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		Thursday, February 4, 2010		News Archive

YUCCA VALLEY COLD CASE KIDNAPPING/MURDER ON SHERIFF’S PLAYING CARDS
A high profile kidnapping and murder of a Yucca Valley girl is featured on a new deck of "Cold Case" cards being distributed by the County Sheriff’s Department. 8-year-old Sylvia Mangos is on the eight of spades, accompanied this explanation: "On March 27, 1988, Sylvia Mangos was kidnapped from the Yucca Valley swap meet. Her body was found 8 days later in the open desert in Johnson Valley." Mangos' story is one of 52 featured on the sheriff's second edition of "cold case" playing cards which will be sold in local jails in hopes of generating tips in cold case murders. Five-thousand of the decks were printed and Sheriffs’ Detectives say the first set, issued in December, 2008, led to dozens of tips. The playing cards are modeled after the U.S. military's 2003 "Iraq's Most Wanted" deck. Anyone with information on a San Bernardino County sheriff's cold case may call Detective Greg Myler at 909-387-3589.

...Back To Headlines...

1 OF 3 CHARGED WITH YUCCA VALLEY MORTGAGE FRAUD SENTENCED TO PRISON
One of three defendants in a Yucca Valley mortgage fraud case has been sentenced to prison. Mohamad Esmail, 33, of Corona, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison, 12 months home confinement with electronic monitoring and three years of supervised release. He also has to pay $78,000 in restitution to victims. The case involved a money laundering conspiracy, which included mortgage fraud and identity theft. The scheme involved the purchase of three homes in Yucca Valley in a partnership with his brother-in-law, Jubran Dighlawi, and a third man, Ata Dighlawi. Investigators say the conspirators would buy the homes, use false information to get federally insured loans, and sell the homes at inflated prices. Alleged co-conspirator Jubran Dighlawi, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, loan fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Jubran Dighlawi is currently a fugitive.

...Back To Headlines...

Donna Munoz Ed Will Martie Avels Phyllis Swinnerton

SCHOOL BOARD HEARS ABOUT FITNESS AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT As part of a very full agenda Tuesday night, the Morongo Unified School Board conducted workshops on fitness and student achievements. Reporter Dan stork has details... In addition to a budget workshop, the Morongo Unified School District Board of Education held two workshops on non-financial matters during its Tuesday meeting, both presented by Assistant Superintendent Tom Baumgarten. In one, he outlined the required elements in the Single Plan for Student Achievement that the administration of each school in the District must address, ranging from the generalities of the school’s mission, to the specifics of how particular activities are to be funded. The other presentation focused on dealing with the consequences of a state policy requiring students to pass 5 components of a 6-part physical fitness test, administered in grades 5, 7, and 9. Those failing the test have been required to continue taking physical education classes beyond the minimum requirement, until they either pass or graduate. In the wake of varied protests, the state Department of Education has created an option for waivers. It’s up to each District to construct a policy that describes eligibility for a waiver, and how to get it. Baumgarten outlined MUSD’s policy revisions on the subject.

...Back To Headlines...

ONE ARRESTED AFTER STARBUCKS DISTURBANCE
A Yucca Valley man was arrested after he became irate inside Starbucks. Sheriffs’ officials said Tuesday evening around 8:30, Philip Ratan, 59, was at the Starbucks coffee shop in the 57000 block of Twentynine Palms highway. Employees called 9-1-1 saying Ratan was being loud and disruptive, then became irate and after he was asked to leave. As Ratan stepped out, employees locked themselves and other customers inside. Arriving Deputy Christopher Coillot found Ratan a short ways away. Philip Ratan was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail for investigation of disorderly conduct while under the influence and later released.

...Back To Headlines...

WEAR RED FOR WOMEN TOMORROW, HEART DISEASE FAIR SATURDAY
Remember to wear red for women tomorrow. Reporter Tami Roleff tells you more about local efforts to educate women about the dangers of heart disease...
Heart disease is the number one killer of women. To raise awareness of how women are affected by heart disease, the American Heart Association, the Hearts of Yucca Valley organization, the Town of Yucca Valley, Z107.7, and the Hi-Desert Star are sponsoring two events. Friday is National Wear Red Day, in which Americans nationwide will take women’s health to heart by wearing red to show their support for women’s heart disease awareness. On Saturday, a free Heart Disease Education Fair will be held from 10 to 3 at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The fair will include blood pressure checks and other heart-related tests; young-at-heart fitness demonstrations, seminars on heart-related issues, information about heart-healthy goods and services, and more, and it’s all free. Participants at the heart health fair include physicians and therapists, the Hi-Desert Medical Center and medical clinics; fitness clubs, the fire department, weight-loss groups, and others.

...Back To Headlines...

TWENTYNINE PALMS CHAMBER STARTS WEEKEND HOURS THIS SATURDAY
Continuing their remarkable revitalization and in an effort to expand the depth of services offered to the community and their membership, beginning Saturday, the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce downtown office and Visitors Center will be open on weekends in addition to its normal weekday office hours. Chamber Executive Director Rob Fleck said being open on weekends will allow visitors to obtain important information about area attractions, and things to do, places to eat, and where to shop during their stay in the Twentynine Palms area. Chamber officials said it was a priority for visitors to our unique city to be met and greeted by friendly local faces familiar with the area. They want each visitor to the area to feel they have made friends here and to tell others about the Twentynine Palms experience. Docents from local organizations will assist the Chamber staff on weekends. This spring, the Chamber also plans to hire a part-time employee to work weekends. Weekend hours will be Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Normal office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

...Back To Headlines...

