Eastern Sierra News

CLERK - RECORDER - ELECTIONS INYO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Did You Know... Early election results are not available until 8pm on Election Night, after voting is closed? While voters may return mailed ballots early, the results of those ballots are not known or reported until after polls close. The first results report will be posted on 6/02/26 at 8 p.m. and will include all early mailed ballots that have been processed. Additional updates will be posted throughout Election Night as in-person ballots are counted. This is not the end of the process. Mailed ballots received on Election Day, or mailed by Election Day, will continue to be processed for a week afterward, as required by law. Inyo County Elections Danielle Sexton Registrar of Voters https://sierrawave.net/clerk-recorder-elections-inyo-county-california/

INYO AND MONO COUNTY Offices of Emergency Management FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2026 CONTACT: Lisa Cox lcox@inyocounty.us (760) 915-0060 Inyo & Mono Counties, Southern California Edison to host Wildfire Safety Community Meeting on May 14 Inyo and Mono counties’ Offices of Emergency Management, in coordination with Southern California Edison (SCE), will host a community meeting both in-person and online via Microsoft Teams to discuss SCE’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), and general updates about the recently completed and upcoming work being done to reduce wildfire risk and help minimize the number of customers affected. The workshop is scheduled Thursday, May 14, from 6- 7:30 p.m. You may join: In person: Via Microsoft Teams: Clint G. Quilter Consolidated Office Building, 1360 N. Main St., Bishop, CA, Suite 100 Join Webinar Meeting ID: 298 378 352 438 727 Passcode: Zq98UJ9s Customers will learn about: - SCE Meteorology &...

Crowley Fish Foundation Hosts Fishing Trip for Local Youth on Crowley Lake On May 9, 2026, the Crowley Fish Foundation (“CFF”) chalked up yet another successful kids fishing event. This time though the Foundation wasn’t the only organization supporting the youth. The sunny morning on the blue waters on Crowley Lake was an all-community event supported in part by a grant from the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, which provided CFF with financial support for the rental of pontoon boats. Eleven Mammoth-area kids spent half a day on the waters of Crowley Lake under the supervision and instruction of eight CFF adult volunteers. The future anglers ranged in ages from seven to eighteen. The volunteers were composed of CFF board members and volunteers, including some Southern California residents who traveled up for the weekend to assist with the program. The morning on the water was inclusive and representative of all types of fishing. Some kids caught trout while trolling, as others st...

A Historic Moment: Two New Fire Engines to Protect the Swall Meadows Community and the Eastern Sierra Swall Meadows will be safer thanks to two new fire engines that will replace two older engines in the Wheeler Crest Fire Protection District (FPD) fleet. The new engines – one optimized for structure fires (the “first out” or primary response engine) and the other for brush/wildfires - offer expanded capabilities and greatly enhanced reliability compared to the outdated engines they are replacing. Both feature all-wheel drive, numerous upgraded features, and increased capabilities (road handling, water availability, etc.) for local response. Combined with another engine and a water tender already in the fleet, these engines will allow the Department to respond even more effectively to fires, floods, or any other emergencies in the community and throughout the state. Thanks to these two new engines, two reliable fire apparatus will remain available in the Swall Meadows community when ...

Mammoth Community Water District Notice of Public Hearing Regarding the Intent to Adopt the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan The Mammoth Community Water District (District) will be holding a public hearing regarding its draft 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) at 5:30 p.m. on May 21, 2026, at the District office, 1315 Meridian Blvd., Mammoth Lakes, California 93546. The purpose of the UWMP is to ensure that the water supplier has an appropriate level of water supply reliability sufficient to meet the needs of its customers during normal, dry, and five consecutive dry years within a 20-year planning horizon. The UWMP describes water supply, water demand, and specific measures implemented to reduce water usage. The Urban Water Management Plan must be updated and adopted every five years. The public is invited to provide comments during the hearing in person at the District office or by the remote attendance methods provided below. For members of the public interested in viewing an...

Mammoth Community Water District Notice of Public Hearing Regarding the Intent to Adopt the 2026 Water Shortage Contingency Plan The Mammoth Community Water District (District) will be holding a public hearing regarding its draft 2026 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) at 5:30 p.m. on May 21, 2026, at the District office, 1315 Meridian Blvd., Mammoth Lakes, California 93546. The draft 2026 WSCP provides measures for conserving water when the District water supply is in a shortage condition due to drought or other emergencies. The public is invited to provide comments during the hearing in person at the District office or by the remote attendance methods provided below. For members of the public interested in viewing and having the ability to comment at the public hearing via Zoom, an internet-enabled computer equipped with a microphone and speaker or a mobile device with a data plan is required. Use of a webcam is optional. You also may call in to the hearing using teleconferen...

