Eastern Sierra News

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2026 CONTACT: Jason Scalese   Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil Stands with California Businesses against Massive Tax Hike in effort to improve Affordability   Republicans Push to Repay $20 Billion Unemployment Insurance Debt Instead of Imposing 250% Payroll Tax Increase on Small Businesses   SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R–Jackson) voiced strong support for a Senate Republican floor effort aimed at addressing California’s $20 billion federal unemployment insurance (UI) debt without imposing crippling new costs on job creators.   The Republican caucus sought to pay down the longstanding debt than passing the burden directly onto employers through a dramatic payroll tax increase. Despite the proposal’s focus on practical relief for businesses, it failed on a party-line vote.   “California’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities in the Sierra foothills and the Central Valley,” said Senator Alvarado-G...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 29, 2026 Contact: Austin Gilbert Email: austin.gilbert@asm.ca.go Assemblyman David Tangipa Secures $400,000 Grant for Southern Inyo Healthcare District Grant Will Help Preserve Critical Healthcare Services for Eastern Sierra Communities (Clovis, CA) – Assemblyman David Tangipa announced that the Southern Inyo Healthcare District has been awarded a $400,000 grant through California’s Distressed Hospital Small Grant Program, providing much-needed support to help maintain healthcare services for residents of Inyo County and surrounding rural communities. The grant was awarded through the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), which recently distributed funding to hospitals facing significant financial challenges and at risk of closure. Southern Inyo Healthcare District was one of only four hospitals statewide selected to receive funding through the highly competitive program. Assemblyman Tangipa worked closely with state off...

  IRS to offer Saturday hours at Taxpayer Assistance Centers May 30 IR-2026-67, May 27, 2026 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced it will offer Saturday hours at select Taxpayer Assistance Centers on May 30. TACs will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide in-person assistance on a range of tax issues at the following locations: - 212 Coffee Road, Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93309 - 2525 Capitol St., Fresno, CA 93721 - 300 N. Los Angeles St. Room 1259, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - 1301 Clay St., Suite 160S, Oakland, CA 94612 - 4330 Watt Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821  During this one-day event, TACs in multiple states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will offer many of their regular services. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov/SaturdayHours ahead of time to confirm participating locations and available services before heading to an office. TACs will offer most of their typical services during these hours. However, they will not acce...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 29, 2026 Contact: Austin Gilbert Email: austin.gilbert@asm.ca.gov Assemblyman David Tangipa’s AB 1560 Passes State Assembly   Clovis, CA — Today, Assemblyman David Tangipa (R-Clovis) announced the passage of AB 1560 through the California State Assembly, advancing legislation aimed at restoring integrity, accountability, and public trust in state government.   AB 1560 would prohibit individuals convicted of public corruption-related offenses from serving as registered lobbyists in California. The bill is designed to close a loophole that currently allows individuals convicted of crimes involving fraud, abuse of public office, and violations of public trust to return to influencing government policy after serving their sentence.   The legislation comes amid growing public frustration with corruption scandals and insider influence in Sacramento. “Californians are tired of a system where politically connected insiders can abuse the public trust and then...

Date: May 28, 2026 District: 9 - Bishop Contact: Byron Wolter Phone: (760) 937-2138   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Traffic Advisory for the Week of 6/1/2026 to 6/5/2026   EASTERN KERN, INYO, and MONO COUNTIES - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces the following project work and traffic impacts for the week of June 1 – June 5.   Work schedules are subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues.   New Traffic Impacts Eastern Kern County   ·    Tehachapi Pass Sweeping – On State Route 58 from the junction of State Route 202 to Bealeville Road there will be intermittent lane closures as maintenance crews sweep the roadway in both directions on Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.   Mono County   ·    Hot Creek Vegetation Work – On U.S. 395 from Hot Creek Hatchery Road to Sawmill Cutoff the northbound and southbound shoulders will close as crews perform shoulder veg...

Press Release and Calendar Notice   May 28, 2026   The Eastern Sierra United Methodist Church Celebrates Pride Month 2026 Get ready to celebrate! What better time to embody the Eastern Sierra United Methodist Church (UMC) slogan – Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. – than Pride Month in June? Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of God's creation and a chance to affirm our 2SLGBTQIAP+ family, friends, and neighbors and their right to live openly and authentically. While progress has been made, 2SLGBTQIAP+ people still face discrimination and violence in many parts of the world. The Eastern Sierra UMC advocates for 2SLGBTQIAP+ equality and stands in solidarity with those who are still fighting for their rights. Our church seeks to create a safe, welcoming, and affirming space that supports and celebrates the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community. The Eastern Sierra UMC invites all local 2SLGBTQIAP+ folks and allies of all beliefs to celebrate Pride Month with a stop by our vendor ta...