Tag Archives: Bishop

Eastern Sierra Families Need Your Help Getting Food

Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA), has been busy over the past few of weeks. The organization has been delivering food to over 750 families. The amount of families in need of assistance has nearly doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

IMACA Executive Director, Bob Hughes, told KIBS/KBOV News that before the pandemic hit, about 300 families across the Eastern Sierra relied on the organization to receive their food.

With over 750 families relying on food deliveries from IMACA, a demand for volunteers who are willing to drop off food to families has become paramount.

Hughes says so far the community has stepped up when it comes to volunteers, but there is always a need for more.

If an individual would like to volunteer and help deliver food, he or she can visit IMACA’s website at www.imaca.net.

Those who are in need of food can also fill out a form under the “IMACA’s Food Distribution Delivery Program” tab on the homepage of www.imaca.net.

This Facebook Group is Helping Keep Local Businesses Alive During a Pandemic

With the spread of coronavirus happening across the world, businesses everywhere have been forced to either shut their doors or greatly modify their services. One industry which has been affected greatly by the rise of COVID-19 cases, is the restaurant industry.

Dining rooms at restaurants are no longer allowed to stay open which forces customers to choose delivery or take out options only. In order to try to assuage some of the revenue losses businesses face in the Eastern Sierra, Local Real Estate Broker Jake Rasmuson has created a Facebook group called “Bishop Restaurants Offering Take-Out and Delivery.”

The hope is that the Facebook group will encourage people to order takeout in order to keep these businesses afloat.

“Well as a group, we set up so that we can keep the general public abreast of which restaurants are open, who is offering what food, and where for delivery.” Rasmuson said during an interview with KIBS/KBOV News. “It really gives the restaurants a chance to keep moving forward in this time of need.”

So far, the community has responded enthusiastically. This Facebook group was created about a week and a half ago, and it already has over 1,000 people in it.

“You know we are just over a thousand members. The response in our community has been amazing, just the number of people who are offering to help and who are offering to promote other restaurants. I think the biggest part is the local community members who are really trying to support the local restaurants and get up there and patronize the restaurants that are still open,” Rasmuson said.

Though Rasmuson implemented the idea locally, he says he stole the concept from a friend who lives just north of the United States border in Ontario, Canada. He stated, “You know I’ll be honest, another real estate agent friend up in Ontario, Canada, started a group very similar up there. I thought it was a great idea, and frankly, I stole it and got it started for our area. And I would encourage other areas to do the same thing because I really think it provides a great data base for our community to help those local restaurants.”

It’s safe to say none of the local restaurants or his friend care that this plan was not conceptualized by Rasumson.

Local restaurants aren’t the only businesses on board with this group. Jake Rasmuson conveyed that he is working with Bishop Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Tawni Thompson, to get retail businesses included.

“Things have been great.” Rasmuson expressed. “Everybody has really been promoting their businesses and their friend’s businesses. I got an email from Tawni Thompson, so we are going to add several of the local retail shops that are still open that are doing take out or delivery as well, so we are really trying to expand that aspect.”

At this time, Rasmuson is not sure how big of a dent the “Bishop Restaurants Offering Take-Out and Delivery” Facebook group is having when it comes to keeping the lights on for these businesses, but he guesses it is definitely helping. “I would guess that just from a takeout standpoint, their orders have increased. I think really the goal is to supplement the income they are going to lose form having to close down their dining rooms. So, if everybody who has the ability can go out and patronize our great local restaurants, I’m sure the owners and then the employees would absolutely benefit there.”

Not only can an individual order delicious food from a local restaurant, they can also enjoy an alcoholic beverage dropped right on his or her front door.

“I do want to add, I know the state ABC laws have changed slightly due to the temporary restrictions, so I know quite a few of the restaurants have the ability to deliver wine, beer, and mixed drinks. So, if someone is at home and wants dinner and a cocktail, I’m sure that can be set up.”

Topah Spoonhunter Appointed to NIHD Board of Directors

Topah Spoonhunter, the Director of the Bishop Paiute Development Corporation, has earned appointment to the Northern Inyo Healthcare District Board of Directors, representing the residents of southeast Bishop, Wilkerson, Big Pine, and Aberdeen.

Spoonhunter took the oath of office during the Jan. 15 NIHD Board of Directors meeting. Chosen from among several applicants, he fills the board vacancy left by the December departure of veteran Director MC Hubbard.

