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Listen To Your News		Friday, January 8, 2010		News Archive

Patrick Poteat

MARINE, ARRESTED IN YUCCA VALLEY PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN SAN DIEGO MURDER A 21-year-old Marine, arrested in Yucca Valley Tuesday, has pleaded not guilty to murder for allegedly strangling his wife of two months in their San Diego County apartment. Bail for Lance Cpl. Patrick Poteat was set Thursday at $1 million. Poteat, stationed a MCAS Miramar, was spotted driving away from Twentynine Palms and arrested by Morongo Basin Sheriff’s deputies shortly after the body of 19-year-old Kalyn O'Barr-Poteat was found. Deputy District Attorney Dan Link says Poteat's superior went to look for him Tuesday morning after he did not show up for work. The superior saw Poteat driving away and then received a text message from Poteat telling him to call 911 and force entry into his apartment where he would find the body. Link says Poteat also left a note on the refrigerator indicating he had killed his wife.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS MAN ARRESTED AFTER THREATS TO WELFARE OFFICES
A Twentynine Palms man is behind bars after calling in threats against 2 county assistance offices. Sheriff’s officials said Wednesday morning around 10, employees at the County Assistance Office in Ontario said a man had called and threatened he was going to bomb the office after he was told he was not eligible for service. The man, identified at Fred Keen, 55 of Twentynine Palms was told there was a local assistance office in Twentynine Palms. Keen replied that he had changed his mind, and said if the Twentynine Palms offices turns him away, he has weapons and knows how to use them, along with the threat he will take out a gun and shoot them. Neither the Ontario or Twentynine Palms offices were evacuated. After investigating, deputies located and arrested Keen in the 5500 of Feldspur Road in Twentynine Palms for investigation of making terrorist threats. Fred Keen was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail and held on $50,000 bail.

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WE OFFER A CORRECTION ON A PREVIOUS STORY
A correction today to a story we ran December 29th. In the story we said Jeanne Walker, 34 of Twentynine Palms, ex-wife of Alcide Walker, an inmate suspected of fatally shooting a man at a Highland apartment complex, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and murder. The information provided to us was not correct and Jeanne Walker was not arrested, only detained as part of the investigation by the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Unit. We regret any inconvenience caused to Jeanne Walker by the incorrect report.

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FREE LEGAL AID OFFERED IN JOSHUA TREE AND ABOARD MARINE BASE
Free legal aid is being offered locally. Reporter Dan Stork says the legal aid clinics will be offered in Joshua Tree and aboard the Twentynine Palms Marine Base...
Legal Aid of San Bernardino is holding local clinics regularly. You can get free help in filling out legal forms. The Legal Aid Society also consults on a variety of issues, including conservatorship, guardianship, family law, custody and support, powers of attorney, trusts and wills, bankruptcy, and medical directives. Clinics are scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. at the Joshua Tree Community Center. There is also a clinic in the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. in building 1707 on the Marine Base in Twentynine Palms, for which base access is needed. Those wishing to make use of legal aid services are asked to bring files and court orders, as well as driver’s license or other ID, proof of legal residence, and verification of income. Please don’t bring children or guests, as space is limited. For more information call 1-866-889-7328 toll-free, or visit www.legalaidofsb.org.

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HUNDREDS OF LOCAL MARINES AND SAILORS DEPLOYING TO JAPAN
Hundreds of Marines and sailors leave Twentynine Palms this week for a six-month deployment to Japan, the first time a battalion has deployed as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit. A Marine Expeditionary Unit is intended for immediate response to any crisis and is the smallest air-ground task force. They will work with "partner nations" in training exercises and serve as a rapid-reaction force in the South Pacific, military officials said. The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment will not be the only ones departing for Okinawa, Japan. Joining them are Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines; 1st Platoon, Company D, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion; and 1st Platoon, Company A, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

