Tag Archives: lone pine news

Flight Testing in Southern Inyo

China Lake to buzz southern Inyo Communities

Operational flight tests scheduled over
Lone Pine, Independence and Trona

NAVAL AIR WEAPONS STATION CHINA LAKE, Calif. — Starting March 11, operational flight tests will be conducted in the vicinity of the towns of Lone Pine, Independence and Trona.

These events will include flights directly over these towns. The testing requires aircrew to fly at 1000′ over populated areas to simulate urban missions. All flights will be conducted in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration directives. The tests will take place during the day and each town will only be overflown once or twice a week. There will be no supersonic flight or any weapons release.

“We are fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with the local population in the vicinity of NAWS China Lake. We are very grateful for the support and understanding we have received from in the past from the citizens of Lone Pine, Independence and Trona when executing similar tests,” said Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Commanding Officer Capt. Gordon Cross. “Operational tests of this nature are required to adequately evaluate new combat systems; combat systems that deliver increased capabilities to the Sailors and Aircrew at sea. ”

china lake, independence news, lone pine news

Lone Pine Man Indicted in Artifacts Case

Lone Pine man indicted for taking archaeological artifacts from public lands in Inyo county

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment Thursday against Norman Starks, 76, a resident of Lone Pine, California, charging him with unauthorized removal of archaeological resources, depredation of government property, and possession of stolen government property, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, the defendant damaged, altered, and removed Native American archaeological resources without authorization, from federal lands.  These included Native American burial cairns and other cultural artifacts, such as beads and fragments of ceramic pots, which were more than 100 years old.  The artifacts were located in the Lone Pine area of Inyo County on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.  In addition, the indictment charges the defendant with possessing stolen property that included prehistoric Native American incised stone tablets, which had been taken from government lands.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. Assistant United States Attorney Megan A. S. Richards is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of theft of stolen government property or depredation of government property, STARKS faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine.  For each count of removal of archaeological resources, STARKS faces a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison and a $100,000 fine.  Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Archeological resources are protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA).  Federal land managers, such as Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service, are responsible for the protection of natural and cultural resources located on public lands.

lone pine news, eastern sierra news,  blm

Conversation about Water

Conversation 90 of 100 Conversations about Water

Permaculture Design for Water Scarcity: Drought to Resilience

The Metabolic Studio is hosting Conversations About Water during the Centenary of the Owens River LA Aqueduct. Conversation Number 90, entitled Permaculture Design for Water Scarcity: Drought to Resilience, will feature ancient water harvesting techniques that support community resilience in the face of climate change. This one hour workshop, led by Carmen Gonzales, an Environmental Specialist with the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission and Certified Permaculture Designer, will qualify for one hour Continuing Education Credit for local Master Gardeners.

Permaculture Design for Water Scarcity: Drought to Resilience
Rainwater is the cleanest source of free renewable water that is available to us. Because we often structure our buildings and land to drain water away, however, we lose this precious water resource as it runs away from our home. There are many ways to catch and use this blessing from the sky. Carmen will share water harvesting techniques inspired by permaculture that draw upon ancient knowledge about how to work with water. Design strategies that are built on holistic-systems-thinking protect water quality, soil biology, and ecosystem diversity while providing abundance for communities and resilience in the face of climate change.
Water harvesting techniques that will be discussed will include proven technologies used by Permaculture Designers around the world to honor water and heal watersheds. You will learn how to turn your landscape from a drain to a sponge to soak up the precious water that falls from your sky. Becoming a wise steward of our precious rainwaters is an important step we can take to create resilience in the face of climate change and the current drought cycle.
Techniques learned from great permaculture teachers such as Geoff Lawton, Sepp Holzer, and Brad Lancaster, will be presented. Permaculture techniques such as swales, terraces, and keyline design, and rain gardens can be effective strategies for hydrating parched soils, harvesting water, improving water quality, regenerating springs, and creating the conditions beneficial for a healthy ecosystem to grow. The true power of Permaculture is that the solutions for many of our water problems already exist— and that knowledge can be used to take a hands-on approach with projects that are cost-effective.
About Permaculture Design
Permaculture is an ecological design science that focuses on creating healthy relationships. Improving the way we relate to the water, land, and each other is a vital component of helping to restore watershed function. Drawing from the inspiration of personal healing through working on water protection projects, Carmen has been able to connect deeply with water to better understand how to work passively with it. A Permaculture Designer uses innovative ideas and tools to allow for living systems to flourish naturally. When we learn to listen to the language of nature, we can create the space for water to be honored as a sacred life giving force while supporting the cycles of life that help to keep water clean.
Carmen Gonzales is an Environmental Specialist and Permaculture Designer with the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission (OVIWC). She began working in the environmental field in 2000 and has been dedicated to working to helping Tribes protect water, land, and people over the past 14 years. She began managing the CWA 106 Program for the OVIWC after working for the past 7 years for the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. She is excited to bring her passion for healing the relationship between water and the people to the Owens Valley. Always an “edge walker,” Carmen has been working to find the balance between good science, traditional knowledge, personal healing, and cultural evolution. As a water quality scientist, she has been working to shift the community consciousness about the critical importance of watershed protection in these critical times. As a Permaculture Designer, Carmen focuses on raising awareness about the power of working in collaboration with the cycles of nature, rather than against them. Carmen is driven by the vision of supporting the work of revitalization of Native communities through building relationships that nourish land and life. Carmen received her certificate in Permaculture Design in September of 2010 from the Regenerative Design Institute in a course taught by Penny Livingston-Stark and Brock Dolman.

Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 10 am at the Metabolic Studio IOU Garden, Main St. @ Willow in Lone Pine.

lone pine news, conversations about water, eastern sierra news

Lone Pine Wins DML

Lone Pine Boys basketball wins the league title

The Golden Eagles magical season continues with a championship clinching win over Desert High School.  The 58-44 win at Edwards Air Force Base moves Lone Pine to 13-0 in Desert Mountain League play and 22-2 overall.  Center Brad Greene returned from injury providing a huge lift.  Greene scored a team high 26 points and pulled down 19 rebounds including 8 offensive boards.  Greene had been out with injury, but now rejoins the team at this pivotal time.   Lone Pine wraps up the regular seasons Thursday at Silver Valley then begins the post season the following week.  This week Lone Pine is ranked #8 in the CIF Southern Section Division 5A poll.  Lone Pine is the top public school in the top 16 poll….and the only public school in the poll.

Lone Pine  58
Desert 44

INDIVIDUAL STATS
Brad Greene 26 points, 19 rebounds, 6 blocks, Garrett Sullivan 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals. Preston Huerta 8 points, 3 rebounds.  Ryan Cappello 7 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals.  Kishan Bhakta 2 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, Bryce Scott 2 points.  Adrian Gonzalez 2 points.

#55 Brad Greene at the Bishop Christmas classic
#55 Brad Greene at the Bishop Christmas classic

Photo by Gary Young

lone pine news, lone pine high school basketball, desert mountain league sports

Evening with William Tweed

An Evening with William Tweed

February 11, 2015 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Free event)
Lone Pine Film History Museum

An Evening Discussion with William Tweed on John Muir and our National Park System in the High Sierra with introductory comments by Dr. Terry McAteer, Inyo County Superintendent of Schools.
In this provocative walking meditation, writer and former park ranger William Tweed takes folks to California’s spectacular High Sierra to discover a new vision for national parks as they approach their 100th anniversary. Tweed, who worked among the Sierra Nevada’s big peaks and big trees for more than thirty years, has now hiked more than 200 miles along California’s John Muir Trail in a personal search for answers: How do we address the climate change we are seeing even now-in melting glaciers in Glacier National Park, changing rainy seasons on Mt Rainer, and more fire in the West’s iconic parks. Should we intervene where we can to preserve biodiversity? Should the parks merely become ecosystem museums that exhibit famous landscapes and species? Asking how we can make these magnificent parks relevant for the next generation, Tweed, through his journey, ultimately shows why we must do just that.
William Tweed, Chief Park Naturalist at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks before he retired in 2006, is the author, with Lauren Davis, of Death Valley and the Northern Mojave, A Visitor’s Guide and, with Lary M. Dilsaver, of Challenge of the Big Trees: A Resource History of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
You are invited to join them at 7:00 PM at the Museum Theater for this inspiring conversation and dialogue with William Tweed. Approximate presentation one hour. Coffee and sweets after discussion. Admission Free. The evening is presented by the Inyo County Community Read Program, the Lone Pine Film History Museum and the Eastern California Museum.

eastern sierra news, lone pine news, inyo county superintendent of schools, inyo county news, inyo county community reads

Lone Pine Basketball is Rolling

Lone Pine High School hoops update

The Lone Pine High School boys basketball team notched win number 20 Wednesday night with a 65-43 victory over the Mammoth Huskies.  The win moves Lone Pine’s overall record to 20-2 and a perfect 11-0 in Desert Mountain League play.  Ryan Cappello continues his magical season with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 blocks.  Garrett Sullivan also continues to stuff the stat columns with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and three blocked shots.  Adrian Gonzalez added 8 points and 4 steals.  Bryce Scott chipped in with 6 points, Kishan Bhakta 3 points 4 rebounds, and Coltan Martin and Eddy Ivey each had 2 points.  Lone Pine picked up the win playing without injured center Brad Greene.  Coach Scott Kemp is hoping to have Greene back next week.  Lone Pine returns to action Friday hosting Boron.
The Mammoth Huskies were led by Mario Rios with 22 points and Christian Orrick added 6.

