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, February 6, 2012		News Archive

MARIANNA FALOSSI NAMED 2012 MUSS YUCCA VALLEY
Marianne Falossi was crowned the 2012 Miss Yucca Valley Saturday night in a pageant that packed the Joshua Springs Thunderdome. The annual pageant is put on by the Yucca Valley Rotary Club as a scholastically based competition. Falossi will be joined in her duties by First Princess Charlotte Rowell, Second Princess Danielle Harrington, and Third Princess Cassie Cannon. Twelve contestants, high school juniors from Yucca Valley and Joshua Springs High Schools, as well as home schooled, competed through an essay contest, and a series of interviews. The Saturday night event saw the girls read speeches based on successful area women, answer questions from emcees Cindy Daigneault and myself, and compete in a formal walk. Named as the essay winner was Danielle Harrington, Miss Photogenic was Katie Davis and Cassie Cannon as Miss Congeniality. This is the 11th year the Rotary Club has sponsored the event under the leadership of Sheldon and Tara Hough. All of the funds raised in the pageant go to scholarships for the contestants. Pictures from the event courtesy of Tumbleweed photos.

...Back To Headlines...

JIM BAGLEY ANNOUNCES RUN FOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR
Former Twentynine Palms Mayor and Councilman Jim Bagley, a longtime regional leader, has announced his candidacy for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors representing the Third District. Jim Bagley is a third-generation resident and has actively served the local community in various capacities for over 29 years. He has served as President of San Bernardino County's transportation agency (SANBAG); three terms as Mayor of Twentynine Palms; as a Board Member for the California League of Cities; and as a Board Member for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG); on the county planning commission; on the Bureau of Land Management's Desert District Advisory Board; and as a special district water board member. Bagley currently serves as the Chairman of the San Bernardino County Airport Commission and is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor with over 4,800 hours of flight time, with an advanced rating of Airline Transport Pilot. He is the former Chairman of the County's Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and presently serves on the commission as the Public Member. He is presently employed by the Department of Defense as a Real Estate Specialist. Bagley's number one priority is to restore ethical leadership to the board of supervisors. The second critical priority is the creation of jobs.

...Back To Headlines...

AN EDITORIAL COMMENT ABOUT THE YUCCA VALLEY SEWER SYSTEM
The State of California has mandated that the Town of Yucca Valley install a sewer system by 2016. Assignment reporter Derwood Andrews warns neighbors in Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms to take note of the what Yucca Valley is going through, in this editorial comment...
'Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.' That phrase speaks to the irony of dying of thirst on a ship and praying for rain and fresh water. Without access to fresh water the place we call home would be deserted. We all take it for granted that by turning the faucet on we will survive, very comfortably. Twenty years ago, before Yucca Valley had grown to the size it is now, there was a great chance to leave the traditional method of disposing of human waste – the septic tank - and put in a sewer system and wastewater treatment plant at the heart of the town. The prophetic idea was swept under the carpet by our then civic leaders, who were more concerned with their popularity than doing the right thing. Now it is 2012 and the State of California has mandated that in four years Yucca Valley MUST have a sewer system in place as we are now contaminating our own underground fresh water supply with our own waste. Of course now, what would have cost a few million dollars twenty years ago, will now cost more than a hundred million dollars today, and even more within four years. What will happen if no action is taken is beyond thinking about. A worst-case scenario is the State will lawfully randomly fine individuals and businesses $5000 a day for using their septic system. There is no choice but to begin to design and budget for a sewer system for Yucca Valley, and our neighbors in Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms had better take the lessons of Yucca Valley very seriously while they have the time.

...Back To Headlines...

NO POWER OUTAGE ON THE MARINE BASE TONIGHT
A planned the power outage for the Twentynine Palms Marine Base has been cancelled (again). The power outage was set to begin at 8:30 tonight and was scheduled to last until 6:30 a.m Tuesday. Again, the planned power outage aboard the Marine base has been cancelled.

...Back To Headlines...

A CAR FIRE IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
A leaky gas tank was responsible for a car fire in Twentynine Palms Saturday that could be seen from the highway. About 9:00 Saturday night, the owner of a 2007 Infinity in the 72000 block of Gorgonio had topped off his car's fuel tank with gas in his driveway and went inside his house. When he came outside a few minutes later, the car was fully involved in flames. Firefighters said they could see the smoke and flames from the fire as they came over Donnell Hill. Firefighters put out the fire in about 15 minutes. The fire caused the car's air bags to explode, startling neighbors. The owner of the car told firefighters his car had been leaking fuel for a couple of weeks. Although the car was about 10 feet from the garage, there was no structural smoke or fire damage, and there were no injuries.

...Back To Headlines...

TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN YUCCA VALLEY
A pedestrian check Saturday night in Yucca Valley resulted in two arrests on drug charges. Shortly before 9:30 Saturday night, a deputy stopped Byron Mitchell, 47, of Yucca Valley, and Alexander Carrillo, 27, behind a gas station at Palm Avenue and Twentynine Palms Highway. According to the Sheriff's report, a baggy of methamphetamine was found in the pocket of Mitchell's jacket. Bryon Mitchell was arrested for investigation of possession of a controlled substance, and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with bail set at $25,000. Alexander Carrillo was arrested on a warrant for a probation violation and is being held without bail.

...Back To Headlines...

