 2019. There will be activities for all ages throughout the day. All activities are free.
Join us at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center in Yosemite Village from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will be music, games, and interactive booths. Meet with park rangers and park partners and learn how we are working to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources in Yosemite National Park.
Some of the day’s highlights include:
Visitors coming to the park should be prepared for a very busy day. Saturday, April 20, 2019 is a free day to help kick off National Park Week. All entrance fees are free, camping and other fees still apply. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trips in advance and arrive to the park before 9:00 am. Parking areas throughout the park are expected to fill early in the day.
Visitor parking will be available at the Yosemite Village Parking Area and Yosemite Falls Parking Area, located across from Camp 4 Campground. All visitors are encouraged to park and utilize the free park shuttle to get to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.
Public transportation is a wonderful way to visit Yosemite Valley. YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses run multiple times daily and provide visitors with a safe and convenient way to visit the park. To learn more, visit www.yarts.com.
For more information on Earth Day in Yosemite and helpful travel tips, visit the following websites:
www.nps.gov/yose
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Yosemite National Park will be celebrating Earth Day, National Junior Ranger Day, National Park Week, and John Muir’s Birthday on Saturday, April 20, 2019. There will be activities for all ages throughout the day. All activities are free.
Join us at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center in Yosemite Village from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will be music, games, and interactive booths. Meet with park rangers and park partners and learn how we are working to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources in Yosemite National Park.
Some of the day’s highlights include:
- Learn about how you can reduce waste at the Sustainability booth. Bring an empty single-use camp propane canister and trade it in for a refillable propane canister.
- Junior Rangers of all ages are welcome to explore the park on a special Ranger-guided walk at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.
- Join a Park Ecologist and learn about Meadow Restoration on a walk around Ahwahnee Meadow at 10:45 am.
- Connect with a Park Ranger and learn about bears and other wildlife that call Yosemite home.
- Express your love of Yosemite through a special art project brought to you by Yosemite Conservancy.
- Enjoy Facepainting and other hands-on activities for all ages
- Join a photo walk at 11:00 am and explore Yosemite Valley through your camera’s lens with photographers from the Ansel Adams Gallery
- Learn sustainable gardening tips from the UC Mariposa Master Gardeners
- And much more!
Visitors coming to the park should be prepared for a very busy day. Saturday, April 20, 2019 is a free day to help kick off National Park Week. All entrance fees are free, camping and other fees still apply. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trips in advance and arrive to the park before 9:00 am. Parking areas throughout the park are expected to fill early in the day.
Visitor parking will be available at the Yosemite Village Parking Area and Yosemite Falls Parking Area, located across from Camp 4 Campground. All visitors are encouraged to park and utilize the free park shuttle to get to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.
Public transportation is a wonderful way to visit Yosemite Valley. YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses run multiple times daily and provide visitors with a safe and convenient way to visit the park. To learn more, visit www.yarts.com.
For more information on Earth Day in Yosemite and helpful travel tips, visit the following websites:
www.nps.gov/yose
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Animal Advocates Release Video Of Andrew Renner And Son Owen Killing Black Bear And Cubs In Alaska
Andrew Renner and his son, Owen, were recorded while killing a mother bear and her cubs in Alaska as they were hibernating
By Natasha Ishak
Published April 1, 2019
Sometimes animal cruelty knows no bounds. Video footage showing two hunters killing a black bear mother and her two cubs inside their hibernation den in April 2018 has now been released to the public. According to Alaska’s KTUU-TV, the video was published by the Humane Society of the United States following a public records request from the organization.
In the graphic video, Andrew Renner and his son, Owen, are seen peering into the dark den of a hibernating black bear, before firing a handful of rounds.
The two bear cubs inside can be heard shrieking in fear as they sense the danger that is lurking outside their home. Eventually, Andrew Renner takes the first shot. Then, a second and third one, effectively killing the mother bear and both cubs.
“They’ll never be able to link it back to us,” one of them can be heard saying in the video.
After they commit the killing, the father-son duo drag the body of the mother bear out of its den. With his hands and arms covered in blood, apparently pleased by their deed, Renner gives his son an enthusiastic high-five. They then pose for a few photos with the dead mother bear, before skinning her and stuffing the hide in a bag to take home.
