Eastern Sierra News

Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis "Matt" Mattinson / Weather & Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - MON JUN 01 2026 Whoa! It's June 01. Where the heck did May go? Our unseasonably cool low has exited the area, resulting in a quick warm-up to seasonable values today. Breezes become light and dry weather will prevail. A quasi-zonal flow sets up for the upcoming work week, keeping storm systems locked to our North and South (for now). This will promote additional warming and quiet weather. So by Thursday, Bishop will hit 94°...MATT Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 88 / 51 Big Pine: 88 / 55 Independence: 88 / 61 Lone Pine: 89 / 64 Olancha: 89 / 65 Mammoth Lakes: 69 / 44 Death Valley: 110 / 81 https://sierrawave.net/weather-atmospheric-forecast-june-1st/

  Inyo County Leaders Thank Senator Alvarado-Gil’s Advocacy for $400,000 Southern Inyo Healthcare Grant Sacramento, CA – Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil today announced that Southern Inyo Healthcare District has received a $400,000 emergency grant from the state’s Distressed Hospital Grant Program under AB 108, highlighting her strong advocacy on behalf of rural healthcare in Senate District 4.   The grant, administered by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), provides one-time emergency relief to financially distressed hospitals. Southern Inyo Healthcare District was one of only four hospitals statewide selected to receive funding, a direct result of Senator Alvarado-Gil’s focused efforts to support rural healthcare infrastructure delivering one of her key goals for 2026.   "I want to thank HCAI for their important investment and for understanding how critical it is to keep healthcare available right here in our communities. Southern Inyo Healthcare D...

  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...

Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - FRI MAY 29 2026 After a chance of showers in our Forecast Area Thursday, drier and cool weather will linger into the start of the weekend, as our low begins to shift East. Thereafter, the tail end of May and start of June, we get our Spring warm up in earnest. By the middle of next week (Wednesday), temps jump up to 93° in Bishop, 70° in Mammoth and 117° in Death Valley...DMATT Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 73 / 41 Big Pine: 73 / 46 Independence: 75 / 52 Lone Pine: 73 / 53 Olancha: 77 / 55 Mammoth Lakes: 49 / 33 Death Valley: 93 / 72 https://sierrawave.net/sierra-atmospheric-forecast-may-29th/

PUBLIC NOTICE 05/28/2026 Southern Inyo Healthcare District Board of Directors The June 2nd Finance Committee Meeting Is canceled. The district encourages citizens to attend board meetings to stay updated on important community issues. https://sierrawave.net/sihd-june-2nd-finance-committee-meeting-is-canceled/

Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - THU MAY 28 2026 Snow levels will run about 7K feet today, with measurable snow still expected today over our highest peaks. Expect 1 - 4 inches of new snow over Mammoth Mountain. Look for scattered showers to more persistent shower activity at the lower elevations. By Friday thru the weekend the low departs and temps will rebound, with lingering chances of precipitation North of I-80. Further warming is expected for early next week...DMATT Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 66 / 37 Big Pine: 65 / 42 Independence: 66 / 45 Lone Pine: 65 / 45 Olancha: 68 / 47 Mammoth Lakes: 43 / 33 Death Valley: 89 / 68 https://sierrawave.net/sierra-atmospheric-forecast-may-28th/

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2026 CONTACT: Jason Scalese   Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil Stands Shoulder-to-Shoulder with California Law Enforcement Votes “NO” on Four Dangerous Anti-Public Safety Bills     SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) delivered a powerful message of unwavering support for California’s law enforcement officers by casting strong “NO” votes against four bills that would have tied the hands of police, undermined critical partnerships, weakened prosecutions, and restricted essential tools needed to keep our communities safe.   SB 1105: A Dangerous Assault on Joint Task Forces and Public Safety Senator Alvarado-Gil’s opposition was unequivocal and rooted in direct conversations with the law enforcement community she proudly stands beside.   “I stand alongside the California Police Chiefs Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, and the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) in flagging this legislat...

COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGE IN INYO COUNTY A fiber optic line has been severed between Ridgecrest and Independence, impacting multiple areas throughout Inyo County. Some areas are currently experiencing disruptions to cell service and internet connectivity. At this time, 911 phone calls are down in affected areas. Text to 911 is still operational. For emergencies, please call: 760-878-0383 and select Option 1. Frontier is actively working to redirect 911 calls and restore communications services as quickly as possible. Please avoid unnecessary calls while systems are impacted and continue to monitor official updates from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.   https://sierrawave.net/communications-outage-in-inyo-county/

​🎸 Tri-Tip & Tunes 🎸 ​Presented by Young Life Eastern Sierra ​Enjoy a night of delicious food and great music at the park! Each ticket includes a full tri-tip dinner and live entertainment. ​When: Saturday, May 30th ​Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM ​Where: Front of Bishop City Park ​🎤 Live Music Lineup ​Phillip Allen ​Sandy Anderson & Mark Flippin ​Local High School Artists ​🎟️ Ticket Information ​Adults: $30 ​Children: $20 ​🔗 Get Your Tickets ​You can scan the QR code in the image or visit the registration link directly here: https://ca47.younglife.events/tri-tip-and-tunes https://sierrawave.net/young-life-presents-%f0%9f%8e%b8-tri-tip-tunes-%f0%9f%8e%b8/

  Waterbath Canning Workshop What we will teach ~ How to make jam ~ Waterbath canning techniques ~ Recipes for berry and other fruit jams   Saturday May 30, 2026   TIme: 10:00am - 12:00pm Location: 975 Teya Rd Lone pine, CA 93545   To Register   Click this link to register   or follow the link below   https://link.ucanr.edu/jamworkshop https://sierrawave.net/104508-2/

Area Forecast Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Weather & Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - WED MAY 27 2026 Much cooler temperatures expected thru Thursday, with highs 15 - 20 degress below average. Gusty winds today with showers likely today and Thursday in the Owens Valley. Along with this, light snow is expected over Mammoth Main today and Thursday as well, with 4 - 6 inches possible over the highest peaks and passes of the Sierra (Sonora, Tioga and Mammoth Mountain). Rebounding temps Friday and over the upcoming weekend...DMATT Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 67 / 36 Big Pine: 66 / 41 Independence: 66 / 44 Lone Pine: 65 / 45 Olancha: 70 / 46 Mammoth Lakes: 43 / 30 Death Valley: 89 / 66 https://sierrawave.net/weather-atmospheric-forecast-may-27th/

  Rep. Kiley Statement Following South Carolina State Senate Vote on Redistricting Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kiley (I-CA) issued the following statement following the South Carolina State Senate's vote blocking an effort to redraw the state's congressional map. “I applaud legislators in South Carolina for defeating an effort to redraw the state's congressional lines for partisan gain. Yet several other states are moving forward with gerrymanders for the 2026 and 2028 cycles. Congress must put an end to this mayhem. My legislation will stop this race to the bottom, and I call on all my House colleagues to support it.” Rep. Kiley has introduced H.R. 4889 to prohibit mid-decade redistricting. The measure is co-sponsored by Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN). House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently suggested he supports the policy. Polling shows voters favor the bill by a 3-to-1 margin. ### https://sierrawave.net/104497-2/

May 26, 2026 Due to high winds in the Bishop area, the Bishop-Sunland Landfill is closing for the rest of the day for the safety of the public and onsite staff. Strong wind conditions create unsafe operating environments and increase the risk of blowing debris. Please do not attempt to enter the facility until further notice. We will reopen as soon as conditions improve and it is safe to resume operations. For updates, please call Solid Waste at 760-873-7191 Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our community safe. https://sierrawave.net/public-service-announcement-bishop-sunland-landfill-temporary-closure-high-winds/

  https://sierrawave.net/nws-winds-and-light-showers-wednesday-and-thursday/

  Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Weather & Atmospheric Forecaster   Synopsis - MON MAY 25 2026 - MEMORIAL DAY   Warmer than average temps persist today on Memorial Day, with a slight change of T-storms. By Tuesday / Wednesday, gusty winds will signal the approach of an incoming cold core closed low, dropping colder Canadian air into our area. By Wednesday we will see below normal temps and chances of snow showers in Mammoth (snow levels down to ~8,500 feet) and rain showers in the Owens Valley. The Sierra Crest should see 2 - 6 inches of new snow. That cold air will hang around thru Friday...DMATT   Area Wide Temperatures Today:   Bishop: 89 / 47 Big Pine: 87 / 52 Independence: 88 / 57 Lone Pine: 87 / 60 Olancha: 90 / 60 Mammoth Lakes: 66 / 41 Death Valley: 108 / 78 https://sierrawave.net/dennis-mattinson-weather-atmospheric-forecaster/

