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Listen To Your News		Thursday, January 14, 2010		News Archive

ENHANCED COVERAGE OF HAITIAN DISASTER ON THE AIR AND ON LINE, WE TELL YOU HOW TO HELP HAITIANS Z107.7 will bring the latest updates on the Haitian disaster every hour on the hour through our partners at ABC news. You can get enhanced coverage at kcdzfm.com. Morongo Basin residents who want to help the Haitian relief effort can donate to the Red Cross. We will also take cash or checks made out to the Red Cross here at the Z107.7 studios in Joshua Tree. To make an instant $10 donation to the Red Cross text the word Haiti to 90999 on your cell phone.

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MARINES SENDING MEU TO HAITI FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
The Marines are rushing to help earthquake vicitms in Haiti. The Pentagon is planning to send a Marine expeditionary unit to earthquake-ravaged Haiti as part of an extensive U.S. relief plan for the island nation. While plans have not been finalized, the MEU would come from the East Coast, "probably out of North Carolina," said Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander of U.S. Southern Command. Marine officials at the Pentagon said the 22nd MEU is the likely option.

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AS CENSUS GETS UNDERWAY, SO DO THE SCAM ARTISTS
As the effort for the 2010 census starts... So do the con men. Managing Editor Karl Gardner has this scam warning…
As the 2010 U.S. Census gets underway, consumer advocates are warning the public to be wary of possible scams. With Census workers fanning out attempting to count every person in the nation officials are urging people to be cooperative but cautious when giving out information. If a Census worker comes to your door, they’ll have a badge, hand-held computer, and canvas bag. Before answering any questions, ask to see the person’s badge and never invite anyone you don’t know inside your home. Census takers might ask for general financial information, such as a salary range, but never for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. A very popular Census scam comes via e-mail. The scammer asks you for personal information and some fall victim because it looks official. Census organizers say that they will never contact you electronically.

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Michael A Ramos

SEXUAL HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION OF COUNTY D.A. COMPLETE A nearly six-month investigation into alleged sexual harassment by County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos is finished and a 200-page report was presented Wednesday to county counsel and human resources by a law firm commissioned by the Board of Supervisors to conduct the investigation. The report, is under review by county counsel and it won't be until next week until a decision is made as to how the report will be presented to the Board of Supervisors, Ramos and the public. In August, Cheryl Ristow, filed a sexual harassment complaint after coming forward about her alleged 17-month affair with Ramos. Ristow filed a claim against the county, Ramos and two of his high-ranking staff seeking $1.5 million damages and $38,000 in lost wages. Ramos has denied the allegations since they first surfaced in May.

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BURRTEC WASTE INDUSTRIES FINED FOR EMISSIONS VIOLATION
The California Air Resources Board announced Wednesday that Fontana-based Burrtec Waste Industries, who provides trash service to the Morongo Basin communities paid thousands of dollars in fines for emissions violations in 2005 and 2006. The board investigation showed that Burrtec failed to inspect its diesel vehicles, according to a board news release. Burrtec also failed to comply with a solid waste collection vehicle rule by not retrofitting some of their vehicles with required emission-reduction devices. The waste-hauling company paid $307,200 in fines. The money will fund projects and research aimed at improving the state's air quality.

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THERE IS A NEW SHERIFF’S LIEUTENANT IN TOWN
There is a new sheriff’s lieutenant in town. ROP broadcast student Kipp Davis makes the introductions...
Going on 27 years working with the sheriff’s department, Richard Boswell is back in the Morongo Basin serving as a Lieutenant. Boswell worked here several years ago as a sergeant. Boswell worked in the jail facilities for over 2 years before being assigned as a patrol deputy. Some time after, Boswell went to the narcotics division, where he worked undercover in major drug investigations and was also a member of SWAT. He says his favorite part of the job is serving the public and ensuring that deputies and staff have the resources and tools to get the job done. Outside of law enforcement, Boswell enjoys ranching, riding horses, participating in rodeos and traveling.

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TIME TO COMMENT ON NEW NEARBY 7500 BED JAIL CLOSING
Riverside County officials on Friday will close the public comment period for the draft environmental impact report on the proposed 7,200-bed jail in nearby Whitewater. The study is a required step in the planning of the facility that county officials have touted as a solution to the countywide overcrowding problems that has resulted in the early release of inmates. The jail would be built in stages, with an estimated 2,000 beds included in the first phase. Riverside County supervisors will use the environmental report to help them decide if roughly 200 acres along Interstate 10 is the best place for the jail. Officials have considered other locations, but have described Whitewater as their preferred spot.

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YUCCA VALLEY PARKS PLAN WORKSHOP TONIGHT
The next in a series of public workshops on the planning of future parks in the town of Yucca Valley will be held tonight. Reporter Tami Roleff has more...
The Town of Yucca Valley will hold the fourth workshop in a series of five tonight at which residents can fine-tune recommendations for a new South Side Community Park. The workshop will be held at 6:30 tonight at the Joshua Springs Calvary Chapel café building. The proposed park is planned for a 40-acre site bordered by Warren Vista on the east and Joshua Lane to the south. The final workshop will be held at 10:30 on Saturday, January 23. For more information, call the Community Services Office at 760-369-7211.