Garrett Sullivan in action vs Bishop in the Christmas Classic
Garrett Sullivan in action vs Bishop in the Christmas Classic

Photo by Gary Young.

The Lone Pine varsity girls defeated Mammoth 38-23 Wednesday.  Individual statistics for Lone Pine:
Jessianne Joiner 12 points, 8 Rebs, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 block
Nora Bergeum 8 points, 7 rebs, 1 assist, 7 steals
Emma Howe 6 points, 8 Rebs,
Katelyn Button 5 points, 6 Rebs, 5 steals, 1 assist
Lena Cariou 5 points, 17 Rebs, 4 steals, 1 assist
Emily Faircloth 2 points, 6 Rebs, 1 steal

Coach Elizabeth Stweart, “A good game against Mammoth who kept creeping up and keeping the score close. Arguably our second best game of the season as far as passing, beating the press, and running an offense with the intent to score. Also arguably our worst night of free throw shooting… Would like to acknowledge the exceptional sportsmanship demonstrated by mammoth coaching staff and players.”

On Monday the Golden Eagle girls topped  Vasquez 39-24.
Individual Statistics:
Nora Bergeum 9 points, 6 steals,
Katelyn button 7 points, 5 Rebs, 5 steals
Niki Martinez 6 points, 5 Rebs, 2 steals
Lena Cariou 6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals
Jessianne Joiner  5 points, 2 Rebs, 4 steals
Shyann Padilla 2 points, 3 Rebs, 3 steals
Cianni Benson 4 points

lone pine high school basketball, desert mountain league sports, lone pine news, mammoth high school basketball, eastern sierra sports

Alabama Hills Meeting

Alabama Hills Stewardship Group

– Public Meeting Announcement

The Alabama Hills Stewardship Group, Inc. (a 501c3 non-profit organization), and the Bureau of Land Management’s – Bishop Field Office will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015; regarding the future management of the Alabama Hills.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and take place at the Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Reservation – Community Center located at 975 Teya Road, in Lone Pine.  Turn east off Hwy. 395 on Teya Road (where Best Western / Frontier Motel is located) and travel 0.4 mile to the Community Center.
“The purpose of this meeting is to discuss ongoing stewardship actions in the Alabama Hills for 2015 and beyond” said Chris Langley, President of the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group.
The Alabama Hills Stewardship Group – Board of Directors and our BLM partners would like to solicit additional community input on two important subjects: Development of a master map (print and electronic) for finding key access and recreation information for the Alabama Hills Development on a new interpretive/educational plan for the area.  Draft proposals have been prepared based on public input from an initial meeting last November and additional feedback is now needed to finalize this new map and interpretive plan.
Anyone interested in providing input on these important subjects and learning more about the Alabama Hills; or volunteering their time to help with various projects in support of this incredible landscape, should plan to attend

 

lone pine news, eastern sierra news, alabama hills

Lone Pine Boys Down Vasquez

Lone Pine stays perfect in the Desert Mountain League

The Lone Pine Golden Eagles continue their march toward a DML title with a 64-53 win over Vasquez Monday.  Lone Pine had to play another game without Center Brade Greene who is out due to injury.  Coach Scott Kemp is hopeful to have the 6-8 Greene back next week.  With Greene out, fellow Juniors Garrett Sullivan and Ryan Cappello stepped up their games.  Sullivan scored a team high 27 points while grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists.  Cappello had a monster double double with 18 points and 19 rebounds.  Cappello added 4 blocked shots.  Kishan Bhakta added 9 points and 8 rebounds.  With the win the Golden Eagles improve to 19-2 overall and 10-0 in Desert Mountain League play.