But the crime doesn’t stop there. The camera caught the Renners again two days later when they came back to the scene of the crime to eliminate the remaining evidence. In the video, they can be seen getting rid of stray shell casings in the vicinity before bagging the bodies of the bear cubs they had originally left behind.
The cameras that caught the atrocious crime in Esther Island, Alaska, were originally installed for a study by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the US Forest Service.
“This video of a father and son killing a mother bear and her babies in their den and showing complete disregard for the lives they are taking is reprehensible,” Humane Society International President Kitty Block said of Andrew Renner and son Owen, as quoted by UniLad.
“The Renners’ actions demonstrate the ruthless brutality that the government is poised to enact into law on millions of acres in Alaska, overturning a 2015 Obama-era rule that prohibits the killing of black bear mothers and cubs in their dens on these lands.”
Last August, the Renners were charged separately on multiple counts, including unlawfully taking a female bear with cubs, possession/transporting illegally taken game, and tampering with physical evidence. Both men pled guilty to the charges earlier this year.
Andrew Renner was sentenced to three months in jail and barred from hunting for 10 years, while his 18-year-old son, Owen, got a slap on the wrist with a 30-day suspensed sentence and mandatory community service.
“What we saw is that there were two bear cubs that were completely defenseless and were shot at point-blank range,” Alaska Assistant Attorney General Aaron Peterson told the court. He continued to state that the crime committed by the Renners was the most egregious bear cub poaching case his office had ever seen.
According to the Humane Society, the killing of cubs, or a mother bear and her cubs, is illegal in the part of Alaska where Andrew Renner and son Owen had committed their crime. The organization warned that the actions caught on the video could be a glimpse into what might happen if new regulations from the federal government are implemented.
The organization has released the video to raise awareness about the federal government’s plans to roll back protections that were put in place to prohibit cruel methods of poaching. Hunting methods that are considered unlawful include taking wolves and pups during the denning season, shooting swimming caribou from motorboats, and using dogs to hunt.
Killing a mother bear or her cubs is still legal in some other parts of Alaska.
By Natasha Ishak
Published April 1, 2019
Sometimes animal cruelty knows no bounds. Video footage showing two hunters killing a black bear mother and her two cubs inside their hibernation den in April 2018 has now been released to the public. According to Alaska’s KTUU-TV, the video was published by the Humane Society of the United States following a public records request from the organization.
In the graphic video, Andrew Renner and his son, Owen, are seen peering into the dark den of a hibernating black bear, before firing a handful of rounds.
The two bear cubs inside can be heard shrieking in fear as they sense the danger that is lurking outside their home. Eventually, Andrew Renner takes the first shot. Then, a second and third one, effectively killing the mother bear and both cubs.
“They’ll never be able to link it back to us,” one of them can be heard saying in the video.
After they commit the killing, the father-son duo drag the body of the mother bear out of its den. With his hands and arms covered in blood, apparently pleased by their deed, Renner gives his son an enthusiastic high-five. They then pose for a few photos with the dead mother bear, before skinning her and stuffing the hide in a bag to take home.
But the crime doesn’t stop there. The camera caught the Renners again two days later when they came back to the scene of the crime to eliminate the remaining evidence. In the video, they can be seen getting rid of stray shell casings in the vicinity before bagging the bodies of the bear cubs they had originally left behind.
The cameras that caught the atrocious crime in Esther Island, Alaska, were originally installed for a study by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the US Forest Service.
“This video of a father and son killing a mother bear and her babies in their den and showing complete disregard for the lives they are taking is reprehensible,” Humane Society International President Kitty Block said of Andrew Renner and son Owen, as quoted by UniLad.
“The Renners’ actions demonstrate the ruthless brutality that the government is poised to enact into law on millions of acres in Alaska, overturning a 2015 Obama-era rule that prohibits the killing of black bear mothers and cubs in their dens on these lands.”
Last August, the Renners were charged separately on multiple counts, including unlawfully taking a female bear with cubs, possession/transporting illegally taken game, and tampering with physical evidence. Both men pled guilty to the charges earlier this year.
Andrew Renner was sentenced to three months in jail and barred from hunting for 10 years, while his 18-year-old son, Owen, got a slap on the wrist with a 30-day suspensed sentence and mandatory community service.
