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Listen To Your News		Monday, February 20, 2012		News Archive

UNDERCOVER OPERATION TARGETS BUYING ALCOHOL FOR MINORS
The police departments of Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms, with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, will be conducting minor decoy and shoulder tap operations throughout the Morongo Basin during the coming months in an effort to reduce the availability of alcoholic beverages to minors. Sheriff's Sergeant James Porter said selling or providing alcoholic beverages to minors is a serious crime with serious consequences. Businesses that sell or provide alcoholic beverages can have action taken against their liquor license, up to and including revocation. Individuals who sell or provide alcoholic beverages to minors can be arrested and, upon conviction, sentenced to incarceration in the county jail and significant fines.

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SHERIFF'S PATROL CAR IN FENDER BENDER SUNDAY
Sketchy details but the CHP says there were two with minor injuries Sunday evening when a marked Sheriff's patrol car and a Toyota Four-Runner collided at 29 Palms Highway at Sunburst Avenue at 5:51 p.m. The male deputy and a female Toyota passenger were both taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center.

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MORONGO VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW MORNING
The embattled Morongo Valley Community Services District Board, still taking the heat for the recent firing of their General Manager, meet in special session tomorrow morning. Reporter Mike Lipsitz checks the CSD's agenda...
The Morongo Valley Community Services District Board meets in Special Session at 11:30 tomorrow morning in the Covington Park Multi-Purpose Room. Tuesday's agenda calls for directors to "discuss, amend and approve" the general manager's job description, salary and benefits and to amend and vote on the vacation payout to former general manager Meg Foley. Following those actions, and public comment, the five-member board is expected to adjourn to closed session to consider appointment of a new general manager. Any actions taken behind closed doors will be reported immediately after when the board reconvenes in open session. No other items appear on tomorrow's agenda.

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CAR INTO FIRE HYDRANT FLOOD BUSINESSES IN 29 PALMS
In a case of a pick-up truck versus a fire hydrant, the fire hydrant lost. About 3:40 Friday afternoon, April Halcomb, 25, of Twentynine Palms, was driving a Dodge truck at the rear of A New Creation Flowers and Gifts in the 6200 block of Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms, when she backed into a fire hydrant. Although the hydrant was surrounded by four metal poles to protect it, it was sheared off at the base, and a plume of water gushed into the air at 100 pounds per square inch. Thousands and thousands of gallons of water flowed into the six businesses—the flower shop, a tattoo parlor, a counseling office, a thrift store, military surplus store, and an embroidery shop. The water department was called to shut off the water to the fire hydrant, but by that time, the businesses were flooded with two to four inches of water. The fire fighters brought out their squeegees and brooms and helped the business owners sweep out the water. Authorities say April Halcomb could be given the bill for the water and for the damage to the businesses, estimated at between $1000 and $5000 per store.

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ROTARY CONTINUES TRADITION OF HONORING FIREFIGHTERS
Two of the areas Rotary Clubs, professionals dedicated to community service, will continue to carry on a tradition of honoring our area firefighters. Reporter Derwood Andrews tells you how to attend the event...
For many years the Twentynine Palms Elks Lodge sponsored a firefighters' awards banquet, which recognized the "Firefighters of the Year" from the east end communities. In 2008 the event was greatly expanded to include all of the west end fire personnel as well. The Rotary Clubs of Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley now sponsor the awards event, to be held this year at the Bell Center at Copper Mountain College. Starting at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10th, tickets will only be sold in advance of the event at $25 each. Call 760-333-0053 for your tickets and more information.

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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK LOOKING FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS
Joshua Tree National Park will hold an informational meeting for new volunteers for the park's Joshua Tree Search and Rescue team (JOSAR). The meeting will be held this Friday, February 24, 7:00 p.m., at the Black Rock Visitor Center in Yucca Valley. Park spokesman Joe Zarki said if you enjoy teamwork, helping others, and the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park, plan on attending the meeting to learn about the many opportunities, requirements, and time commitments for each level of participation in the park's search and rescue team. JOSAR searches for lost hikers, rescues injured or stranded climbers, and supports park rangers in various visitor safety tasks. No training or experience is required. The Park provides extensive training in land search, tracking, incident management and high-angle rope rescue techniques. You may participate as a rescue member, field searcher or in a support capacity for team operations. To apply you must: Be 18 years of age or older, be comfortable with heights, be physically fit for work in rugged terrain in extreme weather conditions, be a team player, be available on short notice. Be composed under stressful situations and be comfortable working around injured people. For questions or more information, email Kevin Buckley at kevin_buckley@nps.gov.

