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Listen To Your News		Wednesday, January 18, 2012		News Archive

DEPUTIES SEEKING TRANSGENDERED SUSPECT IN CMC THEFT
Sheriff Deputies say Copper Mountain College is not being cooperative as they try to locate a transgendered student who is believed to have stolen some engine parts from an auto class at the college last year. According to investigators, about $1000 in engine parts were found to be missing from a locked storage locker at the college. It's believed the missing parts were stolen at least 4 months ago by a student worker at the college. The Sheriff's department has identified a person of interest for the crime, but deputies are unable to locate the person in their system because HE is now a SHE. The Sheriff's Deputy conducting the investigation says the college is being uncooperative with providing suspect information. Anyone with information about a former male student worker who is now a female is asked to call the Sheriff's department at 760-366-4175.

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YUCCA VALLEY DISSOLVES REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
The Yucca Valley Town Council met in regular session last night, dealing with the fallout from state and court actions in which they first dissolved redevelopment agencies, RDA's, but then allowed them to remain if a payment was made to the state. That was followed by a court ruling holding up the RDA dissolution, and disallowing the payment system. Those actions effectively disbanded the RDA, which had partially funded the Town, County, School District, College, fire, and water services, among others. Managing Editor Tami Roleff was at that meeting and files this report...
Redevelopment agencies are dead, and the state legislature has created a Frankenstein monster in its place. So said Yucca Valley Town Manager Mark Nuaimi after last night's meeting of the Yucca Valley Town Council. Last night, the Town Council officially dissolved the Yucca Valley RDA, and named the Town as the RDA's successor agency. As the RDA's successor agency, the Town Council adopted a payment schedule for the former RDA's debts and obligations, which will be sent to a County oversight committee. The Council also voted to retain the housing assets and functions of the dissolved RDA. In other business, the Council voted to award a contract to the Lew Edwards Group to develop a program to educate residents about a potential ballot measure that would allow the Town to institute a 1 percent sales tax.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CAREER CRIMINAL ARRESTED AGAIN, BAIL SET AT $250,000
A Twentynine Palms man with nearly a dozen criminal convictions was arrested again Monday afternoon, accused of beating up his girlfriend. According to the Sheriff's department, Christopher Nunley, 30, of the 6500 block of Pine Avenue, took his girlfriend's cell phone and held her in his apartment against her will. She managed to escape and went to a neighbor's apartment for help. Nunley followed her, and when the neighbor wouldn't let him in, Nunley kicked the door in, punched his girlfriend in the eye, and forced her to go back to his apartment. Investigators say Nunley denied the allegations and insisted witnesses could corroborate his side of the story, but no witnesses were found to confirm his version of events. Nunley has been convicted of disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, attempted extortion, burglary, disturbing the peace, battery, a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance in jail. Christopher Nunley was arrested for investigation of felony spousal abuse and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail. His bail is set at $250,000.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETS, LOOKS AT "CLUSTERING" IN THE GENERAL PLAN
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met last night. Reporter Derwood Andrews said the entire meeting was taken up by discussion of elements of the City's new General Plan...
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met last night with one item, but a biggie—a study session on draft elements of the General Plan, inclusive of the GPAC and City Council comments. Accuracy and clarification was the order of the night along with a lot of agreement with the General Plan Advisory Committee's (GPAC) findings. Specifically, Councilman Corbin's recommendation on clustering and what a good Planning Commission tool it was, although there was some debate over the use of the words "in perpetuity" in regard to the use of open land left after clustering. "Nothing lasts forever," said Vice Chair Mendoza, but the words were left in, in case it does. Several items were left for the "nitty gritty" of the Development Code review in the near future and the general review on the General Plan continues on January 31.

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ARRESTS AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
A Twentynine Palms man was arrested Sunday afternoon for beating up his girlfriend. According to a Sheriff's report, a neighbor called to report that Angel Duran, 43, of the 77200 block of Baseline Road in Twentynine Palms, had been beating his girlfriend for the past two days, and had also threatened his neighbor. Angel Duran was arrested for investigation of making terrorist threats. Duran was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $50,000.

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ARRESTS AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN YUCCA VALLEY
A Yucca Valley man was arrested Sunday afternoon for beating up his wife. About 1 p.m., deputies received a call that Marcos Rubalacaba, 34, of the 7100 block of Cholla Avenue, had pushed his wife to the ground and covered her mouth with his hand so she couldn't scream. She then began to have trouble breathing. Marcos Rubalacaba was arrested for investigation of felony spousal abuse and for committing a felony while on bail with his bail set at $50,000.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS MEN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
Two Twentynine Palms men were arrested Friday on drug charges. According to the Sheriff's department, about 11 p.m. Friday night, a deputy made a traffic stop at Abronia Avenue and Two Mile Road in Twentynine Palms. Herman Platzke, 26, was arrested for investigation of being under the influence of a controlled substance, and cite released. Jeremy Ortega, 31, was arrested for the unlawful sale of speed. Jeremy Ortega was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $50,000.

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LANDERS MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
A Landers man was arrested Saturday night on drug charges. A deputy made a traffic stop about 11:30 Saturday night near the intersection of Old Woman Springs Road and Napa Road in Landers. After an investigation, Rene Villegas, 25, was arrested for investigation of possession of dangerous drugs. Rene Villegas was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $25,000 on the drug charge, but he is being held without bail for violating his parole.

