News

Robber who drags woman off bus, assaults others, is arrested

February 5, 2013

On Saturday morning, Feb. 2, at approximately 1 a.m., Mammoth Lakes Police Sergeants Eric Hugelman and Rick Moberly were meeting with Village Security personnel regarding a disturbance on Minaret when they observed another disturbance 50 yards away next to a trolley bus. The sergeants and security officers ran to the trolley bus attempted to detain a suspect who was hitting the trolley. He resisted and pepper spray was deployed to control the combative individual.

RAW: Lyell Glacier, largest in Yosemite, has stopped moving

February 4, 2013

This is just in from the National Park Service:

"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 per day.

RAW: Longtime water district engineer appointed interim general manager

February 4, 2013

Current Mammoth Community Water District Engineer, John Pedersen, was appointed Interim General Manger of the Mammoth Community Water District by the Board of Directors at a special board meeting held on Jan. 31.

Greg Norby, General Manager since November 2008, resigned recently to reside closer to family and friends. Mr. Pedersen’s Interim General Manager appointment starts on Feb. 1, and continues until a new General Manager is appointed. Mr. Pedersen’s interim role is greatly enhanced by his 25 years of engineering experience at the District.

The flu is not alone, other respiratory illnesses also stalk the region

February 1, 2013

Although health officials said Wednesday that they believe cases of the flu may be peaking this week in Mono County, the winter still has the potential to be a miserable one.

This year’s strain of influenza has hogged the spotlight due to being unusually virulent, but there are other viruses that are causing a lot of pain to people locally, according to Dr. Rick Johnson, Mono County’s public health officer.

MLPD dog Brutus dead at 11; "Many times my life depended on him," officer says

February 1, 2013

Brutus, the Czech Shepherd police dog who served Mammoth Lakes with distinction for five years, is dead, the police department announced in a news release earlier this week.

Brutus was put down on Jan. 16 at the age of 11 due to chronic back problems, according to MLPD Chief Dan Watson.

No one was more affected by Brutus’ death than his handler/partner Officer Dan Casabian, the department’s K-9 officer during the time Brutus served.

Brutus also was the family dog for Casabian and his children, now aged 12, 8, and 7.

Between winter and spring

February 1, 2013

This past week, Mammoth residents may have startled a squirrel or two at the bird feeders, chattering away in raucous irritation. The dogs went nuts, of course, and up the tree the squirrels shot, tails flaming in indignation.

Seeing a squirrel in a tree in Mammoth isn’t strange. It’s not a guaranteed thing of wonder (although to the dogs it always is), but when was the last time you saw a squirrel this winter?

Saturday, Feb. 2, popularly called, Groundhog Day, is the day that marks the halfway point between the first day of winter and the first day of spring.

What's Up, Up Here? Feb. 1-7 | News snippets from here and there

February 1, 2013

Whoops! Last week we reported in this column that the Pita Pit had changed ownership to Mammoth Mountain, but that was wrong, wrong and wrong. It’s still the same owners. We regret the error, and offer apologies all around…

Man apparently attempts suicide Thursday at Mono Basin visitor center

January 31, 2013

The male victim of an apparent suicide attempt Thursday morning at the Mono Basin Visitor's Center has been flown to Reno for further treatment, according to the Mono County Sheriff's Department.

According to Jennifer Hansen, the public information officer for the sheriff's department, at about 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, the sheriff's department received a call regarding an unresponsive male in the parking lot of the Visitor's Center, which is located just north of Lee Vining, off of U.S. 395.

Mono County Board of Supervisors Appoints Acting CAO

January 30, 2013

The Mono County Board of Supervisors appointed Lynda Salcido as “Acting County Administrative Officer (CAO),” Tuesday, Jan. 29.

A long-term county employee, Salcido is also Mono County’s Director of Public Health, a position she has held for 13 years. She will serve in the additional capacity of Acting CAO following the last day of employment of the county’s current CAO, James Arkens on Feb. 3, and until an “Interim CAO” is recruited and appointed, which may take a few weeks. Arkens was recently hired as CAO for Sutter County in central California.