WawonaNews.com - April 2017
FOR SALE
8037 Chilnualna Falls Rd,Wawona, CA 953892 beds 2 baths 1,325 sqft, $689,000
Click here for more information
Click here for more information
New Wawona Webcam
Click on the image above to access webcam website.
A new webcam has been installed at the top of the UC Merced cabin at the top of English Lane. Click on the image above to access the webcam website.
Courtesy of
-Anne Kelly
Director, Sierra Nevada Research Stations
7799 Chilnualna Falls Rd | Wawona, CA 95389
office 209-375-9917 | cell 209-628-1064
Courtesy of
-Anne Kelly
Director, Sierra Nevada Research Stations
7799 Chilnualna Falls Rd | Wawona, CA 95389
office 209-375-9917 | cell 209-628-1064
Presentation on Drought
Conifer trees are a classic sight in Yosemite and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. In recent years, however, the park’s forests have transformed due to destruction caused by the western pine beetle, a native insect that thrives in drought conditions. Curious about the causes and consequences of the changing forest landscape? Join us in Yosemite Valley for a Friday evening presentation on drought with Dr. Anne Kelly, complete with a filling refreshments. Spend Saturday learning from ecologists and Chief of Fire Kelly Martin, who will answer your questions about beetle biology, the future of Yosemite’s pine forests and more. For more information and to sign up: goo.gl/0Y5wKS
Included with your registration:
- An evening presentation Friday night starting at 5 pm, with filling refreshments. Saturday will include an approximately eight-hour guided hike in Yosemite Valley, starting at 9 am.
- Park entry (as needed)
- Two nights of camping (as needed, April 21, 22) at Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley.
- There is no discount if you choose not to use our gate pass or campsites.
- Price $169/person
Wawona Native Plant Gardening Workshop
Hosted by the UC Merced Yosemite Field Station
Saturday June 2 – 2pm
Join your neighbors to learn about gardening in Wawona with water-wise, fire-wise hearty native plants! We will present gardening tips and recommended plants for our area. We hope to have some native plants on hand for purchase (TBD). The workshop will be held at the Wawona Community Center, see you there! You’ll fine updated information athttp://snrs.ucmerced.edu/wapoa
Saturday June 2 – 2pm
Join your neighbors to learn about gardening in Wawona with water-wise, fire-wise hearty native plants! We will present gardening tips and recommended plants for our area. We hope to have some native plants on hand for purchase (TBD). The workshop will be held at the Wawona Community Center, see you there! You’ll fine updated information athttp://snrs.ucmerced.edu/wapoa
A Message from WAPOA about Grant Money for Hazard Tree Removal
Melinda Barrett from the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) has received a grant for $200,000 to aid Wawona residents in need of financial support to remove hazardous dead trees that threaten their homes. Assistance is intended to first serve low income households who are unable to afford the cost of removing these trees. Assistance will be provided to moderate income residents if there are funds remaining. Dead and dying trees within 100 feet of structures or threatening access to or exit from the property will be removed, and waste chipped and left at the site will be disposed of.
Those who are already participating in an income-qualified program (such as Social Security Disability Insurance, PG&E CARE program, Unemployment Benefits, Senior Supplemental Food Program, Medi-Cal, Veteran’s Benefits, etc) and provide proof of enrollment will be given first priority. Remaining applications will be evaluated and approved until funding is exhausted. Applications must be accompanied by photographs and a site visit to mark and assess trees will also be conducted. Once all required documents have been received, you will be contacted and advised of your application status.
The application, titled “Hazard Tree Removal Assistance Program Application” is available to download from their website: www.mcrcd.net and may be returned by mail, in person, or via email. A copy of it will be attached below this message.
Melinda will be at the WAPOA meeting on April 8th at 9am in the Community Center, and will give a presentation and answer questions.
Family Looking for a Rental in Wawona
Evan & Ashley Standen (and son), are looking for a long-term two or more bedroom home to rent in Wawona. We work in Wawona and would very much like to raise our child here. Open to anything! Please contact us at (209) 600-1545 or [email protected]
Community Mourns The Loss Of Max Stauffer
Max Stauffer at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad - photo courtesy of Greg Haywood
Gina Clugston March 10, 2017
FISH CAMP — Friends, family and employees of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad are mourning the loss of Max Stauffer, who passed away this morning at the age of 69, after a long battle with cancer.
