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		Friday, February 26, 2010		News Archive

AFTER A 20 YEAR BATTLE, THE EAGLE MOUNTAIN LANDFILL MAY BE DEAD
A 20-year battle to keep Los Angeles’ Trash out of nearby Eagle Mountain may have finally come to an end. The Department of the Interior decided Wednesday not to appeal a 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. While Kaiser may still appeal with a slim chance, Landfill opponents called the government’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 brought in on a daily basis. Opponents argued the landfill would have harmed the wildlife and air quality in the desert and Joshua Tree National Park. "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.

...Back To Headlines...

YUCCA VALLEY APPLIES FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT GRANTS
The Sheriff’s Department, under contract as the Police Department for the Town of Yucca Valley, is looking for funding to beef up its enforcement of off-highway vehicle laws. Managing Editor Karl Gardner joins us...
The Yucca Valley Police Department has applied for grant funding to support continued OHV law enforcement programs. The grant is being sought through the California State Parks, Off Highway Vehicle Division. The public is asked and encouraged to review the Yucca Valley Police Department’s preliminary grant application and provide comments and suggestions. The public comment period for this grant application begins on March 2, and ends on April 5. During this public comment period, the public may view grant application and provide public comments through the OHV Division’s website at ohv.parks.ca.gov. A public meeting has been scheduled for March 10, at 6:00 p.m. in the Ocotillo Room at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The public is encouraged to attend.

...Back To Headlines...

Rod Hoops

SHERIFF REITERATES POLICIES ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA, IMMIGRATION County Sheriff Rod Hoops reaffirmed policies on two hot-button topics in a department address Thursday. Hoops said deputies would still enforce medical marijuana laws though he feels they're "greatly flawed," and only broach someone's immigration status inside jails. The Sheriff gave a wide-ranging state of the department address to a roomful of county leaders and sheriff's staff. He spoke of cost-saving measures he has already taken, and ones still in the works. He also noted the cooperation with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, in a new three-year agreement to help identify illegal immigrants booked into county jails. Officials say the program helps cut the long-term cost of housing such suspects. Jail staff is trained to screen inmates for their immigration status, and if applicable, refer them for possible deportation. When Hoops addressed medical marijuana, he said deputies were committed to enforcing the law allowing those with county-issued cards to legally purchase the drug through nonprofit collectives, regardless of whether they agreed with it. Still, he called the law "greatly flawed" in its allowance of dispensaries that seem to operate more like for-profit "pot shops" as opposed to collectives to serve patients with legitimate medical needs.

...Back To Headlines...

YOUNG MARINE HURT IN JOSHUA TREE MOTORCYCLE CRASH
A young marine was hurt after he crashed his motorcycle on Highway 62 in Joshua Tree. California Highway Patrol Officials said around 2 Thursday afternoon, an unidentified marine was riding east on Highway 62, just west of Sunkist when he lost control of his Yamaha Sports Bike. Both the bike and rider skidded along the pavement, coming to rest near the shoulder. The rider briefly lost consciousness. A passing trauma nurse stopped and rendered aid until firefighter/paramedics arrived. The motorcyclist was not hit by any other vehicles. He was transported to an area hospital with minor to moderate injuries. CHP is investigation the exact cause of the crash.

...Back To Headlines...

Ryan O'Connell 2005

COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE FOUNDATION TAKING GREENLEAF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS The Copper Mountain College Foundation is looking for applications to the prestigious Greenleaf Scholarship Program. Reporter Tami Roleff tells you how to apply for this remarkable educational opportunity... Local high school seniors are invited to apply for the Roy Greenleaf Jr. Scholarship sponsored by the Copper Mountain College Foundation. The scholarship will pay the winning applicant’s tuition, books, fees, and living expenses for his or her entire academic career, as long as the student attends Copper Mountain College for the first two years, and then any University of California or Cal State University school. The student is expected to enroll in Copper Mountain this fall and earn a degree in two years, after which time he or she may transfer to a UC or CSU school. The scholarship is open to all highly motivated and financially needy students who possess a strong determination to succeed, who demonstrate a desire to help others in their school, family and community, and who have an interest in serving the Morongo Basin upon completing their education. Application forms are available at all area high schools and at the Copper Mountain College Foundation office on campus. The deadline for application is March 25. The finalist will be notified by the end of April. For more information, contact the Foundation at 366-3791 extension 5012.

...Back To Headlines...