A resident of Big Pine, Spoonhunter will serve NIHD’s Zone V through this November. At that time, he will have the opportunity to stand for election to complete the remaining two years of Hubbard’s term. If he chooses to do so and wins, Spoonhunter will serve until November 2022. At that time, he may then run for election to a full four-year term on the Healthcare District’s Board.

“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of something as important as the Northern Inyo Healthcare District,” Spoonhunter said. “I know the NIHD Board and NIHD staff have already done some great things and are on their way to doing even more, so I just hope that my knowledge and experience will be able to help in some way.”

Spoonhunter brings a wide array of experience in business, government, and social workings to the NIHD Board. “It is because of these experiences that I have seen governments, organizations,
and communities on various levels and through different lenses,” Spoonhunter said. “I have seen the challenges that we face, but I have also seen the opportunities to make a difference.”

An enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, Spoonhunter was born in Bishop and raised on the Big Pine Paiute Reservation. He attended Big Pine Elementary School then Bishop Union High School. With earned Associate degrees in Math/Science and Liberal Arts, he attended Haskell University of Lawrence, Kansas, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 2006.

As the Director of the Bishop Paiute Development Corporation, Spoonhunter manages the tribal corporation’s business properties, including the buildings leased by the U.S. Forest Service and the
California Department of Motor Vehicles. He also oversees BPDC’s commercial office space as well as its mini storage and RV storage facilities. His responsibilities include project and budget management.

Spoonhunter’s professional experiences also include working for local and tribal governments; experiences that he feels are an invaluable asset to him. He has worked for both the Big Pine
Paiute Tribe as well as the Bishop Paiute Tribe. He has worked with youth programs, education programs, schools and school districts, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), tribal TANF, government
administration, grant management, suicide prevention, quality assurance, project management, and economic development.

He served as the Privacy Officer for Inyo County while working as an Administrative Analyst for Inyo County’s Health and Human Services Department. In that role, his duties included policy development as well as ensuring the County’s compliance with both federal and state laws, and investigating and reporting breaches concerning health information.

“I’ve always felt that we have a responsibility to make the world a better place, and I will do my best to improve things in any way that I can,” he said.

He joins the existing NIHD Board comprised of Board Chair Jean Turner, Vice Chair Robert Sharp, Secretary Jody Veenker, and Treasurer Mary Mae Kilpatrick.

Spoonhunter is the son of Alan and Linda Spoonhunter and father to daughter Faye and son Max.

Bishop Man Arrested for Attempted Murder

BISHOP, CA. April 29, 2019 – Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched shortly after midnight to South Valley View, Bishop, CA, for a report of a gunshot victim with the suspect still on scene.

Sheriff’s Deputies along with the assistance of California Highway Patrol, Mono County Sheriff, and Bishop Police arrived at the location and made entry into the residence. The victim was located with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Justin Montgomery, a 37-year old Bishop man, was arrested on the following charges: attempted murder, assault with a firearm on a person, domestic violence, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, violation of domestic violence court order, and violation of probation.

The victim was transported to Northern Inyo Hospital; Montgomery was arrested without incident and booked into the Inyo County Jail.

Round Valley Student Alexandra Morales Wins Inyo County Speech Contest

Inyo County Office of Education is pleased to announce that Alexandra Morales from Round Valley Joint Elementary School won first place at the 59 th annual Inyo County Speech Contest, for her speech: Parkland, Columbine, Sandy Hook, Enough! The second place winner was Paige Makris from Owens Valley Elementary School with her speech: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities. The third place winner was Kyle Schaniel from Seventh Day Adventist with the topic: Nuclear Fission. Also representing their schools were: Willam Young, Will Hennarty, Luis Leon, Marlene Castro, Jade Scott, and Harlee Bardonnex.

The Speech Contest was sponsored by Bishop Real Estate and held on April 11 th at the Jill Kinmont Boothe School. Students from Big Pine, Home Street Middle School, Owens Valley, Round Valley, and Seventh Day Adventist participated in the event. The topic was: How could lessons learned from historical examples of tragedy and triumph be applied to decisions we make every day? Audience members were impressed by the insightful and inspiring speeches from creative middle-schoolers striving to make our world a better place.

