A MANAGEMENT STANDOFF AT HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER

LARGE CROWD FILLS THE ROOM AS YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES SUPER WAL-MART

POLICE INVESTIGATING HELLS’ ANGLES IN DEATH OF YUCCA VALLEY MAN

3 ARRESTED FOR METAL THEFT FROM STATE ROUTE 247 CELL PHONE TOWER

SCHOOL BOARD IN BUSY MEETING LAST NIGHT

NEW REPORTS WARNS OF LARGE EARTHQUAKES

29 PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION CHANGES DEVELOPMENT CODES

CITY OF 29 PALMS TO REMOVE BUILDINGS AT ADOBE AND SULLIVAN *

HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT MEETS TONIGHT, INTERIM SEPTIC SYSTEMS TO BE DISCUSSED

MORONGO BASIN TRANSIT AUTHORITY BOARD MEETS TOMORROW *

WONDER VALLEY ADVISORS MEET *

YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY BOOK SALE THIS WEEKEND

YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TAKES A WIN

A MANAGEMENT STANDOFF AT HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER

THIS IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF STORIES TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT A MANAGEMENT CRISIS AT HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER. EACH MORNING SINCE THURSDAY, MICHAEL BARRY, THE ADMINISTRATOR ASSIGNED BY BRIM HEALTHCARE, GOES TO THE CEO ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE AT HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER. EACH DAY HE IS TOLD HIS SERVICES ARE NOT REQUIRED AND ESCORTED OFF THE HOSPITAL CAMPUS. AS THIS CORPORATE MEXICAN STANDOFF PLAYS OUT, THE HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER BOARD SAYS THEY HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE OUTSIDE COMPANY THEY CONTRACTED WITH, FOR ABOUT $270,000.00 YEAR, TO MANAGE THE HOSPITAL. BUT THAT COMPANY, BRIM HEALTHCARE, SAYS THEY STILL HAVE A BINDING CONTRACT TO MANAGE THE HOSPITAL AND SENDS BARRY IN TO WORK EVERY MORNING. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT’S ELECTED BOARD TOOK ACTION APRIL 10 TO "SEPARATE" THE HOSPITAL FROM BRIM. ACCORDING TO ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR AND BOARD LIAISON JOE RUDDON, THE CONTRACT WITH BRIM SAYS, QUOTE - "EITHER PARTY MAY TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT WITHOUT CAUSE ON MAY 15, 2009", SO HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER IS INDEED CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO BRIM FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR. WHEN CONTACTED BY Z107.7 NEWS, BRIM SPOKESPERSON EVE HUTCHESON SAID, QUOTE, "THE DISTRICT’S BOARD LAST WEEK DECIDED UNILATERALLY TO PURSUE TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT WITH BRIM HEALTHCARE WITHOUT OUR CONSENT. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN ANY VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF OUR CONTRACT. WE HAVE A VALID AGREEMENT TO MANAGE THE HOSPITAL UNTIL MAY OF 2011 AND WE INTEND TO FULFILL OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THAT AGREEMENT". HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER BOARD VICE-PRESIDENT LESLIE MOODY TOLD Z107.7 THE DECISION TO SEPARATE FROM BRIM WAS BECAUSE THE BOARD WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR SERVICES AND HAD NOT BEEN FOR SOME TIME." SHE CONTINUED, "IN THE FACE OF CONTINUED FINANCIAL DETERIORATION, THE BOARD FELT IS WAS IN OUR BEST INTERESTS TO CONDUCT OUR OWN SEARCH FOR A CEO. TOMORROW, WE CONTINUE OUR LOOK INTO THE STANDOFF AT HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER AND THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS.

