April 27: Mono County Weekly
Mammoth rental assistance, Mono County cannabis delivery, all-mail November ballot, fishing season delay, and the state of Mono County's coronavirus response
Thank you for subscribing to the first issue of the shiny new Mono County Weekly. This newsletter is a weekly recap of community news reported by me, Monica Prelle, a local journalist—so you can stay informed on the the issues that are important to our mountain community.
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Please get in touch with questions, comments or tips — and, please, enjoy the sunshine this week. Be kind, stay well. —Monica
Mono County COVID-19 News and Updates
In a 4–1 vote, the Mammoth Lakes Town Council approved $200,000 for rental assistance for residents impacted by COVID-19. Councilmember Cleland Hoff was the only “no” vote. “I am very much for giving assistance to people, but what assistance are they giving to the town or county?” Hoff said. “They are not following protocol right now. I have very little sympathy.”
The Mono County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allow temporary cannabis delivery in unincorporated Mono County. Retailers do not have a long-term right to deliver cannabis past the state’s shelter-in-place orders, Assistant County Counsel Christy Milovich said.
The Board also moved to support an all-mail ballot for the upcoming November election. According to Shannon Kendall, the Mono County Registrar of Voters, the county already has 75% permanent vote-by-mail voters.
According to Mono County Finance Director Janet Dutcher, the county has received 97% of property tax payments year-to-date, which is slightly higher than last year at this time, so “we are on target” she said.
California’s Employment Development Department continues to see historic numbers of applications. Nearly two million Californians applied for benefits in the first two weeks of April. An estimated $3 billion of UI claims will be dispersed this week.
Last week Governor Newsom financial relief for undocumented workers. California’s $75 million Disaster Relief Fund will support undocumented residents who are impacted by COVID-19 and ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits due to their immigration status.
Journalism provides something unique to a culture — independent, reliable, accurate and comprehensive information that citizens require to be free.
—Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, The Elements of Journalism
Eastern Sierra fishing season delayed due to COVID-19 concerns
For the past few weeks, Chris Leonard has fought against the one thing he loves most — fishing. The Mammoth Lakes resident has been one of the most outspoken Eastern Sierra fly fishing guides pushing for a delay to the season opener.
It’s counterintuitive to his livelihood and joy, but he’s concerned about tourism in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. And he’s not the only one.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife postponed fishing season in Alpine, Inyo, and Mono counties, and some waters in Sierra County in response to COVID-19. The delay expires May 31 and does not affect other regions in the state.
Every crisis reminds communities anew of journalism’s importance. —Ken Armstrong, The New Yorker
The state of Mono County’s coronavirus response
It’s been more than a month now since Mammoth Mountain closed and local tourism officials started asking visitors to stay away to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Mono County residents are mostly staying home and practicing physical distancing while public health officials continue to work relentlessly to protect the community from COVID-19 worst-case scenarios.
Recent updates are hesitantly optimistic with no new hospitalized patients, increased testing capacity, and a hospital that is ready for surge capacity. Now many residents are asking: when will this end?
This week in Mono County
Mammoth Lakes Tourism and the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Virtual Community Coffee on Thursday to discuss re-opening and recovery efforts. Log in to the zoom meeting from 8 to 9 a.m. and then pick-up complimentary coffee anytime before 12 noon from Stellar Brew, Black Velvet, The Looney Bean, or Starbucks on Main Street.
When: Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
Zoom Meeting ID: 946 9658 6378
Coffee Coupon Code: COMMUNITYCOFFEE
Recommended Reading
COVID: “New York clinical trial quietly tests heartburn remedy against coronavirus” Brendan Borrell SCIENCE
Journalism: “What Happens When the News is Gone?” Charles Bethea The New Yorker
Book Review: “In ‘Nerve,’ Eva Holland Boldly Investigates Fear” SIERRA
I hardly move though really I’m traveling / a terrific distance. —Mary Oliver, Today
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Monica Prelle is a Mammoth Lakes-based journalist currently reporting on COVID-19.