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Listen To Your News		Tuesday, February 9, 2010		News Archive

SUSPICIOUS FIRE IN LANDERS
A weekend cabin in Landers was vandalized and items inside set ablaze. County Fire Officials said Monday evening around 5:30, fire fighters responded to a report that a weekend style cabin in the 2700 block of Keeler had been vandalized and items inside set on fire. Neighbors near the cabin attempted to put the flames out with shovels and dirt. Arriving Firefighters had the flames out in about one minute. Damage to the cabin was limited to items set on fire. Losses were set at around $500.00. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Jim Harris Joel Klink John Cole Steve Flock Steve Spear

TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL HEARS MEDICAL MARIJUANA, TALKS VACATION HOME RENTALS The Twentynine Palms City Council will take up some controversial issues tonight including, farmer’s markets, medical marijuana, and vacation home rentals. Reporter Dan Stork checks the agenda... At its regular meeting on Tuesday February 9th, the Twentynine Palms City Council is scheduled to put its stamp of approval on rules governing Farmers’ Markets. One Public hearing will take up prioritization of Community Development Block Grant funds, including a task force recommendation that all funds allocated to construction be applied to city park improvements. Another public hearing will consider the Planning Commission recommendation that Medical Marijuana Dispensaries become the only expressly prohibited personal service land use category in the city code.

Vacation Home Rentals return to view, as the Council will discuss whether and how to direct the Planning Commission in a renewed consideration of this issue. Staff will report on the City’s Energy Efficiency and Solar Projects. Council will consider a staff recommendation that the 4-day workweek for City Hall and Public Works employees be made permanent. The Chamber of Commerce Lease Agreement and City Visitor Center Operations Agreement are up for approval. The form of Chamber of Commerce signage on the Visitor Center comes back for further scrutiny. In closed session, the Council will talk about potential litigation and the City Manager’s performance evaluation.

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YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARS FARMERS MARKETS, EXPANSION STANDARDS, COLORS
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will hold public hearing on outdoor events and development standards tonight. Reporter Tami Roleff says the issue of building colors will also be covered...
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will meet at 7:00 tonight in the Yucca Room of the Community Center. After months of discussion and deliberations, the Planning Commission will finally present 2 revised ordinances in public hearings. The first is about including farmers markets, art shows and car shows as permitted special events. The other is about development standards for commercial businesses that enlarge their buildings. The Commission will also finalize commercial design guidelines for acceptable color palettes for commercial buildings.

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WINNERS NAMED IN ANNUAL TWENTYNINE PALMS INTERACT TALENT SHOW
The Twentynine Palms High School Interact Club, a service club sponsored by Rotary, held its Annual Talent Show, Showtime in the Desert, Saturday evening. Nine acts participated the event which funds scholarships. Judges, Ed Will, Cindy McVay, Sam Smith, Vincent Salvino, and Brandi Lyon had a difficult time choosing a winner but ultimately the quartet of John Pulu, Devon Fuentes, Dominick Tuli, Shiloh Hepler were Grand Prize Winners for 2010 with their rendition of "Beautiful". Anthony Smith, a uniquely talented young man took second place with his beatboxing from the mouth and Arielle Warner placed third singing "Gravity". Club vice-president and event chairperson, Elizabeth Fleck, said, "The Interact Club made over $700 for our scholarship fund and I would like to thank all the acts, Miss Twentynine Palms Danielle Boone and her court, Aranza Arehanha and Jessica Lomeli for hosting the show, our fine judges, and everyone that came out to support the event. We had a great time and look forward to next year's show being bigger and better than ever."

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JOSHUA CLEAN TEAM OUT TOMORROW MORNING
The Joshua Tree Clean Team will be picking up litter tomorrow morning at the entrance to the Joshua Tree Community Center on Sunburst Avenue across from the Sportsman's Club. Clean Team leader Michell Given says this spot always needs attention and everyone is encouraged to come and help out from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. There will be gloves, grabber sticks and trash bags available to make the volunteer's job easier. Afterwards, those that have the time will be meeting at the Park Rock Cafe for coffee and conversation. For more information, call the Joshua Tree Park & Recreation at 760-366-8415.The Joshua Tree Clean Team meets every 2nd & 4th Wednesday, at various locations, from 8 to 9 a.m. and is co-sponsored by County of San Bernardino, Park Rock Cafe and Z107.7.

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Back Row: Dr. Wilcox, Catja Arnzen and Paul Hoffman Front Row: Patricia Cooper and Leslie Moody

HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER BOARD TO VOTE ON GIVING THEMSELVES BENEFITS TONIGHT When the Hi-Desert Medical Center Board of Directors meet tonight, they will hold a public hearing on giving themselves benefits. Reporter Mike Lipsitz takes a closer look at the hospital board’s agenda... The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board of Directors holds its regular meeting at six this evening in the Hospital’s Helen Gray Education Center. A public hearing on granting medical, dental and vision benefits to members of the Health Care District’s board of directors begins at 6:15. The public hearing is limited in length to 30 minutes after which the board will vote on the resolution.

