WawonaNews.com - February 2020
CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC DELAYS
Wawona Road Delays
Construction crews began utility work along Wawona Road between the Wawona Campground entrance and Chilnualna Falls Road Monday, February 10. Workers will be installing new sewer and water lines to connect the Wawona campgrounds to the area sewer collection system, improving water quality of the Merced River and enhancing visitor experience for years to come. Workers will be closing sections of the southbound lane for trenching, reducing traffic to one lane. Delays up to 10 minutes are possible through early March. (A. Hylko)
Wawona Road Delays
Construction crews began utility work along Wawona Road between the Wawona Campground entrance and Chilnualna Falls Road Monday, February 10. Workers will be installing new sewer and water lines to connect the Wawona campgrounds to the area sewer collection system, improving water quality of the Merced River and enhancing visitor experience for years to come. Workers will be closing sections of the southbound lane for trenching, reducing traffic to one lane. Delays up to 10 minutes are possible through early March. (A. Hylko)
Wawona Sewer Project Well Under Way
by Gary Wuchner - Wawona
The Wawona sewer project has begun with work in the Wawona campground. The Alder Creek trailhead parking area is being utilized for rock and dirt separation, although some parking space is still available for hikers. It is estimated it will take 18 months to two years to complete. So far no impacts to visitors or residents. Campers are impacted, as the campground is closed. As they begin to trench along the Wawona RD from the campground to Chilnualna Falls Rd, there will be traffic delays. It is unknown when that trenching may begin.
by Gary Wuchner - Wawona
The Wawona sewer project has begun with work in the Wawona campground. The Alder Creek trailhead parking area is being utilized for rock and dirt separation, although some parking space is still available for hikers. It is estimated it will take 18 months to two years to complete. So far no impacts to visitors or residents. Campers are impacted, as the campground is closed. As they begin to trench along the Wawona RD from the campground to Chilnualna Falls Rd, there will be traffic delays. It is unknown when that trenching may begin.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Feburary 11, 2020
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 January 21, 2020
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
Michelle Stauffer
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Feburary 11, 2020
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 January 21, 2020
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
Michelle Stauffer
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF CALENDAR FOR 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR
- DECLARATION OF NEED FOR A BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER
- ADOPTION OF A MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT POLICY
- APPROVAL OF FORM 990 TAX FILING
INFORMATION ITEMS
- FUNDRAISING EVENTS
- 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 BINGO Night
If you live, work or breathe Wawona air- then this includes you!!
Monday, February 24th
Games begin at 6:30 p.m.
Wawona School- 7925 Chilnualna Falls Rd.
*Please 10 dimes for game jackpots
As well as a snack to share
Next BINGO night will be March 16th
This is a Wawona Community event- not sponsored by YWECS
If you live, work or breathe Wawona air- then this includes you!!
Monday, February 24th
Games begin at 6:30 p.m.
Wawona School- 7925 Chilnualna Falls Rd.
*Please 10 dimes for game jackpots
As well as a snack to share
Next BINGO night will be March 16th
This is a Wawona Community event- not sponsored by YWECS
Wawona School Happenings...
Ski Days at Badger!! January brought skiing & snowboarding to the students at YWECS. Thanks to Aramark, the rates for lift tickets as well as rentals were greatly reduced making it affordable for all families to participate.
Thanks to Tenaya Lodge, students also have an opportunity to learn ice skating! Winter Olympics in some of their futures??! Possibilities are endless…
Some of the students started up Give Back Projects, finding different ways to help our communities. Kysen & Joel have chosen to assist the homeless by raising funds and donations through a GoFundMe campaign, an AmazonSmile Wish list, as well as collecting items here at the school.
IF you would like to help them out-1) Go to GoFundMe website, search for YWECS Give Back Project, 2) YWECS AmazonSmile, click on ‘Donations for Poverello House” wish list or 3) Drop off new items (gloves, knit caps, blankets, toothpaste) at Wawona School Monday – Thursday.
Jerzie and Jacob have chosen to assist the new SPCA shelter opening soon in Ahwahnee. They contacted Nulo who donated 1,500 lbs. of dog & cat food on their behalf. The shelter still needs new/nearly new collars and leashes of all sizes.
If you would like to help them you can drop off items at Wawona School.
