News

Task force to take on special events funding puzzle

May 3, 2013

George Shirk, Times Managing Editor

Focus is on best use of tax money

The Town Council had its first look on Wednesday, May 1, at a proposal that would establish a five-member committee to create the rules by which special event producers might use public tax dollars.

Council member Jo Bacon, the Measure U Application committee, and the Recreation Commission all initiated the idea.

Its genesis was in an April 2 workshop with the Mammoth Lakes Events Coalition.

Mammoth wants power lines under ground

May 3, 2013

George Shirk, Times Managing Editor

george@mammothtimes.com

Public Works unveils $1.5 million Main Street project

They are as ugly as sin and as dangerous as the next powerful windstorm, earthquake or blizzard.

Mammoth’s Main Street overhead power lines, which carry the main load of electricity to the town, are so unsightly and hazardous that Public Works Director Ray Jarvis this past week made a commitment to bury the problem.

Literally.

Hot, dry weather makes for extra long fire season

May 2, 2013

Wendilyn Grasseschi

wendilyn@mammothtimes.com

Crews start fire prevention work in Mammoth, June

Fire season has begun in the Eastern Sierra, a month earlier than normal.

The combination of a dry winter, especially for everywhere north and south of the Mammoth Lakes region, and an unusually warm, dry spring have pushed the normal fire season up to include May, local fire officials said.

Warm weather, big fish make for great Opening Weekend

May 2, 2013

Wendilyn Grasseschi

wendilyn@mammothtimes.com

“I haven’t seen that many boats on the water since I was a kid”

If anything could illustrate the craziness and size of last week’s Fishing Opener, it might be how long it took June Lake Marina and Crowley Lake Fish Camp owner John Frederickson to find his mobile phone, lost in the chaos.

Town faces $562K shortfall in 2013-14

May 2, 2013

George Shirk, Times Managing Editor

george@mammothtimes.com

Council in new budget challenge

Despite a carefully crafted five-year plan and an economically successful summer and winter seasons, Mammoth would still come up more than a half-million dollars short of budget expectations for 2013-14, the Town Council learned this past week.

Parking fines, other fees to jump in Mammoth

May 2, 2013

George Shirk, Times Managing Editor

george@mammothtimes.com

$45 for a regular ticket, $75 for snow zones, fire lanes

Mammoth’s coffers would grow by about $7,500 a year under a new plan to raise police department fines and fees.

Among several fee increases, parking fines would rise from $35 or $37 per citation to $50 or $75 for more serious violations, such as parking in a snow or fire lane.

RAW: Bishop's popular "Taste of the Sierra" and Home Show gears up for this weekend

April 30, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

The Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce will once again host “A Taste of the Sierra” this Friday evening, May 3, in conjunction with the ever-popular Home Show at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop.

Many of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers will offer samples of delicious cuisine from 6pm until 9pm in the Charles Brown Auditorium. For only a $25 donation, you’ll enjoy unlimited samples of scrumptious food and receive two beverage tickets good for beer, wine or soda.

Arrests spike over Fishing Opener week

April 30, 2013

Wendilyn Grasseschi

wendilyn@mammothtimes.com

Grand theft, drugs, illegal weapons among 10 arrests

At least 10 arrests ranging from illegal guns to a series of cocaine busts and even a grand theft involving fishing gear and drugs kept the Mono County Sheriff’s Department busy over last week and during Fishing Opener weekend.

Five more arrests on warrant charges brought the list of arrests to 15.

RAW: Deer on highways pose serious danger to drivers—and deer

April 29, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

The Mammoth Lakes Police Department would like to caution motorists to be extra alert for migrating deer on U.S.395 and S.R. 203. Large numbers of deer are on the move at this time of year and they pose a real threat to motorists. Serious injuries or death can occur if you strike a deer at highway speeds. Evidence of multiple vehicle versus deer encounters is visible while traveling on 395.

Mammoth seeks FAA approval

April 29, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

Airport Layout Plan under scrutiny

Mammoth Yosemite Airport will have a “conditionally approved” airport layout plan by this summer, the town announced this past month in a news release.

Two residents face embezzlement charges

April 29, 2013

Wendilyn Grasseschi

wendilyn@mammothtimes.com

An ‘unusual’ number of embezzlements of public money recently, DA says

A Crowley Lake woman and a Bridgeport woman recently faced the courts after accusations that they embezzled money.

Debra Ray, 53, of Crowley Lake, was arrested on Friday, April 19, on suspicion of embezzling $29,000 from a Crowley Lake water district.

Invasive species threat forces boat inspections at Crowley Lake

April 29, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

Mussell could destroy Owens watershed

A notorious invasive species called the New Zealand mussel could destroy the Owens River watershed if it gets too numerous, and therefore agencies like the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are using boat inspections again this year to stop the spread of the pesky critters.

RAW: New Mono transfer station hours next week

April 26, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

All Mono County Transfer Stations will have new hours beginning Wednesday, May 1.

In recent years, these facilities have operated different hours during winter and summer seasons. Because this has created confusion among users as well as operational inefficiencies, it has been decided to eliminate the seasonal schedule and to establish consistent, year-round operating hours that provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of users without reducing actual operating hours.

The new year- round hours are as follows:

Warm temps to cause cold, dangerous river flows

April 26, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

Air temperatures will be warm in Mammoth and the Eastern Sierra this weekend, with highs ranging from the 70s at Lake Tahoe to the 80s in western Nevada valleys, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

‘Fat fish ready to be caught’

April 26, 2013

Wendilyn Grasseschi

wendilyn@mammothtimes.com

Dry winter, early spring set up fishing season for success

This year’s Fishing Opening Weekend looks to be one of the best in many years, after a dry winter and warm and early spring have allowed access to more lakes and streams than usual, experts said this past week.

What’s open for Fishing Opener

April 26, 2013

Wendilyn Grasseschi, Lyra Pierotti

news@mammothtimes.com

A complete list of open area lakes, campgrounds, and road conditions

Mammoth Lakes area: New Shady Rest and Old Shady Rest campgrounds open.

Roads, facilities opening week by week

April 26, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

Plowing began last week; Opening Day deadline set for some roads

High temperatures combined with a light snowpack will allow for an early start to plowing area roads this spring, according to the U.S. Forest Service, Inyo National Forest.

Here’s the latest on some of the road conditions for the most popular areas near Mammoth, according to a forest service news release.

Firewood season opens May 1

April 26, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

Residents pay $15 a cord, many areas already snow free

The new firewood season opens May 1, according to national forest officials.

Initial supplies of firewood can be found at Antelope, Smoke, Dry Creek, Hartley, Oh! Ridge and Reversed Peak Forest Management Areas located on the fuelwood map, according to an Inyo National Forest news release.

Final tourism numbers show sharp increase

April 26, 2013

George Shirk, Times Managing Editor

news@mammothtimes.com

Spring forecast not so hot; summer numbers iffy

Despite an early Easter that presented somewhat of a roadblock, Mammoth’s ski season effectively ended on a robust note, according to figures released last week by Mammoth Lakes Tourism.

The tourism numbers from Mammoth were better, overall, than destinations in the mountain west.

RAW: Sonora Pass to open Wednesday, April 24

April 24, 2013

Times Staff Report

news@mammothtimes.com

Caltrans has announced that it plans on opening the Sonora Pass Highway 108 today, April 24. Long-time locals, according to a Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest press release, recall only one earlier opening date in recent history—April 20, year unknown.