LARGE CROWD FILLS THE ROOM AS YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES SUPER WAL-MART

A FULL HOUSE SAW THE YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION GIVE FORMAL APPROVAL TO THE NEW SUPER WAL-MART STORE. REPORTER TAMMI ROLEFF WAS AT THE MEETING AND FILES THIS REPORT..... IN CASE THERE WAS ANY DOUBT ABOUT WHETHER THE YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION WOULD APPROVE THE SPECIFIC PLAN FOR A SUPER WAL-MART IN THE TOWN, AN AUDIENCE MEMBER SUMMED IT UP DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE MEETING LAST NIGHT: "IT’S A DONE DEAL." TO A PACKED HOUSE, OVER 80 RESIDENTS WHO WERE PRETTY EVENLY DIVIDED IN THEIR SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION OF THE PROJECT, MADE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN IN A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT LASTED NEARLY 1 ½ HOURS. THOSE IN FAVOR TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY NEEDED THE SUPER WAL-MART IN YUCCA VALLEY SO THEY WOULDN’T HAVE TO DRIVE DOWN THE HILL TO DO THEIR SHOPPING. OPPONENTS OF THE SUPER WAL-MART TALKED ABOUT THE MOM-AND-POP STORES THAT WOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS; ABOUT HOW YUCCA VALLEY ALREADY HAD 4 GROCERY STORES AND DIDN’T NEED ANOTHER; AND THEY QUESTIONED THE FATE OF THE OLD WAL-MART STORE. WAL-MART REPRESENTATIVES TOLD THE COMMISSIONERS THAT THE OLD STORE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT TO BE SOLD. THE COMMISSIONERS HAD ONLY A FEW MINOR QUIBBLES WITH THE PROJECT. THE BIGGEST CHANGE WAS THAT THE PALM TREES IN THE LANDSCAPING BE REPLACED WITH TREES MORE COMPATIBLE WITH THE HIGH DESERT. THE COMMISSIONERS RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO ALLOW STORAGE CONTAINERS BEHIND THE BUILDING, BUT ONLY BETWEEN NOV 15 AND JANUARY 1. IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE REZONING OF A 20-ACRE PARCEL AT CHOLLA AVE AND GOLDEN BEE FROM 5-ACRE MINIMUM TO 1-ACRE MINIMUM. THE COMMISSIONERS WERE UNANIMOUS IN THEIR PRAISE FOR THE PROJECT, SAYING IT WAS WELL THOUGHT-OUT, HAD NO MASS GRADING, AND THEY WISHED THEY WOULD SEE MORE PROJECTS LIKE IT.

 POLICE INVESTIGATING HELLS’ ANGLES IN DEATH OF YUCCA VALLEY MAN
INDIO POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE SAN BERNARDINO CHAPTER OF THE HELLS ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A YUCCA VALLEY MAN. POLICE SAY THEY SERVED SEARCH WARRANTS AT THREE LOCATIONS IN SAN BERNARDINO AND HIGHLAND ON TUESDAY THAT THEY SAY JOHN VANDERSTINE, 41, OF YUCCA VALLEY, FREQUENTED. POLICE WERE SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE DISCOVERY IN FEBRUARY OF VANDERSTINE'S BODY, WHICH WAS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH ABOUT FEB. 2, AFTER HIS BODY WAS DUMPED NORTH OF INTERSTATE 10. A SEARCH WARRANT WAS SERVED AT WHAT AUTHORITIES SAY IS A HELLS ANGELS CLUBHOUSE IN SAN BERNARDINO; WARRANTS WERE ALSO SERVED AT THE HOMES OF TWO POSSIBLE HELLS ANGELS MEMBERS. POLICE HAVE NOT CONFIRMED WHETHER JOHN VANDERSTINE WAS A HELLS ANGEL, BUT HE WAS KNOWN TO ASSOCIATE WITH GROUP MEMBERS AT THE CLUBHOUSE, THEY SAID. "WHAT'S PUZZLING IS WHY THE YUCCA VALLEY MAN ENDED UP IN INDIO," "WE DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS ALREADY DECEASED OR IF HE WAS KILLED THERE." THE HELLS ANGELS ORIGINATED IN FONTANA AND SAN BERNARDINO IN. INDIO POLICE ASK ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE TO CALL COACHELLA VALLEY CRIME STOPPERS AT 760-341-STOP. TIPS MAY YIELD A $1,000 REWARD.

