Archive - Jan 2013 - News Article
January 30th
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
This week, the Bishop City Council was split on how to select its fifth member and fill the seat vacated by Jeff Griffiths when he took his position as Second District Inyo County Supervisor at the beginning of the year.
Ultimately, the council decided to appoint the fourth highest vote-getter from the November election, but that motion was only approved to avoid a special election.
By
Marilyn Blake Philip/Register Correspondent
Owens Valley Medicare and Medi-Cal recipients, which comprise at least half of Northern Inyo Hospitalâs patients, can expect changes in the near future â changes in the way their health care is managed and, consequently, provided.
Following federal mandate, NIH is in initial negotiations with Renown Health, a Reno-based Accountable Care Organization, which could result in reduced Medicare claims by initiating a new payment and managed care structure.
January 29th
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
Police on Tuesday released surveillance photos of two men wanted in connection to last weekâs break-in at Holy Smoke Texas Barbecue in Bishop.
According to the Bishop Police Department, the two male subjects are being sought as suspects in the PDâs grand theft investigation stemming from a burglary at the Main Street eatery that occurred at about 2:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25.
The men appear to be African American male adults in their early- to mid-20s.
January 28th
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
As the state moves forward with its Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, local officials fear Inyo is identified mostly as a mitigation area for projects in other counties rather than its potential for solar, wind and geothermal energy potential.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors, last week, reviewed seven alternatives that have been developed for the DRECP, which identifies areas throughout the West that are suitable for renewable energy projects along with areas that are suitable for mitigation projects associated with large-scale renewable energy projects.
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
In a show of force, nearly 100 local, state and federal firefighters responded to a blaze southeast of Bishop this weekend to ensure high winds didnât drive the fire into local communities.
According to CalFire, the lead agency on the blaze, the fire broke out at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday south of Warm Springs Road and east of the Owens River.
CalFire Forester Glenn Barley said the cause of the 15-acre Spring Fire is still under investigation.
âThe fire was burning in medium brush with strong, 18 mile per hour winds, and low humidity (13 percent) helping to spread the flames,â Barley said.
By
Marilyn Blake Philip/Register Correspondent
Eastern Sierra health officials regard a recent tobacco survey as both flawed in areas and, in others, as indicative of changes for which to strive.
Both Inyo and Mono counties and the City of Bishop received overall F grades in all three categories of the American Lung Associationâs State of Tobacco Control 2013 â California Local Grades report. Mammoth Lakes fared better with an overall C, having failed in only one of the categories.
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
Police Chief Chris Carter has identified âa person of interestâ in the investigation into the theft of public funds from the Bishop welfare office.
According to Carter, his officers and the Inyo County District Attorneyâs Office executed a search warrant at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning at the home of Dondee Rossy, 46.
He said Rossy was not arrested as a result of the search warrantâs execution, nor have any charges been filed against her at this time.
January 25th
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
As the Bishop Police Department continues investigating allegations that a county employee embezzled taxpayer money from the local Health and Human Services welfare office, county officials refuse to comment on the employeeâs current employment status with the county.
County Counsel Randy Keller said Friday that he will not discuss if any action has been taken at the county level, citing Section 3.12 of the county personnel rules and regulations, which he says prohibits him from disclosing personnel information.
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
Local law enforcement launched dual investigations early Friday morning into the burglaries of Holy Smoke Texas Barbecue on Main Street in Bishop and the Chevron Station in Big Pine.
As of press time yesterday, it was unclear if the two incidents were related, but Bishop Police officials say they have promising information in regards to the Holy Smoke break-in. The Big Pine Chevron burglary is being investigated by the Inyo County Sheriffâs Department.
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
In a continued effort to unite the communities of Inyo County, bridge cultural differences and promote reading, the Inyo County Office of Education is launching its Fifth Annual Community Reads Program.
Inyo County Superintendent of Schools Terry McAteer announced this week that the 2013 program will revolve around the book âInto the Beautiful North,â by best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Urrea.