Max was born on June 7, 1947, and was just three years old when his family immigrated to the United States from Switzerland.
He worked for Denver and Betty Peckinpah as a bartender at the Broken Bit while his family was building the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, which he took over operation of nearly 40 years ago.
Max was a long time supporter and member of the Badger Pass Ski Patrol. He also served on the school board in Oakhurst, and as a board member of the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau.
Max was never one to turn down requests for donations from various local organizations, and often made the railroad available for fundraisers for groups such as Make-A-Wish and the Boys and Girls Club.
Max passed away in Arizona, surrounded by friends and family. He was a major part of the mountain community for many decades, and will be deeply missed.
Details of any memorial services will be posted when we receive notification from the family.
FISH CAMP — Friends, family and employees of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad are mourning the loss of Max Stauffer, who passed away this morning at the age of 69, after a long battle with cancer.
Max was born on June 7, 1947, and was just three years old when his family immigrated to the United States from Switzerland.
He worked for Denver and Betty Peckinpah as a bartender at the Broken Bit while his family was building the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, which he took over operation of nearly 40 years ago.
Max was a long time supporter and member of the Badger Pass Ski Patrol. He also served on the school board in Oakhurst, and as a board member of the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau.
Max was never one to turn down requests for donations from various local organizations, and often made the railroad available for fundraisers for groups such as Make-A-Wish and the Boys and Girls Club.
Max passed away in Arizona, surrounded by friends and family. He was a major part of the mountain community for many decades, and will be deeply missed.
Details of any memorial services will be posted when we receive notification from the family.
Highway 41 To Yosemite Reopens
Posted by: Kellie Flanagan March 12, 2017
FISH CAMP — Good news for residents, commuters, skiers and all Yosemite-lovers: the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) reports that a stretch of Highway 41 that was closed back in February has been rebuilt and is open as of Sunday, Mar. 12.
“State Route 41 north of Fish Camp is being paved now and will reopen to one-way traffic control sometime this afternoon or evening,” said Caltrans spokesman Cory Burkarth in the early afternoon on Sunday.
Crews used about 300 tons of asphalt in the process of reconstructing the highway south of the south entrance to Yosemite National Park.
The road was closed on Feb. 21 following erosion and failure due to rain, snow and runoff from storms this year. With Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) closed, that left only one entrance into the park via Highway 140.
After digging out the collapsed portion of Highway 41, about one-half mile south of the snow play area, a dam was constructed and three pumps were installed to divert the water, preventing further erosion as the road was rebuilt.
Despite delays due to weather, a new culvert was installed, upgrading the original from the 1920s. The back-filling process was completed and the contractor was scheduled to reopen the roadway to one-way traffic control on March 15. Not even the loss of an hour due to Daylight Saving Time slowed the process further, and Caltrans announced the good news this afternoon.
By late this afternoon, the roadway was paved and contactors were waiting for the asphalt to cool to 135 degrees.
Caltrans reopened the road to one-way traffic at 5:35 p.m. this evening.
FISH CAMP — Good news for residents, commuters, skiers and all Yosemite-lovers: the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) reports that a stretch of Highway 41 that was closed back in February has been rebuilt and is open as of Sunday, Mar. 12.
“State Route 41 north of Fish Camp is being paved now and will reopen to one-way traffic control sometime this afternoon or evening,” said Caltrans spokesman Cory Burkarth in the early afternoon on Sunday.
Crews used about 300 tons of asphalt in the process of reconstructing the highway south of the south entrance to Yosemite National Park.
The road was closed on Feb. 21 following erosion and failure due to rain, snow and runoff from storms this year. With Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Road) closed, that left only one entrance into the park via Highway 140.
After digging out the collapsed portion of Highway 41, about one-half mile south of the snow play area, a dam was constructed and three pumps were installed to divert the water, preventing further erosion as the road was rebuilt.
