Tag Archives: kibs news

During the summer of 2014, the Mammoth Community Water District (District) upgraded to new meters that wirelessly transmit data using remote collectors. This advanced technology allows the District to see hourly usage of all water meters on the distribution system. Utilizing software developed by WaterSmart, a data analytics company, the District is able to run a report that details leaks and alert customers accordingly.

“We are thrilled to have the ability to help our customers protect their property and save an exorbitant amount of water,” said Irene Yamashita, Principal Analyst. “It has been a learning experience to determine what size leaks should be flagged, what patterns are associated with various sources of leaks and how to best introduce the information to the customers.”

Typically, the District calls two to five customers or property managers a day with leaks ranging from 15 to 1,500 gallons per hour. “About 80 percent of leaks we call on are caused by toilets. Customers are usually surprised to learn that leaking toilets can waste 600+ gallons per hour (over 14,000 gallons per day), ” described Betty Hylton, Administrative Analyst. “In winter, we find a number of leaks caused by shedding snow that turns on or breaks hose bibs and frozen pipes that break. Despite the cause of the leak, customers are generally very grateful that we have this capability and take the time to notify them.”

The District recommends that customers (or property managers) look and listen for the leak first. If unable to identify where the water is leaking, then call a plumber. The District has offered two Leak Detection courses for plumbers and property managers to learn the most efficient process for leak detection and maintains a supply of coloring dye tabs to check for toilet leaks.

The Mammoth Lakes community is limited to local surface and groundwater resources in our basin. The leak detection program conserves water that would otherwise be wasted and develops positive relationships with our customers. The District is proud to have this advanced capability, however customers remain responsible for identifying water leaks at their property. An online customer portal is available to provide customers the ability to look at their hourly water use from their computer, and receive high usage alerts by signing up for WaterSmart here: https://mcwd.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome

Community News, KIBS/KBOV Announcements, Local News

Mary Mae Kilpatrick to lead NIHD Board of Directors in 2019

January 7, 2019 Gary Young

The Northern Inyo Healthcare District Board of Directors named its 2019 slate of officers during its December board meeting. Long-time Bishop area educator and school administrator Mary Mae Kilpatrick was elected Board President with retired county Heath and Human Services Director Jean Turner being named Vice President.

Kilpatrick represents Zone IV of the Healthcare District, covering the greater West Bishop area. A 61-year resident of Bishop, Kilpatrick also serves on the NIH Foundation Board of Directors.

“I am honored to work alongside everyone at NIHD,” Kilpatrick said. “We have such an outstanding group of people at the District. Our staff’s continuing priority is to always put our patient’s care and safety first. On top of that, they are compassionate in the care they provide, and they are also a very giving team who do their best to live up to NIHD’s mission of ‘improving our communities, one life at a time.”

Turner represents Zone II, which covers the Northern Bishop area. Her experience includes extensive administrative oversight of various health and human service programs providing care to children, adults, families and senior citizens.

Robert Sharp, who represents Zone III, which covers a large portion of the downtown Bishop area, will serve as Board Secretary. As Vice President of Eastern Sierra Community Bank, Sharp manages and develops the Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and Bridgeport branches.

Local attorney Peter Tracy, Zone I representative, will serve as Board Treasurer. Tracy, perhaps best known for his 33-years of service as legal counsel to the City of Bishop, represents the West Bishop, McLaren Lane, Rocking K, Starlight, and Aspendell areas.

Outgoing Board President and Zone V Director MC Hubbard, who represents parts of southeastern Bishop, Wilkerson, Big Pine, and Aberdeen, will serve as the Member-At-Large. Hubbard is a retired banking executive.

At the board meeting Dr. Kevin S. Flanigan, MD MBA, the District’s Chief Executive Officer, congratulated each of the new officers. Later, he described the role of the Board as one of governance, noting they are charged with setting the strategic goals; overseeing the progress toward those goals; and, ensuring the continued access to local healthcare services for their constituents.

Community News, Local News

Select Death Valley Facilities Closing

January 4, 2019 Gary Young

DEATH VALLEY, CA – Due to the government shutdown, several sites within Death Valley National Park will be closing for health and safety concerns associated with continuing issues of human waste, trash, vandalism and park resource damage.

On Friday, January 4, the Furnace Creek and Texas Springs Campgrounds will be closed. Access roads to Natural Bridge, Dantes View, and Keane Wonder Mine will also be closed. The road to Salt Creek remains closed.

Visitor services are limited due to the lapse in federal appropriations. During the government shutdown, national parks are working to remain as open and accessible to the American people as possible.

All normal park rules and regulations still apply and violators will be cited. Dogs are not permitted on park trails or off leash. Off-road vehicle travel is illegal within the park, vehicles must stay on established roadways. Camping must be in accordance with park regulations. The Stovepipe Wells Campground as well as private campgrounds at The Oasis Furnace Creek Ranch and Panamint Springs remain open and operational.

Visitors are encouraged to stop and use restroom facilities in the gateway communities before entering the park as there are extremely limited restroom facilities in the park. Visitors are also encouraged to practice leave no trace principles and pack in and pack out waste.

Additional roads and facilities within Death Valley National Park may close at any time for the health and safety of park visitors.