So very proud of these students working to make a difference and giving back!
Ski Days at Badger!! January brought skiing & snowboarding to the students at YWECS. Thanks to Aramark, the rates for lift tickets as well as rentals were greatly reduced making it affordable for all families to participate.
Thanks to Tenaya Lodge, students also have an opportunity to learn ice skating! Winter Olympics in some of their futures??! Possibilities are endless…
Some of the students started up Give Back Projects, finding different ways to help our communities. Kysen & Joel have chosen to assist the homeless by raising funds and donations through a GoFundMe campaign, an AmazonSmile Wish list, as well as collecting items here at the school.
IF you would like to help them out-1) Go to GoFundMe website, search for YWECS Give Back Project, 2) YWECS AmazonSmile, click on ‘Donations for Poverello House” wish list or 3) Drop off new items (gloves, knit caps, blankets, toothpaste) at Wawona School Monday – Thursday.
Jerzie and Jacob have chosen to assist the new SPCA shelter opening soon in Ahwahnee. They contacted Nulo who donated 1,500 lbs. of dog & cat food on their behalf. The shelter still needs new/nearly new collars and leashes of all sizes.
If you would like to help them you can drop off items at Wawona School.
So very proud of these students working to make a difference and giving back!
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CHP: Hwy 41 Project in Oakhurst to Cause Delays, Rerouting
Posted by: SNO Staff January 22, 2020
OAKHURST — The Madera County Public Works department has started a major construction project that will impact traffic along Oakhurst’s main artery — Highway 41.
“Expect delays and changing traffic patterns as the signage and routes are expected to change,” said an advisory issued late Tuesday by the California Highway Patrol.
The roadwork involves repair and replacement of major sections of the town’s main sewer line, which runs below Highway 41.
Construction crews are expected to be active Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with daily traffic patterns through the construction zone changing as the project continues.
The project is expected to cause daytime delays for those traveling on Highway 41 and Highway 49 as well as Road 426.
Businesses along Highway 41 construction zone will remain open during the project, with access from the highway provided by a series of temporary traffic barriers to be installed and moved as the project progresses.
CHP’s advisory, issued late Tuesday (Jan. 21), also stated: “As a reminder, flashing red lights must be treated as stop signs. In addition to construction workers, we have high pedestrian traffic in the areas surrounding this construction zone. Please drive with caution. Also, please be courteous to other drivers entering and exiting businesses along this route.”
According to the latest update, this project is estimated to last approximately three months.
Posted by: SNO Staff January 22, 2020
OAKHURST — The Madera County Public Works department has started a major construction project that will impact traffic along Oakhurst’s main artery — Highway 41.
“Expect delays and changing traffic patterns as the signage and routes are expected to change,” said an advisory issued late Tuesday by the California Highway Patrol.
The roadwork involves repair and replacement of major sections of the town’s main sewer line, which runs below Highway 41.
Construction crews are expected to be active Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with daily traffic patterns through the construction zone changing as the project continues.
The project is expected to cause daytime delays for those traveling on Highway 41 and Highway 49 as well as Road 426.
Businesses along Highway 41 construction zone will remain open during the project, with access from the highway provided by a series of temporary traffic barriers to be installed and moved as the project progresses.
CHP’s advisory, issued late Tuesday (Jan. 21), also stated: “As a reminder, flashing red lights must be treated as stop signs. In addition to construction workers, we have high pedestrian traffic in the areas surrounding this construction zone. Please drive with caution. Also, please be courteous to other drivers entering and exiting businesses along this route.”
According to the latest update, this project is estimated to last approximately three months.
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Resident and Senior Discounts at Badger
Ski Monday through Friday. Local mountain area residents* ski for $35. Seniors ski for $30. Make sure to bring your ID for the promotion. *for those Badger fans that live within 50 miles of Yosemite |
Update on Homeowners’ Fire Insurance
Because of the devastating effects of the wildfires in California in the last couple of years, insurance rates have gone up and some insurance companies started issuing non-renewals for homes in fire-prone areas. As a result, many homeowners purchased insurance through the California FAIR plan (California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements), created in 1968. This plan is generally cheaper, but is not as comprehensive as other insurers. For this reason, it was recommended to get a “wrap-around” policy to get more coverage.
