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Listen To Your News		Friday, February 10, 2012		News Archive

PANORAMA RANCH FACILITY IN JOSHUA TREE TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY
Panorama Ranch, an institution in the Morongo Basin for 40 years, announced yesterday that it is temporarily closing its substance abuse facility in Joshua Tree and is moving its residents to its larger facility in Barstow. Chief Executive Officer Beverly Ary told Z107.7 News that the facility at Panorama Ranch has to tighten its belt due to changes in funding and until the economy turns around. About 15 residents will have been moved by today to Barstow, which can house up to 48 residents. Ary said Morongo Basin residents can still call 760-366-9100 if they need rides to services and treatment. She also added that the 12-Step meetings being held at Panorama Ranch will continue; staff members will come and open up the facility so that meetings can continue. Ary stressed that the staff at Morongo Basin Mental Health is working to make the temporary closure and move to Barstow as easy and smooth as possible, and they are doing everything they can to get the Panorama Ranch facility open again as soon as possible.

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ROAD WORK BEGINS ON LEAR AVENUE THIS MONDAY
If you use Lear Avenue to get to work on the Marine base, listen up….Lear Avenue in Twentynine Palms will be undergoing road repairs for four days, from Monday, February 13, through Thursday, February 16. Motorists should expect delays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. . The City's Public Works Department will temporarily closes the road while it seals cracks on the roadway. Alternate routes to and from the Marine Corps Base will be Mesquite Springs Road and Adobe Road. For more information, call 760-367-ROAD.

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FREE SURPLUS FEDERAL FOOD TO BE GIVEN AWAY MONDAY
Free surplus federal food will be distributed throughout our Morongo basin area this Monday for lo-income individuals and families. Reporter Dan Stork tells us when and where...
Due to the Presidents' Birthday holiday, the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino will distribute surplus food to low-income residents of the Morongo Basin a week earlier than usual this month, on Monday, February 13th. The locations and times are:

• The Church of the Lighted Cross, at 11518 Elbow Lane in Morongo Valley, from 8 to 10
• Belfield Hall, on Reche Road in Landers, 8:30 to 10:30
• The Community Center in Yucca Valley, 8:30 to 10:30
• Copper Mountain Mesa Foundation, 65336 Winter Road in the Copper Mountain area, 9 to 11
• The Community Center in Joshua Tree, 9 to 11
• Sunset Village Apartments, 6036 Sunset Road in Joshua Tree, 9:30 to 11:30
• The fire station in Wonder Valley, 10:30 to 11:30, and
• Little Church of the Desert at 6079 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms, from 10 to noon

Proof of income and address may be provided in a variety of ways, including self-certification on a form that will be available at each site. Recipients are requested to bring their own paper or plastic bags. The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to serve the low-income families, elderly, disadvantaged and homeless of the county. For more information, call 909-723-1580.

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COUNTY SUPERVISORS CUT DISCRETIONARY FUNDS
County supervisors approved a policy Tuesday doing away with maintaining discretionary funds. The Board of Supervisors had agreed to the change in June as part of the approval of its 2011-12 budget, cutting the annual allocation of $450,000 that supervisors can spend on staff, projects or to support community groups in their districts. The policy approved Tuesday sets out the procedure for phasing out the discretionary funding program. Locally, 3rd District Supervisor Neil Derry has $1.6 million. Under the approved policy, supervisors have four years to spend the funds. The most significant change is that supervisors can no longer use discretionary funds to supplement their staffing costs, although they can still support projects or organizations in their districts. Expenditures must still go to the full board for approval and will be done as part of its quarterly budget reporting process,. Community groups will have 12 months to spend any funds they receive from the county.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS OFFERING COMPUTER FUN FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
With Valentine's day coming up Tuesday, the National Honor Society at TPHS is offering some hi-tech fun. ROP Broadcast student Kendra Bennett has more on "Computer Fun"...
The National Honor Society at Twentynine Palms High School is currently involved in a fun interactive student-to-student matchu application called Computer Fun. Computer Fun matches up students based on similar personality traits. This exciting activity is being held for Valentine's Day and it gives students a chance to meet with new people based on their similarities and interests. The National Honor Society is excited provide students with an activitiy as great as Computer Fun.

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BLOOD DRIVE TOMORROW AT STAR STRUCK STUDIO IN YUCCA VALLEY
Lifestream will conduct a community blood drive in Yucca Valley tomorrow. Blood donations will be taken at the Star Struck Dance Studio, on the Highway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This drive is hosted by the Yucca Valley Heat dance squad. Donors may enter to win a pair of thee-day, general admission passes to the 2012 Stagecoach Country Music Festival, and receive Gift of Life Donor Loyalty points that may be redeemed in the online donor store at www.LStream.org.

Healthy individuals at least 15 years old may donate blood. All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors receive a free mini-physical as part of the donation process. Donating blood takes about an hour, yet gives someone a lifetime. For more information, please call 1-800-TRY GIVING.