Following approval of routine items on the consent agenda the board is expected to vote on a one-time employee "Merit Release" Bonus Program. Followed by administrative, financial, and marketing reports, the board will go into closed session to discuss trade matters yet to be disclosed, and a performance evaluation of CEO, Lionel Chadwick.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS SOROPTIMIST SWEETHEART LUNCHEON THIS FRIDAY
Soroptimist International of Twentynine Palms invites you to the annual "Sweetheart Luncheon" this Friday from 11:00 to 1:00 at the Little Church of the Desert. You will enjoy a delicious menu of salads, chili, cornbread, lasagna, potato salad, various sandwich assortments, and much more. All served in a valentine setting. Bring your sweetheart, enjoy a delicious lunch and take a chance on the "Sweetheart Basket". The winner need not be present to win. Dine in or take out. The Little Church of the Desert is located on Adobe Road and El Paseo in Twentynine Palms. Tickets are $10.00 per person and are available at the Desert Trail, Napa Auto Parts, The Flower Garden, from any Soroptimist or at the door. Proceeds will fund local scholarships. For more information call Pat Flynn-Zawojski at 760-367-4322 or April Gibson 760-367-1673.

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GREAT AND POPULAR AUTHORS AT THE YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY TOMORROW
Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. the Great and Popular Authors reading will be held in the community room at the Yucca Valley Library for an hour of listening pleasure. Phyllis Schwartz will be reading from You’ve Got to Read This by the Contemporary American Writers. In this volume, American writers introduce stories that held them in awe. Please join the group for a relaxing hour. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Yucca Valley Library. For more information, call 760-228-5455.

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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER
You see them at all the games, exhorting fans to show their support. ROP broadcast student Heather Smith tells you what it takes to be a cheerleader...
What does it take to be a Yucca Valley High School Cheerleader? Trojan Cheerleaders need drive, commitment and a positive attitude. This is not only a privilege but also an exciting experience. For more information call Pam Coleman at 760-365-3391.

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A HEARTBREAKER FOR TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
It was a heartbreaker for the Twentynine Palms High School Boys Basketball team last night. The Wildcats traveled up the mountain to Big Bear last night to make up a snowed out game from Friday night. Coach Larry Bowden said both teams came to play and the first half ended with the bears up 31 to 32. The Bears then hit 3 three pointers to start the 2nd half and the Wildcats couldn't recover and the Bears pulled away for a 71 to 52 victory. The Bears win stopped the Wildcat's De Anza League win streak at 46 with their last loss coming on January 13, 2006 to San Jacinto. The loss also put the De Anza League title at stake on Thursday night at 7:30 when the two teams meet in Twentynine Palms Wildcat gym for the regular seasons final game. According Bowden "The Wildcats have won four league titles in a row and look forward to the challenge on Thursday night, last night the Bears played well and they made 13 three pointers. I think we will be ready for the rematch".

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JOSHUA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL NOTCHES A WIN, GIRLS LOSE
Joshua Springs' Basketball teams traveled to Victor Valley Christian School yesterday to play the host Royals. The boys beat the Royals for the 2nd time this season, defeating them 52-38. With the win, the lightning boys improved their record to 7-10 on the year, bringing them to .500 in league play, at 4-4. Leaders for the night were Levi Garrido with20 points and 3 steals, and Zack Ontiveros with11 points and 4 steals. The Lightning girls, unfortunately fell to 8-13 on the year, 2-6 in League by losing to the now 14-7 Royals for the second time this season. Leading scorer for the girls was Hayley Hughes. Also scoring for the Lightning were Kristyn Garrido, Chelsea Stencel, Nicole Barker, Emily Wilson, and Marcelle Allenbach.

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TODAY’S HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ACTION
Basketball leads the way in local high school sports today. The Yucca Valley High School Lady Trojans travel up to Big Bear versus the Big Bear Bears, tip off is at 6:30. The Joshua Spring Lighting boys and girls basketball teams are at home versus the Apple Valley Christian Warriors, the Lady Lighting tip off at 6, the boys at 7:30.

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A CITIZEN LODGES A FORMAL COMPLAINT IN AN EDITORIAL OPINION
A recent newspaper article shone the light on the practice of invocations, some including inappropriate fire and brimstone, prior to local elected bodies meeting. City officials say no one has complained. Until now. With a formal complaint in an editorial opinion, here is Z107.7 Reporter Dan Stork...
I want to commend Courtney Vaughn for her feature article in the Hi-Desert Star on the explicitly Christian references in some religious invocations at local civic meetings. She has shone a light on a practice that has troubled me greatly during my ten years of living in the Morongo Basin, and particularly during the time I’ve been covering Twentynine Palms City Council meetings as a reporter for Z107.7. As a reporter and as a member of the Jewish minority, I have a strong attachment to the protections given to speech and religion by the First Amendment to the Constitution. When my nephew, a West Point graduate who served our country in both Afghanistan and Iraq, attended one Council meeting in Twentynine Palms, he was shocked and astounded by the meeting-opening practice. After that meeting, I shrugged resignedly and told him that that’s the way it is here. Courtney reported in her article that the City Clerk said no one has complained that the invocations are offensive. I have vented privately on the subject, particularly after Pastor Zwicker’s performance at the January 26th Twentynine Palms City Council meeting, but the article has jolted me out of my complacency and acceptance. Setting a spiritual tone for a meeting may be acceptable, but I am objecting that overt Christian religious references are exclusionary, and I am offended. This citizen is complaining. That’s my opinion – I’m Dan Stork.

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