3 ARRESTED FOR METAL THEFT FROM STATE ROUTE 247 CELL PHONE TOWER
THREE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED SUNDAY ON SUSPICION OF STEALING COPPER WIRE FROM A REMOTE CELL PHONE TOWER NORTH OF LANDERS. SHERIFF’S INVESTIGATORS SAY MORGAN VAUGHN, 37; MATTHEW SHELTON, 31, AND CHRISTINA PAHOLSKY, 20, ALL OF APPLE VALLEY, WERE ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF COMMERCIAL BURGLARY AND TRESPASSING. THE CELL PHONE TOWER ON OLD WOMAN SPRINGS ROAD UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OFF-LINE ON APRIL 4. A TECHNICIAN RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEM SPOTTED A TRUCK LEAVING THE AREA AND WROTE DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED COPPER WIRING AND OTHER METALS HAD BEEN STRIPPED FROM THE TOWER, WHICH WAS ALSO VANDALIZED.

SCHOOL BOARD IN BUSY MEETING LAST NIGHT
THE MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD MET IN REGULAR SESSION LAST NIGHT. REPORTER DAN STORK WAS AT THE VERY FULL MEETING AND FILES THIS REPORT....... THE MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING OPENED WITH MUSIC BY THE 29 PALMS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BAND, DIRECTED BY BRANDI LYONS. FOLLOWING THE ENTERTAINMENT, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT DOUG WELLER AND MORONGO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION CHIEF NEGOTIATOR MAX HAZARD PRESENTED NEXT YEAR’S SUNSHINE ITEMS. THESE ARE SECTIONS OF THE UNION CONTRACT THAT THE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATION HAVE AGREED TO DISCUSS DURING LABOR NEGOTIATIONS. THEN RICK GILBERT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE CITIZEN’S OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR THE MEASURE O BOND ISSUE, PRESENTED THE COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT, WHICH SAYS THAT THE PROGRAM IS PROCEEDING IN A SHIP-SHAPE MANNER. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL WALKER WAS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FINDING TAKERS FOR THE NEXT, $21 MILLION PHASE OF MEASURE O BONDS, SAYING THAT SCHOOL BONDS ARE DOING BETTER IN FINANCIAL MARKETS THAN ARE MANY OTHER INVESTMENTS. DOUG WELLER ALSO REPORTED THAT A TRIP EAST TO RECRUIT TEACHERS WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION AREA, BUT CAME UP EMPTY ON FINDING SPEECH TEACHERS. KATHI PAPP DESCRIBED A FAVORABLE STATE EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND UHS KEYSTONE, AN OUTSIDE FIRM THAT PROVIDES NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. FOLLOWING APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED EACH OF 9 ACTION ITEMS ON A DIVERSE LIST IN SHORT ORDER. AMONG THESE WERE THE FORMATION OF A BOOSTER’S CLUB FOR 29 PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ BASKETBALL, PLUS DESIGNATION OF MAY 18 TO 24 AS CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE WEEK AND MAY 14 AS DAY OF THE TEACHER FOR THE DISTRICT.

NEW REPORTS WARNS OF LARGE EARTHQUAKES
A NEW REPORT WARNS OF A HIGH EARTHQUAKE POSSIBILITY IN OUR REGION. ACCORDING TO A REPORT ISSUED BY THREE GEOLOGICAL RESEARCH AGENCIES, THERE'S A 99.7 PERCENT CHANCE THE STATE WILL GET ROCKED BY A DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE WITHIN THE NEXT 30 YEARS. THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY IS ALONG THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT IN THE NEARBY COACHELLA VALLEY. THIS SHOULD BE A SERIOUS AND STARK WARNING REGARDING THE VULNERABILITY OF OUR FAMILIES TO MASSIVE NATURAL CATASTROPHES AND A CALL TO ACTION FOR POLICY MAKERS IN WASHINGTON," SAID FEMA IN A NEWS RELEASE TUESDAY. A COUNTY SPOKESMAN SAID TUESDAY THAT CITIZENS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER A NATURAL DISASTER. SCIENTISTS SAID TUESDAY THE REPORT IS A FORECAST OF EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS, RATHER THAN A PREDICTION OF ONE MASSIVE SEISMIC EVENT.

