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Listen To Your News		Monday, January 18, 2010		News Archive

JOHNSON VALLEY MAN SURRENDERS AFTER LONG STAND-OFF
A Man finally surrendered after an hours-long standoff in Johnson Valley last night. County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man Sunday night after a standoff that began with a death investigation in the Johnson Valley area. The incident began around 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon in the 48000 block of Joshua Tree Road in Johnson Valley, said sheriff's spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire. Firefighters told deputies that Ken Coleman, 50, became agitated and pulled a gun on them after they tried to examine his elderly mother. The mother, a woman in her 80s, appears to have died of natural causes. Coleman ordered the firefighters out of the house after he threatened them. Several deputies arrived and attempted to get Coleman to surrender. SWAT officers were called after he refused to exit the house. The suspect surrendered at 7:22 p.m. after several hours of negotiations with SWAT officers. Ken Coleman was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on firefighters.

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SHERIFF’S DEPUTY DODGES DUI DRIVER IN JOSHUA TREE
Authorities arrested an intoxicated Joshua Tree woman Friday morning after she nearly struck a sheriff's deputy with her car. The California Highway Patrol arrested Melissa Speer, 32, on suspicion of driving while under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment. She had her 11-year-old son in the vehicle during the incident, officers said. Two CHP officers were stopped on Highway 62 near Sunfair Road at 2:12 a.m., helping a County sheriff's deputy. The deputy was standing on the right shoulder when one of the CHP officers noticed someone driving about 65 mph on the shoulder toward the deputy. One of the CHP officers yelled and caught the deputy's attention. The deputy jumped up and landed on the hood of the CHP patrol car to avoid being struck by Speer's vehicle. Officers pulled Melissa Speer over and arrested her for investigation of DUI and Child Endangerment with bail set at $25,000.00.

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PARKING ADJUSTMENTS DURING RE-PAVING AT COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
Copper Mountain College students and staff arriving to the college campus in Joshua Tree will find parking a challenge tomorrow during a re-paving project. Reporter Tami Roleff has some college parking suggestions...
Students returning to classes at Copper Mountain College tomorrow will notice that the main parking lot on campus is closed while it’s being re-paved. A temporary parking lot is in place just east of the Student Services Building, and a small lot is also available just north of the Phase I buildings. Students may also park on the road. In addition, the parking lot at the Bell Center will be opened for students. A van will shuttle students between the Bell Center parking lot and Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the campus. The college has also worked out a deal with the Morongo Basin Transit Authority; students with an ID card will be able to ride the bus to the college for free for this week only. The main parking lot is expected to be open for classes next Monday.

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COUNTY ADVISES RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR STORMS
The National Weather Service is predicting extended periods of significant rain and snow running through the week. The county is advising residents in and below areas recently burned by wildfires to be aware of, and prepare for, the possibility of flooding. Other low-lying areas near and adjacent to watercourses may also experience localized flooding. Residents are advised to stay clear of flood control debris basins and channels. Persons can be swept away by a surge of water runoff, mudflow, or debris flow. Debris basins and channels are also dangerous when it is not raining as persons may become trapped in mud and debris by venturing onto what may appear to be stable soil. Do not drive where water is over the road as floodwaters can rise rapidly and sweep a car and its occupants away. "Turn around don’t drown".

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CHP "START SMART" CLASSES THIS THURSDAY EVENING
The California Highway Patrol is continuing the FREE Start Smart class at the Morongo Basin Area office. The next class will be held on Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Teen drivers are at fault in 66% of all fatal collisions that they are involved in, they represent 4% of the state’s licensed drivers. This program provides classroom instruction on collision avoidance techniques, collision causing elements, and driver responsibilities. Parents and newly licensed or soon to be drivers with questions regarding this class or anyone that wishes to pre-register, which is required, are to contact the Morongo Basin California Highway Patrol Area office at 760-366-3707.

