Emergency notification given

The following is part of a press release received from Sgt. Dave O'Hara of the Mono County Sheriff's Department Office of Emergency Services:

The Mono County Sheriff's Department has contracted with Emergency Communications Network for its "Code Red" high speed telephone notification services. The system gives emergency service officials the ability to deliver a pre-recorded emergency telephone notification/information messages to targeted areas or the entire county at a rate of 60,000 calls per hour. All residential and business phone numbers in the Mono County 911 database can be called by the system. It allows for rapid dissemination of time sensitive emergency messages to the public. Information regarding avalanche warnings, evacuations, flood and fire warnings can be sent out over this system. Mono County residents can now register their cell phones with Code Red, so that they can also receive the messages. Register your cell phone at https://login.codered.com/codereddataentry/Index.cfm. If you do not have Internet access, you can call O'Hara at (760) 932-5234 to have your cell number entered in the database.

New art exhibit

A new exhibit of our local artists' works is on display at the Coleville library. If you haven't seen their previous exhibits, you should stop by and see examples of the varied talents in our valley. It's also a worthwhile visit just to browse the library and see all they have to offer.

Planning commission

The Mono County Planning Commission is beginning a program of traveling to different areas of the county to hold meetings on issues before them that affect that particular area. They will be meeting tomorrow 10 a.m. at the Walker Community Center. It is interesting to see how the planning process works and how development happens, and you are welcome to attend.

Mule deer presentation

Tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Walker Community Center is the monthly meeting of the Regional Planning Advisory Committee. The featured speaker will be Tim Taylor from the California Department of Fish and Game. He will discuss mule deer and their habitat in the Antelope Valley. Having heard him speak before, I am really looking forward to this presentation. If you are interested in how the deer and their habitat affect the future of the valley, please plan on attending.

A well-deserved honor

Late last month, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3567 voted for their "citizen of the year." The winner was Bill Tichenor. Bill has served the community for over 20 years as a teacher for special-needs children from kindergarten through high school. He helps them with their computer skills, passing the high school exit exam, and helps the older students prepare to work in the community. Thank you, Bill.

This and that

-- I learned this week about a California law that I had never known existed, and it is something we should all be aware of. The law says that if weather conditions require the use of windshield wipers, the headlights of your car must be turned on, whether it's day or night, because it allows other drivers to see your car in bad weather.

-- Our sympathies go out to local resident Dee Thompson and her sons, Glen and Jared, on their recent loss of Dee's mother.

-- The Walker River Color Guard, under the leadership of Karla Smith, will be performing prior to the varsity basketball games at Coleville High this Saturday, 3:30 p.m. There are now 20 members of the guard, and they have been practicing their routines faithfully. It is also a great opportunity to go and support our team.

-- Remember that this Sunday is the Super Bowl. Eat lots of goodies, visit with friends and have a great time.

-- Lynne Katusich can be reached at lynnekat@schat.net or (530) 495-2552.