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		Wednesday, February 17, 2010		News Archive

CHP PURSUES FLEEING MOTORCYCLE RIDER AT OVER 100MPH
A fleeing motorcycle rider ran out of road after being chased by a pursuing CHP car at speeds in excess of 100 Miles per hour. CHP Spokesman Rob McCloud said Friday afternoon at about 4:00. Officer Luck was on traffic patrol west of Joshua Tree on State Route 62. The officer observed a motorcyclist, Justin Kwedor, 21, of Yucca Valley riding eastbound at an extremely high rate of speed. The officer attempted to get into position to affect a traffic stop, the rider attempted to evade arrest by running the red traffic light at Park Boulevard eastbound, made a U-turn and ran it again westbound. The vehicle was pursued westbound on the highway at speeds exceeding 100 mph to northbound Yucca Mesa Road, crossing Aberdeen Drive and continued until the rider ran out of road. Kwedor finally surrendered to CHP patrol vehicles as well as air units called in to assist. Justin Kwedor was taken into custody for investigation of Felony reckless driving and evading arrest, and held on $100,000.

...Back To Headlines...

Bill Neeb Chad Mayes George Huntington Lori Herbel Frank Luckino

YUCCA VALLEY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WONDERS WHAT TO DO WITH THE PFF BUILDING The Yucca Valley Town Council and Redevelopment Agency met in regular session last night. Reporter Tami Roleff says now that the town has bought the former PFF bank building, they don’t know what to do with it... Last night wasn’t the shortest meeting ever of the Yucca Valley Town Council, but it was close. With just 3 members of the public in the audience, the Town Council approved routine matters on its agenda and then welcomed its new interim town manager, John Tooker, before adjourning 25 minutes later.

Prior to the Town Council’s meeting, the Yucca Valley Redevelopment Agency met to discuss potential uses of the PFF Bank Building it bought last year for about $1.6 million. Town staff presented 4 options to the agency, all of which require renovations to the building: use it for the Town Hall; for the Hi-Desert Nature Museum; the Yucca Valley Library; or find a commercial tenant to rent the building. After discussion, the RDA directed Town Staff to come back with more specific financial information about two of the options: the museum, and renting it to a commercial tenant. Future stories will go over some of the pros and cons of the two favored options.

...Back To Headlines...

DUI DRIVER CRASHES INTO COURT HOUSE PARKING LOT
Doing Law Enforcement a favor, a suspected DUI driver, followed for miles by concerned citizens, crashed into the parking lot of the Joshua Tree courthouse Friday. CHP Officer Eric Brewer said at about 4:40 in the afternoon, Louis Walker, 49, of Cathedral City was driving a 1994 Toyota pick-up truck westbound on State Route 62 from Twentynine Palms. Walker was being followed by citizens that had dialed 911 due to their concern about his driving. The Toyota was reportedly being driven into opposing lanes of traffic and failing to yield the right of way to numerous vehicles, while running stop lights and making erratic turns. When the Toyota was eastbound on SR-62 east of Whitefeather Road, at a reported speed of 80 to 90 miles per hour, Walker collided into the rear of a Ford Aerostar van driven by Joel Orban of Twentynine Palms. This collision caused the Toyota to travel into the parking lot of the San Bernardino Superior Court House. Orban did not sustain any injuries. Louis Walker only sustained minor injuries and was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended driver license.

...Back To Headlines...

TWENTYNINE PALMS TRAILS WORKSHOP CIVIL, SPIRITED, AND WELL-MANNERED
While fireworks between the pro and anti off-road vehicle camps were anticipated at last night’s Twentynine Palms Trail Committee meeting, the gathering was called civil, spirited, and efficient. Reporter Dan Stork said even the contention was well mannered...
In response to direction from the City Council, a group of Twentynine Palms citizens worked through a Trails Workshop agenda that had been modified to address models for Off Highway Vehicle use in the City. Randy Councell, of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, and Anne Dove, of the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service, laid down the ground rules for two separate breakout sessions. In each session, the approximately 15 citizens in attendance separated into 4 groups to brainstorm questions provided by Dove and Councell. In the first session, participants were asked to study the draft trails map, which doesn’t address OHV use, and comment upon connectivity, concentration, and destinations of the proposed trail networks. A favorite destination for trails was city schools. For the second session, the groups were asked to comment on 3 OHV usage scenarios, namely:

• Provide for riding areas;
• Provide for trail access to riding areas; or
• Make no provision for OHV use in the city.

In support of the first option, some participants identified several candidate areas within or just outside the city limits. Others dismissed the idea of OHV recreational areas within the city, but supported having access trails. There was little support for prohibition. Summaries of citizen input will be used to solicit further direction from the City Council.

...Back To Headlines...