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AUDITIONS FOR "WALMARTOPIA" AT THEATRE 29 TONIGHT
Auditions will be held tonight for the satire, "Walmartopia" which pokes broad fun at the world’s largest retailer. The musical will be the west coast debut of the off-Broadway hit set in the future when WalMart has taken over the world, except for the state of Vermont. Reporter Mike Lipsitz has the casting call...
Auditions for the new musical comedy "Walmartopia" begin tonight at 7 pm at Theatre 29 located at Sullivan and Adobe roads in Twentynine Palms. "Walmartopia" runs for 5 weeks beginning March 12. This political satire takes aim at the world’s largest retailer. Director Charles Harvey seeks 20 to 25 adult singers and actors. Among the principal roles are three females, ages 16 to 45 and five men ranging in age from 20 to 50. Come prepared with a karaoke tape or professional backing track, (No background vocals, please!) Dress to move and be prepared to read cold. Selections from the script are available at theatre29.com. Stagehands and set builders are also needed and should come tonight as well. To find out more call the Box Office at 760-261-4151.

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FREE SOLAR ENERGY WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY
The Morongo Basin Conservation Association, the MBCA, invites the public to "Take the Step to Go Solar" with a free workshop on how to use solar energy to produce the power for our homes and businesses. The workshop will be held this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Community Center. The workshop is an opportunity for residents to learn practical steps from those who have already made the move to solar in the Morongo Basin. Representatives from Southern California Edison, the California Public Utilities Commission, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Copper Mountain College, and Joshua Tree National Park will be there. Local homeowners and their solar equipment installers also share their real-life experiences in team presentations. "We believe that those who want to take the steps to ‘go solar’ will gain confidence by sharing the experience of users, producers, regulators, and installers and also by being connected to the resources that make it possible", explains solar workshop committee chair Ruth Rieman. "Take the Step to Go Solar" is free of charge and all Basin residents are welcome. For more information on MBCA and "Take the Step to Go Solar" go to www.mbconservation.org or call 760-364-3455.

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Z107-7 GENERAL MANAGER NAMED ACCREDITED CRUISE COUNSELOR
Lots of homework, seminars, and hard work means a new professional designation for the President and General Manager of Z107.7, Cindy Daigneault. Reporter Dan Stork says she is now an accredited cruise counselor...
Z107.7 President and General Manager Cindy Daigneault has earned the title of "Accredited Cruise Counselor". This designation was awarded by the Cruise Lines International Association after she completed a series of training sessions and other requirements over the past two years. The commissioning program covered sales training and product instruction, administered through both classroom and personal cruise experience. Much of Daigneault’s expertise comes from 17 years of sponsoring special ‘Z’ cruises offered by Z107.7 Community Radio to its listeners. Her involvement in those radio cruise promotions prompted her to seek the professional designation to facilitate further professional cruise planning. Daigneault has partnered with Custom Travel, a member agency of the Cruise Lines International Association. For more information or to book a cruise, call Cindy Daigneault at 760-366-8471.

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JOSHUA SPRING HIGH SCHOOL LIGHTNING BASKETBALL TAKES LOSSES THIS WEEKEND
Friday, Joshua Springs Varsity teams traveled to Apple Valley to play the Academy for Academic Excellence Knights. It was a disappointing day for the Lightning teams, as both lost to the host Knights. The Boys Lightning lost 62-44, falling to 3-7 on the year, and to 1-1 in the Agape League. The Lady Lightning lost 39-22 falling 5-9 on the year and to 0-2 in the Agape League. The next matchup for both is a league contest with the Antelope Valley Eagles of Lancaster.

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YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TRACK GEARING UP FOR NEXT SEASON
The Yucca Valley High School track team is already starting to think about next season. ROP broadcast student Nora Lee Gonzales-Reid says the outlook for the season is bright...
Yucca Valley High School awaits the start of the 2010 track and field season. Coach Dustin Monical says the outlook for the season is bright. The girls’ team has captured the last three De Anza league championships, while the boys have won tow of the last three. With the return of two-time all CIF Kyleah Murphy and school record holder LaTreya Ross, the girls team should prove to be just as strong in 2010. The boys – seeking their 8th De Anza League title since 1999 – will rely heavily on the abilities of a young but very talented group of boys with loads of potential. Twelve De Anza League finalists return from last year’s squad. Ken Dvoracek, Micheal Korcha and Connor Hendricks anchor a well-rounded and balanced team. Practice officially begins on February 8 while pre-season training is ongoing. The Trojans are scheduled to open competition at home with a dual versus Banning High School on March 10. Go Trojans!

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ACTION
In local high school sports Tuesday, the Yucca Valley High School Trojan boys and girls’ soccer teams are at home versus the Desert Mirage Rams, with both games set to start at 5. The Twentynine Palms High School Lady Wildcat soccer team travels up the mountain to take on the Big Bear High School Bears, that game starts at 3:15.

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