Your Community Radio Station Since 1989
Hear Local News 7 times a day, 7 days a week, at 7, 8, 9, noon, 4, 5, and 6.
Read Local News here every weekday.

Listen To Your News		Monday, January 25, 2010		News Archive

YUCCA VALLEY WOMAN, HIT, KILLED, WALKING ACROSS THE HIGHWAY
A Yucca Valley woman was killed last night walking across State Route 62 in Yucca Valley. According to the county coroner, Gina Zeising, 41, was crossing the highway southbound in the 55000 block of the highway, at Cherokee Trail, at 8:01pm when she was struck by a 2005 Buick Van traveling Eastbound driven by Edwin Watkins of Yucca Valley. Responding emergency personnel declared Gina Zeising dead at the scene. Watkins and his passengers were not hurt. The Sheriff’s Major accident investigation team is investigating.

...Back To Headlines...

JEEP CRASH NEAR LANDERS AIRSTRIP KILLS LOS ANGELES MAN
A Los Angeles man was reported dead in Landers Saturday morning as a result of injuries he suffered in a traffic collision the night before. Timothy Adams, 60, was driving a 1979 Jeep CJ6 with a friend near the Giant Rock Airstrip in Landers when the vehicle overturned about 9:30 p.m. Friday, according to the County Coroner's Department. Adams was pinned under the vehicle, and his friend dug him out, Adams refused medical aid. The two men went to the friend's home in Landers for the night. The next morning, the friend found Adams unresponsive and called 9-1-1. Medical personnel arrived at the home and confirmed Timothy Adams death at 6:48 a.m. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

...Back To Headlines...

RECENT STORMS BRINGING WILDFLOWERS?... NOT SO FAST
If you think all the recent rains means an explosion of wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park...think again. Reporter Tami Roleff explains...
With all the rain and snow the Morongo Basin has been getting, many people are looking forward to a spectacular wildflower display this spring. But according to Joshua Tree National Park’s Public Information Officer Joe Zarki, the best wildflower displays are due to high levels of rainfall in August, September, and October—and not from the winter rains. The eastern portion of Joshua Tree National Park and the Morongo Basin are at a lower elevation than the western part, so it warms up earlier in the year, which means that the wildflowers need the rains in the fall to spur their germination. The western part of the park and the Morongo Basin are at higher elevations, and so is cooler, which means the flowers emerge later in the spring. So winter rains in this area are more beneficial for a spring bloom. Zarki added that there may be localized areas where the wildflowers will bloom abundantly. Beginning in February, Zarki said the Park will start posting wildflower updates on its website, www.nps.gov/jotr.

...Back To Headlines...

YUCCA VALLEY MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER
A Yucca valley man accused of being under the influence when he struck a Morongo Valley family, killing a 6 year old girl and severely injuring her father, has been charged with second-degree murder. Ronald Simon, 52, is accused of causing the death of 6-year-old Alyssa Hendricks in an October 2009 crash that severely injured 26-year-old Cameron Hendricks. CHP officers arrested Simon for investigation of driving under the influence after the crash, he was not injured. Ronald Simon had been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence causing injury, with an allegation of great bodily injury. He also was charged with leaving the scene of an accident. The second-degree murder charge was added in a filing January 15. The District Attorney’s office said tests showed Simon was not drunk at the time of the accident but allegedly was under the influence of drugs. A police report said Simon was drifting in and out of the westbound lanes of The near Big Morongo Canyon Road before driving into oncoming traffic and hitting the Hendricks vehicle.

...Back To Headlines...

Arnold Schwarzenegger

GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN COUNTY Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County in response a series of strong winter storms that have damaged at least 124 homes, forced residents into emergency shelters, closed roads, and caused utility outages. Preliminary damage estimates stand at close to $12 million. The declaration makes the county eligible for state and mutual aid assistance, if necessary.

...Back To Headlines...

HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER OFFERING SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES
Trying to quit smoking? The Hi-Desert Medical Center is offering a comprehensive smoking cessation program to help you put the butts down. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells you how to sign up...
Hi-Desert Medical Center offers a quit smoking program lead by renowned smoking cessation coach, V.J. Sleight. The program trains smokers to access personal reasons for quitting, and focuses on understanding the addiction and learning simple techniques for coping and stress management. The six-week course also addresses weight management, addiction cycle and relapse, and strategies for staying quit. V.J. Sleight, a former smoker, has conducted smoking cessation workshops for over 20 years. She holds a BA in Psychology from California State University and a Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification from the Mayo Clinic. The class meets Monday evenings at 6 beginning February 15th in the Helen Gray Education Building at Hi-Desert Medical Center. Cost is $100, payable at the first session or as arranged. Registration is required; call 760-366-6324.

...Back To Headlines...

STORM-DELAYED AUDITIONS FOR "WALMARTOPIA" AT THEATRE 29
After a delay due to weather, auditions for the second production of Theatre 29’s 2010 season, the musical satire, "Walmartopia", have been scheduled for this evening at 7:00pm on the Main Stage at Theater 29t 73637 Sullivan Road, around the corner from Barr Lumber in Twentynine Palms. This hysterical political satire which puts the world’s largest retailer in its crosshairs, will take the stage for five weeks beginning March 12th through April 10th. Veteran director Charles Harvey will be seeking a cast of 20 – 25 adult male and female singers/actors. Most actors will play multiple characters. There are no roles for children under the age of 16. Come to audition prepared with either a karaoke tape or professional backing track as accompaniment, (No background vocals, please!) as there will be no live accompaniment available. Dress to move. Be prepared for cold reading, pre-selected sides are available for review at theatre29.com. choose the Auditions tab and follow the links. Music samples from the production are also available on that page. Also seeking technical support in stagehand and set construction capacities. For more information, contact the director, Charles Harvey via email at theatre29programs@msn.com or call the Box Office at (760) 361-4151.

...Back To Headlines...

NON-PROFIT COLLECTING SHOES FOR HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
A Landers area woman is assisting a Nashville-based charity in collecting shoes for the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti. Soles for Souls that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 5.5 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Fay McAdams is running the shoe collection and distribution efforts and asks that gently used shoes, not those ready for the trash please, be brought to Del’s Shoes on the highway in Old Town Yucca Valley.

...Back To Headlines...

Alan Stocker George Corley

COUNTY SOUTHERN DESERT BATTALION CHIEF RETIRING The County Fire Divisional fire chief that has been the top fire officer for the county fire stations here in the Morongo Basin is retiring. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says goodbye to Al Stocker... County Fire Division Chief Alan Stocker, who oversees fire services in the South Desert Division, including the Morongo Basin, is retiring March 23, after 33 years with the Department. Chief Stocker began his service in 1976 as a paid-call firefighter and took his current as Division Chief in December 2007. Mountain Division Chief George Corley will act as interim South Desert Division Chief while the department looks for a replacement. Chief Corley began his career in 1971 with CDF now CalFire, joining County fire in 2003.

...Back To Headlines...

POTATO BAR AT YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT TO BENEFIT BOYS BASKETBALL
Don't have plans for dinner tonight? Head on over to yucca valley high school and eat with the boys basketball team and their coaches! The all you can eat potato bar is $5.00 per person. Come down and have a baked potato with all the toppings from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Yucca Valley High School Multi-Purpose Room.

...Back To Headlines...

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ACTION
Soccer dominates local high school sports tomorrow. The Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat boys and girls are at home versus the Desert Mirage Rams, the Lady Cats hit the field at 3:15, the boys at 5. The Yucca Valley Trojan boys and girls play host to the Golden Eagles of Desert Hot Springs High School, both those games start at 5. And the Joshua Springs Lady Lighting Basketball team hosts the Bethel Christian Knights at Joshua Springs, that game begins at 4:30.

...Back To Headlines...