“What we saw is that there were two bear cubs that were completely defenseless and were shot at point-blank range,” Alaska Assistant Attorney General Aaron Peterson told the court. He continued to state that the crime committed by the Renners was the most egregious bear cub poaching case his office had ever seen.
According to the Humane Society, the killing of cubs, or a mother bear and her cubs, is illegal in the part of Alaska where Andrew Renner and son Owen had committed their crime. The organization warned that the actions caught on the video could be a glimpse into what might happen if new regulations from the federal government are implemented.
The organization has released the video to raise awareness about the federal government’s plans to roll back protections that were put in place to prohibit cruel methods of poaching. Hunting methods that are considered unlawful include taking wolves and pups during the denning season, shooting swimming caribou from motorboats, and using dogs to hunt.
Killing a mother bear or her cubs is still legal in some other parts of Alaska.
All Aboard! Historic Railroad Opens For The Season
Posted by: Kellie Flanagan April 4, 2019
FISH CAMP – The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad opens this weekend and now, before the crowds of summer arrive, is a beautiful time to visit. Tickets are available starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Apr. 6.
Just 15 minutes from Oakhurst and 4 miles south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers excursions with authentic, historic Shay locomotives and Jenny Railcars.
Visitors may enjoy a narrated four-mile round trip into the National Forest as the conductor shares tales of long ago, when the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company still operated along the same roadbed. You may choose to ride on an open-air log car or covered passenger car, and your well-behaved dog is also welcome on the trip. You may even find homemade doggie treats on the menu at the lunch counter.
After the train pulls back into the station, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting, do some gold panning, tour the museum and browse the gift shops.
Cab rides and tours of the engine house can also be arranged for those true train aficionados. Or, ride the Moonlight Special with a bonus BBQ, campfire songs and stories — a family favorite.
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad has the largest narrow gauge Shay locomotive ever built. The Number 10 and the Number 15 were the first and last Shay locomotives to leave the West Side Lumber Company’s property, and are still in service for all to enjoy.
At the Station Gift Shop, you’ll find an array of unique gifts, original artwork, and an interesting selection of books. Subjects range from trains to nature, Yosemite, local history, and some of the colorful characters who lent their names and escapades to the fascinating history of the mountain area.
At the Thornberry Museum, visitors will get a glimpse of logging life at the turn of the 20th century. Museum admission is free of charge.
To complete the journey back in time, visitors are invited to dip their hands into history and relive the excitement of the California Gold Rush by panning for gold in the authentic sluice boxes. The prospector will teach you the proper techniques, just like the 49ers used, and gold-panners get to take home their treasure.
Guests can also enjoy an evening filled with entertainment during the Moonlight Specials. Start with a BBQ dinner in the picnic area, complete with musical entertainment, followed by a train ride to the half-way point, where everyone disembarks for an old-fashioned sing-a-long around the campfire. Then, it’s all-aboard for the steam train ride back up to the station in the moonlight, as the whistle blows its lonesome sound out across the forest. It’s a great family atmosphere, and the perfect outing for friends and family visiting from out of town.
It’s also a wonderful place to bring the grandkids. There are folks who return year after year, and plan their vacation around a treasure that’s right in your own backyard.
Plan to make a day — or a night of it. Visit Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroadfor more information.The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is located at 56001 Highway 41 in Fish Camp. Visit them on Facebook to see what’s happening at the Railroad.
Posted by: Kellie Flanagan April 4, 2019
FISH CAMP – The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad opens this weekend and now, before the crowds of summer arrive, is a beautiful time to visit. Tickets are available starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Apr. 6.
Just 15 minutes from Oakhurst and 4 miles south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers excursions with authentic, historic Shay locomotives and Jenny Railcars.
Visitors may enjoy a narrated four-mile round trip into the National Forest as the conductor shares tales of long ago, when the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company still operated along the same roadbed. You may choose to ride on an open-air log car or covered passenger car, and your well-behaved dog is also welcome on the trip. You may even find homemade doggie treats on the menu at the lunch counter.
After the train pulls back into the station, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting, do some gold panning, tour the museum and browse the gift shops.
Cab rides and tours of the engine house can also be arranged for those true train aficionados. Or, ride the Moonlight Special with a bonus BBQ, campfire songs and stories — a family favorite.
