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Listen To Your News		Thursday, February 25, 2010		News Archive

EAGLE MOUNTAIN LANDFILL OFFICIALLY DEAD
A 20-year battle to keep Los Angeles’ Trash out of Eagle Mountain has come to an end. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar decided yesterday not to appeal a U.S. 9th Circuit Court ruling overturning the Bureau of Land Management’s land exchange with Kaiser Ventures, effectively putting a halt to the Eagle Mountain landfill project on the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park. Landfill opponents called Salazar’s decision a "landmark victory. The Eagle Mountain landfill plan sought to turn a former iron ore mine into the largest landfill in the United States. The project site, surrounded on three sides by Joshua Tree National Park, would have seen as much as 20,000 tons of Los Angeles County trash on a daily basis. The landfill's total capacity would have been 708 million tons. Opponents argued the landfill would have harmed the wildlife and air quality in the desert and Joshua Tree National Park. "Secretary Salazar has made a courageous decision to protect the long-term health of Joshua Tree National Park," said George Kopp, President of the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce. "Thank God this thing is over; it's been going on for more than 20 years," said Eagle Mountain resident Donna Charpied, who, with her husband Larry, led the opposition from their small Jojoba Farm near the site.

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SHERIFF LOOKING FOR SUSPECT IN YUCCA VALLEY STABBING
Sheriff’s Detectives are looking for the suspect after a stabbing in Yucca Valley. Sheriffs’ officials said Tuesday Night around 8, the victim, identified at Justin Roling, reported that someone was rifling thorough his car in the 7400 block of Cherokee Trail in Yucca Valley as he was visiting some friends. Roling said when he confronted the suspect he was attacked with a knife the suspect took from the car. After the attack, the suspect fled jumping a fence running north from the location. Roling suffered cuts to his face and neck and a puncture wound under his left arm. Arriving deputies were unable to locate the suspect. Roling refused medical aid.

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YUCCA VALLEY FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE TODDLER FROM FOLDING CHAIR
A one-year-old child stuck in a reclining chair was rescued by county firefighters. Fire officials said about 1 p.m. Tuesday, fire crews were call out to a home in the 7800 block of Victoria in Yucca Valley, after a one-year-old baby became wedged in the foot and safety plate of a reclining chair. Arriving firefighters dismantled the chair freeing the baby from its confines. The child was not injured during the imprisonment.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY BUDGET OK NOW --PROBLEMS SEEN LATER
A very long and involved Twentynine Palms City Council meeting this week. Reporter Dan Stork broke his report on the meeting into to parts, yesterday we heard of wrangling over a city staff position and other decisions. Today, Stork takes a close look at the city’s budget review, an ominous harbinger of financial problems to come...
The midyear budget report presented to the Twentynine Palms City Council had good news for the current year, but the projections for the following three years are not so happy. The original budget for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 anticipated almost a half-million dollars of red ink, on revenues of about $6.8 million and expenses of about $7.3 million. But unexpectedly large income from a variety of sources, most particularly property tax, coupled with a small drop in expenditures, makes it appear that the city will end the fiscal year very slightly in the black. For the next three years, city staff presented 3 different scenarios. But in each year, for each scenario, there is a deficit. The worst case cumulative projected 3-year deficit is about $1.3 million. Taking into account already-budgeted reserve expenses of $300,000 over that period, reserve funds would decline from $10.9 million to $9.3 million. City officials congratulated themselves for having built up reserves steeply in recent years.

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Photo by Z107.7 General Manager Cindy Daigneault. Click to enlarge.

AMBOY SHOE TREE HAS FALLEN OVER A familiar icon that has brought bemusement to thousands of area desert dwellers and travelers for many years has succumbed to the elements. The Amboy Shoe Tree, a very quirky local landmark, has fallen down. The tree, located just East of Amboy on National Trails Highway, the former legendary Route 66, was found on its side on the ground yesterday. Witnesses said they overloaded tree fell over after recent rains softened the usually hard packed desert floor. The Amboy Shoe tree has been the focus of many a tourist photograph over the years, a delightful whimsical surprise to those who came upon it while traveling. Over the years, hundreds of shoes of all types, from tennis shoes to Combat Boots have been laced together and thrown into its branches, hanging as part of a ritual of freedom. Local legend has it that the shoetree was started by Twentynine Palms Marines leaving the Corps and tossing their boots in a sign of farewell. The Bra Tree, holding hundreds of discarded bras, as well as the nearby Panty tree, both in close proximity, remain in place, proudly displaying their own unique memorials to those who have passed before.