General James Conway

COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS OPPOSES REPEAL OF DON’T ASK DON’T TELL The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Conway told Senate lawmakers yesterday he opposes permitting gays and lesbians to serve openly in the Marine Corps, asking rhetorically whether repealing the law known as "don’t ask, don’t tell" would help the fighting readiness of the Marine Corps. Conway, who appeared before the Senate Armed Services, stressed that his view was his own. He said he will abide by the orders of the president and the laws passed by Congress. "My personal opinion is that unless we can strip away the emotion, the agendas and the politics and ask, at least in my case, do we somehow enhance the war-fighting capabilities of the United States Marine Corps by allowing homosexuals to openly serve?" Conway said. "We haven't addressed it from the correct perspective. At this point, I think that the current policy works. My best military advice to this committee, to the secretary, and to the president would be to keep the law such as it is."

...Back To Headlines...

Shannon Luckino with husband Frank

YUCCA VALLEY WOMAN NAMED 65TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE YEAR A Yucca Valley woman has been named "Woman of the Year" for the 65th State Assembly District. Every year the California Legislative Women’s Caucus asks each Assembly Member to choose a woman from their district to be nominated for "Woman of the Year." This year Assemblyman Paul Cook nominated Shannon Luckino. Luckino humbly accepted the nomination, saying, "It is such a great honor to be nominated for this award, especially by Paul, someone who I admire so much." Shannon is a mother of triplets, two with disabilities, who works full time operating a family mortgage company. She has been the President of the local Boys and Girls Club and is the current President of the Yucca Valley Rotary Club. Shannon is heavily involved with her local church, Relay for Life, and with many agencies involved with children with disabilities. In Shannon’s mind, her greatest achievement is being the mother of her outstanding children, Alessa, Nico, and Reed. Shannon represents women across the state who are making California a better place to live now and for future generations," said Assemblyman Cook.

...Back To Headlines...

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR BEARDS FOR GRUBSTAKE DAYS CONTEST
Gentlemen, start your beards. The Town of Yucca Valley is reviving the old tradition of the grubstake days beard contest. Reporter Dan Stork tells you how to get involved...
It may seem that the end of May is a long way off, but if you want a chance to win the Beard Contest at Grubstakes Days the final weekend of May, you may have to register real soon. The contest will feature several categories in both Division A (New Beards) and Division B (Existing Beards). Judging will take place at the Grubstakes Community Fair on Saturday, May 29th. Contestants wishing to compete in the new beard division must appear clean-shaven during office hours at the Community Services Office of the Yucca Valley Community Center on Monday, March 1st for registration, verification and entry photos. At the end of the three-month growing period, competitors' beards will be judged and awards presented according to various categories including best overall beard, longest beard, thickest beard, best groomed, most original, best mustache, and best effort.　 Similar criteria will be used for judging the existing beard category. To learn more about the contest, contact Maureen Randall at the Community Services Office, 760-369-7211.

...Back To Headlines...

"MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON" AT THE BLAK BOX THEATER
Adding a dose of comedy to its "Murder and Madness Series", the Hi-Desert Cultural Center in conjunction with the California Desert Regional Theatre presents Murder at the Howard Johnson’s this Saturday, with a 2:04 p.m. matinee followed by a 7:04 p.m. evening performance. Why such strange show times? It’s a mystery, of course! The show is a light, fast-paced, suspenseful comedy whose plot revolves around a love triangle between a husband, Paul, his wife, Arlene, and their dentist, Mitch, at the Howard Johnson's Motor Inn. The Blak Box is located directly behind the Kaye Ballard Playhouse, in Joshua Tree. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors, students, and military. A cash bar and refreshments are available for purchase before the show and at intermission. Group discounts are also available. To order tickets, call the Box Office at 760-366-3777. Tickets may also be ordered on-line at hidesertculturalcenter.com.

...Back To Headlines...

YARD SALE AT TWENTYNINE PALMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Twentynine Palms Elementary School in is hosting a big yard sale tomorrow. Managing Editor Karl Gardner joins us again and tells us who will benefit...
Have you been looking for that special one of the kind treasure, and haven’t been able to find it? Come on out to the Twentynine Palms Elementary School yard sale Saturday from 8 to 1, at the school’s parking lot on Utah Trail. Sellers from all around will be on hand with the proceeds going to the Twentynine Palms Elementary sixth grade class. Drop on by, who knows, you just might find that one in a million item you’ve been looking for.

...Back To Headlines...

YU-GI-OH TOURNAMENT IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
The Twentynine Palms Library will be hosting a Yu-Gi-Oh card tournament Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. Patrons are invited to bring in their Yu-Gi-Oh cards and play through the tournament for a chance to win a prize. This tournament is a "not for keeps" tournament, meaning that all who play will be given back their original cards. All ages are welcome and everything is free! For more information about this event please call the Twentynine Palms Library at 760-367-9519.

...Back To Headlines...