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad has the largest narrow gauge Shay locomotive ever built. The Number 10 and the Number 15 were the first and last Shay locomotives to leave the West Side Lumber Company’s property, and are still in service for all to enjoy.
At the Station Gift Shop, you’ll find an array of unique gifts, original artwork, and an interesting selection of books. Subjects range from trains to nature, Yosemite, local history, and some of the colorful characters who lent their names and escapades to the fascinating history of the mountain area.
At the Thornberry Museum, visitors will get a glimpse of logging life at the turn of the 20th century. Museum admission is free of charge.
To complete the journey back in time, visitors are invited to dip their hands into history and relive the excitement of the California Gold Rush by panning for gold in the authentic sluice boxes. The prospector will teach you the proper techniques, just like the 49ers used, and gold-panners get to take home their treasure.
Guests can also enjoy an evening filled with entertainment during the Moonlight Specials. Start with a BBQ dinner in the picnic area, complete with musical entertainment, followed by a train ride to the half-way point, where everyone disembarks for an old-fashioned sing-a-long around the campfire. Then, it’s all-aboard for the steam train ride back up to the station in the moonlight, as the whistle blows its lonesome sound out across the forest. It’s a great family atmosphere, and the perfect outing for friends and family visiting from out of town.
It’s also a wonderful place to bring the grandkids. There are folks who return year after year, and plan their vacation around a treasure that’s right in your own backyard.
Plan to make a day — or a night of it. Visit Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroadfor more information.The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is located at 56001 Highway 41 in Fish Camp. Visit them on Facebook to see what’s happening at the Railroad.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 2019
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.4.1 A-Z Bus Repair Order
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 2019
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.4.1 A-Z Bus Repair Order
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- DECISIONS REGARDING SCHOOL RE-OPENING
- ARC FACILITY USE APPROVAL FOR SUMMER
INFORMATION ITEMS
- REPORT FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON “SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL”
- STAFF REPORTS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Announce Closed Session Actions
- ADJOURNMENT
Mariposa Grove Opens Soon, Free Visitor Shuttle Resumes Service
Posted by: Kellie Flanagan April 5, 2019 -
YOSEMITE — The Mariposa Grove Road will reopen to automobiles on Friday, Apr. 12, officials in Yosemite National Park announced today.
The free visitor shuttle to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will also resume service for the busy summer season on the same day. When the shuttles are running, visitors should park at the South Entrance parking area and ride the free shuttle two miles to the Lower Grove.
Every year, the Mariposa Grove Road closes during the winter season and reopens in the spring as conditions allow. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias remains open year-round, but during the winter season visitor parking is located at the South Entrance Parking Area and visitors can snowshoe or cross-country ski up the Mariposa Grove Road or the Washburn Trail.
Visitors planning to hike in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in April and early May should be prepared for winter hiking conditions. Up to two feet of snow remain in some sections of the trails in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Limited parking is available for cars at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area when the shuttle is not in operation. At 7:30 am, the gate at the bottom of the Mariposa Grove Road will be closed to keep vehicles off the road as the shuttle operation begins.
Cars displaying a disability placard can either drive to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, park in a designated space, then ride the shuttle, or they can drive up the Mariposa Grove Road and park at the arrival area or near the Grizzly Giant parking area. Parking is very limited and only available to cars displaying a disability placard.
For detailed information about visiting the Mariposa Grove and current conditions in Yosemite National Park, go to plan your visit.
For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200.
Posted by: Kellie Flanagan April 5, 2019 -
YOSEMITE — The Mariposa Grove Road will reopen to automobiles on Friday, Apr. 12, officials in Yosemite National Park announced today.
The free visitor shuttle to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will also resume service for the busy summer season on the same day. When the shuttles are running, visitors should park at the South Entrance parking area and ride the free shuttle two miles to the Lower Grove.
Every year, the Mariposa Grove Road closes during the winter season and reopens in the spring as conditions allow. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias remains open year-round, but during the winter season visitor parking is located at the South Entrance Parking Area and visitors can snowshoe or cross-country ski up the Mariposa Grove Road or the Washburn Trail.
