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Listen To Your News		Monday, February 8, 2010		News Archive

Miss Yucca Valley and her Court From left to right: 3rd Princess Megan Stover, 2nd Princess Tiffany Caricchio, Miss Yucca Valley Janice Parke, 1st Princess Abigail Lombardo (Photo by Tumbleweed Photos)

MISS YUCCA VALLEY 2010 CROWNED SATURDAY NIGHT 16 year old Janice Parke was crowned the 43rd Miss Yucca Valley Saturday night. The pageant has been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Yucca Valley for the last nine years and chaired by Sheldon and Tara Hough. Janice Parke told the 250 in attendance that she has been attending the Miss Yucca Valley Pageants at the Thunderdome since she was 9 and always dreamed of being Miss Yucca Valley. First Princess for the 2010 reign of the Miss Yucca Valley Court was Abigail Lombardo. Second Princess for the 2010 Court was Tiffany Caricchio, and Megan Stover, was crowned Third Princess. The Miss Yucca Valley Scholarship Pageant is held each February and is open to all high school junior girls that either attend Yucca Valley High, Joshua Springs High, or are home schooled. The 2009 Court, Third Princess, Brea Polos, Second Princess, Emily Wilson, First Princess, Mariya Swella, and Miss Yucca Valley, London Rohatsch said their tearful farewells and they listed their accomplishment for their 2009 reign. Yucca Valley Mayor Chad Mayes and Rotary Club President Shannon Luckino gave opening messages. Deanna Braswell-Hagerman, Denice Huntington, Mariya Swella, and Madison Cardamone gave vocal performances. Tiffany Caricchio was named Miss congeniality and Miss Photogenic and Abigail Lomabardo won the Essay portion. Congratulations to Miss Yucca Valley, 2010, Janice Parke.

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TWO FIRES KEPT COUNTY FIRE BUSY SUNDAY
Two fires about 31/2 hours apart kept county firefighters busy Sunday. Fire Officials said the first blaze erupted around 3:00 p.m. in the 58700 block of Ute Trail Circle. The home owner was using a deep fat fryer to cook chicken wings. The "chef" left the fryer unattended, and it ignited the facia of the home’s garage. Quick work by firefighters has the flames out in minutes. No injuries were reported. Damage to a near by travel trailer and the garage was estimated to be around $10,000. The second fire was reported at around 6:30, in a 10 x 14 metal shed behind the Morongo Basin Humane Society Thrift Shop on Pioneer Town Road. Arriving firefighters found the shed fully engulfed in flames, and had it out in mere minutes. The shed doors were slightly ajar. ATV and motorcycle tracks were found near by and Fire Officials are calling that fire suspicious.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL PART 2: MOTORIZED OFF-ROADING ON CITY TRAILS
Today we finish up our report on Thursdays four-hour marathon meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council. In part one Friday we looked at master plan details. Today, part 2, the very contentious issue of motorized off-road vehicles on city trails…
The most contentious part of the Twentynine Palms City Council special meeting this past Thursday night concerned Off Highway Vehicle activities in the City. An earlier draft of the General Plan update had discouraged development of OHV parks and trails in the City, "as it represents a detriment to tourism and high quality life style". In December, the Planning Commission had modified that recommendation, as follows: "Consider possible OHV uses and trails in the City, but not in Downtown." Council heard advocates on both sides of the OHV fence, as well as some who tried to sit on that same fence, make their cases. One resident complained of being threatened and attacked by OHV users, and that trespassing riders had built a fire on her property. A succession of OHV enthusiasts talked about their wholesome, family-centered activity, and its potential to bring a large amount of revenue to City businesses. Other speakers predicted that application of the California Environmental Quality Act will be the ultimate decider in the issue. City staffer Randy Councell, who has been working with the Trails Committee of the General Plan Advisory group, said that the committee planned to address non-motorized uses of trails in its next meeting. But the City Council directed him to bite the bullet, and consider OHV usage as well; regardless of the passions it arouses, and come back with a comprehensive approach to recreational trails.

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LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS CLASSES START WEDNESDAY
Learn how to cope with arthritis or other chronic health problems. The Morongo Basin Senior Support Center is hosting the Arthritis Foundation’s six-week self-help course. The weekly 2-hour class begins This Wednesday February 10 and runs through March 17. This self-help course teaches people with arthritis or other chronic conditions how to manage their pain and contend with day to day living. Reservations are required, to RSVP call Fran Chapman at 760-365-9661.

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COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS MET WEDNESDAY
The Morongo Basin Chapter of The Compassionate Friends will hold their monthly meeting This Wednesday, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the office of Hospice of Morongo Basin 61675 Twentynine Palms Highway Joshua Tree. The group is facilitated by Kristin Martin. The Compassionate Friends is a national support organization reaching out to parents who have experienced the death of a child. For questions or more information, call Hospice of Morongo Basin at 760-366-1308.

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FREE VETERANS SEMINAR PLANNED FOR SATURDAY
A free seminar for veterans will be held this coming Saturday. The Disabled American Veterans will explain benefits and services available...
The Disabled American Veterans is hosting a free veterans seminar Saturday afternoon February 13th at 1 in the Yucca Room at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The seminar is designed to educate disabled vets and their families on specific benefits and services from the Veterans Administration, Department of Defense and other government agencies. Expects from the DAV will conduct the seminar. The seminar is free, and you do not need to be a DAV member to take advantage of the service. Veterans from all services and ears, widowed spouses, and families are encouraged to attend.

