  $La_{0.6}Y_{0.1}Ca_{0.3}MnO_{3}$, an $ABO_{3}$ perovskite manganite oxide,
exhibits a non trivial behavior in the vicinity of the sharp peak found in the
resistivity $\rho$ as a function of temperature $T$ in zero magnetic field. The
various features seen on $d\rho/dT$ are discussed in terms of competing phase
transitions. They are related to the $Mn-O-Mn$ bond environment depending on
the content of the $A$ crystallographic site. A Ginzburg-Landau type theory is
presented for incorporating concurrent phase transitions. The specific heat $C$
of such a compound is also examined from 50 till 200 K. A log-log analysis
indicates different regimes. In the low temperature conducting ferromagnetic
phase, a collective magnon signature ($C \simeq T^{3/2}$) is found as for what
are called magnon-polaron excitations. A $C \simeq T^{2/3}$ law is found at
high temperature and discussed in terms of the fractal dimension of the
conducting network of the weakly conducting (so-called insulating) phase and
Orbach estimate of the excitation spectral behaviors. The need of considering
both independent spin scattering and collective spin scattering is thus
emphasized. The report indicates a remarkable agreement for the Fisher-Langer
formula, i.e. $C$ $\sim$ $d\rho/dT$ at second order phase transitions. Within
the Attfield model, we find an inverse square root relationship between the
critical temperature(s) and the total local $Mn-O-Mn$ strain.