Visitors planning to hike in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in April and early May should be prepared for winter hiking conditions. Up to two feet of snow remain in some sections of the trails in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Limited parking is available for cars at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area when the shuttle is not in operation. At 7:30 am, the gate at the bottom of the Mariposa Grove Road will be closed to keep vehicles off the road as the shuttle operation begins.
Cars displaying a disability placard can either drive to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, park in a designated space, then ride the shuttle, or they can drive up the Mariposa Grove Road and park at the arrival area or near the Grizzly Giant parking area. Parking is very limited and only available to cars displaying a disability placard.
For detailed information about visiting the Mariposa Grove and current conditions in Yosemite National Park, go to plan your visit.
For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200.
Residential Pile Burning in Yosemite
Now is the time to think about defensible space and hazard fuel reduction. Residential burning is allowed on permissible burn days. Prior to burning, residents must verify burn day status through the Mariposa County Information Line at 209-966-1200. Notification of burning must then be made to the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center at 209-379-1999.
While cooler temperatures have helped diminish the threat of wildfire, property owners and residents are asked to use caution while conducting burns, and maintain control of the fire at all times. Individuals can be held liable for allowing a fire to escape their control and/or burn onto other property. Safe residential pile burning is a crucial tool in reducing fire hazards.
Burn pile requirements:
- Maximum pile size is 4 foot in diameter.
- Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10 feet of the outer edge of burn pile.
- An adult must remain in attendance with a shovel until the fire is dead out.
- Keep 5 gallons water supply or a charged hose at the burning site.
- No burning shall be undertaken unless weather conditions (particularly wind) are such that burning can be considered safe.
- No burning shall be undertaken when wind speeds or gusts in excess of 5 MPH are present or forecast.
- Burn small branches and leaf vegetation debris only.
- To reduce smoke impacts, burn dry vegetation during daylight hours
If you have any questions regarding residential burning, please contact your local fire station.
Station 1 – El Portal Station Captain Freitas 379-1903
Station 2 – Wawona Station Captain Bevington at 375-9515
Station 3 – Yosemite Valley Station Captain Ludwig at 372-0416
Now is the time to think about defensible space and hazard fuel reduction. Residential burning is allowed on permissible burn days. Prior to burning, residents must verify burn day status through the Mariposa County Information Line at 209-966-1200. Notification of burning must then be made to the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center at 209-379-1999.
While cooler temperatures have helped diminish the threat of wildfire, property owners and residents are asked to use caution while conducting burns, and maintain control of the fire at all times. Individuals can be held liable for allowing a fire to escape their control and/or burn onto other property. Safe residential pile burning is a crucial tool in reducing fire hazards.
Burn pile requirements:
- Maximum pile size is 4 foot in diameter.
- Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10 feet of the outer edge of burn pile.
- An adult must remain in attendance with a shovel until the fire is dead out.
- Keep 5 gallons water supply or a charged hose at the burning site.
- No burning shall be undertaken unless weather conditions (particularly wind) are such that burning can be considered safe.
- No burning shall be undertaken when wind speeds or gusts in excess of 5 MPH are present or forecast.
- Burn small branches and leaf vegetation debris only.
- To reduce smoke impacts, burn dry vegetation during daylight hours
If you have any questions regarding residential burning, please contact your local fire station.
Station 1 – El Portal Station Captain Freitas 379-1903
Station 2 – Wawona Station Captain Bevington at 375-9515
Station 3 – Yosemite Valley Station Captain Ludwig at 372-0416
Delays Expected This Month On Highway 41 Near Fish Camp
Posted by: SNO Staff April 2, 2019
FISH CAMP — Travelers on a busy corridor leading to Yosemite National Park can expect delays this month due to necessary repair work on the roadway.
Caltrans, in cooperation with Agee Construction, has announced one-way traffic control on Highway 41 near the community of Fish Camp in Mariposa County for four weeks as part of a culvert and roadway repair project.
The following daytime one-way traffic control will be in effect, weather permitting:
Construction crews will be conducting one-way traffic control during this time with the use of flagging personnel through the work zone. Commuters are reminded to obey flagging personnel and pay close attention to road construction vehicles and personnel.
Delays Expected This Month On Highway 41 Near Fish Camp
Posted by: SNO Staff April 2, 2019
FISH CAMP — Travelers on a busy corridor leading to Yosemite National Park can expect delays this month due to necessary repair work on the roadway.
