Archive - News Article
April 5th, 2013
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 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.
As Vice President, he will oversee Human Resources
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area CEO Rusty Gregory announced this week Ron Cohen has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Human Resources and Administration.
This newly created job adds the critical function of Human Resources to Cohen’s existing portfolio of responsibilities, Gregory said in a news release.
The lineup for next August’s Bluesapaloozais in, with Joan Osborneand John Hammondheadlining, along with a spate of other wowsers. Festival is Aug 1-4in case you forgot. ...
New at Mammoth Mountain is brand-man Neil Sogard, a veteran ski industry insider, whose brother, Eric, just so happens to be a second baseman for the Oakland Athletics. …
March 29th
The Inyo National Forest surrounds the entire town of Mammoth Lakes and contains almost all of the Eastern Sierra within its borders, including most of the trails, roads, ski resorts and other recreational facilities locals and visitors use.
That is why revising an old management plan for the forest, which is underway as of this month, is such a big undertaking—and that is why forest officials are asking for public input about how to do it, with a public meeting on April 4 in Bishop.
April 6 barbeque marks seven years since Mammoth tragedy
It has been seven years, but for those who were in Mammoth on that day, April 6 will always be indelibly—and tragically—marked.
A large high-pressure ridge is breaking down
Just in time for spring, winter weather could come back.
For the past three months, almost every storm heading to the Eastern Sierra didn’t.
Instead, blocked by a persistent and massive high-pressure ridge, the storms have funneled east, keeping California high and dry and giving the Great Plains and eastern United States a winter to remember.