News Release Mammoth Community Water District PO Box 597, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 760-934-2596 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2026 CONTACT: Michael Draper Water District Plans Available for Review The Mammoth Community Water District's Draft 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and 2026 Water Shortage Contingency Plan updates are available for review and comment. Mammoth Lakes, California – The Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) invites interested stakeholders to review and provide comments on a 20-year water supply outlook plan for the Town of Mammoth Lakes (Town). The intention of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) is to ensure the availability of adequate reliable water supplies for the Town’s forecasted buildout. The UWMP discusses current and potential future water supplies and demands and actions to be taken in response to future drought conditions. The District will also update the existing Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) for consistency with the 202...

Media Contact: Region 5 Media Desk SM.FS.MediaDeskR5@usda.gov Fuels reduction and forest health thinning ramps up in May Expect temporary forest closures for public safety (Bishop, CA, May 11, 2026) — Inyo National Forest and its vegetation implementation partners — Caltrans, California Deer Association, National Forest Foundation, and Whitebark Institute — will ramp up operations for hand and mechanical thinning treatments starting mid-May on approximately 2,400 acres in the Mammoth Lakes and June Lake areas. Thinning is designed to reduce hazardous fuels and tree density and to improve wildfire resilience and forest health as part of these planning projects: Eastern Sierra Climate and Community Resilience Project, Three Creeks Jeffrey Pine Forest Health and Restoration Project, Inyo Craters Area Bark Beetle Mortality Hazard Abatement Project, Reds Meadow Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, and June Mountain Ski Area Vegetation Management Plan. Visitors should expect temporar...

Bishop Union Varsity Baseball Move Up In Rankings https://sierrawave.net/bishop-union-varsity-baseball-move-up-in-rankings/

🌟 Friday Night Market in Downtown Bishop! 🌟 Get ready for a night of food, music, and local shopping! Join us for the next Friday Night Market as we kick off the season. 📅 Event Details - When: May 15, 2026 - Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM - Where: Academy Street in Downtown Bishop 🎶 Entertainment & Drinks - Live Music: Performance by the Harry Andreas Band - The Bar: Hosted by Amigos Mexican Restaurant - Specialty: Don’t forget to grab a signature Market Margarita at the Amigos booth! 🚗 Parking Information Please use the designated Market parking located behind Academy on Church Street. Sponsored by: City of Bishop & CASA of the Eastern Sierra #FridayNightMarket #DowntownBishop #BishopCA #LiveMusic #HarryAndreasBand #AmigosMexicanRestaurant #MarketMargarita #ShopLocal #VisitBishop #SummerNights #CommunityEvent #EasternSierra #SupportLocal #CASA #CityOfBishop https://sierrawave.net/friday-night-market-in-downtown-bishop/

From May 10th through May 16th, 2026, we recognize National Law Enforcement Week and take time to honor the deputies and law enforcement professionals who serve our communities every day. This week is not only about recognition, but about sincere gratitude for the commitment, sacrifice, and personal risk carried by those who wear the badge. Their service often extends beyond what is seen and is shared by the families who stand behind them. We are deeply appreciative of the dedication shown by our Inyo County Sheriff’s Office deputies and all law enforcement personnel. Your professionalism, resilience, and willingness to serve others—even in the most difficult moments do not go unnoticed. We also pause to remember and honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their legacy is carried forward in the work that continues each day. We invite our community to join us in recognizing and showing appreciation for those who dedicate themselves to serving and protecti...

Families and community members gathered Friday evening, May 8, at Whiskey Creek for the 1st Annual State Preschool Programs Art Show, celebrating the creativity and accomplishments of local preschool students. The event featured a red carpet runway along with an impressive art show displaying projects created throughout the year by students from the Inyo County Office of Education State Preschool Programs and Bishop Indian Head Start. Participating schools included WYSP – Wonder Years State Preschool, RVSP – Round Valley State Preschool, BSP – Bishop State Preschool, and LESP – Little Explorers State Preschool. Children attending the event received swag bags filled with cookies from Erick Schat's Bakkery, playdough, sunglasses, and coupons donated by local businesses. Organizers thanked the many volunteers, families, and community supporters who helped make the evening a success. Please click through to see the beautiful pictures. IMG_5373 #InyoCounty #Presch...

