Archive - 2011
September 16th
A 74-year old man from New York was hauled out of the backcountry last weekend after an all-night hike by members of the Mono County Search and Rescue team.
On Friday September 9, the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team responded to rescue an injured backpacker near Iceberg Lake, who was reported as having a leg that was "broken from the knee down," and was also possibly going into shock.
By
George Shirk - Times Senior Writer
“I think we should maybe invite a cat into our home.”
Honestly, I thought I was hearing things.
“Fido, what did you just say?”
“Maybe we should get a cat.”
You could have knocked me over with a feather. There have been plenty of cool cats cross my path over the years. There was Buster, for example, over in the East Bay, and there was the cat in Cedar Rapids that caught everyone’s attention. His name was Director.
There were dozens of others.
There have been disasters, too, such as that Cat Who Shall Not Be Named.
By
George Shirk - Times Senior Writer
“The Crib” is about to close up shop for the season.
It has been home to runners, cyclists, biathletes and sports media for four months. Now, Tourism Director John Urdi said it is up to them to spread the word about one of the most innovative high-altitude training facilities anywhere.
Technically it has no name, but every since its inception last winter, Urdi has called it the “High Altitude Training Crib.”
Now it’s merely “The Crib,” a two-bedroom (with loft) townhouse at Snowcreek that can handle six (or more if some want to choose a spot on the floor).
From Dave McCoy, attempting to build a solar-powered off-road vehicle: “Last Thursday we made another big step with the electric UTV when the solar panel was installed onto the roof. It’s not going to run the machine by itself, but it will be able to provide a bit of electricity when we need it. “Now we are adding bigger motors and finishing the fabrication.” He’s updating on Facebook, by the way. ...
Congratulations to Mammoth Unbound team riders Kimmy Fasani and Chris Benchetler who got married in Mammoth last Saturday. ...
September 14th
A fire that began near Big Pine Tuseday and at one point involved more than 2,000 acres, was 95 percent percent contained by Thursday, according to the California Department of Forestry.
The fire, officially called the "John Fire," began Tuesday at about 1:30 in the Crater Mountain area south of Big Pine.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
There was no immediate threat to structures, and the evacuation advisory was lifted Thursday morning.
U.S. 395 remained open throughout the event.
September 13th
By
George Shirk - Times Senior Writer
One Mammoth man was killed and another seriously injured after a horrific rear-end collision on Interstate 80 Saturday afternoon in Wyoming.
The Wyoming Highway patrol said William "Bill" Krawisz, 26, was killed in the accident, while Travis Mann was seriously injured.
Mann's dog, Nova, also died in the crash, which occurred on Interstate 80, 10 miles outside of Laramie.
At least two passengers also were injured in the crash.
There will be no Rotary "Local Heroes Luncheon" this Friday, Sept. 16, as stated in the calendar section. The Mammoth Times regrets this error.
September 12th
By
Wendilyn Grasseschi - Times Staff Writer
Mammoth weather forecaster Howard Sheckter predicts possibly heavy rains this afternoon, and the National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting as much as one inch per hour rainfall intervals this afternoon. A NWS "Flashflood Warning" goes into effect at 1 p.m. today.
"Today may be the day for heavy rain," Sheckter wrote on his website today. "A day of heavy rainfall for areas from about Mammoth Lakes to the Alpine County line and on both sides of the crest especially west of the Sierra Crest, west of Bridgeport."
"Not bad for September," he said.
On Wednesday Sept. 7 the Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team responded to a call to search near Mono Lake for an overdue visitor. An Riverside couple became tired while canoeing on Mono Lake. The 71 year old wife opted to walk back to the parking area at Navy Beach, which was only about a half mile to the west. The Mono County Sheriff’s Department sent a sergeant and deputy to the area and tracking was attempted near where the canoes had landed. Lee Vining and June Lake Fire Departments responded and began grid searching areas to the east and west of Navy Beach.
On Thursday, Sept. 8 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Art Torres and Jesse Gorham responded to a call on Lupin Street. They met with a resident who had discovered a smoldering pile of needles on his wooden deck. The resident also observed two 10 to 12-year-old juveniles fleeing the area. The resident also observed three lighters, dry grass, a burnt pen, and what appeared to be school papers.
Beginning on Saturday, Sept. 17, the Bridgeport Ranger Station on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will be returning to the fall and winter office schedule; the office will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends and holidays.
September 9th
On Monday, Sept. 5 at approximately 11:45 a.m., Mammoth Lakes Police and Mono County Paramedics responded to West Bear Lake Road west of Minaret for an injured skateboarder. Brett Bertsch, 18, Irvine, and his younger brother were riding down West Bear Lake Road when Brett fell, landing on his head. He was transported by ambulance to Mammoth Hospital and subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Nevada where he died.
August 27th
By
Wendilyn Grasseschi - Times Staff Writer
Three bears are dead in June Lake and it’s not their fault.
After a rash of bear break-ins in June Lake recently, three bears were shot to death in several separate incidents and the Department of Fish and Game said Thursday that it is investigating reports of a local June Lake resident who may have been feeding bears for some time now.
“I can confirm that we are investigating reports of a woman who is believed to be feeding bears in the area,” said Andrew Hughan, a spokesman for the department.
By
Wendilyn Grasseschi - Times Staff Writer
Summer is over and a big winter could be ahead.
There.
It’s been said.
Darker mornings, cooler nights; a subtle shift in the light. A slight tinge of gold, even in the greenest trees and plants. School in session, pre-dawn runs before work, woodpiles sprouting on every deck.
Orion rising. Scorpius setting. Summer is over.
And far too soon for most locals, battered by a long, deep-snowed winter, a cold spring, a summer that only began six short weeks ago.
To make it all worse, the rumor mill about the coming winter is enough to make you break out in chills.
By
George Shirk - Times Senior Writer
Fido locked me out of the house. In the process, he locked himself in.
“Get me out of here!” he whimpered from behind the door.
“I’m trying, you big lug, but the deadbolt seems to have been tripped.”
“What’s a deadbolt?”
“A deadbolt, Fido, is the one lock on the door that I don’t have a key for! I’ve never even used the deadbolt and don’t even have a key for it. How the heck did the deadbolt get tripped?”
I tried to put the sequence together and that took a little time.
“Fido, was anyone in the house when I was gone?”
“I have to pee.”
“I know, I know. Me too!”