Some recent developments are:
1) In November 2019, State Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, ordered the FAIR plan to double the policy coverage limit to $3 million (from $1.5 million), and to expand coverage to homes in fire-prone areas that are not adjacent to one of the major wildfires. However, the FAIR plan’s President is challenging the order in court.
2) In December 2019, Commissioner Lara issued a one-year ban on home insurer’s dropping policies (issuing non-renewals) in wildfire areas. This includes more than 1 million homes in or adjacent to wildfire areas.
3) In July 2019, Commissioner Lara attended a round table discussion with lawmakers at UCLA, and announced that his agency would work with officials from the U.N. Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative over the next year to develop a plan to confront California’s climate risks, including wildfires and coastal flooding. They hope to develop “sustainable insurance” guidelines. “A sustainable insurance road map will enable California to harness risk reduction measures, insurance solutions and investments by the insurance industry in order to build safer, disaster-resilient communities”, said Butch Bacani, the leader of the U.N. initiative.
Because of the devastating effects of the wildfires in California in the last couple of years, insurance rates have gone up and some insurance companies started issuing non-renewals for homes in fire-prone areas. As a result, many homeowners purchased insurance through the California FAIR plan (California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements), created in 1968. This plan is generally cheaper, but is not as comprehensive as other insurers. For this reason, it was recommended to get a “wrap-around” policy to get more coverage.
Some recent developments are:
1) In November 2019, State Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, ordered the FAIR plan to double the policy coverage limit to $3 million (from $1.5 million), and to expand coverage to homes in fire-prone areas that are not adjacent to one of the major wildfires. However, the FAIR plan’s President is challenging the order in court.
2) In December 2019, Commissioner Lara issued a one-year ban on home insurer’s dropping policies (issuing non-renewals) in wildfire areas. This includes more than 1 million homes in or adjacent to wildfire areas.
3) In July 2019, Commissioner Lara attended a round table discussion with lawmakers at UCLA, and announced that his agency would work with officials from the U.N. Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative over the next year to develop a plan to confront California’s climate risks, including wildfires and coastal flooding. They hope to develop “sustainable insurance” guidelines. “A sustainable insurance road map will enable California to harness risk reduction measures, insurance solutions and investments by the insurance industry in order to build safer, disaster-resilient communities”, said Butch Bacani, the leader of the U.N. initiative.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
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 December 10, 2019
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
Freund Family Foundation
Corinne L. Cortes
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
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 December 10, 2019
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
Freund Family Foundation
Corinne L. Cortes
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- ACCEPTANCE OF THE 2018-19 FINAL AUDIT REPORT
- APPROVAL OF 2017-18 SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARD (SARC) FOR YWECS.
- APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL P-1 ATTENDANCE REPORT
INFORMATION ITEMS
- DISCUSSION ON BOARD MEETING DATES AND TIMES
- FUNDRAISING EVENTS
- 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
If you've ever wanted to serve on a local school board, now's your chance
Bass Lake School District Seeks New Board Trustee
Posted by: SNO Staff January 16, 2020
OAKHURST — The Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees, which includes Wawona and Fish Camp, is searching for a community member willing to serve on the district’s School Board. An open position on the Board has occurred due to the resignation of Curt Pollock. Pollock, who served on the Board from December 2014 to December 2019, has moved out of the area and can no longer represent his constituents.
Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and a current resume to the Bass Lake District Office at 40096 Indian Springs Road, Oakhurst, CA, 93644, no later than Jan. 24, 2019.
Interested applicants must reside in Trustee Area #1 (Bass Lake/Oakhurst.)
To see if an applicant resides in this area, please visit the Bass Lake Elementary District website. Click on ‘Board of Trustees’ to view the map. Also, a call may be made to the Madera County Elections Office at 559-675-7720 to see if you live in this area.
Persons interested in serving on the Board will be interviewed for the position at the regular Board meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2020, in the Oakhurst Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room.
Posted by: SNO Staff January 16, 2020
OAKHURST — The Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees, which includes Wawona and Fish Camp, is searching for a community member willing to serve on the district’s School Board. An open position on the Board has occurred due to the resignation of Curt Pollock. Pollock, who served on the Board from December 2014 to December 2019, has moved out of the area and can no longer represent his constituents.
Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and a current resume to the Bass Lake District Office at 40096 Indian Springs Road, Oakhurst, CA, 93644, no later than Jan. 24, 2019.
Interested applicants must reside in Trustee Area #1 (Bass Lake/Oakhurst.)
To see if an applicant resides in this area, please visit the Bass Lake Elementary District website. Click on ‘Board of Trustees’ to view the map. Also, a call may be made to the Madera County Elections Office at 559-675-7720 to see if you live in this area.
Persons interested in serving on the Board will be interviewed for the position at the regular Board meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2020, in the Oakhurst Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room.
2 Cases of Norovirus Confirmed at Yosemite
CBS - Approximately 170 people have come down with gastrointestinal illness, officials at Yosemite National Park announced Thursday. They say those affected include park visitors and employees who spent time at Yosemite Valley. There are also two confirmed cases of the highly-contagious norovirus.
"Most of the cases occurred on and around the first week of January 2020 and there has been significant decline of new cases reported over the past several days," according to park officials. "Yosemite National Park officials and medical professionals with the National Park Service Office of Public Health (OPH) are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the illness and are continuing to conduct interviews with affected people. The overwhelming majority of the reported cases are consistent with norovirus."
Officials said they are working to prevent additional illnesses and Yosemite National Park "continues to undertake extensive cleaning and enhanced sanitation protocols," according to the statement. Anyone who has visited the park and feels ill can send officials an email.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus, sometimes called the stomach flu (though it is not related to the flu virus), is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms can include nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache, and body aches.
A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the virus. People of all ages can be affected by norovirus.
How is norovirus spread?
"When you are sick with norovirus, you can shed billions of virus particles in your vomit and poop. It only takes a few of these particles to make someone sick," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The illness spreads rapidly if you eat food or drink liquids that are contaminated with the virus, touch contaminated surfaces or objects and then touch your mouth, or have direct contact with an infected person, such as by caring for them or sharing food or utensils with them.
The CDC notes that while people often associate cruise ships with norovirus, acute gastrointestinal illness is relatively infrequent on cruise ships. However, the close living quarters on the ship increases the risk of transmission.
Norovirus spreads very easily, including through direct contact with an infected person, touching a surface or object contaminated with norovirus, or eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus. Symptoms of norovirus usually begin 12-48 hours after exposure.
How is norovirus treated?
Most people will recover from norovirus in a couple of days. Since norovirus is a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics will not treat the infection.
If you are sick from norovirus, drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration.
CBS - Approximately 170 people have come down with gastrointestinal illness, officials at Yosemite National Park announced Thursday. They say those affected include park visitors and employees who spent time at Yosemite Valley. There are also two confirmed cases of the highly-contagious norovirus.
"Most of the cases occurred on and around the first week of January 2020 and there has been significant decline of new cases reported over the past several days," according to park officials. "Yosemite National Park officials and medical professionals with the National Park Service Office of Public Health (OPH) are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the illness and are continuing to conduct interviews with affected people. The overwhelming majority of the reported cases are consistent with norovirus."
Officials said they are working to prevent additional illnesses and Yosemite National Park "continues to undertake extensive cleaning and enhanced sanitation protocols," according to the statement. Anyone who has visited the park and feels ill can send officials an email.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus, sometimes called the stomach flu (though it is not related to the flu virus), is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms can include nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache, and body aches.
A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the virus. People of all ages can be affected by norovirus.
How is norovirus spread?
"When you are sick with norovirus, you can shed billions of virus particles in your vomit and poop. It only takes a few of these particles to make someone sick," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The illness spreads rapidly if you eat food or drink liquids that are contaminated with the virus, touch contaminated surfaces or objects and then touch your mouth, or have direct contact with an infected person, such as by caring for them or sharing food or utensils with them.
The CDC notes that while people often associate cruise ships with norovirus, acute gastrointestinal illness is relatively infrequent on cruise ships. However, the close living quarters on the ship increases the risk of transmission.
Norovirus spreads very easily, including through direct contact with an infected person, touching a surface or object contaminated with norovirus, or eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus. Symptoms of norovirus usually begin 12-48 hours after exposure.
How is norovirus treated?
Most people will recover from norovirus in a couple of days. Since norovirus is a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics will not treat the infection.
If you are sick from norovirus, drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration.
