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Listen To Your News		Thursday, March 10, 2011		News Archive

COUNTY POPULATION GROWTH SPURRED BY LATINOS
Latinos are driving rapid population growth in San Bernardino County. Newly released census figures show the county is larger by more than 325,000, almost all Latinos, and leaders say they expect Latinos will gain more political clout in the county. Latino growth wasn't limited to any single part of San Bernardino County. Rather, it was spread through nearly every city and community. The Latino population doubled or more than doubled in Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Lake Arrowhead. Upland's Latino population grew by 49 percent, Rancho Cucamonga's by 63 percent and Fontana's by 76 percent. Even Ontario, already a majority-Latino city in 2000, saw its Latino population grow by 20 percent. Countywide, Latinos - not whites - are now the largest single group.

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Jim Harris Joel Klink John Cole Dan Mintz Jay Corbin

TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL PART TWO OF THREE: SOME SURPRISES The Twentynine Palms City Council met in a complex and varied session Tuesday night. Reporter Dan Stork broke his report into 3 parts. Yesterday, a sewage plan, today, in part 2, some surprises. Tomorrow, no surprises... A long-running impasse between the City and the owners of a commercial property downtown was apparently settled when the council approved a parking agreement that will allow plans for the opening of a Louisiana Chicken franchise restaurant, to be operated by Jermaine Rodney, to proceed. Consideration of the agreement, which had not been on the formal agenda, was added to the agenda under an urgent item dispensation allowed by law.

George Croft, who owns the property jointly with Rocky Moore, thanked Council member Jay Corbin for his efforts in getting the parties together to reach the agreement. Consideration of an updated agreement between the City and the Chamber of Commerce for operation of the Visitor Center was derailed by new information from Chamber Executive Director Rob Fleck. Fleck revealed that a 20% decrease in membership from last year has left the Chamber strapped for funds, and has resulted in a decision to change his position from full-time to part-time. These developments rendered staff recommendations for a new contract somewhat moot. A council task force, city staffers, and Chamber officials will meet soon to re-evaluate the relationship between the city and the Chamber.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW MORNING
The Twentynine Palms City Council will hold an adjourned special meeting tomorrow morning at 8:45 at the conference room at City Hall. After Public Comments, they will go to a closed session for City Manager Recruitment.

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FORMER DEPUTY FACES 20 YEARS FOR SOLICITING SEXUAL FAVORS
A former County sheriff's deputy faces more than 20 years in prison for soliciting sexual favors from women while on duty. Deputy District Attorney Robert Brown said a jury convicted Matthew Linderman, 33, of 15 of 24 counts, 12 of which were felonies yesterday. After more than three weeks of testimony at Linderman's trial, the jury deliberated for nine days before returning with Tuesday's verdict. Linderman returns to court April 6 for sentencing, and faces up to 20 years 6 months in prison, Brown said. Linderman was accused of sexually abusing 11 women while on duty as a Victorville patrolman between May 2005 and July 2007. He would arrest them on suspicion of stealing merchandise from retail stores. As he drove them in his patrol car, he would solicit them for sexual favors in exchange for leniency.

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TALK ABOUT INTERNET SAFETY WITH YOUR KIDS
While the Internet brings the world to your fingertips, it also brings many dangers. The Sheriff's Department is urging parents to talk to the kids about Internet safety. Sheriff's Safety Specialist Anita Baker joins us...
Use these discussion starters to get an Internet safety conversation going with your children. The more often you talk to hem about online safety, the easier it will get, so don't get discouraged if they don't respond immediately. Could you show me your online profile? Do you use your real name or age when commenting with others on line? What kinds of things do you post on your page? How do you decide who to add as a friend? Would you feel comfortable if I checked your profile?

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JOSHUA TREE MAN ARRESTED AFTER FAMILY FIGHT GETS PHYSICAL
A family fight escalated into physical violence that sent a Joshua Tree man to jail. Sheriffs' officials said Tuesday morning just after midnight, a woman called 9-1-1 saying her husband had just hit her. Arriving Deputy Michael Abel met with the victim outside the home in the 5900 block of El Reposo Street in Joshua Tree. The victim said her husband, Eldrige Harston, 33 had grabbed her by the head and slammed it into a wall, causing a large contusion to the side of her face. Eldrige Harston was taken into custody and booked in the Morongo Basin Jail for investigation of felony spouse abuse, and held on $50,000 bail.

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ARGUMENT ESCALATES IN DISORDERLY CONDUCT
An argument that began in Sunburst Park in Joshua Tree, ended after one of the protagonists was arrested for disorderly conduct. Sheriffs' officials said Tuesday afternoon about 4:10, two men, one in a wheelchair, were involved in a loud argument in front of Sam's Market on Hallee Road in Joshua Tree. The argument had apparently stared in Sunburst Park, then moved to the store. Deputy Kyle Lunde arrived, and following an investigation, arrested Jason Smith, 37, and booked him into the Morongo Basin Jail for investigation of disorderly conduct. Smith was released at 3:30 Wednesday morning. A review of court records show Jason Smith has an outstanding $50,000 bench warrant for failing to appear in court 3 times on a disorderly conduct arrest in October 2009.