29 PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION CHANGES DEVELOPMENT CODES
THE 29 PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION MET IN REGULAR SESSION LAST NIGHT. REPORTER TERRY BIGLER SAYS SOME AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT CODE WERE CHANGED...... IN A MOSTLY ROUTINE MEETING, THE TWENTYNINE PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION MET AT CITY HALL TUESDAY EVENING. UNDER PUBLIC HEARINGS, AMENDMENTS TO THE DEVELOPMENT CODE WERE ON THE DOCKET. CHANGES TO PC 08-20 DEVELOPMENT CODE INCLUDED; RURAL LIVING, SINGLE FAMILY, AND SERVICE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE AMENDMENTS. UNDER NON-HEARING ITEMS; THE COMMISSION CONSIDERED TIME EXTENSIONS FOR EXPIRING ENTITLEMENTS. THERE WILL BE JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS ON THURSDAY, MAY 8, AND MONDAY, MAY 12, AT CITY HALL AT 6 IN THE EVENING.

CITY OF 29 PALMS TO REMOVE BUILDINGS AT ADOBE AND SULLIVAN *

HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT MEETS TONIGHT, INTERIM SEPTIC SYSTEMS TO BE DISCUSSED
THE HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT MEETS TONIGHT, WITH SEWAGE THE MAIN ITEM UP FOR DISCUSSION. REPORTER KARL GARDNER FLUSHES OUT THE DETAILS ….SEWAGE IS THE MAJOR TOPIC UP FOR DISCUSSIONS, AT THIS EVENING’S HI DESERT WATER DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, BEING HELD AT DISTRICT OFFICES 55439 29 PALMS HIGHWAY, STARTING AT 6. FIRST UP ON THE DOCKET, THE MONTHLY WASTEWATER PROJECT UPDATE. NEXT THE BOARD WILL LOOK AT PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE PURPOSE STATEMENT OF THE WASTEWATER PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THEN CONSIDER APPROVING $118,000 FOR WASTEWATER PHASING AND RECLAMATION STUDIES. ROUNDING OUT THE LOOK AT SEWAGE, THE BOARD WILL RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON INTERIM SEPTIC SYSTEM REGULATIONS. A CLOSED SESSION FOLLOWS TO CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNCIL ON ANTICIPATED LITIGATION.

 MORONGO BASIN TRANSIT AUTHORITY BOARD MEETS TOMORROW *

WONDER VALLEY ADVISORS MEET *

YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY BOOK SALE THIS WEEKEND
THE BIG SPRING BOOK SALE AT THE YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY STARTS FRIDAY. REPORTER TAMI ROLEFF SAYS YOU CAN GET GREAT BARGAINS WHILE SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY...... FRIENDS OF THE YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY WILL HOLD ITS SPRING BOOK SALE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY AT THE LIBRARY. THE BOOK SALE OPENS THURSDAY FROM 4 TO 7:30 P.M., AND FROM 9 TO 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. HOURS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE 10 TO 4 ON FRIDAY, AND 10 TO 5 ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY. TUESDAY IS BUCK A BAG FROM NOON TO 4 PM. MANY GENTLY USED BEST SELLERS, VIDEOS, AUDIOTAPES, RECORDS, AND MAGAZINES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE SILENT AUCTION FEATURES RARE, OLD, AND JUST PLAIN INTERESTING BOOKS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 228-5455.

YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TAKES A WIN
A BIG WIN FOR YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL. IT WAS YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 15 DESERT MIRAGE 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS AFFECTING THE MERCY RULE. COACH MELISSA REINDEL SAID SANDRA MENDEZ BATTED 3 FOR 5 WITH 3 RUNS AND 2 RBI, ALEXA ZIMARIK BATTED 2 FOR 3 WITH A WALK, 2 RUNS AND 2 RBI. ELIZABETH SLAUGHTER BATTED 1 FOR 2 WITH A WALK AND A HIT-BY-PITCH, 3 RUNS, AND 2 RBI, LEEANNE PRIEST PITCHED 3 2/3 INNINGS WITH 3 STRIKEOUTS AND 1 WALK AND 1 HIT AND NO RUNS NEXT GAME IS THURSDAY IN BIG BEAR. YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IS NOW 5 AND 2 IN DE ANZA LEAGUE.

* AVAILABLE ON DAILY AUDIO FILE ONLY

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