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Listen To Your News		Monday, February 22, 2010		News Archive

James Hosking

JUDGE WHO DENIED RESTRAINING ORDER CHALLENGED A Superior Court judge faces a serious challenger for election in June after he denied a Yucca Valley woman's request for a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, who subsequently killed their 9-month-old son and then himself. Judge Robert Lemkau, recently transferred from Joshua Tree to Victorville Superior Court, is facing his first election. Of the 31 judicial seats up for re-election, Lemkau's is one of two facing a challenge. Deputy District Attorney James Hosking stepped up to run against Lemkau after he heard about the judge's ruling in a case involving Katie Tagle.

Tagle appeared before Lemkau in January for an emergency restraining order against Stephen Garcia, who had unsupervised visits with their son Wyatt. Transcripts of the hearing show the judge presumed Tagle was lying about Garcia, even as she offered evidence. Ten days later, Garcia and his son Wyatt were found dead inside his vehicle in an apparent murder-suicide in Twin Peaks. Lemkau served for 34 years as a prosecutor before he was appointed in 2007 to the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. Hosking said he is not challenging Lemkau for Office Number 11 because of a single ruling. He based his decision on the judge's entire record.

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IT’S OFFICIAL, YUCCA MESA NOT IN YUCCA VALLEY SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
Even though the Town of Yucca Valley had already said it had dropped an effort to include the Yucca Mesa area in it’s sphere of influence, it is now official. Reporter Tami Roleff says LAFCO has spoken...
It’s official: Yucca Mesa will not be included in the Town of Yucca Valley’s Sphere of Influence. At its regular meeting February 17, the Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, rubber-stamped the Town of Yucca Valley’s request to withdraw its application to expand it Sphere of Influence to include Yucca Mesa. All requests about annexation, incorporation, or expanding or reducing a town’s or special district’s Sphere of Influence, must be approved by LAFCO. In 2008, the Town tried to include the Mesa in its Sphere of Influence, but after experiencing heavy resident opposition, it withdrew its Sphere of Influence proposal at a September 2009 Town Council meeting. Under LAFCO’s ruling, the Town’s Sphere of Influence continues to be the same as it’s been since incorporation—following the Town’s boundaries.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS DRIVERS WARNED OF ADOBE ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Motorists in Twentynine Palms are reminded to beware of a major construction zone and lane closures on Adobe Road between Amboy Road and the main gate to the Marine Base. The $4.2 million Adobe Road Improvement Project began last week and the one-mile stretch of road has construction barricades, lane cones, heavy equipment, and traffic flow reduced to two lanes. A 35 mph speed limit has been posted in the construction zone. Drivers are asked to watch for oncoming traffic and obstacles in the roadway and to drive cautiously, especially at night when visibility is low in the north portion of Adobe Road. Businesses in the area and the main gate to the Marine base remain accessible during road construction, which is expected to last into May. Drivers are being reminded by the Sheriff’s Department that traffic fines, especially for speeding, are doubled in the construction zones. The project entails widening Adobe Road and adding curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and a bike lane leading from the Marine base into the city. For questions call the City of Twentynine Palms at 760-367-6799.

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HUGE JOSHUA TREE HOUSING PROJECT DEAD, LAND SET FOR FORECLOSURE
The once controversial proposal to build some 2600 homes on a section of a pristine Joshua Tree forest is officially dead. Reporter Dan Stork says the land for the Katz project is in foreclosure...
A large tract of land in Joshua Tree, once planned as the site of a massive residential development to be called Joshua Tree Villas, is scheduled to be offered up for public auction as part of a foreclosure proceeding. A long public notice, published in the fine-print classified section of the Hi-Desert Star on Wednesday February 17, said that the highest bidder who shows up in Chino on March 10th with cash and cashiers checks in hand can have the three parcels comprising Section 33. In March 2008, developer Stephen Katz described his firm’s plan for a 2600-unit development to a skeptical and hostile audience in Joshua Tree. The 640 acres of Section 33 are located south of Twentynine Palms highway, extending south to Alta Loma, east of La Contenta and west of the cemetery. The auction notice also says that the amount of unpaid balance and other charges is about $4.6 million. A Joshua Tree area official wryly asks: "Do we know anyone with big bucks who might be interested in buying it and giving it to the community?"

