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Listen To Your News		Friday, March 5, 2010		News Archive

Roy Ashburn

MORE INFORMATION ON THE ARREST OF STATE SENATOR ASHBURN A day after State Senator Roy Ashburn, who represents Twentynine Palms, was arrested for drunken driving. A TV station reported that the lawmaker was leaving a gay bar with another man shortly before the pre-dawn arrest Wednesday. Ashburn, a father of four, has a history of opposing pro-gay legislation. CBS 13 in Sacramento reported Thursday that Ashburn was arrested after leaving Faces, a gay nightclub in midtown Sacramento. A male passenger, who was not identified as a lawmaker, was also in the car but was not detained.

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MARINE ARRESTED AFTER HIGH SPEED CHASE IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
A high-speed chase in Twentynine Palms ended after 2 tires blew out. Sheriffs’ spokeswoman Anita Baker said Wednesday night, an off duty marine saw a black Ford pick-up truck with 4 marines in cammies driving along Split Rock near El Paseo, drifting and swerving and almost hitting a motorcycle. He tried to pull over the pick-up, then called 9-1-1 after the truck sped away. Deputy Shaunna Avels spotted the truck on El Paseo, and initiated a traffic stop, the truck refused to stop and sped away at speeds up to 120 mile per hour, through at least 6 stop signs. The pick-up blew one tire rounding a corner. As the chase continued, the truck blew out a second tire finally pulling over at Via Arenosa and Highway 62, just west of the Twentynine Palms Airport. The driver, Corporal Michael Thompson, 22, of Headquarters Battalion on board the Marine Base, was taken into custody for investigation of Felony Evading and Driving under the Influence. The 3 passengers, all Marines, were released to Marine custody. Corporal Michael Thompson was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, and is being held on $100,000 bail.

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COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE TERMINATED 8 POSITIONS YESTERDAY
It was a difficult day for the Copper Mountain College Board yesterday. With continued state budget problems, the college was forced to terminate eight positions with more tough times projected. Reporter Tami Roleff was at the meeting and files this report...
The Copper Mountain College Board of Trustees terminated 8 positions affecting 7 employees at a special meeting yesterday. College Superintendent/President Dr. Roger Wagner said the lay-offs were a precautionary measure designed to protect the college from further losses. Due to state budget cuts and a reduction in federal funding, he projected the college will have a projected deficit of nearly $950,000 in fiscal year 2010/2011. Wagner projected the layoffs will save the college about $300,000 annually. "It’s not going to be the salvation of all of our economic woes, … but we’re going to look to the state and the legislature to help get us out of this over the next year or two years." Among the positions affected by the layoffs include the director of maintenance and operations, the director of marketing, and the vice president of military, economic and community development.

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YUCCA VALLEY MARIJUANA DISPENSARY MAY BE MOVING
The controversial medical marijuana dispensary in Yucca Valley may soon be moving to new location. Sources at Town Hall, who asked not to be identified, told Z107.7 News that the town is negotiating to move the dispensary to a more suitable location. One of the objections to the California Alternative Medical Solutions, or C.A.M.S., dispensary is it’s location in the Monterey Business Center directly next to a ballet school which is frequented by children. CAMS Executive manger D.J. Ross did not confirm they were in direct talks on moving but did say, quoting here, - "We have been talking to the Town trying to work out an agreement where they are happy and we are happy." Ross continued, saying, "We want to continue to work with the Town and the community." The Town Council had ordered a one year moratorium on consideration of any new dispensaries or any changes to the existing one until they can develop an Ordinance and Development Code regulating their operations. Both Interim Town Manager John Tooker and Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle were not available for comment.

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JOSHUA TREE MAC PART 1, KATZ PROPERTY -- MONDAY, PART 2, ILLEGAL GRADING
The Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Council, the MAC, met in special session last night. Reporter Dan Stork breaks his report into two parts, today, what to do with section 33, on Monday, illegal grading and dumping on the property...
The main purpose of the special meeting of the Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Council was to inform the public on the status of Section 33, better known in recent years as the planned site for the "Katz project" of Joshua Tree Villas. MAC member (and incoming MAC Chairman) Steve Whitman told the well-attended meeting that he expects there will be no bidders at the foreclosure auction next week, given the outstanding loan value of $4.6 million. He anticipates that the bank holding the loan will eventually be happy to get the 640-acre property off its books for $1 million or less. David Fick said that while efforts to develop the section in the 1980s failed over water issues and underfunding, recent would-be developer Steven Katz ran up against the cost and impracticality of moving 12,000 Joshua Trees. Fick observed, "The project does have a history of bankrupting developers [laughter]. I suppose that’s a good thing". Stephanie Weigl of the Open Space Group, and Pat Flanagan of the Mojave Desert Land Trust described how the land’s conservation value can be quantified in terms of a buffer between communities and as a wildlife corridor. Flanagan urged a search for a "conservation buyer". Marine Corps community liaison Bob Johnson described a forthcoming statement from the Corps supporting protecting the section from development.