All speeches were evaluated on content and delivery by a panel of three community judges: Gerald Howard, Maggie Kingsbury, and Chris Langley. Inyo County Office of Education thanks these judges for their time and expertise.

In addition, ICOE would like to thank Bishop Real Estate Rasmuson & Associates for sponsoring the contest and providing the winners with trophies and cash prizes.

ICOE would also like to express gratitude to the school coaches for their time, effort and support for our students. The coaches were Tim Steele of Big Pine School, Mark DesRochers of Home Street Middle School, Vivian Hanson of Owens Valley School, Jennifer Morales of Round Valley School, and Sandy Burns for Seventh Day Adventist School.

Congratulations to all the participants!

Tri-County Fairgrounds Hires New CEO

After an almost year-long extensive Nation-Wide search, the Tri-County Fair board has hired a CEO. Jen McGuire has accepted an offer from the Fair Board for the CEO positon. Board President Paul Dostie said “Jen McGuire was selected because of her substantial marketing and agricultural experience”. The Tri-County Fair Board began the task of hiring a new CEO in spring 2018 and it has been a comprehensive process. California Department of Fairs and Expositions has assisted the Fair Board in the daunting process. After a community-wide SWOT Analysis in July, 2018 the board began interviewing candidates in August. During the November 12, 2018 board meeting, the board went into closed session and made the offer official.

Jen McGuire’s most recent experience involves working for a National Marketing agency in Southern California. She also has years of experience working for the California Department of Fairs and Expositions, working as a Junior Livestock Auction Chairman, Compliance and Ethics Director and Youth Program Director. Jen is excited to take on the CEO role and become a part of the Bishop community.

“I am honored and excited to work with this community. I grew up in 4H and FFA and so did my kids. These organizations are near and dear to my heart. Fairs, livestock, horse shows, rodeos and events are my passion. The smell of a barn makes me happy. Marketing is what I do. To be able to put all of these things into one package is a dream for me. I can’t wait to get involved in the community and build relationships, create memories for many and work with the youth! This will be a great new chapter for all of us.” – Jen McGuire

Wellness Center and Progress House Food Drive Starts Tomorrow

Don’t forget! Tomorrow, the Wellness Center and Progress house are going to be having a food collection event for The Salvation Army’s food pantry.

Make sure your food bags are placed on your porch or doorstep. The event will take place in neighborhoods between South Barlow to West Bishop/Manor Area the morning of Friday, Nov 2nd and collected the morning of November 5th.

Make sure to put you bags next to your mailbox, to make it easier on those picking up the food.

If you have questions, contact the Wellness Center at 760-873-8039

NWS Visits the Eastern Sierra for Winter Briefing

The National Weather Service Winter Briefing hosted by CalTrans took place yesterday with representatives from Las Vegas and Reno in attendance. NWS representative, Chris Smallcomb gave a lecture which reviewed last year’s weather for winter, spring, and summer.

During the lecture, Smallcomb said that the a dry January and February followed by a precipitous March, helped provide optimal conditions for a scorched summer, because vegetation dried out later than usual. The Reno NWS representative also told attendees that July and August were the warmest months ever recorded in the Eastern Sierra, and that led to optimal conditions for fires.

ARkstorms were additionally discussed. An ARkstorm is a super-storm that brings copious amounts of water to a region causing severe flooding. To compare the effects of an ARkstorm verses a normal storm, Smallcomb said that the the entirety of effects of the 2016-2017 winter season in the Eastern Sierra would take place in just 22 days.

Smallcomb said that with the effects of climate change, there are studies and models which indicate there is a good possibility of an ARkstorm occurring in the next 40 years.

Other topics at the briefing include steps that the NWS are taking to increase radar coverage in the areas of Tonopah and Bishop by lowering the altitude on radar. This measure would possibly allow for increased range of radar and in turn, provide South Central Nevada and the Owens Valley with more accurate weather predictions.

The meeting then opened for discussion between citizens and the National Weather Service. One attendee brought up the issue of altitude weather predictions, saying that although weather forecasts are accurate at lower elevations, they often fail to foretell temperatures and wind in the higher areas of mountainous regions, which can leave hikers and campers unprepared for the shifting climate.

Cedar Grove to Close for the Season

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. October 17, 2018 – Due to unexpected CalTrans road work on Highway 180, Cedar Grove will be closing for the season on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., three weeks earlier than planned.

