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  Can Trona Endure — or Is This the Start of Another Desert Ghost Town? TRONA — For generations, the lights in Trona have burned because of one thing: minerals pulled from the ancient bed of Searles Lake. Families built their lives around the steady rhythm of Searles Valley Minerals — shifts changing, trains moving, and paychecks supporting everything from local shops to school programs. I remember the days of rock shows and the big blowhole by the lake— and the times we went with our daughters to cheer on the football players on that infamous dirt field. Now that rhythm has been disrupted. The company’s recent decision to significantly reduce operations and lay off hundreds of workers has sent shockwaves through this tight-knit desert community. For many residents, the announcement was more than economic news. It was personal. “This town was built on that plant,” one longtime resident said. “When it hurts, we all feel it.” A Blow to the Local Economy For decades, Searles Valley Mi...
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Searles Valley Minerals 9401 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 1000 Overland Park, KS 66210 ​February 6, 2026 ​Via Email ​Re: WARN Notice ​Dear , ​Pursuant to any possible obligation under the federal and California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Acts (collectively, “WARN”), we are writing to notify you that Searles Valley Minerals (“Searles”) is idling its Trona and Argus operations starting on April 8, 2026, resulting in the anticipated employment separation of 350+ employees. Employment separations are expected to occur on April 7, 2026, and they are expected to be permanent separations. ​This notice is to inform you that it is reasonable to expect you may be affected and your employment ended on April 7, 2026. You will continue to receive any pay and benefits due until the separation of employment. Searles also intends to offer those affected a severance package in exchange for agreement to severance terms and a release of claims. We hope this 60-day notice...
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Bishop Bronco Wrestling February 7, 2026 By Dr. Mark Hodges The Bishop Bronco Wrestling Team closed out their season with a fiery showdown against the Kern Valley Broncs on January 28th. With only six Broncos and ten Kern Valley wrestlers across 14 weight classes, the night delivered just four official matches—but every one ended in a dramatic pin. Freshmen Mikey Valle (113) and Jay Mena (120) joined sophomore Gabe Montoya (132), juniors Jaidyn McKellips (144) and Messi Trejo (190), and senior Kano Graves (175) in the lineup. Montoya was pinned late in the third, while McKellips stunned the crowd with a first‑period pin in the final second. Graves dominated 12–1 before sealing his own pin, and Trejo battled through the closest match of the night before being caught in the third. Three exhibition bouts kept the energy high. Graves earned a pin in just over 90 seconds, McKellips followed with another in the second period, and Mena—wrestling up 24 pounds—pushed his match the full six mi...
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Blake Jones Trout Derby Applications Open! The Blake Jones Trout Derby on Saturday, March 21, 2026 is one of California’s longest-running and largest single-day trout fishing contests! Anglers of all ages can fish Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Owens River using the fun blind bogey format, with prizes for early-bird signups, big fish, catch-and-release, and more. Registration, weigh-in, and the awards ceremony take place at the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds in downtown Bishop, and there’s plenty of activities for families too. This classic community event celebrates our fishing heritage and offers cash, gear, and local prizes valued at nearly $10,000. Register Now https://sierrawave.net/blake-jones-trout-derby-registration-now-open/
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https://sierrawave.net/buhs-spring-sports-schedules/
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Last night, the BUHS boys soccer team hit the road to face the Desert Scorpions and returned home with a dominant 7–1 victory. Charlie Trefry led the charge for the Broncos, recording a hat trick and earning Player of the Game honors for his standout performance. Armando Santana, Alexis Guerrero, Angel Santana, and Landon Caton also found the back of the net, rounding out an impressive offensive showing. The Broncos now turn their attention to their final league matchup of the season, traveling to Cal City on Tuesday as they look to close out league play on a high note. https://sierrawave.net/buhs-boys-soccer-on-the-road-facing-desert-scorpions/
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Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - FRI FEB 06 2026 Before a bigger change in the weather next week, today we have a little cut off low over Socal that could bring a 20% chance of snow showers to Mammoth and sprinkles to the Owens Valley. Then Monday the 9th, our long awaited pattern could begin, as our big ridge gets broken by a trough from the PACNW. So expect light showers on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Owens Valley. For Mammoth, the same with light snow in the same time frame. Right now, forecast models show the likelihood of another trough setting up along the West Coast the weekend of Feb 14 / 15. We will have to wait and see on that...DMATT Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 58 / 30 Big Pine: 58 / 32 Independence: 57 / 36 Lone Pine: 55 / 38 Olancha: 55 / 39 Mammoth Lakes: 42 / 25 Death Valley: 76 / 45 https://sierrawave.net/dennis-mattinson-sierra-atmosp...
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