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Listen To Your News		Thursday, February 9, 2012		News Archive

JURY RULES FOR DEATH PENALTY FOR YUCCA MESA MURDERER
A jury ruled yesterday that Sherhaun Brown, now 34, should receive the death penalty for raping and slashing the throat of a Yucca Valley woman and killing her mother-in-law in 2007. The jury's findings for death were announced in the penalty phase of Brown's trial in Victorville Superior Court. Formal sentencing is scheduled for April 6. Brown, now 34, of Palm Springs, was convicted on January 23 of seven felony counts and three special circumstances for murder during a robbery, burglary and rape, which made the case eligible for the death penalty. Deputies responded to a residence in the 57900 block of Canterbury Street in the Yucca Mesa area of Yucca Valley May 7, 2007. The surviving victim, whose throat was slashed, went to a neighbor's house for help. The deceased woman. Kristy Vert, 56, had been living at the home with her son, his wife and their 2-year-old and 4-year-old sons. The two toddlers were at home at the time of the attack. Sherhaun Brown was arrested later the same day with the victim's stolen car in Moreno Valley.

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YUCCA VALLEY WOMAN GETS 4 YEARS FOR STABBING
A Yucca Valley woman who was charged with attempted murder for stabbing a man in his kitchen last September agreed to a plea bargain last week in Joshua Tree Superior Court. Cheryl Dvorecak, 23, stabbed Marshall McCoy, 26, in the stomach at his home in the 7400 block of Church Street in Yucca Valley September 4. McCoy told deputies that he had been stabbed out by his mailbox by an unknown Hispanic man, but an investigation revealed McCoy lied about who stabbed him and where the stabbing took place. Last Thursday, Cheryl Dvorecak agreed to plead guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to four years in state prison.

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BIGHORN-DESERT VIEW WATER AGENCY WORKSHOP MEETING TOMORROW
The Bighorn Desert View Water agency meets in a workshop meeting tomorrow. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells us what the subjects for study are…
The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency Board of Directors will hold a special workshop meeting at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Agency Offices on Cherokee Trail in Landers. The Board of Directors and Staff will hold an open forum discussion of future goals and objectives of each director for 2012. Board action will be limited to summarizing and prioritizing goals. Among the topics for discussion are Board Policies, Capital Improvement Projects, Operations & Maintenance, Personnel, Public Relations and Revenue Enhancing Measures. The Public is invited to comment on any item on the agenda during discussion of that item.

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2-YEAR-OLD TWENTYNINE PALMS BOY RUN OVER BY TRUCK IN CHERRY VALLEY
A 2-year-old boy from Twentynine Palms is recovering after he was run over by a family member in Cherry Valley. Mariah Smith, 17, of Beaumont, was driving a 2004 Toyota truck into a residential driveway in Cherry Valley about 5:15 Tuesday evening. A group of children approached the truck and Smith stopped. Believing that all the children had moved away from the truck, Smith began to pull forward, but she didn't see her nephew, 2-year-old Judah Goodwin, who was standing in front of the truck's right front wheel. As the truck moved forward, the wheel rolled over Goodwin. The California Highway Patrol said Judah Goodwin was taken to Riverside Medical Center with major injuries. Wednesday, a spokesman from the California Highway Patrol said doctors found no internal injuries or broken bones; Goodwin suffered only abrasions and tire tracks on his abdomen. Drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the accident.

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SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM ARRESTS FOUR IN JOSHUA TREE
A Special Enforcement Team performing a parole check on a home in Joshua Tree arrested four people Tuesday. Deputies went to a home in the 61900 block of Grand View Circle about 11:40 Tuesday and found Marie Aguas, 44, who has been convicted of possession of a controlled substance for sale; Lana Stotts, 48, with several arrests for drug charges; Allen Nerkins, 22, who's been convicted of burglary, petty theft, and grand theft; and Stacy Paul, 27, who has been convicted of at least two drug and DUI charges. After an investigation, Lana Stotts was cited and released for possession of drug paraphernalia; Marie Aguas was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance for sale, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with her bail set at $50,000. Allen Nerkins was arrested for a parole violation and is being held without bail. Stacy Paul was arrested for investigation of child abuse, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with her bail set at $100,000.

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TWO MORONGO VALLEY MEN FOUND IN STOLEN PICK-UP TRUCK
Two men from Morongo Valley with multiple previous convictions were arrested again Tuesday night after they were found with a vehicle that did not belong to either of them. A resident called the Sheriff's department at 2:38 Tuesday morning to report that someone just drove a vehicle through a fence and onto his neighbor's property in the 10000 block of Forbes Road in Morongo Valley. After an investigation, Austin Toensing, 27, and Scott Valeur, 31, were found hiding in bushes near a 2004 Ford F-350 truck that had been reported stolen. Scott Valeur, who has a 2006 conviction for vehicle theft, and Austin Toensing were arrested for investigation of vehicle theft. They were booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with bail set at $50,000 each.