WONDER VALLEY FIRE, ROAD, & PARK COMMISSION MEETS TOMORROW
The Wonder Valley Fire, Road, and Park Municipal Advisory Commission meets tomorrow at 4:30 at the Wonder Valley Community Center. Reports will be head from County representatives, fire and law enforcement officials. Information on the proposed Marine Base expansion called, "Briefing about the Twentynine Palms Training Land / Airspace Acquisition Study with Colonel Wes Weston and Joe Ross of the base. Attendees will be given an overview of the study and you’ll be able to submit a question and information card and allowed a 3-minute question and answer segment per card submitted.

...Back To Headlines...

BIGHORN DESERT VIEW WATER AGENCY BOARD SAYS NO TO A CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Bighorn Desert View Water Agency board met in a special meeting last night. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says the board voted down a proposed citizens advisory committee...
The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency board of directors met last night in place of its regular forth Tuesday meeting. At last night’s meeting Director Martha Oswalt’s proposal for the formation of a citizen’s advisory committee was defeated. Sighting their obligation for transparency and a standing invitation for public participation in Agency meetings the proposal lost in a three to zero vote with Directors Oswalt and Larson abstaining. In other business, the board voted unanimously to participate in a policy forum this week in Joshua Tree, and approved funds, not to exceed $19,500, for systems upkeep. Later, the board agreed to a committee review of their own compensation and expense reimbursement policy. General Manager Marina West recommended the policy be examined for ambiguities and updating as it has not been reviewed since 1997. The matter will be revisited after a finance committee review in March. Next some discussion preceded board approval of items on the consent agenda with Director Oswalt abstaining from several votes. Lastly, the board heard reports from the President, General Manager, and directors.

...Back To Headlines...

HI DESERT AND JOSHUA BASIN WATER BOARDS MEET TONIGHT
The Joshua Basin and Hi-Desert Water Boards both meet tonight. Managing Editor Karl Gardner checks the agendas...
Both Hi Desert and Joshua Basin water districts will be in session this evening. The Hi Desert Water District board convenes at 6 at district offices on the Highway at Inca. An update from Jim Ventura, Mojave Water Agency board member tops the agenda. Next the board will hold an Acquisition of Service Fee workshop, review the Ames/Means Basin Agreement, discuss an alternate formula for Local Agency Formation Commission funding and hear an update on the sewage treatment project. The Joshua Basin Water District board meets in special session at 6:15, with a closed session to conduct property negotiations and conference with legal council on existing and potential litigation. In open session the board will discuss an alternate formula for its share of Local Agency Formation Commission funding, and consider giving a name to the demonstration garden to the Citizens Advisory Committee for review.

...Back To Headlines...

JOSHUA TREE WATER FORUM THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
A special multi-agency policy forum on water use in the Joshua Tree area will be held this Thursday and Friday. Reporter Dan Stork joins us with a closer look and your invitation...
The Joshua Basin Water District and Supervisor Neil Derry are sponsoring a special meeting of the district board this week, structured as a water forum, and spread across two days. On Thursday, February 18th, the water board will hold a joint meeting with the Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Council and the Joshua Basin Water District Citizen Advisory Committee from 7 to 8:30 PM. The topic for the evening will be Overview on successfully Planning for Sustainable Water Supplies in Growing California Communities. The forum continues the next day, Friday February 19th, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The all-day session includes overviews of water supply, planning, land use and growth in the Joshua Basin Water District service area, plus examinations of water and land use regulations, practices, and local options. There will be opportunity for public comment during the forum. Lunch will be provided for the Friday event; please reserve your lunch by calling 760 366 8438. All sessions will be held at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst.

...Back To Headlines...

REACH OUT PARADE OF HOMES CALLED A GREAT SUCCESS
Reach Out Morongo Basin's largest fund-raiser, the Annual Parade of Homes saw nearly 200 participants Sunday. With perfect weather, Parade goers toured seven area homes in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley. Reach Out Executive Director Sandy Fleck said , "Our home owners were very gracious welcoming participants, the ladies at the Twentynine Palms Eagle's Aerie provided a wonderful salad bar lunch and desserts, plus we had 32 volunteers working all day to pull this off. It was a huge success earning $6200 for Reach Out's Neighbor Helping Neighbors program." Next year's Parade of Homes is slated for February 20, 2011.

...Back To Headlines...

CROCHETING OFFERED AT TWENTYNINE PALMS SENIOR CENTER
Crocheting is now available at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center. Join a group of volunteers crocheting at the Senior Center at 6539 Adobe Rd on Thursday at 10:00 am. Learn new techniques, visit and work on a variety of projects with other crafters. Classes are free and open to the public - supplies provided however donations of yarn are greatly appreciated. Call Reach Out Morongo Basin at 760-361-1410 for more details.

...Back To Headlines...