Crews will be taking advantage of low water flows to shore up the embankments along the highway. The Highway 180 closure will be just east of Hume Lake Road.

The park is working to make contact with hikers, campers, and other visitors currently in the area, as well as alerting those who were planning to visit after Monday. For park information and trip-planning, please visit our website nps.gov/seki or call the main park line 559-565-3341.

For Sequoia National Forest information you can visit their website www.fs.usda.gov/main/sequoia or call 559-338-2251.

For more information about the Highway 180 closure and project, please contact Sam Yniguez, Information Officer for CalTrans District 6 via email at sam.yniguez@dot.ca.gov or phone 559-444-2518. You may also visit their website http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.

Suspect Arrested on Weapons Charges

On Tuesday evening, the Bishop Police Department set up a perimeter between Vons, Kmart, and the Vagabond Motel, after a foot pursuit of a wanted subject.

The following day, the subject who fled from the police was found and arrested. Ryan ward, age 29 was detained at 205 Collins Rd, in Bishop on weapons charges.

Ward, who was on parole was charged with felon possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of an assault weapon, and violation of parole. The following list of charges are all felonies.

Previously, Ryan Ward had been charged with Second Degree Robbery and Second Degree Commercial burglary for robbing the Bank of America in Mammoth Lakes in 2013. Ward was sentenced to three years in prison for the offense.

2018 Haunted Swamp Set for October 13th and 20th

The 2018 Haunted Swamp is on the October 13th, and 20th from 7-10 pm. Attending this event is the perfect opportunity to get ready for Halloween! The Haunted Swamp is located at the Bishop High School Farm on Sunland Road.

The event is put on annually by the Bishop Union High School Future Farmers of America. Attending the Haunted Swamp will undoubtedly lead to it’s fair share thrills and chills. More importantly though, all of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to a good cause that benefits the Bishop community.

The money received from this event will go to the Bishop FFA Program, which provides aspiring farmers with a chance to grow in the farming industry.

Tickets are eight dollars for adults, thirty dollars for groups of four adults, and five dollars for children under twelve years of age.

Please come out to the Haunted Swamp and support your local community!