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OLD SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM LECTURE ON INVASIVE SPECIES FRIDAY
This Friday's Old Schoolhouse lecture is a close look at the regions invasive species. Reporter Derwood Andrews says you can even dine with the lecturer...
The Old Schoolhouse Museum on National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms, presents a lecture on Invasive Species, and their threat to biodiversity. Josh Hoines, a vegetation ecologist for Joshua Tree National Park, will talk about identifying and managing weeds, alien plants, exotic plants and invasives, all of which are a costly threat to our native wildflowers. Join him for optional dinner at 5 p.m. at the Twentynine Palms Inn, or $5.00 at the door at 7.00pm for the lecture. It all happens Friday February 10th, call 760-367-5535 for details.

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LOCAL PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TAKING ENROLLMENTS
Preschool programs in the Morongo Unified School District are accepting enrollments for classes at Palm Vista and Yucca Valley Elementary schools. The classes, funded by the state for low-income families, are held for three hours each weekday. Classes are held in both the morning and afternoon, and include either breakfast or lunch. To get on the eligibility list, call Palm Vista at 760-361-1697 or Yucca Valley at 760-365-7790. Children must be 4 years old by December 2, 2011, to receive first priority.

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AREA DEMOCRATS MEET SUNDAY
Local Democrats will meet this Sunday, Managing Editor Tami Roleff checks what the club will be doing...
The Morongo Basin Democratic Club meets from 2 to 4 o'clock this Sunday in the Aztec Mobile Home Park Club House off Church Street in Yucca Valley. Members will hear up-to-the-minute news from this weekend's state convention and vote on several items of business before breaking into round table work groups. Sunday's meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities and is open to all registered Democrats, invited guests and others who wish to change party affiliations at the meeting. Learn more about the local Democratic Club online at MBDems.com.

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REPUBLICAN WOMEN OFFER SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
The Yucca Valley Republican Women Federated is offering a scholarship contest to assist graduating high school seniors who can demonstrate their ability to think constructively on matters affecting our government. Public, private or home school students are eligible. The essay topic, "What the U.S. Constitution Means to Me." The essay should reflect the applicant's knowledge of the Constitution and what it means to all US citizens. The winning essay award is $750. The winning essay will then be sent for review for County. The County award is $1,000. Winners will then be sent on to California Republican Women, Southern Division. Their awards are $1500 for 1st place and $1000 for 2nd place. Contact your local high school counselor for your application. Deadline for all completed essays and applications is February 24, 2012. For more information call Vickie at 760.369.2018.

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AUDREY GILLICK OFFERS WATERCOLOR CLASSES
Local watercolorist Audrey Gillick will be offering classes at the 29 Palms Art Gallery. Reporter Lenore Roberts tells you how to sign up...
Are you interested in learning the art of watercolor? Artist Audrey Gillick will be giving a watercolor class at the 29 Palms Artists' Guild on February 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. The class is open to adults and the cost is $10. Materials and supplies are the responsibility of the participant; however the guild and fellow members are open to sharing with beginners. In this class Audrey will walk you through the planning and painting of a watercolor landscape using her approach developed over decades of experience. The sign-up sheet and a list of materials are available at the 29 Palms Artists' Guild.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND SCHEDULES
Dutch DeMeo's 28 points sparked a furious comeback that came up just short as the Yucca Valley High School Trojans basketball team fell to the De Anza league champion Big Bear Bears 60-66. Next game is CIF first round against an opponent to be determined.

The Yucca Valley Lady Trojan basketball team fought their way to a 40-32 victory over Big Bear last night in Big Bear. Their playoff opponent is to be announced Sunday with action beginning Feb 16 with a likely home game. Jess Geeeson.

The Joshua Springs Christian School Lightning basketball teams play their last game of the season tonight. Tip-off for girls is at 5; boys at 6:30.

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"TEENS FOR HUMANITY" WORKING AT TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL
A Twentynine Palms High School-based teen service club is making a positive difference in the community. ROP Broadcast student Kelly Christensen has for on "Teens for Humanity"...
Teens for Humanity is a local service club made up of Twentynine Palms High School students who serve their community by helping those in need. In December, Teens for Humanity held a coat drive. Students, teachers, and members of the community donated their coats for the drive, and those who needed them were able to go to the event and receive the coats for free. The club also participates in Breaking Bread Ministries, where members of the club are able to serve food to the less fortunate. Teens for Humanity will continue their services to the community throughout the year.

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SERVICES SET FOR JOE DEFRANCISCO
Joe DeFRancisco, a 25-year-resident of Twentynine Palms, died Friday, February 3, 2012. He was 77 years old. Joe DeFrancisco is survived by his wife Georgia, and his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Terry Washburn, all of Twentynine Palms. He was a plumbing contractor for 62 years. A service will be held at the Twentynine Palms Elk Lodge #2314 on March 4 at 11 a.m. Joe DeFrancisco was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for over 40 years, dedicating his time to community service and raising funds for the California-Hawaii Crippled Children's Fund. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the California-Hawaii Crippled Children's Fund through the Twentynine Palms Elk Lodge.

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