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LANDERS ASSOCIATION LOOKING FOR NEW OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The Landers Association is looking for officers and Directors. The Association works to help the general and specific welfare and civic betterment of the Landers community and to preserve the natural beauties. Belfield Hall provides a location for meetings. The Landers Thrift store recycles their donations giving tax write-offs to donors and bargains to purchasers. Openings for President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer and Board of Directors are coming up. Training will be provided. The Landers Association will not hold a meeting and pot luck in February. The next meeting and pot luck will be on March 13, at 5 p.m. with the Landers Association providing a main dish. The General Meeting starts at 6 p.m. Nominations for officers and directors will be accepted at the March meeting, with the election held at the April 10th meeting. The Landers Thrift Store is located on Reche Road, 1 block east of the Landers Post Office. For more information, call 760-364-2676.

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BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
A new group of motorcyclists, dedicated to helping abused children, is forming. Reporter Tami Roleff tells you how to find out more about Bikers Against Child Abuse, or BACA...
Bikers Against Child Abuse, or BACA, is an international non-profit organization of motorcycle riders that provides aid, comfort, safety, and support for children who have been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused. BACA works with law enforcement and the courts to give an extra layer of support for abused children by having members attend the children’s court proceedings, and if necessary, escorting them to and from school and on errands, and by just being a friend. Prospective members of BACA must pass background checks with no abusive or violent crimes against children. Funds raised by BACA are used to help abused children participate in activities such as self-defense classes, Little League, art and dance classes, and counseling, if necessary. For more information about Bikers Against Child Abuse, visit bacausa.org, or e-mail BACA_ie@yahoo.com.

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FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP AT TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT
Does the thought of filling out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid terrify you? Are you totally confused and afraid you won’t be able to figure it out before the March 2nd deadline? Students and parents are encouraged to attend a Financial Aid Night Workshop at Twentynine Palms High School tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Twentynine Palms High School Career Center. A financial aid expert will take you through the step-by-step process for completing and filing your FAFSA. Questions that are specific to your situation will also be answered. This presentation will be beneficial to anyone who is planning to attend a college, vocational school, or university. Contact Twentynine Palms High School Counselors at 760-367-9594 if you have questions.

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THE DESERT TORTOISE FEATURED AT HI-DESERT NATURE MUSEUM LECTURE THURSDAY
Make plans to be at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum this Thursday at noon. Joshua Tree National Park ranger Caryn Davidson will share the secrets of the desert tortoise...
The "Desert Tortoise" is the topic at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s free Winter Lecture Series this Thursday. Caryn Davidson, from Joshua Tree National Park, speaks on the threatened status, the anatomy and physiology of the state reptile. The tortoise has been the subject of ongoing Park studies, its populations declining due to loss of habitat, disease, climate change, predation, and off-road vehicle traffic. Thursday’s noon program is an opportunity to learn what’s being done to help protect the Desert Tortoise, which is thought to be destined for extinction. Located in the Yucca Valley Community Center Complex immediately west of Food-4-Less. The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is open 10 to 5 every day but Monday. Find out more at hidesertnaturemuseum.org or call 760-369-7212.

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YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL END SEASON WITH A WIN
The Yucca Valley Lady Trojan basketball team closed out their regular season home schedule last Friday with a 54-27 victory over the Desert Mirage Rams. The girls who are now 6-1 in De Anza League play were led by junior Tabitha Vigens 18 points and senior Madison Cardamones 11 points. Seniors Sofia Herrera, 8 points, and Sierra Smith, 6 points also contributed on Senior Appreciation Night. The team, now 14-8 overall, can clinch a tie for their second consecutive league title tomorrow when they travel to Big Bear, game time is 6 p.m.

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LOSSES FOR JOSHUA SPRING HIGH SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL
Joshua Springs varsity basketball teams traveled to Hesperia Christian to play the host Patriots Friday, The Lightning girls' team left the gym losing 30-51 with a loss to the Patriots, moving their record to 8-12 on the year, including 2-5 in Agape League play. The Boys team lost 47-55. Levi Garrido had his second big game in a row, recording 20 points (3 3-pointers) with 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Zack Ontiveros also was big for the Lightning, with 15 points (3 3-pointers) and 4 steals. The loss moved the Lightning's season record to 6-10 overall, 3-4 in Agape League. Both teams will close out the regular season next week, with an away trip to Victor Valley Christian Monday, a home contest versus Apple Valley Christian Tuesday, and an away game.

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YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER ENDS SEASON WITH A LOSS
In Soccer, it was Yucca Valley High School 1 Desert Mirage 4, in the last game for the Trojan boys. Coach Tee Vallo said the boys played hard from beginning to end. Forward Trevor Vallo scored in the first 5 minutes of the game with an assist from Senior forward Ryan Rogers. This game was senior appreciation night. The Trojan boys Honored Seniors Ryan Rogers (4yrs played as Trojan), Rafael Castrol (4yr played as Trojan) and Drew Hellerud (1st year played as Trojan).

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULES
In local high school sports the Joshua Springs High School Lighting boys basketball team travels away versus Victor Valley Christian Royals, with tip off at 7:30. Tomorrow, the Yucca Valley High School Lady Trojan soccer team travels up the hill versus the Big Bear Bears, with players on the field at 3.

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