Despite delays due to weather, a new culvert was installed, upgrading the original from the 1920s. The back-filling process was completed and the contractor was scheduled to reopen the roadway to one-way traffic control on March 15. Not even the loss of an hour due to Daylight Saving Time slowed the process further, and Caltrans announced the good news this afternoon.
By late this afternoon, the roadway was paved and contactors were waiting for the asphalt to cool to 135 degrees.
Caltrans reopened the road to one-way traffic at 5:35 p.m. this evening.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, March 13, 4:30 PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, California
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting, February 7, 2017
- Financial reports
- Monthly approval of warrants (Action needed)
- Financial Report
- Payroll Report
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- Discuss and approve Second Interim Budget 2016-17.
- Discuss and approve changing independent contractors to employees (Katy and Annie) as per insurance and audit.
- Highway 41 road closure – flex update for Oakhurst and Wawona and approve extra expense budget (Annie, supplies, etc.)
- Discuss and approve 2017-18 instructional calendar and minutes.
- Discuss and approve 2017-18 Madera County Office of Education Nursing Services proposal.
- Discuss and approve setting a Spring Auction budget.
- Discuss and approve re-fingerprinting and associated costs for volunteers and staff.
- Discuss and approve capping enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year.
- Discuss and approve transportation issues for 2017-2018.
- Discuss and approve Esme’s contribution relating to STRS contributions and social security withholding refund for previous years.
- Discuss and approve a budget to purchase a storage shed.
- School Safety Plan Update
INFORMATION ITEMS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- STAFF REPORTS
- L CAP Update
- NEXT MEETING DATE
- CLOSED SESSION Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Employee Negotiations (Gov. Code 54957.6)
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECOVENE IN OPEN SESSION: ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
- ADJOURNMENT
Hwy. 41 Reopening Delayed
As anticipated, yesterday's storm set CalTrans' progress back a couple of days. They will NOT have the road open by the 10th for sure. Possibly the following week. So this could go on for another week from today - or more.
Eric Scott
Wawona District Ranger
Yosemite National Park
Office: (209) 375-9520
Eric Scott
Wawona District Ranger
Yosemite National Park
Office: (209) 375-9520
Tree Kills Woman in Half Dome Village
A 21-year-old woman was killed on Sunday, March 5, 2017, when a tree fell on her tent at Half Dome Village in Yosemite National Park. SOURCE: Courtesy of Matt Altamura
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. CBS-- A 21-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree at Half Dome Village in Yosemite National Park, officials say.
Park spokesman Scott Gediman tells Sacramento television station KCRA the accident happened Sunday in the area formerly known as Curry Village. No other information about the victim was made public.
A windy, cold storm was sweeping through Northern California and dumped hail. Scattered showers are forecast for the region through Sunday.
Gediman says rangers closed the village and had visitors leave the area after the accident. Weather conditions were improving Sunday afternoon and rangers expected to reopen the area later in the day.
Park officials also closed Upper Pines and Camp 4 because of the weather conditions. They are closed until noon on Monday due to heavy snow and high winds causing risk of falling trees, CBS affiliate KGPE reported.
In December and January, at least two people in California were killed by falling trees. In January, one woman who struck and killed by a tree while walking on a Northern California golf course. In December, a woman posing for photographs as part of a wedding party was killed and five others were injured by a falling eucalyptus tree in Southern California.
Park spokesman Scott Gediman tells Sacramento television station KCRA the accident happened Sunday in the area formerly known as Curry Village. No other information about the victim was made public.
A windy, cold storm was sweeping through Northern California and dumped hail. Scattered showers are forecast for the region through Sunday.
Gediman says rangers closed the village and had visitors leave the area after the accident. Weather conditions were improving Sunday afternoon and rangers expected to reopen the area later in the day.
Park officials also closed Upper Pines and Camp 4 because of the weather conditions. They are closed until noon on Monday due to heavy snow and high winds causing risk of falling trees, CBS affiliate KGPE reported.
In December and January, at least two people in California were killed by falling trees. In January, one woman who struck and killed by a tree while walking on a Northern California golf course. In December, a woman posing for photographs as part of a wedding party was killed and five others were injured by a falling eucalyptus tree in Southern California.
