Eastern Sierra News

Bishop, CA DMV Reduces Hours to Two Days a Week Bishop, CA — Starting in mid‑2024, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) implemented a revised schedule at the Bishop field office that significantly reduces the in‑office service days available to the public. As part of a statewide effort to improve efficiency and align in‑person services with customer demand, the Bishop DMV now operates only two to three days per week for public transactions, rather than the traditional five‑day schedule. New Service Schedule Under the DMV’s modified hours plan announced in June 2024, the Bishop office at 1115 West Line Street continues to provide essential services such as driver’s license processing, vehicle registration, and testing — but on a reduced public schedule. The office is open to the public primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with other weekdays closed for in‑office visits. On the days the DMV is closed to the public, staff focus on processing transact...

Steve Latshaw announced that the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine is launching a new weekly movie series inside the museum’s theater, beginning this Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The inaugural screenings will feature Audie Murphy in Showdown (1963) on February 7 and 8. Showdown is a classic Western that showcases Murphy in one of his most compelling roles, telling the story of a determined lawman caught in a tense battle of wits and will with an outlaw leader. Known for its strong performances, suspenseful storytelling, and rugged Western atmosphere, the film was filmed in the iconic Alabama Hills, just outside Lone Pine, a favorite location for countless Hollywood Westerns. The series invites the community and visitors alike to come enjoy a piece of the area’s rich cinematic heritage right where movie history was made. 🎬🤠 https://sierrawave.net/museum-of-western-film-history-in-lone-pine-is-launching-a-new-weekly-movie-series/

Kathy Jefferson Bancroft, a member of the Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone tribe, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of January 25, 2026. She was born in Lone Pine on August 27, 1954.   Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Barbara Morgan and Thomas Jefferson; her brother, Norman Jefferson; and her son, Harmey Bancroft. She is survived by her sister, Susan Jefferson Bobb; her sister, Sara Jefferson; her son, Franco Bancroft; her granddaughters, Rosalynn Bancroft and Raegan Littlefield; and her grandson Jesse Bancroft.   A cry dance will take place on February 14, 2026 at sunset at the Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Reservation Wellness Center, with burial to follow. A celebration of life will be held at 11 AM on February 15, 2026 at the Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Reservation Tribal Gym.   https://sierrawave.net/kathy-jefferson-bancroft-1954-2026/

The BUHS Broncos wrap up the regular season at home today against Rosamond. The Lady Broncos kick things off at 3 p.m., followed by the boys at 5 p.m. It’s also Senior Night, a chance to honor our seniors as they play their final home game. Come out and show your support for the Broncos and celebrate the class of seniors! https://sierrawave.net/buhs-broncos-wrap-up-regular-season-today-against-rosamond/

  Rep. Kiley Calls for Congressional Investigation into Massive Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in California WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) has formally requested the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into waste, fraud, and abuse involving public funds in the State of California. “Congress has a fundamental responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent lawfully and protected from criminal misuse,” Congressman Kiley said. “Unfortunately, California has repeatedly failed to safeguard public funds, with devastating consequences for taxpayers and for the most vulnerable people these programs are meant to help.” In the letter sent to Comptroller General Orice Williams Brown, Rep. Kiley highlighted a series of high-profile fraud cases demonstrating systemic failures in California’s oversight of public money. During the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment insurance fraud in California was estimated at $32.6 billion, leaving jo...

Chuck Negron, founding member and unmistakable lead voice of the legendary rock band Three Dog Night, has passed away at the age of 83. He died on Monday, February 2, 2026, at his home in Studio City, California, surrounded by family, following a battle with heart failure and complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). https://sierrawave.net/chuck-negron-passed-away-at-83/

Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - TUE FEB 03 2026 For now we bask in the sun, as a strong long-wave upper level ridge is completely in control over the Western US. As such, abnormally high daytime temps (for February) are in order. Bishop then, will be 70° today and Death Valley will be 80°. When will we see this dry pattern end? Possibly mid next week. We will have to wait and see how this pans out...DMATT Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 70 / 29 Big Pine: 69 / 33 Independence: 69 / 38 Lone Pine: 65 / 40 Olancha: 65 / 41 Mammoth Lakes: 54 / 28 Death Valley: 80 / 43 https://sierrawave.net/?p=101522

After Second Arrest Linked to Illegal Bio Labs, Rep. Kiley Urges Hearing on Bipartisan Public Health Bill WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) is urging Congress to take action on his legislation after the FBI investigated a home in Las Vegas for operating an illegal biological laboratory, which may be related to a Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-linked bio lab in Reedley, California. In response to the incident in Reedley, Reps. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), and David Valadao (R-CA) introduced the Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen federal oversight of highly pathogenic agents and high-containment laboratories and to protect Americans from public health and national security threats. Congressman Kiley is now calling for a hearing on the bill to prevent illegal laboratories from continuing to endanger communities. “This can’t keep happening,” said Congressman Kiley. “The federal go...