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HOSPICE SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP BEGINS
Hospice of Morongo Basin's Survivors of Suicide Support Group has begun. The grief you experience when someone you love takes his or her own life is profound. Often times, suicide survivors feel alone and are left to reconcile their grief in silence because of the fear and misunderstanding associated with suicide death. Hospice of Morongo Basin is offering a Survivors of Suicide support group beginning tonight from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hospice office, 61675 Twentynine Palms, Highway, Joshua Tree. The group will meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month through May and again from August through December. Please call Dianne Swella at 760-366-1308 for more information and before attending the group for the first time.

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FREE TAX ASSISTANCE OFFERED FOR AREA SENIOR CITIZENS
Free tax aid tax preparation for senior citizens in available here in the Morongo Basin. Reporter Dan Stork tells you how to make an appointment...
Tax-Aide, the AARP-sponsored Volunteer service that provides free tax preparation for the elderly and low to middle-income taxpayers, will be booking appointments for the tax season. Tax-Aide has two sites in the Morongo Basin. In Yucca Valley, St. Mary of the Valley Church, at 7495 Church Street, will be open from February 2 through April 15th, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. In Twentynine Palms, a site at the Twentynine Palms Library will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. every Friday from February 6th through April 9th. For appointments please call 760-365-3355 between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., Monday through Wednesday, starting January 18th. Tax clients are required to bring their prior year's tax return (form 1040 for 2008) and social security cards　for themselves and their dependents and tax documents pertaining to the tax year 2009. Couples filing jointly should both be present to sign authorization forms if at all possible. If a spouse is unable to get to the site, please mention this when making the tax appointment.

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TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP IN YUCCA VALLEY SATURDAY
The Town of Yucca Valley’s is offering a Tree Pruning Workshop this Saturday, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Yucca Valley Community Center. Join Mike Branning from Unique Garden Center for this free 2 hour workshop and get some tips on the proper pruning of fruit and shade trees. Learn how to maximize fruit production or just have the best shade tree in the neighborhood! For more Town information call the Yucca Valley Community Services Department at 760-369-7211.

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"BLITHE SPIRIT" OPENS TOMORROW AT THEATER 29
The classic Noel Coward comedy, "Blithe Spirit" opens tomorrow night at Theatre 29 in Twentynine Palms. Reporter Tami Roleff tells you how to get tickets...
A hard-working case and crew is getting ready for the opening show of the 2010 season at Theatre 29. Blithe Spirit, a classic comedy written by Noel Coward, opens Friday and runs 5 weekends through February 13. Blithe Spirit tells the story of author Charles Condamine, who hires a medium, Madame Arkati, to perform a séance at his home to get material for a new book. What he gets is the spirit of his former wife who settles in to wreak havoc on his life and second marriage. Blithe Spirit is the fifth show directed by Theatre 29 veteran Butch Pelfry, who is assited by technical director Tom "Piney" Highfill. Performances for Blithe Spirit are at 7 pm Fridays and Saturdays, with a 7:00 Thursday night show on January 28 and a 2:30 matinee on Sunday, February 7. Tickets are $12, $10, and $8 and are available by calling the Theatre 29 box office at 760-361-4151 or online at www.theatre29.com.

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MULTI-MEDIA STAR SHOW AT THE BLAK BOX THEATER SATURDAY
It will be a multi-media star show at the Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree Saturday. Reporter Mike Lipsitz gets out his telescope...
A celebration of our night skies called "2010 A Space Odyssey," happens Saturday, January 16 at the Blak Box Theatre in Joshua Tree. The program begins with a free art show from 5 to 6:30 pm, followed by a $15 paid admission show at 7. An interactive presentation by a NASA expert, an indoor "star party" featuring live celestial viewing of our night skies, and "Connect The Dots" a new, family-friendly skit with Paul Morehead as Professor of the Universe will expose the audience to astronomical concepts presented in an "edutainment" format. After intermission, a NASA engineer will speak on the science which makes NASA projects possible. Don’t miss this rare indoor chance to observe live pictures of planets, asteroids, satellites and nebulae in high definition. Order tickets through the Box Office at 760-366-3777 or online at hidesertculturalcenter.com.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL BEATS YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL LAST NIGHT
The Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat and Yucca Valley High School Trojan boy's basketball team met last night in a De Anza League show down in Yucca Valley gym. The Wildcats came away with a 70 to 58 Victory. Osbaldo Chaves led the Wildcats with 15 points followed by Jarin and Juwan Rice with 14 each. Jake Batin scored 11 for the Trojans. The Wildcats are now 2-0 in the De Anza League and Yucca Valley is 1-1. Mark January 29 on your calendar as the Wildcat and Trojan boy's and girls teams both meet in Wildcat gym for a rematch 6:00 p.m. for the girls and 7:30 for the boys.

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SIGN UP FOR PONY LEAGUE BASEBALL IN 29 PALMS
Pony Baseball and Softball has come to the High Desert. All youths, ages 4 to 19, are invited to register for the upcoming season. The registration fee is $50, which includes a hat, jersey, pants, belt, socks, and trophy. Sign ups are taking place at Luckie Park, Twentynine Palms Junior High, and Twentynine Palms High School on January 16 and 23, as well as on, February 6 and 13. Registration is also available online at 29hdpl.clubspaces.com. They also are in need of coaches, umpires, volunteers, and sponsors. For more information, please contact Carol Tate 760-424-6329, or email at pony29palms@aol.com.

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