Bishop Union sophomore Wyatt Miears is headed to the California State Championships after an outstanding performance at the Central Section Masters Championships held Saturday, May 23, at Buchanan High School. Coming into the meet as the 4th seed in a field of 18 of the top discus throwers in the CIF Central Section, Wyatt started strong with throws over 180 feet in the opening rounds and found himself sitting in 1st place early in the competition. After advancing to finals and earning three additional throws, Wyatt delivered when it mattered most. On his final attempt, he launched a throw of 184 feet, 3 inches, finishing 3rd overall and securing his spot at the California State Championships. One funny moment from the meet — many of the athletes competing against Wyatt had never even heard of Bishop, California, and were shocked to learn his school has only around 600 students. Despite coming from a small town, Wyatt continues proving he belongs among the best throwers in the state. W...

Vision To Learn Helps Students See at School in Rural Mono and Inyo Counties ​School-based mobile eye care provider Vision To Learn provides rural students in California’s Eastern Sierra with free eye exams and glasses since 2015 More than 1,400 kids provided with glasses to-date ​MAMMOTH, CA – For students in Mammoth, CA, getting an eye examination is no easy matter. The closest optometrist’s office is in Lake Tahoe, a nearly three-hour drive away. This leaves families with no easy option to bring their children for their recommended annual eye exam. ​Since 2015, Vision To Learn has worked to bring vision care directly to children, in Mammoth, Bishop, and smaller communities in California’s Mono and Inyo Counties. The nonprofit charity uses mobile vision clinics – an optometrist’s office on wheels – to reach students in communities where poverty or rural distance makes it difficult for many students to get the glasses they need to succeed in school. ​“More than 3 million chi...

  ​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 22, 2026 Contact: Austin Gilbert Email: austin.gilbert@asm.ca.gov ​Assemblyman Tangipa Applauds Introduction of Congressman Vince Fong’s CAL Repayment Act ​Clovis, CA — Today, Assemblyman David Tangipa announced his support for the Creating Accountability in Loan (CAL) Repayment Act, introduced by Congressman Vince Fong, legislation aimed at restoring accountability for California’s unemployment insurance debt and protecting taxpayers and employers from the consequences of state mismanagement. ​The CAL Repayment Act would require states with outstanding federal unemployment insurance loans, including California, to prioritize repayment of those debts before using future flexible federal funds for other purposes. The legislation comes as California remains the only state in the nation with outstanding federal UI debt, now exceeding $18 billion. ​Assemblyman Tangipa expressed strong support for the measure, stating: ​“California families, farmers, and small...

Area Forecast Discussion Owens Valley / Mammoth Lakes / Mono County / Death Valley Dennis Mattinson / Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster Synopsis - FRI MAY 22 2026 Save for a chance of showers and t-storms along the Sierra front from cumulus build ups, the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday Weekend looks really nice. There's a high chance of 89° in Bishop and 69° in Mammoth on Sunday. Also expect seasonal wind patterns, with light winds in the AM and upslope breezes 10 - 20 mph in the PM...DMATT Area Wide Temperatures Today: Bishop: 87 / 48 Big Pine: 86 / 54 Independence: 86 / 59 Lone Pine: 86 / 61 Olancha: 90 / 63 Mammoth Lakes: 66 / 43 Death Valley: 109 / 78 https://sierrawave.net/dennis-mattinson-sierra-atmospheric-forecast-may-22nd/

    Date: May 21, 2026 District: 9 - Bishop Contact: Michael Lingberg Phone: (760) 920-0280   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Traffic Advisory for the Week of 5/25/2026 to 5/29/2026   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 25 – May 29.   There will be no work on the state highway system on Monday, May 25, due to Memorial Day.   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 Utility Work – On State Route 58 from Bealville Road to Hart Flat Road, utility crews will work in the shoulders in both directions on Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.   Inyo County   ·    Lone Pine Sidewalks Project – On U.S. 395 in Lone Pine, the outside lane and shoulders in both directions will close while crews buil...