  Mammoth Lakes, CA – January 30, 2026 For Immediate Release Out of the ashes: A local community, and support from far beyond, rallies after the McGee Creek Pack Fire. Following the McGee Creek Pack Fire that ignited on November 13, 2025, near Crowley Lake in Mono County, the Mammoth Lakes community rallied to support those impacted by the fast-moving wildfire. While the fire did not directly burn within the Town of Mammoth Lakes, many of the people in the affected households work in Mammoth Lakes, or own and operate local businesses, and have children attending schools in town, creating a strong connection to the community. The day after the fire, on Friday, November 14, the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce activated the McGee Creek Pack Fire Relief Fund through its nonprofit arm, the Mammoth Community Foundation (MCF). MCF became the official, centralized hub for community support efforts and local resources on a dedicated webpage curated by Chamber staff. Within hours of launch...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 2, 2026 Contact: Sarah Hersh-Walker, sarah@fcpcommunications.com, 510-759-2921 Californians Invited to Nominate Their Favorite State Park for Hiking, Camping, and More   San Francisco, CA — Today, California State Parks Foundation announced it is accepting nominations for the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll. Californians are invited to share their favorite state parks across 12 categories, including the best parks for camping, hiking, birdwatching, family-friendly adventures, and more. This year’s poll also features two new categories — “Best State Park for Water Activities” and “Best State Park for Hidden Gem Experiences.”   “The ‘Best of California’s State Parks’ poll is a fun opportunity for Californians to share what they love about their state parks,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “With 280 state park units, there are so many different types of parks to explore in California, whether you’re ...

  Fueling with Food Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting of All American Dave's at Snowcreek Athletic Club last Monday – it was a great turn out. >>> Click here for Dave's website Build Local Connections Business After Hours heads to High Country Lumber’s Paint Studio in Mammoth (next to HCL) on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 5–7pm. Meet the team behind one of the Eastern Sierra’s employee-owned companies, connect with fellow business owners, enjoy a drink, and learn how High Country Lumber supports local projects and partnerships across our community. >>> Click here to register Community on the Move Make a midweek road trip to Bishop for the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting of United Way of Central Eastern California’s new office on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 10am. Help celebrate, and learn how United Way brings donors, volunteers, and partners together to support education, health, and economic resilience in Mono and Inyo counties...

Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster   Synopsis - MON FEB 02 2026   High pressure has re-established itself over our area. So mostly sunny skies and warming temperatures are in order this week. How warm will it get in Bishop? How about 70° on Wednesday. And that my friends is 14° above normal. And what about a high temp for Mammoth? How about 54°! So we continue to be stuck in a dry pattern, which has been with us most of the Winter...DMATT   Area Wide Temperatures Today:   Bishop: 69 / 30 Big Pine: 68 / 33 Independence: 69 / 36 Lone Pine: 65 / 40 Olancha: 66 / 40 Mammoth Lakes: 49 / 28 Death Valley: 79 / 42 https://sierrawave.net/dennis-mattinson-sierra-atmospheric-february-2nd/

February 1, 2026 The Narrative You Don’t Control Why Consistency Matters More Than Control in Leadership When I began my journey leading schools, I knew people watched the leader. What I didn’t realize was how much they watched. And analyzed. And interpreted. And then applied their own meanings to everything. About ten years ago, I had a secretary who referred to this behavior as “meaning making.” I was fortunate—she was a remarkably bright woman who could break things down instantly and hand them back in a way anyone could understand. That ability always inspired me. She was quick, insightful, and usually right. Her phrase gave language to something I was experiencing but hadn’t yet fully understood. Early on, I assumed people paid about as much attention to leaders as I paid attention to leaders myself—not much at all. That assumption was wrong. Very wrong. There are far more eyes on the leader than most people realize. There are far more voices in the leader’s ear than anyone im...