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Listen To Your News		Tuesday, March 9, 2010		News Archive

YUCCA VALLEY’S SUPER WAL-MART GET THE GREEN LIGHT
A green light has been given to build the new Super-WalMart in Yucca Valley. An agreement between several environmental groups and the giant retailer has been reached, that could allow plans for the new Super center to go forward two years after the Town Council approved plans for the new store. A letter to Yucca Valley Officials from the Center for Biological Diversity, who sued the Town over its Environmental Impact Report in 2008, says they have reached a negotiated settlement. As part of the settlement WalMart has agreed to install rooftop solar panels and other sustainability measures into the building design, and institute a comprehensive recycling program. In addition, WalMart agreed to contribute $120,000 to the Mojave Desert Land Trust, and assess the Town’s retail sector and measures to preserve economic vitality. Lastly, the agreement allows the environmental groups the right to endorse initiatives that restrict or prohibit new discount superstores in the town. Acting Town Manager John Tooker said the Town is going to wait on taking any actions, saying it’s now up to WalMart to decide what it would do.

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SURVIVING THE NEXT EARTHQUAKE --PART 2
The earthquakes in Haiti and Chile remind us here in earthquake country that we need to be prepared to protect ourselves and our families. In part 2 of the 2 part series, Managing Editor Karl Gardner has tips on how to survive the next quake...
Yesterday we talked about how being prepared before the next major earthquake can help you; your family and community pull through. What we do now, before the earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like after. Here are some simple actions you can take:
Do a "hazard hunt" for items that might fall in your home during earthquakes and secure them. Create a personal or family disaster plan. Teach all household members how to use a fire extinguisher and have one on hand. Know where and how to turn off utilities. Store at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for 3 days and ideally for 2 weeks, and ask yourself what else will you need to be on your own for up to 2 weeks? Become familiar with your disaster plan, evacuation routes and have a store of emergency supplies. For more information on planning for the next quake, visit online at sbcfire.org/oes, and click on the disaster preparedness link.

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DUI DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER CRASH WITH INJURIES IN JOSHUA TREE
A 19-year-old Joshua Tree man was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Monday morning following a Joshua Tree car crash that left a driver severely injured. California Highway Patrol spokesman Rob McCloud said Monday morning around 5:05, Ryan Inglesby, 19 of Joshua Tree, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet pick-up truck northbound on Sunset Road approaching the State Route 62. David Matthews, 38 of Vista, was driving a 1999 Dodge Caravan east on 62 approaching Sunset Road, when Inglesby failed to stop at the stop sign driving into the path of Matthews. The pick-up slammed into the Dodge Caravan, the impact sent the van spinning out of control, through a chain link fence into a vacant lot next to Bargain Alley in Downtown Joshua Tree. The Pick up truck came to rest next to the curb on the south side of the highway. CHP investigators suspect Inglesby was drinking prior to the crash. After he was treated for minor injuries at Hi-Desert Medical Center, Ryan Inglesby was arrested for investigation of felony DUI booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, and held on $100,000 bail. A passenger in Inglesby’s truck Cody Hommel, 22 of Joshua Tree, received minor injuries and refused treatment. David Matthews sustained major injuries and was taken to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs.

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YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION IN YET ANOTHER NATIVE PLANT DITHERING SESSION TONIGHT
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission have set another native plant dithering session tonight. Reporter Tami Roleff says the will hold yet another public hearing on the controversial ordinance...
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will meet at 7:00 tonight in the Yucca Room of the Community Center. On the agenda, the Commission will hold another public hearing on the native plant ordinance. Next up, the commission will begin a discussion on the Town’s ordinances for hillside and non-hillside grading.

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PROTESTERS GATHER AT COURT TO SUPPORT YUCCA VALLEY MOTHER
Protesters gathered at a Victorville court yesterday to support a Yucca Valley mother. A recent decision by Judge Robert Lemkau to deny a restraining order to Katie Tagle, which she says lead to her son's death, was the focus of a demonstration as protesters made their concerns public. Between 75 and 100 protesters carrying signs peacefully walked the sidewalk in front of Victorville Superior Court, where Lemkau is assigned. Critics of Lemkau say his January 21 decision to deny Tagle's emergency restraining order against her ex-boyfriend Stephen Garcia cost the infant Wyatt his life. Ten days after the judge's ruling, Garcia and Wyatt were found dead in his car in Twin Peaks in an apparent murder-suicide. Protest organizer Alan Boinus said the objective was to put enough pressure on Lemkau so he'll resign or not seek election in June.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL MEETS, HEARING ON DOWNTOWN PLANS, CITY MANAGER SEVERANCE
The Twentynine Palms City Council meets in regular session tonight, a focus on the downtown revitalization plan and a request by city manager to extend his severance pay are on the agenda. Reporter Dan Stork checks the agenda...
At its regular meeting on Tuesday March 9th, the Twentynine Palms City Council will hold a public hearing on the draft of the Downtown Economic Revitalization Specific Plan. The consent agenda includes finalization of a code amendment about unclaimed and abandoned property, and acceptance of a tract map for a subdivision east of Desert Knoll Avenue and north of Two Mile Road. Council will also hear an update on the ongoing major projects within the city. The Adobe Road bicycle path, between Amboy Road and the MCGACC Main Gate, will be named for Petty Officer Steven Collins, who was killed while riding a bicycle on Indian Trail in 1996. The council will consider an amendment to the City Manager’s contract, calling for increases in the length of the severance pay provision and the monthly cell phone allowance. Then it will review the Mesquite Springs Road Rehabilitation Project, before returning to consideration of the mid-year financial report and the proposal for a Economic Development/Redevelopment Specialist position. After approving a letter supporting a Southern California Edison substation project, it will adjourn to closed session to consider a case of potential litigation. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Council chambers on Adobe Road.

