Archive - 2013
April 5th
Sierra at about half its historic average
Monday, April 1, marked the day the state’s water managers say the snowpack is considered to be as deep as it gets—but not this year.
Instead, the snowpack has shrunk since January, dropping from 133 percent of normal to 52 percent of normal for April 1.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
One-time-only budget surplus could add to force
After watching his force shrink to the bone, Mammoth Police Chief Dan Watson got some welcome news this past week.
The town, with a projected one-time-only budget surplus of about $1 million, might be able to afford to add an entry-level police officer as early as July 1.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Name change would cost at least $8,000
Mammoth Town Council member Michael Raimondo this past week began a push to re-name Minaret Road “to honor the (Dave) McCoy family.”
It was the second push by the council in the last five years to change one or more street names to reflect the influence the McCoy family has had on the town.
While the sentiment might be beyond argument, the cost for such a move is not.
Two dozen cited or warned for ignoring pedestrians
After years of fielding complaints from pedestrians on Main Street, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department and the California Highway Patrol last weekend brought down the hammer.
Sixteen drivers were cited for posing a danger to pedestrians in street, while 13 more received warnings.
‘Getting a jump’ on weekends
The Mammoth Times will begin appearing on Thursdays instead of Fridays, beginning April 18, according to publisher and editor Aleksandra Gajewski.
“We’ve made the decision to switch for several reasons, all of them resulting in what we believe to be a win-win-win for the newspaper’s readers, advertisers, and subscribers,” Gajewski said.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
‘We need a new app,” Rec Commissioner Sauser says
Having already dipped its toe in the untested waters of Measure U tax distribution, the Mammoth Lakes Recreation Commission this past week ventured into even murkier depths.
In a workshop on Tuesday morning, April 2, the five-member commission invited representatives of Mammoth’s various special events to a special conclave at the town offices.
April 4th
The Mammoth Community Water District is happy to announce the selection of Patrick Hayes as the new General Manager. Hayes will be starting at the district on April 15. The selection of Hayes was approved at a special board meeting held on March 13.
He will be succeeding Greg Norby who left the district on January 30 of this year. Since Norby’s departure, District Engineer John Pedersen has filled the role as the Interim general manager.
April 3rd
Lower Rock Creek trail, one of the best early season hikes in the area, holds many secrets—including the Devils Postpile’s forgotten little sister.
Rock Creek is best known as the beautiful creek that meanders through the meadows above Rock Creek Lake, under the black and white striped turrets and ramparts of Bear Creek Spire, then down along the road from Mosquito Flats to Tom’s Place.
“My sniffer is working again!” Fido yelled.
“Pray tell, my big fine fellow,” said I.
“It’s like someone just flipped the ‘on’ switch! Don’t you sense all these fine whiffs?”
“Human aren’t that tuned in to sniffs, like dogs.”
“That’s too bad. Let’s go over here! No! Over here! No! Over there!”
April 1st
A below average snowpack and unseasonably warm temperatures are rapidly changing the mix of recreation opportunities on the Mammoth and Mono Lake Ranger Districts. Excellent skiing conditions remain above 8500 feet, including skiing opportunities at Mammoth Mountain and Tamarack Cross Country Ski Areas. However, lower elevations and areas further from the Sierra Crest are seeing signs of an early spring. Recreation opportunities usually pursued in the summer months, such as, hiking, off-highway vehicle riding and mountain biking are quickly becoming available.
It doesn’t sound appetizing to us humans, but the Mammoth Community Water District wastewater treatment plant has proven irresistible to local critters—and that has created a problem for the water district.
The wastewater treatment plant contains large, open pit water treatment pools—and a banquet of alluring smells and a steady supply of fats and grease.
It is thus a popular spot for local animals, particularly bears and ravens, presenting a unique challenge for the district.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Searles cautions motorists in Mammoth area
The Round Valley deer herd is on the move near the Mammoth-Yosemite Airport, signaling the start of the spring migration, according to wildlife specialist Steve Searles.
While the migration is far from full speed, Searles told the Mammoth Town Council on March 20 that conditions are starting to be more conducive for the herd, which numbers up to 3,000 animals.
The culture of a community
April 3, 2013
A community gains a character and a personality of its own, because of the culture of its people.
The importance of culture lies in the fact that it is a link between people and their value systems. Culture is that one single bond that ties the people of a region or community together.