Janice Parke

WE MEET MISS YUCCA VALLEY CANDIDATE JANICE PARKE Today we hear from one of the four young woman make up this year’s candidates in the Miss Yucca Valley Scholarship Pageant, being held in the Joshua Springs Thunderdome February 6. Managing Editor Karl Gardner spoke to Janice Parke and this is what she had to say... Today we visit with Janice Parke, a Junior at Joshua Springs High School and candidate for Miss Yucca Valley. Tell us, who is the prominent woman you’ve been mentoring with and what you have learned? "My prominent woman is Lori Herbel, and she has encouraged me to be excited about the changes in my life in the next couple of years as I apply to colleges, and she’s influenced me to have a great faith in everything I do." What have you learned from your experience with Miss Yucca Valley? My experience in the Miss Yucca Valley Pageant has shown that the best way to be a leader is to have a humble heart through the entire process. Tickets to the Miss Yucca Valley Pageant are $10, $5 for students with ASB cards, and are available at the door, here at Z107.7 on Hallee Road in Joshua Tree, at the offices of Dr. Sheldon Hough in the Airway Medical Center in Yucca Valley, or at the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce.

...Back To Headlines...

STUDENT ART SHOW RECEPTION SUNDAY AT TWENTYNINE PALMS ART GALLERY
The Twentynine Palms Art Gallery Student Art Show Winners will be announced at an Open Pizza Reception this Sunday, from noon to 3 The annual Student Art Show will be featured during the month of February in all three rooms of the Gallery. Art students from Morongo Unified junior and senior high schools, as well as home schooled and private school students throughout the Morongo Basin were invited to participate in this judged exhibition. Awards will be presented in three categories "Painting, Drawing, and All Other Media – in this competitive show judged by renowned local artist Andy Weddington. Cash awards and ribbons will be presented to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners; a ribbon to Honorable Mention. An artist of outstanding talent will be selected to receive the $500 Ada Bigler Memorial Scholarship Award, which is presented annually to one high school senior in the Morongo Basin. Selected works will be invited to show in the San Bernardino County Youth Art Month Competition in celebration of National Youth Art Month in March. The student works will be on display at Twentynine Palms Art Gallery, 74055 Cottonwood Drive, through February 21. Gallery hours are noon to 3 Wednesdays through Sundays.

...Back To Headlines...

JOSHUA TREE ART GALLERY OPENS SATURDAY
A new Art Gallery is opening in downtown Joshua Tree Saturday. The Joshua Tree Art Gallery is the first artist run collective in Joshua Tree at 61695 #A Twentynine Palms Highway. The gallery features local artists such as Diane Best, Tina Bluefield, David Burnham, Karen Florek, Frederick Fulmer, John Luckett, Ann Magnuson, Steve Rieman & Marily Szabo. Everyone is welcome to stop by on Saturday from noon until 8:00 and say hello and visit the latest addition to Joshua Tree's burgeoning art scene.

...Back To Headlines...

WORLD FAMILY FUN DAY AT HI-DESERT NATURE MUSEUM
A very special event planned at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum this Saturday. Reporter Dan Stork has more on world family fun day...
Take a trip around the world at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum on Saturday February 6 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. "Cultures of the World Family Fun Day". It’s a day of hands-on activities and international music and dance for families to enjoy together. Learn about Europe, Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Mexico/South America, and the Middle East. Make crafts related to these areas of the world. Costumes are encouraged. This program is free to everyone. The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is located in the Yucca Valley Community Center Complex. It is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the Hi-Desert Nature Museum at 760-369-7212 or visit hidesertnaturemuseum.org.

...Back To Headlines...

AMERICAN LEGION SUPPORTS TWETNYNINE PALMS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM
American Legion Post 761 surprised Twentynine Palms Junior High School music students with a generous gift last week. Legion Commander Tim Giordano presented a check for $500 to Twentynine Palms Junior High School Advanced Band students. The money will be used to offset travel expenses and entry fees for the students’ music competition field trips in the spring.

...Back To Headlines...

TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GOES 5-0 IN LEAGUE
The Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat Boy's basketball team traveled to Desert Hot Springs last night for a De Anza League showdown against the Golden Eagles. The Cats played well and won every quarter and cruised to a 79 to 61 victory. Juwan Rice had a career high 27 points which included 5 - 3 pointers. He was followed by Robert Caldwell with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Wildcats are now 6-0 in the De Anza League and 14-8 overall.

...Back To Headlines...

YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL BEATS CITRUS HILL TUESDAY
The Yucca Valley High School Trojan boys basketball team avenged a loss earlier in the season to Citrus Valley with a 62 - 47 victory Tuesday night. Leading the Trojans were Jake Batin with 18 points, Mike Nicholson with 14 points and Jesse Suddreth with 13 points and 5 assists.

...Back To Headlines...