Have Questions? You still have time to register for today’s Nonprofit Coalition meeting from 4-5pm at Cerro Coso. Hear an update on the proposed Eastern Sierra Community Foundation effort, ask questions, and share feedback directly with one of their team. We will also look at other fundraising opportunities. >>> Click here to register What's the Plan Forward? Next Tuesday, May 19, head to the Warming Hut for a Power Lunch with AltaOne Federal Credit Union. Hear why AltaOne continues investing in Mammoth and the Eastern Sierra, what business services are available locally, and more. Financial Advisor Keith Galicia will also touch on strategies for business wealth management and planning ahead. A worthwhile lunch for those thinking beyond just day-to-day operations. >>> Click here for more info and register Soak Up Spring With the weather warming up, this Business After Hours on Tuesday, May 26 from 5–7pm is a good excuse to get outside, catch up with people, and ...

May 09, 2026

The "Port-Stranded" 16TB SSD: A Digital Trojan Horse in Your Pocket BISHOP, CA — If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve likely seen the ad: a sleek, 16-terabyte portable SSD, supposedly "stranded at the port" due to unforeseen legal issues and now selling for the "price of a chocolate bar." At $46.99, it looks like the deal of a lifetime. But tech experts and cybersecurity analysts are sounding the alarm: these devices aren't just a waste of money—they are a direct threat to your digital identity. The Math Doesn’t Add Up In the current hardware market, high-capacity storage is at a premium. As of May 2026, a legitimate 16TB M.2 NVMe SSD retails for nearly $16,000. Even more common 4TB external drives from reputable brands like Samsung or SanDisk rarely drop below $300 and because of the need for chips for AI, prices for 4TB SanDisk are hovering around a $1,000. The "stranded at the port" narrative is a class...

NORTHERN INYO HEALTHCARE DISTRICT Board of Directors’ Finance Committee Meeting Date and Time: May 12, 2026 at 8:00 am Location: 150 Pioneer Lane, Bishop CA 93514 Meeting Access: - Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/s/86114057527 - Webinar ID: 861 1405 7527 - Passcode: 898843 - Phone Connection: (669) 444-9171 or (253) 215-8782 Vision, Mission, and Values - Mission: Strong Stewardship * Ethical Oversight * Eternal Local Access - Values: Integrity * Innovate Vision * Stewardship * Teamwork - Vision Statement: To be an energized, high performing advocate for the communities we serve, our patients and our staff. The board governs with an eye on the future of health care and its effects on the District and patient care. The Board is committed to continuous evaluation, dedication to our mission, and improvements as a board. Agenda - Call to Order at 8:00 am. - Public Comment: * Limited to items listed on this Notice. - Speakers limited to 3 mi...

NORTHERN INYO HEALTHCARE DISTRICT Board of Directors’ Governance Committee Meeting Date: May 12, 2026 at 2:00 pm Location: 150 Pioneer Lane (In-person) or via Zoom Vision, Mission, and Values - Vision Statement: To be an energized, high performing advocate for the communities we serve, our patients and our staff. The board governs with an eye on the future of health care and its effects on the District and patient care. The Board is committed to continuous evaluation, dedication to our mission, and improvements as a board. - Mission: Strong Stewardship * Ethical Oversight * Eternal Local Access - Values: Integrity * Innovate Vision * Stewardship * Teamwork Connection Information - Zoom Link: https://us06web.web.zoom.us/s/86114057527 - Webinar ID: 861 1405 7527 - Passcode: 898843 - Phone Connection: (669) 444-9171 or (253) 215-8782 Agenda - Call to Order at 2:00 pm - Public Comment: Members of the audience may speak only on items listed on this ...

Date: May 8, 2026 District: 9 - Bishop Contact: Michael Lingberg Phone: (760) 920-0280 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Manzanar Pavement Project to Begin Construction What you need to know: The Manzanar Pavement Project will go into construction on Monday, May 11, in and around the town of Independence, and drivers can expect delays. INYO COUNTY — Construction on the $57.1 million Manzanar Pavement Project will commence Monday, May 11 in and around the town of Independence. This project will repave 44 lane miles of pavement on U.S. 395 from approximately 2.5 miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site Visitor Center, through the town of Independence, to 0.3 miles north of Fish Hatchery Road near the Fort Independence Reservation. Other features of the project include: · A pedestrian-activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon with a mast arm at Market Street, · Pedestrian sidewalk bulbouts at various locations within Independence, · New traffic sig...