lone pine basketball, desert mountain league sports, lone pine news

Lone Pine Tesla Station opening

Lone Pine Welcomes Tesla Supercharger Station

On January 27, 2015 Lone Pine will open one of Highway 395’s first Tesla Supercharger stations.  The Station is located at the Lone Pine Film History Museum just South of Lone Pine, CA.
Tesla drivers on Highway 395 can now recharge for free while visiting one of America’s finest museums dedicated exclusively to the heritage of Western ”Cowboy” film making and then enjoy the tastes of Lone Pine’s many eateries.
Tesla’s business model includes building a network of fast charging stations — faster than any other electric vehicle manufacturer — along the major interstates around the country to enable Tesla owners to travel from city to city. Tesla offers the charging services for free, making the Superchargers a gathering place for members of the Tesla owner’s community.
A statement from the Lone Pine film history museum, ” While charging your car – you can visit the Lone Pine Film History Museum and the city of Lone Pine. Located at the base to the Eastern Sierra’s highest point in the continental USA, Mt. Whitney – and the Alabama Hills, whose unique geological formations brought Hollywood studios to the area to shoot “Cowboy” films, are not to be missed. Filming started in 1919 with a full-length feature film, The Roundup starring Fatty Arbuckle. The city is also an access location for Death Valley, The Ancient Bristlecone Forest, Eureka Sand Dunes and many other interesting American heritage areas along Highway 395.”

lone pine news, eastern sierra news, lone pine film history museum, tesla, mt whitney, alabama hills

Cook Introduces Alabama Hills Bill

Cook’s Bill would designate Scenic Area

Press Release:
Rep. Paul Cook Introduces Bill to Create Alabama Hills National Scenic Area
WASHINGTON –Earlier today, Rep. Paul Cook (R – Apple Valley) introduced the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area Establishment Act, legislation that would establish the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area. This designation would encompass 18,610 acres of the scenic Alabama Hills and would preserve it for recreational use by the public and future generations.

This bill guarantees that all recreational activities currently taking place in the Alabama Hills will continue. This includes not only hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, but hunting, fishing, and authorized motorized vehicle use as well. Additionally, recreational prospecting (rock-hounding) will continue in the historic mining areas under this legislation.
This bill is the culmination of months of work by Rep. Paul Cook and the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group to draft legislative language acceptable to all key local stakeholders. The stewardship group is dedicated to  promoting the long term vision, conservation, use, enhancement, and enjoyment of the Alabama Hills . Groups and organizations that have worked with the stewardship group include Inyo County, the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, the Lone-Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, local business owners, and other key stakeholders.

Cook said, “The Alabama Hills are a natural treasure, and I’m excited to introduce this bill to help guarantee our children and grandchildren can enjoy them the same way we do. The level of local input has been incredible and should serve as an example for how land use decisions are made.

“Last year, I introduced legislation to establish the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area. While it didn’t become law last year, it provided local stakeholders and conservation groups the opportunity to suggest changes to make this a better bill. I’m excited to incorporate these changes in the new version of this important legislation this year. My constituents in Inyo have been working to get this done for years, and I’m hopeful that 2015 will be the year the Alabama Hills get the protection they deserve.”

eastern sierra news, lone pine news, alabama hills, inyo county news

Cappello reaches 1,000

Lone Pine Junior hits 1,000 point mark

The Lone Pine golden eagles downed Silver Valley Wednesday night 58-43 and Ryan Cappello had 22 points putting him over 1,000 points in his career.   Lone Pine head coach Scott Kemp says Cappello is the first player to hit the historic mark during his Junior season.  The win moves Lone Pine to 7-0 in Desert Mountain League play and 16-2 overall.
It was not only a special night for Cappello, but fellow Junior Brad Greene notched the seasons first triple double with 20 points, 22 rebounds and 12 blocked shots.  The third amigo in Lone Pines “Big Three”, Garrett Sullivan added 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.  Adrian Gonzales chipped in with 3 points and Preston Huerta added 2.
Lone Pine will start the second half of their DML schedule on Tuesday, January 27th with a trip to Mojave.

desert mountain league sports, lone pine news, eastern sierra news, ryan cappello, long pine high school sports

Golden Eagles down Desert

Lone Pine Boys top Desert

The Lone Pine Varsity boys stay unbeaten in Desert Mountain league play with an impressive 69-47 win Tuesday night.   Junior Brad Greene scored a game high 24 points with 11 blocks and 5 rebounds.  Ryan Cappello scored 20 points grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists.  Garrett Sullivan chipped in with 14 points, 3 assists, 4 steals and got in on the block party with 5 rejections.  Adrian Gonzalez had 7 points, Eddie Ivey 4 points and Kishan Bhakta pulled down 7 rebounds.  Coach Scott Kemp praised Bhakta’s great defensive play.   The victory moves Lone Pine’s overall record to 15-2 and 6-0 in Desert Mountain League Play.

lone pine high school sports, lone pine high school basketball, lone pine news, eastern sierra news, desert mountain league sports

Photo by Gary Young Photography.  Ryan Cappello blocks a shot vs. Bishop in the Christmas Classic