Caltrans, in cooperation with Agee Construction, has announced one-way traffic control on Highway 41 near the community of Fish Camp in Mariposa County for four weeks as part of a culvert and roadway repair project.
The following daytime one-way traffic control will be in effect, weather permitting:
- Beginning Tuesday, Apr. 2 through Friday, Apr. 26, one-way traffic control will be in effect on Highway 41 in Mariposa County north of Mill Canyon Road.
- This closure will be in effect Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.
- Delays of up to 15 minutes at a time are possible while crews work in the area.
Construction crews will be conducting one-way traffic control during this time with the use of flagging personnel through the work zone. Commuters are reminded to obey flagging personnel and pay close attention to road construction vehicles and personnel.
Wawona Events Calendar 2019
This calendar is posted permanently under the "Calendar and Schedules" link on the menu above.
April 1: Big Trees Lodge opens for the season
April 9: Wawona Friends of the Library Board Meeting 2 p.m. in the Library
April 12: Hooting Owl Fire Wawona Fire Station 6:30 p.m.
April 13 WAPPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m.
May 9 : Hooting Owl - The Rise and Fall of Sierra Nevada Glaciers
June: Hooting Owl TBA
June 8: WAPPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m.
June: Annual Friends of the Library Membership Board Meeting in the Library TBA
June10: Pine Needle Pickup
July: Hooting Owl TBA
July 4: Square Dance Gray Barn 8—10 p.m.
July 20: Square Dance Gray Barn 8– 10 p.m.
August 3 Square Dance Gray Barn 8—10 p.m.
August 17: Square Dance Gray Barn 8—10 p.m.
August 31: Wawona Friends of the Library Book/Bake/Craft Sale Library Parking Lot
August 31: Square Dance Gray Barn 8 –10 p.m.
October 12: WAPPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m
October 12: Large Item Pick Up
September 6 : Hooting Owl - Mountain Men of the Sierra Nevada
October 11: Hooting Owl - Ghost Stories of Yosemite
November 8 : Hooting Owl - The National Park Service Ranger: A Brief History
December 13 : Hooting Owl - Winter Adaptation in Yosemite Ecosystems
April 1: Big Trees Lodge opens for the season
April 9: Wawona Friends of the Library Board Meeting 2 p.m. in the Library
April 12: Hooting Owl Fire Wawona Fire Station 6:30 p.m.
April 13 WAPPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m.
May 9 : Hooting Owl - The Rise and Fall of Sierra Nevada Glaciers
June: Hooting Owl TBA
June 8: WAPPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m.
June: Annual Friends of the Library Membership Board Meeting in the Library TBA
June10: Pine Needle Pickup
July: Hooting Owl TBA
July 4: Square Dance Gray Barn 8—10 p.m.
July 20: Square Dance Gray Barn 8– 10 p.m.
August 3 Square Dance Gray Barn 8—10 p.m.
August 17: Square Dance Gray Barn 8—10 p.m.
August 31: Wawona Friends of the Library Book/Bake/Craft Sale Library Parking Lot
August 31: Square Dance Gray Barn 8 –10 p.m.
October 12: WAPPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m
October 12: Large Item Pick Up
September 6 : Hooting Owl - Mountain Men of the Sierra Nevada
October 11: Hooting Owl - Ghost Stories of Yosemite
November 8 : Hooting Owl - The National Park Service Ranger: A Brief History
December 13 : Hooting Owl - Winter Adaptation in Yosemite Ecosystems
Glacier Point Road And Surrounding Trails To Remain Open For Winter Activities
Posted by: gina clugston March 28, 2019
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that Glacier Point Road and the surrounding trails will remain open for winter recreational use through Sunday, Apr. 14, conditions permitting.
Due to the significant snow pack, the current trail conditions are great for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the area surrounding Glacier Point Road.
Typically, winter recreational use in this area ends at the end of March when the park closes Glacier Point Road to begin seasonal plowing operations which begin on Apr. 1.
All recreational users are encouraged to use the Old Glacier Point Road beginning from the Badger Pass parking area to access the Ostrander Lake Ski Hut and all other trails along Glacier Point Road. It is the visitor’s personal responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and stay away from all heavy equipment on the Glacier Point Road.