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AARP OFFERING DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM LOCALLY
AARP is offering a special Driver Safety Program locally. Reporter Dan Stork gets behind the wheel...
If you are over 50, you may be able to save money on your auto insurance by participating in the AARP Driver Safety Program. The course covers the normal changes in vision, hearing and reaction time associated with aging and provides practical techniques on how to adjust to these changes. Also included is a thorough review of the rules of the road, with an emphasis on safety strategies. The classroom version of the course is an 8-hour course, taught in two sessions, spanning two days. This will be available in Yucca Valley, at the Yucca Valley Elks, on February 27 and 28, and again on March 26 and 27. There is a minimal fee, AARP membership is not required, and there aren't any tests. For information, call Don at 760-413-0970. Check with your auto insurance agent to learn whether your insurer accepts the course. Also check whether you can do the online version of the course. Information about the online course is available at www.aarp.org/drive/online.

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AARP OFFERING TAX AIDE TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS
Tax help for seniors and low-income residents is available in Yucca Valley. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 11, an AARP tax aide will be at Saint Mary of the Valley Church, 7495 Church Street, from 9 until noon. Walk-in service is available; no appointments are necessary. Electronic filing of your tax return is available. The church is handicap accessible.

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BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB HOLDING GEO CACHING EVENT
The Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Desert will be sponsoring its First Annual Hi-Desert Cache Bash this Saturday. Geo-cachers will meet at the Boys and Girls Club from 8 to 10 for breakfast munchies, info and hands-on training about geo-caching. Geo-cachers will then hit the trails to find caches in the desert. Meet back at the club from 4 to 6 that afternoon to share geo-caching tales and photos. Carne asada and chicken tacos will be available for $5 a plate. Reserve your spot by e-mail greatfutures@ymail.com.

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HOMESTEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW
Last summer Homestead Valley Community Council, HVCC, volunteers raised funds for care packages to send to Marine units deployed in Afghanistan. These Marines are home now and you are invited to meet some of them the HVCC meeting, tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the Flamingo Heights Community Center, on Perris Rd. just west of Hwy 247, behind Hero Catering. Besides their support of the Marines, the HVCC raises money to help other causes in the four communities, and represents residents on issues of concern to local, county, state and federal agencies. The monthly meetings are open to all.

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14TH ANNUAL COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE ART AUCTION THIS SATURDAY
The 14th annual Copper Mountain College art auction is this Saturday. Managing Editor Tami Roleff invites you to join her, and other community college supporters, at the event...
An event I look forward to every year is the art auction sponsored by the Copper Mountain College Foundation. This year the 14th annual art auction will be held Saturday, February 25, starting at 5 p.m. at the college's Bell Center. A variety of work—such as paintings, photography, gourds, jewelry, sculptures, and more—from local artists such as Audrey Gillick, Henry Mockle, Kevin Wong, Kelly O'Sullivan, Helen Matoush, Mikal Winn, Mike Smiley, Maria Perez, Valerie Davis, and myself, will be sold in live and silent auctions. Z107.7's own Gary Daigneault will serve as master of ceremonies and the auctioneer. Tickets are $15 per person, or $25 per couple, and include hors d'oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or by calling the Foundation at 760-366-3791, extension 4200.

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WILLIAMS INSURANCE MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Williams Insurance Service is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. It was founded in 1937 by Bill Hatch, one of Twentynine Palms' pioneers. The operation flourished and subsequent owner Don Williams put his mark, and his name, on the business. Don's son-in-law, Jerry Mattos, successfully helmed the business for over 40 years, turning day-to-day operations over to Dee Richhart in 2004. Today, Williams Insurance Service is the largest independent insurance agency in the Morongo Basin with office locations in Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley. In the last decade, Williams Insurance has expanded staff and business hours and added services such as Vehicle Registration and Livescan Fingerprinting. Williams Insurance represents many of the country's leading insurance companies. In 2006, Williams Insurance was selected as a member of Trusted Choice, a program that recognizes the top independent insurance agencies in the country. Over its 75 years, Williams Insurance has shared its success with Morongo Basin, giving back by supporting and helping to fund numerous community projects. A Howard Pierce Memorial located in front of Hi-Desert Medical Center honors Don Williams for his volunteer work in the establishment and operation of our local hospital.

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ADOPT A NEW PET FROM THE TWENTYNINE PALMS ANIMAL SHELTER
Many loving pets are waiting for you to adopt them at the Twentynine Palms Animal shelter. ROP Broadcast Student Anthony Salgado tells you how easy it is...
Are you thinking about getting a new pet? Then you should head down to the Twentynine Palms Palms N Paws Animal Shelter at 7086 Bullion Avenue, open Monday through Friday 12 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is only $121 for adopting a dog and $82 for a cat. These fees include spay and neutering, one month of pet insurance for only $1, a health check-up at a local vet, their first round of shots, and a starter kit. You can contact them at 760-367-0157.

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YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL STAFF VERSUS BOYS BASKETBALL TOMORROW NIGHT
The Second Annual Yucca Valley High School Staff versus Boys Basketball game is Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Trojan Gym. You won't want to miss the superstars: 1% Capitalism, Downtown Dandy Brown, the Dragon, Doc, Nighthawk, Maverick, Goose, the Glove, and the secret weapon -- Guido -- as they attempt to dethrone the boys' varsity basketball team. Tickets are only $4. All proceeds go to the Boys Basketball team and the Yucca Valley High School Class of 2012.

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