News

County property taxes continue to decline

January 25, 2013

Revenues from Mono County property taxes have continued their downward slide, even as property prices across the country begin a slow swing upward.

Although precise numbers will not be available until mid-February when the Mono County Board of Supervisors begins its annual mid-year budget review, according to assistant finance director Roberta Reed, the continuing slide is not a surprise.

Another top county official to retire, interim CAO candidate declines offer

January 24, 2013

Mono County is facing more upheaval this week after another top county official announced she would retire Feb. 5 and an interim County Administrative Officer (CAO) candidate pulled out at the last minute.

The announcement that risk manager and facilities manager Rita Sherman would retire came through an email to the county supervisors Wednesday, Jan. 23, according to District 1 Supervisor Larry Johnston—one day after the board of supervisors held its last of three meetings for the month.

Flu flies this way; vaccines running low on Eastside

January 18, 2013

Although flu activity is still comparatively low in California and Mono County, new information shows the flu is on the move, according to Dr. Rick Johnson, the county’s public health officer.

Mammoth on the rebound

January 18, 2013

Projections indicate recovery in full swing

Practically everyone in Mammoth has sensed that the town is on the way back from a disastrous ski season last year, but now the actual numbers are starting to show it.

For example, the projected visitor occupancy for the upcoming King Holiday weekend (Jan. 18-20) was 77 percent of capacity as of Thursday, Jan. 17.

On the same weekend last year, occupancy was a dreary 30 percent, the result of a snow season that hardly existed at all until late in the spring season.

Dog versus drugs

January 18, 2013

Mono County’s new drug dog can identify residual smells left behind by illegal drugs

A powerful new weapon against illegal drugs has been added to Mono County’s law enforcement teams—a four-year-old Belgian Malinois dog named Tara.

Tara’s nose is so powerful, she can pick up the odor of a pound of marijuana or the lingering scent of cocaine residue left on the steering wheel of a car, according to the sheriff’s department.

June Lake Winter Festival set for Feb. 1-3

January 18, 2013

Weekend full of activities, including a Triple Threat Triathlon

In spite of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area’s CEO Rusty Gregory closing the June Lake Mountain Ski area for the 2012-13 season, the June Lake community rallied to put various events together to celebrate other amenities the community offers.

Rock Creek Road to get big facelift

January 18, 2013

Rock Creek Road is scheduled for some major rehabilitation and redesign work in the next few years, including a four-foot-wide bike climbing lane, according to Mono County officials. The project will likely start sometime in either 2014 or 2015, it will be mostly funded by the federal government and it will take two summer seasons to complete, according to the county.  Pullouts and interpretive signs are also planned for the project.

Tuolumne, Merced River plans ready for comment

January 18, 2013

Yosemite National Park announced the release of two Wild and Scenic River Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statements; one for the Merced River (MRP) and one for the Tuolumne River (TRP) for public review and comment. 

The public comment period for the MRP is open now through Thursday, April 18. The public comment period for the TRP is open now through Monday, March 18. 

Parking restriction near the Village removed during this holiday weekend

January 18, 2013

In an effort to provide additional parking for Village patrons this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the town will temporarily remove parking restrictions on Hillside Drive and Berner Street, town officials said. From Jan. 17-21, the existing “no parking” signs will be covered or bagged, with new signs placed allowing two-hour parking from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.