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ANGRY MORONGO VALLEY CITIZENS LOOK AT OPTIONS IN WAKE OF FOLEY FIRING
Upset with the recent firing of Morongo Valley CSD General Manager Meg Foley, a group of citizens met Monday night to consider their options. Reporter Mike Lipsitz talked with the group after the meeting...
In the wake of the controversial vote of "no confidence" and subsequent departure of the popular Morongo Valley CSD Manager Meg Foley, more than a dozen angry citizens met Monday night to consider possible actions against the three members of the Morongo Valley CSD Board. Spokesman for the group Bear Zeller said they would prefer resignations from CSD Board Members Michael Francis, Glen Sheppard and Johnny Talbert, but the group is prepared to initiate the recall process. Community Services District Board President Chuck Osborne is not being targeted; Board Vice President, Richard Brewer, resigned his seat following last week's action against Foley. Many residents are upset about Foley's treatment; some speculate the actions against her were in retaliation for recent firings at the Morongo Valley Fire Department, which falls under supervision of the CSD manager. Hopes are high the public will hear details of Foley's abrupt release at tonight's CSD. That meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Covington Park multi-purpose room.

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MORONGO VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT BOARD MEETS TONIGHT, WE CHECK THE AGENDA
And in a related story, the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors will meet at 7 p.m. tonight in the Covington Park Community Building's multi-purpose hall in Morongo Valley. Among items of interest, President Chuck Osborne will announce the Volunteer of the Year. Glen Shepherd will give the Fire Department Report. Next is the monthly Parks Report on facility usage, followed by the legislation and projects report. The subject of CSD Manager Meg Foley's firing is not on the agenda although there will be an opportunity for public comment.

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Ninarae Kieffer	Cassie Cannon	Katie Davis	TWELVE CONTESTANTS IN 2012 MISS YUCCA VALLEY PAGEANT Twelve young women are hard at work preparing for this year's Miss Yucca Valley pageant, being presented by the Yucca Valley Rotary Club. Managing Editor Tami Roleff tells us who the contestants are... Twelve girls are competing in this year's Miss Yucca Valley Scholarship pageant. Seven contestants are from Yucca Valley High School: Ninarae Kieffer, Cassie Cannon, Katie Davis, Kenzie Collins, Kiarra Mora, Sara Cruz, and Sara Polos. Three girls are from Joshua Springs Christian School: Aerielle Burnet, Margot Clyde, and Danielle Harrington. And finally, two girls are home schooled: Charlotte Rowell and Mariana Falossi. The Miss Yucca Valley Scholarship pageant will be held Saturday, February 4, at 6 p.m. in the Thunder Dome of Joshua Springs Christian School. Tickets, which may be purchased from any contestant, or from the 2011 Court, or at the door, are $10, $5 for students with ID, and sophomore girls are free. Starting tomorrow, we will feature brief interviews with each of the 12 Miss Yucca Valley contestants. ...Back To Headlines...
Kenzie Collins	Kiarra Mora	Sara Cruz
Sara Polos	Aerielle Burnet	Margot Clyde
Danielle Harrington	Charlotte Rowell	Mariana Falossi

TWO ARRESTED AFTER FIGHT OUTSIDE YUCCA VALLEY RESTAURANT
A fight in front of a Yucca Valley restaurant resulted in the arrest of two Twentynine Palms men. According to the Sheriff's department, about 12 men were fighting in the parking lot at a restaurant in the 57100 block of Sunnyslope Drive about 2 a.m. Saturday morning. When deputies arrived, several men fled the scene, but the restaurant's security guard was able to point out Samuel Williams, and Tomnita Smith, both 25, who he said were the aggressors. According to the Sheriff's report, the deputy saw Williams and Smith trying to get into a car in order to flee, but was able to place them under arrest. Samuel Williams and Tomnita Smith were arrested for investigation of being drunk in public and released.

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HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT BOARD HAS RELATIVELY LIGHT AGENDA TONIGHT
The Hi-Desert Water District Board faces a light agenda tonight. Reporter Derwood Andrews takes a closer look...
A relatively light agenda tonight at the Hi-Desert Water District meeting begins with a vote for a single candidate for the ACWA Health Benefit Authority Board of Directors. Then, a couple of contracts for a capital replacement project, ending with a water rate study workshop. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at District offices on Highway Twentynine.

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JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT BOARD TO SET APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT TONIGHT
The Joshua Basin Water District Board will look at well repair and a wastewater grant tonight. Reporter Mike Lipsitz has details...
The Joshua Basin Water District meets in regular session at 7:00 tonight in district offices on Chollita Road in Joshua Tree. Topping tonight's agenda is a proposal to inspect, rehabilitate, and repair Well 10 at a cost not to exceed $50,000. Directors are also expected to consider an authorization of a grant proposal to the Bureau of Reclamation for the Groundwater Recharge Project for $3.1 million. Also tonight, the board is expected to establish the fiscal year appropriation limit as required by law. Following those and other actions, reports and public comment, the board will adjourn to closed session to confer with legal counsel.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS AND YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS IN ACTION
In high school sports, the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcats basketball teams are at home tonight against the Big Bear Bears. Tip-off for the girls' game is at 6; boys at 7:30. The Yucca Valley High School Trojan basketball teams travel away to Desert Mirage High School tonight. Girls at 6, boys at 7:30.

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