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Margo Sturges

TOWN OFFICIAL SUGGESTS YUCCA MESA PAY FOR SEWER SYSTEM A town official suggested that residents of the Yucca Mesa area help pay for the proposed Yucca Valley sewer system at a meeting of the Hi-Desert Water District this week. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says the district also noted successful local water conservation efforts... Yucca Valley Planning Commissioner Margo Sturges suggested the idea that Yucca Mesa should be included in the Yucca Valley Sewage project. During public comments at Wednesday’s Hi-Desert Water District meeting, Sturges that there should be a "Phase YM", as part of the overall sewage planning. Responding, Director Bob Stadum said there are 3 phases in the project scheme, and its clear-cut that Yucca Mesa is not included. Turning to less mundane issues, the board lauded all customers for their efforts conserving water. During a report on state mandated water conservation measures, the board leaned that HI-Desert is a full 71 Gallons Per Capita per day under the state baseline of 191 Gallons per Capita per day. The achievement has opened the door for continued grant funding eligibility. More information on Hi Desert Water’s compliance can be viewed at HDWD.com.

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Michael Ramos

1.5 MILLION SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT FILED AGAINST COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL RAMOS A Redlands woman whose allegations of sexual harassment against County District Attorney Michael Ramos spurred an investigation has filed a $1.5 million claim against the county, Ramos and two of his high ranking staff. Cheryl Ristow, a seven-year employee of the District Attorney's Office, states in her claim that she had a 1 1/2-year affair with Ramos that ended in 2005. Ristow said she was subjected to a workplace vendetta when information about the alleged affair surfaced in a local newspaper. The claim also alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress, slander, defamation of character and workplace retaliation, among other charges. Ramos has denied the allegations since they first surfaced in May. Also named in the claim as causing injury, damage or loss to Ristow are Supervising Deputy District Attorney Michael Fermin and Chief District Attorney Investigator Michael Smith.

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SHERIFF UNVEILS NEW EMERGENCY VEHICLE
The Sheriff’s Department has a new emergency vehicle, it looks somewhat like a television news truck with its bank of phone switches, radios and satellite equipment. The Department showed off its new Mobile Interoperability Gateway Unit, which will be used during disasters, search and rescue operations and other incidents where there is a need to tie multiple radio frequencies together Thursday. The Sheriff's Department will make it available for emergencies in five other counties. The truck and unit, worth $275,700, were funded with U.S. Department of Homeland Security grants. Lt. Glenn Grabiec, head of the Sheriff's Department's volunteer forces, says the equipment, will tie in 22 phone lines, 17 radios and satellite broadcast footage. It can be set up in about an hour once the vehicle has been driven to a disaster site.

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MEDITATE AT THE YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY
The Yucca Valley library is offering a class on meditation. Reporter Tami Roleff finds her inner chi...
Libraries are supposed to be quiet places, which makes them a perfect place to learn to meditate. Meditation expert Alpha Richards will offer a meditation class on Monday afternoon at 4 in the Yucca Valley Library meeting room. The class is the first in a series of programs presented by the High Desert Natural Healers. Upcoming free natural health programs will be held on the second Thursday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The next class will be January 14 featuring Liz Bird who will present Quantum Biofeedback and how it can improve your health.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS LINE UP
A Busy day in Local High School Sports today. The Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat boys and girls Basketball teams travel to Thermal versus the Desert Mirage Rams, the Lady Cats tip off at 6, the boys at 7. The Yucca Valley High School Trojan boys and girls basketball teams are down the hill to face the Golden Eagles of Desert Hot Springs. The Lady Trojans play at 6, the boys at 7:30. And the Twentynine Palms Wildcat boys’ soccer team travels to Riverside versus Woodcrest Christian, that game starts at 6.

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TENNIS PROGRAM OFFERED IN YUCCA VALLEY
The Town of Yucca Valley offers Tennis Classes for whatever your age! Whether you are age 5 or 65 and every age in between, there is a class for you! A new 6-week session begins this Monday, January 11. The classes are held at Jacobs Park tennis courts and pre-registration is required online or at the Community Services Office For more information call the Town of Yucca Valley Community Services Department at 369-7211.

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