Park visitors planning overnight trips in the area near Glacier Point Road must stop at the Badger Pass Ranger Station “A-Frame” and register for their overnight permits. Self-registration information is available at the Ranger Station when the building is closed.
To learn more about how to plan for a wilderness trip in Yosemite National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm.
To learn more about the Ostrander Lake Ski Hut and to make reservations, please visit the following website: https://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/facilities-reservation.
The Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, including the Nordic Center and all other facilities, will close for the 2019 season on Sunday, Mar. 31.
Posted by: gina clugston March 28, 2019
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that Glacier Point Road and the surrounding trails will remain open for winter recreational use through Sunday, Apr. 14, conditions permitting.
Due to the significant snow pack, the current trail conditions are great for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the area surrounding Glacier Point Road.
Typically, winter recreational use in this area ends at the end of March when the park closes Glacier Point Road to begin seasonal plowing operations which begin on Apr. 1.
All recreational users are encouraged to use the Old Glacier Point Road beginning from the Badger Pass parking area to access the Ostrander Lake Ski Hut and all other trails along Glacier Point Road. It is the visitor’s personal responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and stay away from all heavy equipment on the Glacier Point Road.
Park visitors planning overnight trips in the area near Glacier Point Road must stop at the Badger Pass Ranger Station “A-Frame” and register for their overnight permits. Self-registration information is available at the Ranger Station when the building is closed.
To learn more about how to plan for a wilderness trip in Yosemite National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm.
To learn more about the Ostrander Lake Ski Hut and to make reservations, please visit the following website: https://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/facilities-reservation.
The Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area, including the Nordic Center and all other facilities, will close for the 2019 season on Sunday, Mar. 31.
45 Winters in the Backcountry -
The Ostrander Hut & Ski Touring in Yosemite
Howard Weamer, Ostrander Hut Keeper
NEW TIME AND PLACE!
Wednesday, March 20, 2019, The Redwoods Fireside Room
8038 Chilnualna Falls Rd, Wawona
Doors at 6pm, lecture from 6:30-7:30pm
In 1935 Badger Pass was to be the "Switzerland of the West". Part of that dream was a hut and trail system, with huts at Ostrander Lake and beyond. Come join Howard Weamer as he explores what remains of that dream for winter backcountry access. A skier of many routes, Mr. Weamer is the author of The Perfect Art: The Ostrander Hut and Ski Touring in Yosemite. Mr. Weamer has also served as the caretaker of Ostrander Ski Hut for 45 years. So, if you've ever wondered why would anyone go back there, or if you want to be reminded, come hear what he has to say!
The Ostrander Hut & Ski Touring in Yosemite
Howard Weamer, Ostrander Hut Keeper
NEW TIME AND PLACE!
Wednesday, March 20, 2019, The Redwoods Fireside Room
8038 Chilnualna Falls Rd, Wawona
Doors at 6pm, lecture from 6:30-7:30pm
In 1935 Badger Pass was to be the "Switzerland of the West". Part of that dream was a hut and trail system, with huts at Ostrander Lake and beyond. Come join Howard Weamer as he explores what remains of that dream for winter backcountry access. A skier of many routes, Mr. Weamer is the author of The Perfect Art: The Ostrander Hut and Ski Touring in Yosemite. Mr. Weamer has also served as the caretaker of Ostrander Ski Hut for 45 years. So, if you've ever wondered why would anyone go back there, or if you want to be reminded, come hear what he has to say!
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of February 14, 2019, and March 6, 2019
3.3- Accept the resignation of Ashley Standen from the Board of Directors
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of February 14, 2019, and March 6, 2019
3.3- Accept the resignation of Ashley Standen from the Board of Directors
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF FACILITIES USE PACKET
- APPROVAL OF LETTER TO CALIFORNIA RISK MANAGEMENT CANCELLING INSURANCE COVERAGE
INFORMATION ITEMS
- REPORT FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON “SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL”
- REPORT ON THE EFFECT OF AB 1871 ON YWECS
- STAFF REPORTS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Announce Closed Session Actions
- ADJOURNMENT
Wawona Wastewater Treatment System Rehabilitation Project
Dear Friends of Yosemite National Park:
We are pleased to announce the availability of a finding of no significant impact for the Wawona Wastewater Treatment System Rehabilitation Project. After consideration of the environmental assessment and public, tribal, and agency comments, the finding concludes that the project will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required. This project will address deferred maintenance, improve visitor experience, and improve the operational efficiency of the Wawona Wastewater Treatment System.