Photo by Z107.7 General Manager Cindy Daigneault.
Click to enlarge.

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JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT TO DISCUSS JOSHUA TREE WATER ISSUES ON Z107.7 TOMORROW
A recent water-use forum in Joshua Tree brought out many concerns about growth and conservation of the precious resource. Tomorrow, representatives of the Joshua Basin Water District will be on the Z107-7 "Up Close" show to answer questions about those challenges. Managing Editor Karl Gardner tells you when to tune in...
Joshua Basin Water District Board President Gary Given and General Manager Joe Guezzta will be guests on Friday’s Up Close Show, taking your questions on water issues effecting Joshua Tree. Following up on 2-day water and land use forum held last week, Given and Guzzetta will be on hand to discuss several points brought out during the forum such as; connecting land and water use proposals to save on resources, developing gray water use, redirecting storm waters to recharge basins, embracing water-wise and community education. Call in with your questions and comments from 10 to 11 Friday morning at 760-366-8471.

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COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE AUTO SHOP LOOKING FOR CARS TO WORK ON
The students at the Copper Mountain College auto shop are looking for vehicles to learn on. Reporter Tami Roleff describes the need...
Students at Copper Mountain College need cars and light trucks to work on in the Auto Shop program on campus. While the Auto Shop program offers shop vehicles for students to service, working on cars and trucks from the real world gives the students valuable experience. Vehicles that are 10 years old or newer that need service, troubleshooting, or repairs, may be eligible for the college’s Automotive Program. Fees for each repair order are only $5, plus the cost of parts and materials. All work is performed by students who are supervised by an instructor. For more information about the auto shop program, call Paul Friedt at 760-366-3791 extension 0220.

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OPENINGS FOR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT JACOB’S PARK
There are openings at the Jacob’s Park after school program in Yucca Valley. The Town of Yucca Valley provides the free after school program Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 3:00–5:30 p.m. This program provides enriching recreation activities for children in grades K-6, such as games, art & crafts, sports, fitness and special activities. Jacob’s Park is located at the corner of Onaga and Hopi Trail next to Yucca Valley Elementary School. Trained recreation staff will pick up the children from school and escort them to the park building. Pre-register at the Yucca Valley Community Services. For more information contact the Town of Yucca Valley Community Services Department at 760-369-7211.

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BRAILLE INSTITUTE OFFERS FREE KITCHEN CONFIDENCE SEMINAR
If you are suffering from vision challenges, the Braille Institute is offering a valuable free seminar to help you around the kitchen. Reporter Dan Stork joins us again with the when and where...
The Braille Institute will host a free seminar on gizmos and gadgets that can help people with vision problems boost their confidence in the kitchen. This event, complete with demonstrations, takes place on Friday, February 26, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Braille Institute will host a free seminar and demonstration, featuring Jan Boydstun, owner of Kitchen Kitchen in Indian Wells. The event will be held at Braille Institute, located at 70-251 Ramon Road in Rancho Mirage. The two-hour seminar will cover the newest in kitchen gadgets designed to help you get around the kitchen safely. Also, discover some new tips for organizing, shopping, cutting, measuring and cooking. Please RSVP by calling 760-321-1111. If you would like additional information about this event or any of Braille Institute’s other free programs and services, please contact Braille Institute at 760-321-1111 or visit www.brailleinstitute.org.

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SANDSHARKS SWIM TEAM LOOKING FOR SWIMMERS
The Hi-Desert Aquatics Sandsharks Swim Team is looking for swimmers for the season! Do you like the water, want to be part of a team, and are 4-18 years old? Then you need to join the Sandsharks and represent Yucca Valley in league swimming! It's a great way to improve your swimming skills, stay fit, and get exercise. Sign Ups are this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Yucca Valley High School pool deck. Swimmers new to the Sandsharks need to bring a birth certificate.

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CHRISTIAN HARD ROCK SATURDAY AT JOSHUA SPRINGS
Fans of hard core Christian based rock are being invited to a concert at Joshua Springs Calvary Chapel in Yucca Valley Saturday. ROP broadcast student Josh Hale has the details...
The hard core Christian band Sleeping Giant will be having a show on February 27 at Joshua Springs Calvary Chapel. Other bands that will be performing are Priscilla, Fall Before the Throne, Voices and Progress. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30. Tickets will be $10 in advance for $13 at the door. For more information please call Joshua Springs Calvary Chapel at 760-365-0769.

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