DISCOVERY DAY AT SKY'S THE LIMIT SATURDAY
Sky's the Limit Observatory in Twentynine Palms will be holding a free event this Saturday where you can learn about our solar system and the sun, as well as desert plants in our area. Assignment reporter Lenore Roberts gets out her telescope for the "Sand to Stars" Discovery Day...
Families and life-long learners of all ages are welcome at "Sand to Stars" Discovery Day on Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. This free event will be held at Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center, just north of the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park on Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms. Some activities will include: stepping inside the Solar System via the Orrery, walking the Nature Trail to learn about desert plants, and viewing the sun through a Solar Telescope. Everyone is strongly encouraged to bring food, water, and sunscreen, and to dress for unpredictable desert weather. Participants may also stay around for the optional chat with instructors from noon to 1 p.m. This event is limited to 50 participants, and children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Register at the Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation Office at 74362 Joe Davis Road and call 760-367-7562 for more information.

...Back To Headlines...

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK REOPENS COTTONWOOD SPRINGS OASIS
Joshua Tree National Park has announced the reopening of the Cottonwood Spring Oasis for public use. The Cottonwood Spring Oasis was closed last September due to flash flooding from an intense rainstorm. The localized flooding damaged Cottonwood Campground as well as many local trails. In addition to the Cottonwood Oasis, officials at Joshua Tree also reopened the road from Cottonwood Visitor Center to Cottonwood Spring, the Cotton Spring parking area, trails to Cottonwood Spring, Lost Palms Oasis, and the Mastodon Mine Loop Trail. Still closed for public use are Cottonwood Campground, the self-guided nature trail from Cottonwood Campground to Cottonwood Spring, and the canyon wash immediately below Cottonwood Spring. On September 13, a monsoon-like thunderstorm dumped more than 3 inches of rain on the Cottonwood area leading to the extensive damage Park crews are presently working in Cottonwood Campground to repair flood damage to picnic tables, grills, and eroded campsites. For their own safety, park visitors are cautioned to obey all remaining closures. One benefit from last fall's rain is the presence of early spring wildflowers in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park. More than 60 species of desert wildflowers are blooming in the area. The first spring wildflower report is available at: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/blooms.htm.

...Back To Headlines...

LOCAL AUTHOR'S BOOK SALES TO BENEFIT REACH-OUT PROGRAM
A local author and playwright has a new book available for Kindle readers. Managing Editor Tami Roleff tells us how you can help support a local charity by buying "Ghosts of Ide County"...
Buying and reading an electronic book for your Kindle can help support Reach Out Morongo Basin, a local nonprofit agency that provides support services to the seniors and disabled in the area. "The Ghosts of Ide County" is Kurt Schauppner's latest book, and is available for $5 through Amazon.com. Royalties from the sale of the book will be given to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program to help fund their efforts to match those in need with those who can fill those needs. "Ghosts of Ide County," tells the story of a small Northern California farming community and how people there are affected by the disappearance of a beloved 12-year-old boy. Schauppner said he wanted to explore how a single event can change lives. Schauppner, perhaps best known as the editor of The Desert Trail newspaper, is also a playwright who has seen several of his works produced on local stages. Later this year, his play, "The Memory Jar," will be performed at Theatre 29 in Twentynine Palms.

...Back To Headlines...

WINNERS OF STUDENT ARTS SHOW AT 29 PALMS ART GALLERY
The 2012 Student Art Show at the 29 Palms Art Gallery was judged by former art educators Ed Keesling and Allen Barter Sunday. Barter selected Sara Roberts of Twentynine Palms High School as the winner of the $500 Ada Bigler Scholarship recipient based on outstanding work by a senior. Elizabeth Fleck, another Twentynine Palms Senior took second place, and Anthony McCarthy a Yucca Valley High School Senior took third place. Bruce Hamilton of Yucca Valley High School was awarded a one-year membership to the California Art Educators Association.

...Back To Headlines...

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP AT TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL TOMORROW NIGHT
A financial aid workshop is being offered at Twentynine Palms High School tomorrow. Reporter Dan Stork fills us in on the details...
According to the counseling office at Twentynine Palms High School, any current high school senior who plans to attend college in the fall of 2012 must fill out a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). If you need help filing your son or daughter's application, TPHS will be hosting a FAFSA night in the computer lab – Room 110 – on Tuesday February 7 at 6 p.m. The deadline for filing the FAFSA is March 2. Counselors and a Financial Aid expert from Copper Mountain College will be there to assist you. For more information, call the counseling office at 760-367-9594.

...Back To Headlines...

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND SCORES
After starting on fire in the first quarter with a double-digit lead, the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat varsity boys' basketball team found themselves in quite the battle with the De Anza league rival, Big Bear. Coaches say both sides played hard and smart, and it was a great game to witness. Twentynine Palms lost the game 68-62. Twentynine Palms Boys' record in the De Anza league fell to 7-2, with the last league game coming up this Wednesday at home in Wildcat gymnasium at 7:30pm. It will be Senior Night, so come out and support the team.

The Yucca Valley High School Trojan basketball boys held off a late surge from the Desert Mirage Rams to win 70-63. The win places the Trojans securely in third place guaranteeing them a spot in the CIF playoffs. Overall record 11-12. League 5-4.

The Yucca Valley Lady Trojan basketball team used a strong first half to dispose of the Desert Mirage Rams 60-23 Friday night in Trojan Gym. The Lady Trojans are now 15-5 overall and 7-2 in league with a road game Wednesday versus Big Bear to close out the regular season.

The Yucca Valley High School Girls Soccer team hosted Desert Mirage High School on Friday in De Anza League play. The Lady Trojans completely controlled the game and won by a score of 8-0. Next up for the Lady Trojans soccer is the last regular season game at Big Bear High School on Wednesday, February 8th.

...Back To Headlines...