News

Fresno drug dealer with links to Mammoth arrested, June Lake locals arrested on other charges

January 24, 2011

Mono County's narcotics enforcement team has had a busy week last week, including the arrest of a Fresno drug dealer with previous ties to Mammoth and the arrest of two local June Lake residents on other charges.

Gregory, MMSA, escape Hot Creek fallout

January 21, 2011

A couple of very high-profile Mammoth players in the Hot Creek lawsuit remained invisible in last month’s $30 million judgment against the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and its CEO, Rusty Gregory, were left unscathed – not even mentioned. This is in spite of the fact that at the beginning of the case, in 1997, both MMSA and Gregory himself were caught in some nasty crossfire.

They still are, in a sense.

When the case first was filed, both Gregory and MMSA were named as defendants, along with the Town.

AT&T problems continue for Tri-Valley residents, AT&T expected to be in area this week

January 20, 2011

Problems with AT&T service out in the Tri-Valley area of Mono County have diminished since much of the Tri-Valley area in eastern Mono County found themselves without cell service after switching from Alltel to AT&T late last year, but they have not gone away, according to Chalfant community members, including members of the Benton Paiute tribe, many of whom are still without cell service.

Mammoth not alone in dismay at airport ruling

January 14, 2011

It seems to be something that most people have forgotten.

In all the brouhaha over the airport lawsuit appeal, the Town of Mammoth wasn’t the only town challenging the Bridgeport jury’s finding that the Town is liable for $30 million in damages.

Far from it.

In fact, every city and county in the state of California sided with the Town, as “friends of the court” or “amici curiae.” The appellate judges’ decision is rattling municipal nerves across the state.

What's Up, Up Here? Jan. 14

January 14, 2011

A rundown of what's going on around here:

Realtors all over town died a little death earlier this week when the L.A. Times fronted a story about Mammoth and our little legal problem. Headline was “Mammoth Lakes fears financial ruin after legal judgment.” ...

Brian Shibley tells us that the golf tournament held last fall in memory of his daugther Cari raised $3,000 for ICare and $3,000 for Mono County Animal Shelter. ...

Build your own snowman to toast December snowfall

January 14, 2011

There’s nothing that can stop a good party on Mammoth Mountain.

This past week, ski area employees were scrambling to put together a “Big Snow Bash” weekend for Jan. 21-23, with events commemorating the 209-inch December snowfall that broke records for the snowiest month on record.

It will start with the construction of 209-inch (17.4 feet) snowmen, situated at Main Lodge, Canyon Lodge, Little Eagle Lodge and at the Mill Café at the base of Chair 2/Stump Alley Express, according the ski area spokesman Dan Hansen.

What's Up, Up Here? Jan. 7

January 8, 2011

Our weekly roundup of what's what and who's who:

That was a bad week last week for the satellite TV customers, reception dishes filled with snow and signals blocked by snow-laden trees. “Not that was a big sports weekend or anything,” sighed the go-go John Urdi …

Hugelman wins case against Town of Mammoth

January 8, 2011

Former Mammoth Lakes Police Department Sergeant Eric Hugelman won a decisive judgment against the Town last week.

Hearing Officer Roberto Morales ruled that Hugelman’s termination a year and a half ago was unjustified, and ruled that he should be reinstated.

Morales ruled that Hugelman should have been suspended for three weeks, at most.

Now the question is whether Hugelman will, in fact, rejoin the force, and how much back pay he is entitled to.

The Town Council took up the matter in closed session after Wednesday night’s regular meeting, but no decision came out of the session.

Manning to FAA: Fax it and I'll ignore it

January 8, 2011

It was as bad as communications can get.

In the complicated Hot Creek predicament that turned into the $30 million loss for the town, the California Third Appellate District Court consistently hammered the Town and the Federal Aviation Administration for poor communications.

The three-member panel cited one instance for special consideration.

Early on in the process, after the Mammoth Lakes Town Council agreed on the development project, the FAA sent (by fax) a number of concerns to Bill Manning, the airport manager.

Manning’s response was to simply not respond.