The 2020 Tri-County Fair has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

CEO, Jen McGuire discussed how the Inyo County Public Health Department believed it would not be best to host the fair this year due to the State of California not allowing any mass gatherings.

McGurie also says that she has tried to find a solution when it comes to hosting the fair, but it was just not possible.

“We have tried different ideas, and I have laid awake each night to see if we can do a virtual fair, or an open market, or anything possible to try and make work. Unfortunately it is just not going to happen with our numbers continuing to rise, and  COVID numbers will continue to rise for the next two to three weeks. I have to tell you cancelling fair was something that we kind of all knew was coming, but it is just sad that it actually is happening. We have tried everything we possibly could to make it happen,” McGuire said.

July 28th, 2020 – Inyo County – The Bishop Paiute Tribe is experiencing low water pressure reservation wide due to the high demand of water usage and minimal storage and pumping capacity.

The Bishop Paiute Reservation has six drinking water wells with two wells each located at PaMe Lane, Tibec Lane, and Siebu Lane. Currently three out of six wells are inoperable. With the temperatures rising, and more community members staying home due to the COVID-19 pandemic the water usage has gone up significantly.

The Public Works Department is working hard to secure funding and contracts to make the needed repairs and replacements for inoperable pumps and motors of the three wells. It is of highest priority to ensure our community has continuous safe drinking water.

The following restrictions apply to all residential, commercial, non-profit and Tribal entities. No use of the domestic water for any water users is allowed on Mondays. Even numbered addresses may water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 5:00am-10:00am and 5:00pm-10:00pm . Odd numbered addresses only water on Wednesday Friday and Sunday from 5:00am-10:00am and 5:00pm-10:00pm.These restrictions will be strictly enforced until further notice. The only exception to consider under these regulations is you may water any gardens and fruit trees as needed as long as it is not excessive. We encourage those that have access to irrigation or creeks to utilize those resources. If you have any questions or would like to report any violators, please do not hesitate to contact the Public Works office at 760-873-6638. We thank you for your cooperation in joining the team of conservation.

Updates will be available to the public as they occur on KBPT-LP 96.1fm at the top of the hour for breaking information and at 8am, 11am, 6pm and 11pm for cumulative information.

June Marie Wilkins passed away peacefully on July 24, 2020 at the age of 86. She is survived by her Husband Grayden Wilkins of 42 years, Her son Kenneth James Brion Jr, her daughters Debra Ann Perilman and Diane Kathleen Wickens, Diane’s husband Perry Graham Wickens,her Stepson Brian Wilkins and Brian’s wife Kim, her Grandchildren Alex and Heather Perilman,Graham, Maxwell, Jack, and Cole Wickens, and Joey Wilkins. She is also survived by 3 great grandchildren, Averey Jane Wickens, Harper Olivia Wickens and Oliver Jackson Wickens.

June lived a full life, raising children and an impressive career in school bus transportation. June loved living in Big Pine California where she was an active member of the community. June and Grayden enjoyed fishing, hiking, being outdoors and going to Church at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

A graveside service will be held Friday, August 7, 2020 at 9:00 am at West Line Street Cemetery.(Also known as Pioneer Cemetery) 198 Pioneer Lane, Bishop, California, 93514

Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County Public Health Officer, issued an Order on August 11, 2020 that supersedes and replaces the June 18, 2020 Health Officer Order regulating lodging within the Town of Mammoth Lakes. This Order does not apply to unincorporated areas of Mono County.

The new Order imposes new requirements on lodging facilities within the Town of Mammoth Lakes that emphasizes existing State requirements for the protection of visitors and residents (including the hospitality workforce).

The new requirements shall apply to all occupancies beginning August 24, 2020, regardless of when reservations were made, and shall remain in effect until April 30, 2021, unless modified, repealed, or extended.

Within the Town of Mammoth Lakes, the new requirements were imposed to better manage the pace of local visitation, ensure the health and safety of both lodging guests and hospitality staff by adhering to State-mandated cleaning standards for lodging facilities and to preserve the region’s limited healthcare capacity.