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WEEKLONG MOTORCYCLE SAFETY CAMPAIGN CALLED SUCCESSFUL
A weeklong motorcycle safety, education and enforcement effort last week received fairly glowing reviews in the Inland area. Law-enforcement officials, motorcyclists and an Auto Club spokeswoman all said the effort, which ended Friday, should be repeated more often. Electronics sign displaying the words: "Look twice. Share the road with motorcycles" were posted statewide on what are commonly called "Amber Alert signs." The president of a motorcycle advocacy group that has worked with law-enforcement on safety efforts, applauded the signs. "We're hoping the flashing signs will at least put it in the minds of drivers to be aware," said Ray Fleishman, 55, of Corona, who heads a Riberside ABATE chapter. "We're working right now with the CHP and Caltrans to have this done again in May," which is Motorcycle Awareness Month. A CHP spokesman said the timing was right for the campaign because the number of motorcycle-related collisions in the state is going up along with the number of people injured or killed in those collisions.

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HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER OFFERS FREE HEART HEALTH SEMINAR THURSDAY
The Hi-Desert Medical Center will be sponsoring a free heart health seminar this Thursday. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says it is free, but you need to sign up beforehand...
February is American Heart Month. The Hi Desert Medical Center invites you to learn about Heart Disease at a heart health education seminar this Thursday at 6 p.m. The free program will be in the Helen Gray Education Center on the Medical Center campus. You’re invited to learn about the warning signs of heart attack, how to prevent one, and the latest treatment advances from Dr. M. Gupta, a cardiologist at the 179-bed facility. Educational handouts and refreshments will be provided. The seminar is free, but registration is required by calling 760-366-6324.

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KENDO, JAPANESE SWORD FIGHTING, AT J.T. RECREATION
Pre-registration for beginning classes in the Ancient Art of Japanese Sword fighting know as Kendo is taking place at the Joshua Tree Community Center. Lead Instructor, T. Douglas Yamaguchi is ranked as Sensei 4th Dan and is passionate about passing on this ancient art form to others. Participants must be at least 8 years old and must pre-register by February 26th for the March 4th start date. For more information contact Joshua Tree Recreation and Park District at 6171 Sunburst Avenue in Joshua Tree or call: 760-366-8415.

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OOH RAH FOR TA-TAS, FUNNY NAME, SERIOUS SUBJECT
Ooh Rah for Tah-Tahs, may sound funny, but its not. Reporter Tami Roleff says the organization is looking for recipes for a fund-raising cookbook...
Ooh Rah for Tah Tahs! It’s a funny phrase for a serious subject. Ooh Rah for Tah Tahs all started when a young Marine stationed at Twentynine Palms wanted to show support for his mother who was celebrating her 6th anniversary of being a breast cancer survivor. He made up T-shirts for a fun run on base that said Ooh Rah for Tah Tahs, and now it’s busting out all over. Operation Ooh Rah for Tah Tahs is developing a cookbook for Mother’s Day, and needs favorite recipes from Marine moms, wives, sisters and even dads who have—or had—breast cancer. The organization would also like to include funny or inspiring stories about breast cancer in the cookbook from people who are eager to express themselves. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Wounded Warrior Project. Please send your recipes and stories to oohrahrecipes@gmail.com or call 936-447-3366.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL ADVANCE TO QUARTERFINALS WITH CIF WIN
The Twentynine Palms High School Girls basketball team defeated La Salle Saturday, 63 to 48. The girls raised their record to 22 and 6 and advanced to the CIF quarterfinals for the third time in the last three years. Coach Tim Stanford said defense and teamwork were the keys to this victory on a night that saw 17 assists dealt out by an unselfish group of basketball players. The defense was outstanding mostly due to the team as a whole following their assignments and rotating where necessary. Seniors Irie Engesser and Marlene Goldsmith both had double doubles; Engesser had 13 points 11 rebounds and Goldsmith had 12 points 14 rebounds. Scoring was rounded out with Alexa Herrera scoring 13 points, Stanford scoring 10, Candelaria had 7, Mount had 3, Rosa Graham had 3, and Kayi Beach added 2.

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YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLERS COME UP SHORT OF GLORY
Yucca Valleh High School De Anza League Wrestling champions Logan Sackett and Leo Munoz, as well as runners up Eric Jensen, Travis Houseman, Derek Olson, and Daniel DelGuidice competed in the CIF Southern Section Northern Division Individual Championships this Friday and Saturday at Pacifica High School in Oxnard. The Trojans battled but fell short of glory and of qualifying for the next level of playoffs, thus ending their season. Coach Brandon Whitbred said they had a great season, however -- the entire team.

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