Forest Service News Release Contact: Kirstie Butler (760) 920-7149 kirstie.butler@usda.gov Inyo National Forest continues prescribed fires Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work (Bishop, CA, May 8, 2026)— Inyo National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this Friday, pending all required approvals. Crews will be igniting a project area located south of the South June Lake Junction, near Wilson Butte. We estimate this work to be completed by early next week as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires. Prescribed fires planned for the area include: - Hartley 1020 RX Fire (68 Acres) This project is located close to Highway 395. Caltrans will be implementing a lane closure in the prescribed burn area for driver and firefighter safety. The lane closure will begin at 0700 on Saturday May 9th and last ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2026 CONTACT: Jason Scalese Wildfire Defense Breakthrough: Senator Alvarado-Gil’s SB 1084 Advances to Protect Rural California Homes SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) announced that SB 1084, the “Fire Safe Home Tax Credits Act” advanced unanimously out of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. SB 1084 is a cornerstone of the Wildfire Risk Reduction and Insurance Affordability bill package that delivers a practical, fiscally responsible tool to protect lives, homes, and entire communities from the growing threat of wildfires, especially in rural Senate District 4. Chief of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District Tim Cordero had this to say on the Senator’s bill package. “I'm proud to support the wildfire risk reduction and affordability package, particularly the bills that empower residents to protect their homes.” SB 1084 creates a targeted tax credit that makes proven wildfire prevention measures affordabl...

Rep. Kiley Statement Following Virginia Supreme Court Decision on Redistricting Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kiley Rep. Kiley Statement Following Virginia Supreme Court Decision on Redistricting Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kiley (I-CA) issued the following statement following the Virginia Supreme Court's decision invalidating the newly gerrymandered congressional map. "I am glad Virginia will continue to have fair district lines, just as I applauded the decision by Indiana Republicans not to undertake a mid-decade gerrymander. No one is 'winning' the redistricting war. Our democracy is losing. We need independent redistricting and fair representation in every state." Kiley has introduced H.R. 4889 to prohibit mid-decade redistricting. The measure is co-sponsored by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN), and the policy was recently endorsed by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Polling shows voters favor the bill by a 3-to-1 margin. ### #KevinKiley, #Redist...

May 6, 2026 For immediate release SIHD Regular Meeting On May 12, 2026 at 4:30 pm, the Southern Inyo Healthcare District Board of Directors will hold a Regular Meeting at 501 E. Locust Street in Lone Pine. A teleconference number will be available. The agenda will be available on the SIHD website www.sihd.org. The district encourages citizens to attend board meetings to stay updated on important community issues. https://sierrawave.net/sihd-regular-meeting-3/

Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - FRI MAY 08 2026 Today, a strong ridge of high pressure, from the EPAC, extending North towards the Alaskan peninsula, brings us considerable warming. By next Monday we will see near record temps (for this time of year); 95° in Bishop, 76° in Mammoth, and 115° in Death Valley. Moderate Heat Risk is likely on Monday in the Owens Valley. Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 87 / 46 Big Pine: 88 / 51 Independence: 89 / 57 Lone Pine: 89 / 61 Olancha: 92 / 61 Mammoth Lakes: 71 / 42 Death Valley: 110 / 77 https://sierrawave.net/?p=104054

🟣 BUHS Track & Field – HDL Championship Meet Recap 🏃‍♂️ BOYS HIGHLIGHTS 🔥 In the 1600m: • (Jr.) Tyler Norcross placed 3rd with a time of 5:07.35 🔥 In the 3200m: • (So.) Cuinn Green captured 1st place and became the new HDL Champion with a time of 11:34.40 • (Jr.) Tyler Norcross finished 3rd with a time of 11:40.94 “Honestly, the boys 3200m was probably one of the most exciting races of the entire meet.” — Coach Miears 🔥 The boys 4x100 relay battled through a rough handoff but still placed 2nd overall with a time of 45.88. Relay Team: • (So.) Brady Johnson • (Sr.) Carlos Sualez • (Fr.) Oscar Henriquez • (So.) Hunter Dailey 🥏 Shot Put: • (So.) Wyatt Miears took 1st place and became the HDL Champion with a winning throw of 44’7” • (Sr.) Carlos Sualez placed 3rd with a throw of 40’10” 🥏 Discus: • (So.) Wyatt Miears took 1st place and became the HDL Champion with a throw of 155’5” • (Sr.) Tavian Davis finished 2nd with a throw of 117’1” (So.) Wyatt Miears co...

Date: May 7, 2026 District: 9 - Bishop Contact: Michael Lingberg Phone: (760) 920-0280 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Traffic Advisory for the Week of 5/11/2026 to 5/15/2026 EASTERN KERN, INYO, and MONO COUNTIES - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces the following project work and traffic impacts for the week of May 11 – May 15. 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 · Boron Utility Work – On State Route 58 from Gephart Road to the Boron Safety Roadside Rest Areas, the shoulders will close in both directions while utility crews replace underground infrastructure. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. · Mojave Chip Sealing – On State Route 14 from Silver Queen Road to the southern junction of Business Route 58, crews will seal cracks in the roadway Tuesday through...