The selected actions will:
The finding of no significant impact is available in the "Document List" section at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/WWTP.
The National Park Service plans to begin implementation of the project in fall of 2019.
Thank you for your interest and comments throughout the project planning process. Public participation is a vital part of the environmental review process in Yosemite National Park. Your participation helps the National Park Service understand and consider your values and concerns.
Dear Friends of Yosemite National Park:
We are pleased to announce the availability of a finding of no significant impact for the Wawona Wastewater Treatment System Rehabilitation Project. After consideration of the environmental assessment and public, tribal, and agency comments, the finding concludes that the project will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required. This project will address deferred maintenance, improve visitor experience, and improve the operational efficiency of the Wawona Wastewater Treatment System.
The selected actions will:
- Provide central sewage treatment for Wawona Campground
- Upgrade the Wawona Wastewater Treatment Plant infrastructure
- Improve the existing spray effluent disposal system and construct sub-surface effluent disposal trenches at the Big Trees Lodge Golf Course
- Eventually replace the vault toilet at the South Fork Picnic Area with a flush toilet restroom (pending funding availability)
The finding of no significant impact is available in the "Document List" section at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/WWTP.
The National Park Service plans to begin implementation of the project in fall of 2019.
Thank you for your interest and comments throughout the project planning process. Public participation is a vital part of the environmental review process in Yosemite National Park. Your participation helps the National Park Service understand and consider your values and concerns.
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 10
We'll be adjusting our clocks one hour forward.
Daylights Saving Time officially starts on Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m.. A common practice is to adjust your clock before going to bed.
According to the History Channel's website, Germany was the first country to officially adopt Daylight Saving Time as a policy. They did so during World War I as an energy conservation tactic in 1916. Great Britain followed suit that summer.
Contrary to popular belief, the practice was not popular among farmers, according to the History Channel.
It was considered a sacrifice for war-time conservation, but not a practical measure for farmers, who had to wait an extra hour after the day began for sunlight to evaporate dew across crops and fields.
We'll be adjusting our clocks one hour forward.
Daylights Saving Time officially starts on Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m.. A common practice is to adjust your clock before going to bed.
According to the History Channel's website, Germany was the first country to officially adopt Daylight Saving Time as a policy. They did so during World War I as an energy conservation tactic in 1916. Great Britain followed suit that summer.
Contrary to popular belief, the practice was not popular among farmers, according to the History Channel.
It was considered a sacrifice for war-time conservation, but not a practical measure for farmers, who had to wait an extra hour after the day began for sunlight to evaporate dew across crops and fields.
A Lesser Known Wawona:
The Local PerspectiveWawona Historians Ed Mee, Tom Phillips, and Tom Bopp
Thursday, March 7, 2019, Wawona Community Center
Doors at 6pm, lecture from 6:30-7:30pm
Come join Wawona historians Ed Mee, Tom Phillips, and Tom Bopp for a unique presentation and discussion on Wawona history. Have you heard about Camp Hoyle or Vagim House? Do you know where the Wawona Arboretum was? Have you ever seen the proposed South Fork River Dam project? This month's Hooting Owl event will feature a panel discussion by three local historians as they address these pieces of Wawona history, and more. There will be time for Q & A with the panel, so bring your questions! You are sure to learn a few new things about this foundational corner of Yosemite National Park.
The Local PerspectiveWawona Historians Ed Mee, Tom Phillips, and Tom Bopp
Thursday, March 7, 2019, Wawona Community Center
Doors at 6pm, lecture from 6:30-7:30pm
Come join Wawona historians Ed Mee, Tom Phillips, and Tom Bopp for a unique presentation and discussion on Wawona history. Have you heard about Camp Hoyle or Vagim House? Do you know where the Wawona Arboretum was? Have you ever seen the proposed South Fork River Dam project? This month's Hooting Owl event will feature a panel discussion by three local historians as they address these pieces of Wawona history, and more. There will be time for Q & A with the panel, so bring your questions! You are sure to learn a few new things about this foundational corner of Yosemite National Park.