Thanks to donations from The Oasis at Death Valley, restrooms at the Ryan Junction, Zabriskie Point, Golden Canyon, and Badwater are cleaned and stocked daily. The Death Valley Natural History Association has also made a donation to have the Furnace Creek Visitor Center open from 8am-5pm daily. Ortega National Parks LLC. continues to operate the Stovepipe Wells Campground as a donation.

For updates on the shutdown, please visit www.doi.gov/shutdown.

Community News, Local News

Numerous DUI Arrests Processed During Holiday Period

January 3, 2019 Gary Young

From December 28^th to January 1^st, the California Highway Patrol conducted a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) focusing on impaired driving. During this time, all available officers were on duty, conducting traffic stops and enforcing the law on the highways throughout California.

There were a number of arrests for DUI’s, for the CHP Inland Division. The Inland Division includes the areas of the Inland Empire, Bridgeport, and Bishop.

California Highway Patrol arrested 96 individuals who were driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance in the Inland Division Area. The numbers are up from last year, with 93 arrests occurring during the maximum enforcement period. Additionally, out of the 96 arrests, three were fatal.

Although a substantial amount of people were arrested in the Inland Empire for impaired driving, the numbers were much better when it comes to the Eastern Sierra. There were zero arrests for DUI’s in the Bishop area this year, and only one last year.

The Bridgeport district assisted Mammoth Lakes Police Department during the MEP in the town of Mammoth Lakes, which hosted over 15,000 visitors between December 28^th through January 1^st. CHP Bridgeport processed 3 DUI’s, while Mammoth Lakes Police Department arrested three more people for driving under the influence. Two out of the three arrests made by Mammoth Lakes Police involved vehicle collisions, however, none of the collisions involved major injuries.

Community News, Local News

Woman Arrested for Fleeing from Police While Driving Under the Influence

December 5, 2018 Gary Young

The vehicle was promptly located traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 95, traveling northbound passing Depot Road. Nye County Sheriffs attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver would not obey the pursing officer’s commands to yield. The alleged drunk driver ended up maneuvering through parking lots, until eventually continuing on to Highway 95.

Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop at the Sierra Vista Apartment Complex. Heather Thomas, a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah surrendered herself to authorities, exiting the vehicle with her hands held high in the air. Thomas was subdued by pursuing police officers and booked on charges of driving with an out of state suspended drivers license, driving under the influence, disobeying a peace officer while driving under the influence, and speeding 25 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

Community News

Man and Two Women Arrested for Kidnapping and False Imprisonment

November 21, 2018 Gary Young

On November 16, 2018, suspicious circumstances were reported at a residence on Erin Street in Pahrump, NV. Nye County Sheriffs met with a 52 year old woman and 34 year old son, who were both mentally handicapped.

The son and mother appeared to be dehydrated, malnourished, and had poor hygiene. Both victims appeared distressed, and the male victim was mentally handicapped to the point that he could not talk and needed help with walking.

The female told deputies that they were both held against their will for several weeks in an apartment. The distressed female told deputies that they were both restrained together in a small bedroom and confined by her other son, James Thatcher, age 28 of Pahrump.

The female victim had rope tied around her wrists and ankles. Additionally, James Thatcher received help from 30 year old girlfriend, Chelsea Demille, who resided in the same apartment. James confined his brother and mother to a twin mattress with ropes and cables, while allowing them limited bathroom breaks and one bottle of water per day, as well as a small amount of food. It was discovered that the victims would often have to urinate on the floor.

Thatcher placed black window tint on the window for the bedroom and installed a surveillance camera to assure that the victims tried not to escape.

Both Thatcher and Demille also received help from an accomplice, 19 year old, Sandra Wombles, who assisted in the imprisonment of James’s family.

It was discovered that the victims had been confined to the bedroom since August of 2018.

James kept his mother and brother restrained in order to exploit their social security disability checks.

Detectives were able to attain a search warrant, and found a mattress with rope and cables, indicating the abuse of the mom and brother.

The victims were transported to the hospital for assistance and medical treatment, while Thatcher and Demille were arrested on charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, and elder abuse. Sandra Wombles was also arrested and charged with false imprisonment and elder abuse.

Local News

Polling Locations for Mono, Inyo, and Nye Counties

November 6, 2018 Gary Young

INYO COUNTY

November 6, 2018 Election Day Voting Locations
Precincts	Voting location	Address	City
101,102, 103,105, 106,107, 108,109, 111	Fairgrounds — Heritage Arts Building	1135 N. Main St	Bishop
110	Paiute Professional Building	50 Tu Su Lane	Bishop
113, 114	Big Pine Town Hall	150 Dewey St	Big Pine
116	Basement Courtroom (Court House)	168 N Edwards St	Independence
All Precincts	Central Count Location	168 N Edwards St	Independence
118, 119	Statham Town Hall	138 Jackson St	Lone Pine

NYE COUNTY

Amargosa Community Center
Amargosa Precinct 6
829 Amargosa Farm Road
Amargosa Valley, Nevada 89020

Beatty Community Center
Beatty Precinct 1
100 A. Avenue South
Beatty, Nevada 89003

Bob Ruud Community Center
All Pahrump Precincts
150 North Highway 160
Pahrump, NV 89060

Donald L. Simpson Community Center
Round Mountain Precinct 12, Smoky Valley Precinct 35
650 Civic Drive
Round Mountain, NV 89045

Tonopah Convention Center
Tonopah Precincts 14, 15
301 W. Brougher
Tonopah, NV 89049