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JOSHUA TREE CLEAN TEAM OUT TOMORROW MORNING
The Joshua Tree Clean Team is targeting small dump sites for the month of March. Tomorrow the Joshua Tree Clean Team will be meeting on Sunset and Commercial on the north side of the highway, east of the Post Office, starting at 8:00 a.m There will be trash bags, gloves and grabber sticks available for the volunteers use. The Joshua Tree Clean Teams co-sponsors are County of San Bernardino Solid Waste Management, Z107.7 and the Park Rock Cafe. For more information call 760-366-8415.

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Catja Arnzen Dennis Wilcox, M.D. Leslie Moody Patricia Cooper Paul Hoffman

HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER BOARD MEETS TONIGHT, WE CHECK THE AGENDA The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board will meet in regular session this evening. Reporter Mike Lipsitz takes a close look at the agenda... The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board of Directors holds its regular meeting at six o’clock tonight in the Hospital’s Helen Gray Education Center. Directors will first hear a presentation on Clinical Resource Management followed by approval of routine personnel changes and other items on the consent agenda. Director Hoffman will report on CEO Lionel Chadwick’s evaluation results followed by a presentation on the Medical Center’s new website.

The board is expected to take nominations for a regular LAFCO and ACHD member representatives, then vote on a resolution of appreciation for local firefighters. Followed by administrative, financial, marketing and staff reports, the board will adjourn to closed session to discuss trade matters with disclosure expected in May.

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YUCCA VALLEY CHAMBER MIXER TONIGHT
Join the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce this evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. for the monthly mixer co-hosted by The Visiting Nurse Association of the Inland Counties and Braswell Family Senior Care. The mixer will be held at the VNA offices located at 56300 Twentynine Palms Highway, Suite 105, Yucca Valley. This is a free event—with light refreshments, door prizes as well as lots of fun! Chamber Members, the Public and all business owners are invited to attend. Bring your business cards and your positive attitude—get to know those who need to know you.

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HI-DESERT AND JOSHUA BASIN CITIZENS COMMITTEES MEET TONIGHT
Citizens volunteering to advise both the Hi-Desert and Joshua Basin Water Districts will be meeting tonight. Managing Editor Karl Gardner tells us what they are meeting about...
Hi Desert Water District’s Wastewater Public Advisory Committee meets in regular session this evening at district offices on the Highway at Inca, starting at 6:30. Items of interest on the agenda include an update on Assessment District formation and sewage treatment technologies. The committee will then break into subcommittees, hold round table discussions, and set the agenda for its next meeting. Joshua Basin Water District’s Public Advisory Committee meets in Special session this evening at district offices on Chollita Road, starting at 7. On that docket, naming of the new demonstration garden General Manager’s report and comments from committee members.

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ACTING CAN BE MURDER AT YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
A new student-directed play will open tomorrow at Yucca Valley High School. Reporter Tami Roleff has a synopsis and ticket information...
Acting Can Be Murder, the latest production of the Yucca Valley High School Theatre Company, is a murder mystery that spoofs both Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock. John Morin and Haley Carson direct this comedy about a play within a play. Perpetual understudy Dolores Gordon, played by Cassidy Sargeant, decides the only way she can land a leading role is to murder the lead actress Guinevere Black. But then Black’s body disappears! Who took it? Which cast member is on to her horrific crime? This backstage comedy keeps you guessing as you follow the clues. Other students starring in the play include Corey Taylor, Cabe Costa, Canshara Washingotn, and Selena Hogan. Acting Can Be Murder will play Wednesday through Saturday at 6:00, with a 1:00 Saturday matinee, in the Yucca Valley High School Multipurpose Room, 7600 Sage Avenue in Yucca Valley. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for students. Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the door.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL GETS OFF TO A GOOD START
The Varsity Wildcat Baseball Team got its season off to a positive start this weekend with convincing wins over Loma Linda Academy and Joshua Springs respectively. The Cats opened with a commanding 20 to 1 victory over Loma Linda in front of an amazing home crowd. Senior Aaron Anderson struck out 10 in 5 innings to record his first win of the season. On Saturday, the Cats brought the thunder to the Joshua Springs Lightening, defeating them 12 to 4. Seniors Brandon Maio and Trevor Hope combined to allow 4 hits and 10 strikeouts in the win. The Cats begin defense of their Mesa Grande Tournament Title Monday against Upland Christian.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ACTION
The Yucca Valley High School Trojan Track and Field team will be in action tomorrow hosting the Banning Broncos at Trojan Stadium, with events starting at 3:15. And the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat Co-Ed Swim Team travels away to Indio tomorrow to face the Shadow Hill Knights, that meet starts at 3:15.

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