Archive - Feb 2013 - News Article
February 15th
The Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Ranger District, has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Sherwin-Scenic Loop Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project. This project proposes to conduct fuels treatments by mowing brush and thinning trees on approximately 1,100 acres managed by the Inyo National Forest around Sherwin Creek, Mammoth Creek, and Mammoth Scenic Loop areas, in and around the town of Mammoth Lakes.
There is still widespread influenza activity in California, with levels above epidemic thresholds for the seventh straight week, according to county health officials.
Although evidence shows decreased activity on the East Coast and the Southeast where it started this year, the West Coast, including the Eastern Sierra, is still showing high levels of activity.
Mammoth will have its biggest weekend of the ski season, according to projections released by Mammoth Lakes Tourism on Thursday.
According to the projections, the three-day Presidents Day weekend totals were set at 92 percent of capacity, well ahead of the same weekend of a year ago, when skier visits slipped to 76 percent.
As for the mid-week, the tourism bureau projected Mammoth to be filled to 64 percent capacity, compared to 50 percent a year ago, when sketchy snow depths affected all but the Pacific Northwest ski areas.
February 14th
The Mono County Board of Supervisors has appointed Jeff Walters to serve as the Acting Public Works Director.
The position of public works director was held by former CAO Jim Arkens for several years, until Arkens resigned in early February
The board made this appointment during their regular meeting of Feb 12.
Walters started working for Mono County on April 7, 2008, as operations superintendent, and was promoted to Assistant Public Works Director on Nov. 4, 2008.
February 12th
There’s been something of a low-grade battle going on for years at Conway Ranch—a battle over fish, of all things.
It’s a battle over who pays to raise the fish that are being raised out there, and who doesn’t, over who is responsible when things go wrong, and who isn’t.
February 8th
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Officials evacuated Canyon Lodge at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area at mid-afternoon Friday, Feb. 8, ski area spokesperson Joani Lynch confirmed.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Users argue for change of 21-year-old rule
A new recreation activity is beginning to emerge in Mammoth, but “snow biking” has some bumpy bureaucratic rules to clear before it can break into the trails system of the Inyo National Forest.
Even with the efforts of the community, no one says June Lake is better off without June Mountain Ski Area
Although the U.S. Forest Service and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area finally completed a winter operating plan for the June Mountain Ski Area, the closed ski area continues to present a big challenge to the community of June Lake.
Organizers promise event to return next year
Event organizers of the June Lake Winter Festival and Triple Threat Winter Triathlon announced on the heels of a first run, that the family-oriented winter outdoor event would return next year.
The Lyell Glacier, the largest glacier in Yosemite National Park, has stagnated, or ceased its downhill movement, according to a recent study conducted by scientists from the National Park Service and the University of Colorado.
The adjacent Maclure Glacier is still moving at its historical rate, about one inch a day.
Glaciers are defined as long-lasting ice masses that arise from the accumulation of snow, and move downhill by flowing and sliding, according to the park.
This winter started off with a big, snowy bang and raised hopes that it would compensate for last year’s drought conditions, but a dry January and a so-far dry February are tempering expectations for this winter’s snowpack.
The first snowpack survey of the Sierra was completed at the beginning of the month and it puts the Sierra at about 55 percent of normal for the whole winter, according to state data.
By
George Shirk, Times Managing Editor
Two-hour minimum rental at $25 an hour
The Whitmore Track and Sports Field are finished, but it is not a free ride for organizations or for groups who want to use it.
Under a set of new rules and payment schedules, sports groups would be dinged $25 an hour, with a two-hour minimum, for the use of the nine-lane, polyurethane, 400-meter track and/or the full-sized synthetic turf field.
Parksman Dennis Rottner, the town’s “Go-to Gadet Man,” says polyurethane and synthetic grass do not make for a good dog experiencefor anyone involved, and with a short staff, he and his parks crew have other things that need more attention than cleaning up after recalcitrant dog owners. …
Benefits youth and education
A Poker Run — open to all skiers and riders — is being hosted by the Mammoth Lakes Rotary Club this Saturday, Feb 9, according to Rotary President Rick Phelps
Registration begins at 9 a.m. outside the The Mill at the base of Stump Alley. The entry fee for this event is $20, with all proceeds benefitting Mammoth Lakes’ youth and education activities supported by the Rotary Club.
The Metabolic Studio IOU Garden will host “100 Conversations About Water” as a commemorative action during the centenary of the L.A. Aqueduct. Nov. 5 marks one hundred years since the opening of the L.A. Aqueduct.
Conversation Number One: What Do Seeds have in Common with Water?
Discuss issues around GMO Seeds, the Commons, and How we can Protect our Food Sources, Saturday, Feb.16 at 10 a.m., Metabolic Studio IOU Garden, Main St. at Willow in Lone Pine.