LIVE. BREATHE. BLUE. Dodger Broadcasts in Bishop

LA DODGERS SCHEDULE 2022

7/1/22 Friday Dodgers vs San Diego 6p/7:10p
7/2/22 Saturday Dodgers vs San Diego 3p/4:15p
7/3/22 Sunday Dodgers vs San Diego 12p/1:10p
7/4/22 Monday Dodgers vs Colorado 5p/6:10p
7/5/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs Colorado 6p/7:10p
7/6/22 Wednesday Dodgers vs Colorado 6p/7:10p
7/7/22 Thursday Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs 6p/7:10p
7/8/22 Friday Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs 6p/7:10p
7/9/22 Saturday Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs 6p/7:10p
7/10/22 Sunday Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs 12p/1:10p
7/12/22 Tuesday Dodgers @ St. Louis 3:30p/4:45p
7/13/22 Wednesday Dodgers @ St. Louis 3:30p/4:45p
7/14/22 Thursday Dodgers @ St. Louis 3p/4:15p
7/15/22 Friday Dodgers @ Anaheim 5:30p/6:38p
7/16/22 Saturday Dodgers @ Anaheim 6p/7:07p
7/21/22 Thursday Dodgers vs San Francisco 6p/7:10p
7/22/22 Friday Dodgers vs San Francisco 6p/7:10p
7/23/22 Saturday Dodgers vs San Francisco 3p/4:15p
7/24/22 Sunday Dodgers vs San Francisco 12p/1:10p
7/25/22 Monday Dodgers vs Washington 6p/7:10p
7/26/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs Washington 6p/7:10p
7/27/22 Wednesday Dodgers vs Washington 11a/12:10p
7/28/22 Thursday Dodgers @ Colorado 4:30p/5:40p
7/29/22 Friday Dodgers @ Colorado 4:30p/5:40p
7/30/22 Saturday Dodgers @ Colorado 4p/5:10p
7/31/22 Sunday Dodgers @ Colorado 11a/12:10p
8/1/22 Monday Dodgers @ San Francisco 5:30p/6:45p
8/2/22 Tuesday Dodgers @ San Francisco 5:30p/6:45p
8/3/22 Wednesday Dodgers @ San Francisco 5:30p/6:45p
8/4/22 Thursday Dodgers @ San Francisco 11:30a/12:45p
8/5/22 Friday Dodgers vs San Diego 6p/7:10p
8/6/22 Saturday Dodgers vs San Diego 5p/6:10p
8/7/22 Sunday Dodgers vs San Diego 3p/4:08p
8/9/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs Minnesota 6p/7:10p
8/10/22 Wednesday Dodgers vs Minnesota 6p/7:10p
8/12/22 Friday Dodgers @ Kansas City 4p/5:10p
8/13/22 Saturday Dodgers @ Kansas City 3p/4:10p
8/14/22 Sunday Dodgers @ Kansas City 10a/11:10a
8/15/22 Monday Dodgers @ Milwaukee 4p/5:10p
8/16/22 Tuesday Dodgers @ Milwaukee 4p/5:10p
8/17/22 Wednesday Dodgers @ Milwaukee 4p/5:10p
8/18/22 Thursday Dodgers @ Milwaukee 10a/11:10a
8/19/22 Friday Dodgers vs Miami 6p/7:10p
8/20/22 Saturday Dodgers vs Miami 5p/6:10p
8/21/22 Sunday Dodgers vs Miami 12p/1:10p
8/22/22 Monday Dodgers vs Milwaukee 6p/7:10p
8/23/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs Milwaukee 6p/7:10p
8/24/22 Wednesday Dodgers vs Milwaukee 4:45p/6p
8/26/22 Friday Dodgers @ Miami 2:30p/3:40p
8/27/22 Saturday Dodgers @ Miami 2p/3:10p
8/28/22 Sunday Dodgers @ Miami 8a/9:05a
8/29/22 Monday Dodgers @ Miami 2:30p/3:40p
8/30/22 Tuesday Dodgers @ New York Mets 3p/4:10p
8/31/22 Wednesday Dodgers @ New York Mets 3p/4:10p
9/1/22 Thursday Dodgers @ New York Mets 12p/1:10p
9/2/22 Friday Dodgers vs San Diego 6p/7:10p
9/3/22 Saturday Dodgers vs San Diego 5p/6:10p
9/4/22 Sunday Dodgers vs San Diego 3p/4:08p
9/5/22 Monday Dodgers vs San Francisco 6p/7:10p
9/6/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs San Francisco 6p/7:10p
9/7/22 Wednesday Dodgers vs San Francisco 12p/1:10p
9/9/22 Friday Dodgers @ San Diego 5:30p/6:40p
9/10/22 Saturday Dodgers @ San Diego 4:30p/5:40p
9/11/22 Sunday Dodgers @ San Diego 12p/1:10p
9/12/22 Monday Dodgers @ Arizona 5:30p/6:40p
9/13/22 Tuesday Dodgers @ Arizona 5:30p/6:40p
9/14/22 Wednesday Dodgers @ Arizona 5:30p/6:40p
9/16/22 Friday Dodgers @ San Francisco 6p/7:15p
9/17/22 Saturday Dodgers @ San Francisco 5p/6:05p
9/18/22 Sunday Dodgers @ San Francisco 12p/1:05p
9/19/22 Monday Dodgers vs Arizona 6p/7:10p
9/20/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs Arizona 11a/12:10p
9/20/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs Arizona 6p/7:10p
9/21/22 Wednesday Dodgers vs Arizona 6p/7:10p
9/22/22 Thursday Dodgers vs Arizona 6p/7:10p
9/23/22 Friday Dodgers vs St. Louis 6p/7:10p
9/24/22 Saturday Dodgers vs St. Louis 5p/6:10p
9/25/22 Sunday Dodgers vs St. Louis 12p/1:10p
9/27/22 Tuesday Dodgers @ San Diego 5:30p/6:40p
9/28/22 Wednesday Dodgers @ San Diego 5:30p/6:40p
9/29/22 Thursday Dodgers @ San Diego 5:30p/6:40p
9/30/22 Friday Dodgers vs Colorado 6p/7:10p
10/1/22 Saturday Dodgers vs Colorado 5p/6:10p
10/2/22 Sunday Dodgers vs Colorado 12p/1:10p
10/3/22 Monday Dodgers vs Colorado 6p/7:10p
10/4/22 Tuesday Dodgers vs Colorado 6p/7:10p
10/5/22 Wednesday Dodgers vs Colorado 12p/1:20p