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CAR WASH TO OFFSET BURIAL COSTS OF DECEASED CHILD
Local fund-raisers are planned after the tragic death of a Yucca Valley toddler. Brian Smith and his wife Melody Barlow lost their 2 year old Bailey Wynne Smith Tuesday, after the child choked on a small object. Some of the funeral cost have been covered but there is more money needed. a Benefit Car Wash for the family will be held today at the 5 Star Gym at the Yucca Valley Town Center from 9 until dusk. Hats Off hair design will give $10.00 cuts Saturday with all proceeds going to the fund and there will be a Car Wash at Granger Brother’s auto sales Saturday and Sunday.

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HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT ACTION, THE COST OF BUILDING A HOUSE IN YUCCA VALLEY JUST WENT UP
As the result of Wednesday evening Hi-Desert Water District Board meeting, the cost of building a new house in Yucca Valley just went up. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says a last minute appeal by the building industry was too little, too late...
Despite a last minute plea from the Building Industry Association, or BIA, the cost of "buying" into Hi-Desert Water District system took a dramatic jump Wednesday. During a public hearing on raising the Acquisition of Service fees, a letter from the Baldy View Chapter of the BIA was introduced, requesting the board delay any action on the issue until the next meeting. The BIA said they were not aware of two previous workshops held on the matter. Mindful that the BIA represents a large clientele, the board felt that the workshops and public hearing were duly noticed, and with little other objection, passed the resolution. The cost of a new 5/8 inch water meter, typical of a single family home, was raised to $7,668, a $3200 increase. In other actions, the board approved spending $80,000 on a contract to formulate sewage treatment project assessments districts.

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NEW MARCH SHOW AT TWENTYNINE PALMS ART GALLERY, RECEPTION SUNDAY
Twentynine Palms Art Gallery has announced their March Show, Anne Lear & Audrey Gillick bring "Mojave Views" to the West Gallery, Scott Monteith creates "Other Worlds" in the East Gallery through March 28. An artists’ reception will he held Sunday, from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Gallery located at 74055 Cottonwood Drive in Twentynine Palms. Featured the exhibit are fresh new works interpreting the desert landscape in collage, acrylic, and watercolor. The show includes a variety of works by Guild members displayed in the Pickering Room. For more information about this show, upcoming events and classes available to the public call 760-367-7819 or 29palmsartgallery.com.

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MAD HATTERS TEA AT THE YUCCA VALLEY LIBRARY TOMORROW
Tomorrow at noon, join Alice, the Hatter, the Dormouse and all the other Wonderland characters at a very Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Yucca Valley Library. Win a prize for best costume depicting an Alice in Wonderland character, eat snacks, play games and have lots of crazy fun. Follow the White Rabbit and don’t be late! For more information, call 760-228-5455. This program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Yucca Valley Library.

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CALTRANS SOLVES THE YUCCA VALLEY SPEED LIMIT MYSTERY, IT WAS CALTRANS!
Yesterday, we told you CalTrans did not know who changed the speed limits in Yucca Valley and were sending out a team. Reporter Tami Roleff says the team solved the mystery, the signs were changed by -- Caltrans!. But some other actions still remain a mystery. Tami joins us with her follow-up story...
CalTrans ‘minions" did not take the initiative to change the speed limit signs o the west end of Yucca Valley, nor was it "elves or fairies," said a CalTrans spokeswoman Thursday. It was a CalTrans Traffic Operations Inspector who put in an order to change the speed limit signs. A traffic study found that Yucca Valley’s growing population has led to increased traffic levels, which means that the speed limit on the highway needed to be lowered to 40 miles per hour. So the 40 miles per hour speed limits are hear to stay, according to CalTrans. However, it’s still a mystery about who moved the 55 miles per hour speed limit sign from the West Side of Kickapoo Trail to the east side of Kickapoo. CalTrans said they "have not yet located a maintenance crew" who admit to moving the sign. Nevertheless, the 55 miles per hour speed limit sign will be moved back to the west side of Kickapoo Trail.

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BREAKFAST AT COPPER MOUNTAIN MESA TOMORROW
The First Saturday Breakfast at the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center, will be tomorrow morning from 8 11 am at 65336 Winters Road in north Joshua Tree. Everyone is invited to enjoy the best breakfast ever for $4.50 INCLUDING the friendliest volunteer staff ever.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
In local high school sports tomorrow, the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat Co-Ed track team travels away to Antelope Valley College, versus the Palm Dale High School Falcons, with Track and Field events starting at 9. And the Joshua Springs High School Lighting boys’ baseball team plays a double header versus the Twentynine Palms Wildcats, Saturday. The first game starts at 11, the second is schedule for 1.

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