Archive
May 6th, 2013
‘Reliable’ levels for summer
Mammoth’s unique status as the area with the biggest snowpack in the Sierra this year may not be enough to stave off water restrictions.
The Mammoth area stands out with a snowpack that came in at about 82 percent of normal, compared to about 52 percent of normal for the Sierra overall, and lower than that in places like the Southern Sierra.
Yosemite road updates: Park spokesperson Kari Cobb says it’s official: The Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park will open for the season Friday, May 3, at noon. There will be limited visitor services available at Glacier Point. Vault toilets will be available, but no running water. There is no projected opening datefor the Bridalveil Creek Campground. Meanwhile, the Tioga Roadis officially, tentatively scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, May 11. …
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
A young, motherless bear cub with a taste for apple pie has been getting into trouble around Old Mammoth in the past several weeks, according to Wildlife Specialist Steve Searles.
What's more, the 15-month-old cub has learned to pull at heartstrings to get what he or she wants.
"He or she is 15 months old, in great health and good weight," Searles said at a Town Council meeting on Wednesday, May 1, "but I had abut 50 calls in the last two weeks.
May 3rd
Victoria Ortiz, former AmeriCorps member for the Eastern Sierra Land Trust in Bishop and ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain, is one the shortlist for the "Best Job in the World" competition recently, out of almost 600,000 candidates.
The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s lawsuit against the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District and other environmental agencies was dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California on May 2, according to Ted Schade, the district's director.
"The City’s federal court lawsuit filed in Fresno attempted to prevent the District from enforcing state laws that require the LADWP to control the air pollution caused by its water diversions in the Eastern Sierra," according to a May 2 news release from the district.
State claims raffle will benefit wildlife habitat
In the past, the only thing a hunter could do during the time between the Nevada big game application deadline in April and the day the draw results are posted in June was to sit and wait and hope for the best.
That changed last year with the introduction of the Nevada Dream Tags, and it will continue this year as well, according to the state’s wildlife department.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Focus is on best use of tax money
The Town Council had its first look on Wednesday, May 1, at a proposal that would establish a five-member committee to create the rules by which special event producers might use public tax dollars.
Council member Jo Bacon, the Measure U Application committee, and the Recreation Commission all initiated the idea.
Its genesis was in an April 2 workshop with the Mammoth Lakes Events Coalition.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Public Works unveils $1.5 million Main Street project
They are as ugly as sin and as dangerous as the next powerful windstorm, earthquake or blizzard.
Mammoth’s Main Street overhead power lines, which carry the main load of electricity to the town, are so unsightly and hazardous that Public Works Director Ray Jarvis this past week made a commitment to bury the problem.
Literally.
“What’s the deal with the blue leash?” Fido asked. “I usually have a red leash. Not complaining, just wondering.”
May 2nd
Crews start fire prevention work in Mammoth, June
Fire season has begun in the Eastern Sierra, a month earlier than normal.
The combination of a dry winter, especially for everywhere north and south of the Mammoth Lakes region, and an unusually warm, dry spring have pushed the normal fire season up to include May, local fire officials said.
“I haven’t seen that many boats on the water since I was a kid”
If anything could illustrate the craziness and size of last week’s Fishing Opener, it might be how long it took June Lake Marina and Crowley Lake Fish Camp owner John Frederickson to find his mobile phone, lost in the chaos.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Council in new budget challenge
Despite a carefully crafted five-year plan and an economically successful summer and winter seasons, Mammoth would still come up more than a half-million dollars short of budget expectations for 2013-14, the Town Council learned this past week.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
$45 for a regular ticket, $75 for snow zones, fire lanes
Mammoth’s coffers would grow by about $7,500 a year under a new plan to raise police department fines and fees.
Among several fee increases, parking fines would rise from $35 or $37 per citation to $50 or $75 for more serious violations, such as parking in a snow or fire lane.
April 30th
The Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce will once again host “A Taste of the Sierra†this Friday evening, May 3, in conjunction with the ever-popular Home Show at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop.
Many of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers will offer samples of delicious cuisine from 6pm until 9pm in the Charles Brown Auditorium. For only a $25 donation, you’ll enjoy unlimited samples of scrumptious food and receive two beverage tickets good for beer, wine or soda.
Grand theft, drugs, illegal weapons among 10 arrests
At least 10 arrests ranging from illegal guns to a series of cocaine busts and even a grand theft involving fishing gear and drugs kept the Mono County Sheriff’s Department busy over last week and during Fishing Opener weekend.
Five more arrests on warrant charges brought the list of arrests to 15.