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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK REOPENS COTTONWOOD SPRINGS AREA, FLOWERS BLOOMING
Officials at Joshua Tree National Park announced yesterday the reopening of most of the Cottonwood Spring area of the park. The Cottonwood campground, interpretive trail, and facilities are now open. A small portion of Cottonwood Canyon below Cottonwood Spring remains closed for visitor safety. The Cottonwood area was closed to the public last September after a torrential rain storm dumped more than 3 inches of rain in the area, and the resulting flash flood washed out roads, trails, and the campground. 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. Information on park wildflowers can be found here:
www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/blooms.htm

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CHILDREN'S VALENTINE PARTY MONDAY AT JOSHUA TREE LIBRARY
The Joshua Tree Library will have some Valentine's Day fun this Monday. Reporter Dan Stork invites kids to a party...
The Joshua Tree Library will host a Valentine's Day Party for school age children on Monday, February 13, at 4 pm. Participants will play Heart BINGO and may make three different kinds of special Valentine's Day cards. For more information about the Valentine's Day party, story time or other library programs, please call the Joshua Tree Branch Library at 760-366-8615.

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ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER AT YUCCA VALLEY UNITED METHODIST TOMORROW
The Yucca Valley United Methodist Church is hosting its 12th annual Spaghetti Dinner Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available for a nominal fee at the church office and at the door. Children's tickets and family tickets are at a reduced rate. Take-out orders are also available. A dessert bar with homemade desserts will also be available, or take some home for a late evening treat. Your Valentine will love you for it. The United Methodist Church is located at 57273 Onaga Trail at Joshua Lane in Yucca Valley. Call 760-365-3671 for more information and to purchase tickets.

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ANDROMEDA ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MEETS TONIGHT
The Andromeda Astronomical Society will meet at 7 P.M., Friday, February 10th, at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The program will feature a DVD about the moon and questions will be answered afterward. Hospitality is included.

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FREE BREAKFAST IN JOSHUA TREE
Joshua Tree Community United Methodist Church will provide "God's Gift of Love" FREE Community Breakfast Buffet EVERY Saturday morning 9-10 a.m. Children's activities are provided during the breakfast. The church is located at 6213 East Parkway in the heart of Joshua Tree.

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JOSHUA TREE VFW WEEKLY MEAL OFFERINGS
The Joshua Tree Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a Friday night Soup Cook-Off tonight from 4 to 6. Brew a pot of your special soup for our cook-off. Sunday breakfast is a sirloin steak special from 8 to 11. And don't forget Taco Wednesday from 11 to 1.

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SERVICES TOMORROW FOR BURKE LESAGE
A Joshua Tree resident and legendary race car driver will be honored at a ceremony Saturday at Desert Christ Park where he had served on the Board of Directors for many years. Assignment reporter Mike Lipsitz invites you to a memorial ceremony for Burke LeSage...
The public is invited to the dedication of a stone plaque honoring the memory of Burke LeSage at 1:00 this Saturday at Desert Christ Park in Yucca Valley. LeSage died November 7. The Desert Christ Park Foundation is sponsoring the event which will include refreshments and fellowship in addition to the dedication. The 76-year-old LeSage was a long-time volunteer and director of the Foundation. Local artist Katie Laughlin painted the plaque's inscription which reads: Burke LeSage, Beloved Friend, Board Member, and Historian of Desert Christ Park.

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PONY LEAGUE EVALUATIONS SUNDAY
Hi-Desert Pony League will be starting evaluations for its upcoming season this Sunday at Luckie Park in Twentynine Palms from 10 to 3. Evaluations are done to determine skill level and balance teams. Other evaluation dates are February 18, 19, and 25 from 10 to 3 and February 26 from 10am to 4:30pm. Parents can still register their child at any one of these evaluation dates. Cost of registering is $50. Please bring a copy of the player's birth certificate and proof of residency. If you have any questions, call Jennifer Garcia at 760-367-1351 or visit www.pony29palms.com for information.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND SCHEDULES
The Twentynine Palms High School Wildcats basketball team won their last game of the season against Shadow Hills, 68 – 58 Wednesday. The game started with recognition for five seniors and their supporting parents. A huge thanks goes out to Chris Fui Fui, Michaiah Russell, Nofo Fe'oa (fay-ow), Tyrone Butler and Tre Douglas. The 'Cats finish 8-and-2 in the De Anza League, which was second only to Big Bear. The CIF playoff match-up will be released Sunday.

Wednesday the Twentynine Palms High School Lady Wildcats ended the regular season in fine fashion with a win over Shadow Hills at home to complete an undefeated league season. They finished 20-and-7 overall and 10-and-0 in league. It was senior night. Rosie Graham and Erin Stanford finished their regular season basketball careers. The two seniors were part of league titles all four years. The ladies will start the playoffs at home Thursday February 16. This is the ninth consecutive year the Wildcats have earned a home playoff game in Girls Basketball.

The Yucca Valley High School Girls Soccer team traveled to Big Bear for the last regular season game in De Anza League play. The Lady Trojans outshot the Bears 13-4, but were unable to finish and ended losing by a score of 2-0. Next up for the Lady Trojans will be the CIF Playoffs next week.

In high school sports tomorrow, it's the CIF Wrestling Dual Meet Championships. The Yucca Valley High School wrestling team will travel to Norte Vista High School to participate in the CIF Duals and then the CIF North Division wrestling matches.

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