Hotels and Condo/Hotels 

• Occupancy levels shall be reduced from 75% to 70% of capacity over a 7-day period extending from Monday through Sunday of each week. This requirement shall apply to all occupancies beginning August 24, 2020, regardless of when reservations were made.
• In accordance with State requirements applicable to the lodging industry, all bedding and linens shall be laundered between each occupancy, without exception.
• In accordance with State guidance applicable to the lodging industry, all kitchen supplies shall be washed between guests and cleaning staff shall be provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and shall wear such PPE while cleaning.
• It is recommended, but not required, that rooms/units be left vacant for a 24-hour period between each occupancy. Cleaning staff with appropriate PPE may enter the room/unit during the 24-hour vacancy period.

Short-Term Residential Rental Units 
Short-term lodging facilities (including short-term rentals, vacation rentals, Air BnB’s, timeshares, or similar units) shall comply with the following:

• A 24-hour vacancy period shall remain in place between each occupancy. This requirement shall apply to all occupancies beginning August 24, 2020, regardless of when reservations were made.
• In accordance with State requirements applicable to the lodging industry, all bedding and linens shall be laundered between each occupancy, without exception.
• In accordance with State requirements applicable to the lodging industry, all kitchen supplies shall be washed between guests and cleaning staff shall be provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and shall wear such PPE while cleaning. Cleaning staff with appropriate PPE may enter the room/unit during the 24-hour vacancy period.

INYO COUNTY, CA, August 12, 2020 – Today, Inyo County obtained a judicial restraining order against Two Brothers From Italy (Big Pine, CA) prohibiting them from continuing to violate the state and local COVID-19 health orders.  The County was forced to commence this action after multiple failed attempts to gain Two Brothers’ voluntary compliance.

As stated in the County’s request “It is with great regret that Inyo County filed this lawsuit and sought this temporary restraining order.  The County understands that these are difficult times for all businesses, and the last thing that the County wants to do is impose additional expenses or stress on business owners.  However, the County—and in particular, its Health Officer Dr. James Richardson—are also charged with protecting the public from the dangers of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19.”

Today’s court order means that Two Brothers must suspend their operations until they are able to create, and adhere to, a business operations plan ensuring that they will no longer maintain an environment with such a high risk of COVID-19 transmission.

On August 8, 2020 Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a report from a hiker of a potentially deceased female in the foothills west of Manzanar National Historic Site. Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and located a deceased female. A search of the area produced a red sweatshirt and multicolored tennis shoes approximately two miles from her body near the base of the Sierra Mountain Range.

Inyo County Search and Rescue were dispatched to the scene to provide additional tracking support on August 8 and August 9. Based on foot impressions it is believed that she walked north along Foothill Road after exiting a vehicle, then east along a smaller dirt road where she eventually sat down and perished. There was no indication of a struggle or initial signs of foul play.

There was no identification located near or around the body; however Bishop Police Department had logged contact with a female matching the description of the decedent on July 30. Based on the information gathered during the contact, a positive identification was confirmed on August 11 and next of kin was notified. The deceased has been identified as Elaine Hartnett, a 48-year old woman from Pioneer, CA. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled to take place in Orange County, CA to determine cause of death. If anyone has had contact with Ms. Hartnett in Inyo County and can provide information please call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-878-0383, option 4

Fire crews are responding to and aggressively suppressing the Beach Fire, which started by lightning yesterday evening. Fire growth was driven by the erratic and gusty winds associated with the thunderstorms in the area. Last night, the fire received some rain which moderated fire behavior and allowed firefighters to start establishing containment lines.

Today, crews will continue to construct containment line around the fire. Firefighters are also responding to other fires associated with the significant lightning activity that occurred throughout the forest, especially the northern portion of the forest.

Weather: Thunderstorms are in the forecast as the monsoonal pattern continues. Gusty winds from thunder cell down drafts could increase fire activity in the fire area, similar to what was experienced yesterday afternoon.

Closures: Highway 120 is closed from south junction of 395 to Benton Crossing Rd.

Assisting agencies include California Highway Patrol, Cal Trans, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife, California State Parks, and CAL FIRE.

Resources: There are 100 personnel assigned to the incident, including seven engines, a type 2 hand crew, a water tender, a dozer, and a helicopter. More resources have been ordered, but there has been significant amount of new fire activity in California in the past several days.

Inyo County’s Public Health Division of Health and Human Services was notified on Friday, August 14, 2020 of the likelihood that the County will be officially placed on the list as of Monday, August 17, 2020, which will result in closure of indoor activities for additional industries.

Once the County is placed on the monitoring list, the following industries will be added to the list of businesses that must close indoor operations, but are able to modify to operate outside or by pick-up:

• Gyms and fitness centers
• Personal care services, like nail salons and body waxing
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Places of worship and cultural ceremonies, like weddings and funerals
• Offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors
• Shopping malls (not Inyo)

For more information visit the County website @ Inyo County, California

The second death of a Mono County resident due to COVID-19 has been confirmed.

The patient passed away on Monday, August 17, 2020. Initially found to have COVID-19 through Mono County Public Health contact tracing on July 27, the patient was later admitted to Mammoth Hospital with worsening symptoms. Following a period of slight improvement, the condition deteriorated, and the patient was subsequently transferred to Northern Nevada Medical Center and passed away due to complications related to COVID-19.

Mammoth Hospital has had eight patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. It remains critically important to work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 through our community by wearing a mask when you can’t maintain distance, washing your hands, and limiting social interactions with members outside of your household.

“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of this patient as we are saddened by the recent loss of another one of our community members,” says Mammoth Hospital CEO Tom Parker. “This is another tragic loss for a tight knit community such as ours and our deepest condolences go out to those close to her.”  

Both Mono County Public Health Officer, Dr. Tom Boo, and Mammoth Hospital Chief Medical Officer Craig Burrows, MD, agree the second death in Mono County underscores the importance of protecting our community members during this ongoing pandemic. Mr. Parker added that Mammoth Hospital is able to care for all patients and has taken great steps to prepare for any potential surge of COVID-19 related cases in Mono County.

It is with a heavy hearts that the Metivier Family announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Donald W. Metivier. “Dad,” entered the Lord’s presence, peacefully late afternoon on August 9, 2020, at the age of 93.

He was born January 25, 1928 in Manitowoc, WI, to parents Ernestine and Willard Metivier. Enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from Lincoln High School in 1946.

Worked as a Corporal in the regular Army, Classification Specialist for the Department of the Adjutant General, at Fort Lawton, WA. In charge of interviewing, debriefing and giving aptitude tests of soldiers returning from overseas and re-enlistees after the end of World War II. Decorated World War II Victory Medal and under the G.I. Bill benefit, attended Michigan State University. Graduated in 1952 Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry and a minor in engineering.

Met the love of his life, Patricia, at MSU equestrian class. Began a career with the Forest Service at Lassen National Park, CA, before moving to Tillamook and Cannon Beach, OR. Cape Lookout State Park and Collier State Parks, preforming duties as a park ranger.

Continued an impressive second career as a Design Engineer for Aeronutronic Division of Ford Aerospace in Newport Beach, CA, in 1955, relocated to Santa Ana, CA. Retired in 1989, before moving to Chalfant Valley, CA.

Lived a full life raising eight children and loved art, theater, music, travelling, mountaineering, backpacking, and camping with family. Climbed over 250 peaks in the western US, loved the Sierra Nevada, and the Rockies. Avid ice hockey and football fan.

Donald is preceded in death by sons, Daniel, James, and infant Joseph. He is survived by wife of 67 years, Patricia, daughters, Michelle, Yvonne, and Nannette, sons, Patrick, Thomas, and Paul, numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Faithful member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Catholic Church, Bishop, CA. Funeral mass to be determined. The family requests your prayers and well wishes. In lieu of flowers, perhaps a donation to favorite charity in Donald’s name. Thank you.