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STARS ABOVE, EARTH BELOW, AT OLD SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM FRIDAY
The Friday Old Schoolhouse museum lecture will feature the Stars Above and the Earth Below. Reporter Derwood Andrews tells you how to be in attendance or even have dinner with the speaker...
Take a virtual journey across the American landscape with astronomer and physics professor Tyler Nordgren to explore the connections between the National Parks and the wonders of the night sky. Nordgren will examine the themes that link the parks to other landscapes in the solar system and share what discoveries can be made by observing the night sky. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. on Friday 11th March, at The Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms. $5.00 at the door will get you in, or subscribe to all remaining monthly lectures for a discount, call 760-367-5535 for more information. If you'd like to break bread with the speakers before the lectures, join them for dinner (at your own expense) at The Twentynine Palms inn starting at 5 o'clock. The series is sponsored by The Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park and the Twentynine Palms Historical Society.

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ISS IN OUR DESERT SKIES TONIGHT
The Discovery shuttle has de-coupled. And tonight, At 6:45 the International Space Station will appear out of the Northwest at 6:48. Amateur astronomer Sam Davidson says it will appear high in the Southwest on its way east. Its brightness comes from the reflection of sunlight. The ground speed is five miles per second.

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GARY SINISE AND THE LT. DAN BAND ABOARD MARINE BASE SATURDAY
Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band is scheduled to perform for Marines, sailors, civilians and their families at Sunset Cinema aboard the Twentynine Palms Marine Base, beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday evening. The band will be joined on stage by veterans and Medal of Honor recipients to talk about the DSTRESS Line and thriving in spite of stress associated with military life. The band has been performing around the globe for military audiences since 2004, in conjunction with the USO. For more information and concert dates, visit http://www.LtDanBand.com. To learn more about the DSTRESS Line, visit http://www.dstressline.com or call 1-877-476-7734.

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TRYOUTS FOR "BARBECUING HAMLET" THIS MONDAY EVENING
Have you considered getting involved in the fun Community Theater productions at Theatre 29. Open auditions will be this Monday evening for the hilarious farcical comedy, "Barbecuing Hamlet". Reporter Mike Lipsitz has the casting call...
Theatre 29 and director Robin Wanless hold Open auditions for Barbecuing Hamlet this Monday, March 14th at 6 p.m. at Theatre 29. Robin Wanless directs this "play within a play" about a small theater trying to put on the Shakespeare classic "Hamlet" as a western melodrama with a cast of just five. This is a hilarious comedy where anything that can go wrong on a show, does go wrong. Wanless, a smart and savvy CMC student and director, looks to cast six men and seven women in the show, plus a tech crew including a costumer, spotlight operators, stagehands and others to help build sets and appropriate props. To get involved, come to Theatre 29 on the corner of Sullivan and Adobe roads in Twentynine Palms this Monday at 6. Barbecuing Hamlet runs mostly weekends from May 6th though June 4th; additional information is online at www.Theatre29.com.

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YOUNG MARINES SIGN-UP FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Sign-ups for the Young Marine program is this Friday and Saturday at Twentynine Palms Elementary School. The Mojave Vipers, the Young Marine Unit of Twentynine Palms is encouraging all youths 8 to 18 to request their parents attend the Parent orientation on Friday from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. Come get informed, and join the unit. Boot Camp starts April 15th, Please contact staff member Diane Mann at 760-408-1320.

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MATCHING DONATIONS SOUGHT TO RESTORE THE HASTIE BUS
The Twentynine Palms Historical Society has been giving matching funds to help restore a Morongo Basin icon, the Hastie bus. Reporter Dan Stork tells you how your donated dollars could be doubled...
Before the Morongo Basin Transit Authority, there was the 29 Palms Stage and Express. Proprietor Johnnie Hastie ran a 1928 Chevrolet bus between Twentynine Palms and Banning on a daily basis during the depths of the Great Depression. The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is working on restoring the bus, affectionately known as Old Betsy, to working condition, with the intention of running it in parades and civic celebrations, to showcase the history of the City. Plans include parking the bus on the grounds of the Old Schoolhouse Museum after restoration. The Society is accepting donations through Paypal at its web site http://www.29palmshistorical.com. Donations may also be sent to Twentynine Palms Historical Society, PO Box 1926, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 or dropped off at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA. During the month of March, contributions will be magnified by a matching funds agreement. The Lamplighter Foundation, which seeks to strengthen small non-profit organizations, will match donations up to $2500.

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YUCCA VALLEY RECREATION OFFERS BEGINNING GUITAR LESSONS
Ever thought about being the next Eric Clapton? ROP Broadcast student Andrew Reed says Yucca Valley Recreation is offering guitar classes...
Do you want to learn how to play the guitar? Yucca Valley Community Center is having 6 week beginning guitar session from 7 to 8 p.m. starting March 15. They meet every Tuesday. You must be 14 years or older to sign up. For more information call 760-369-7211.

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PONY LEAGUE SIGN-UPS SATURDAY
Saturday, is the last day for Hi-Desert Pony League's try-out for their upcoming season. Players who have signed up, but not yet tried out can come to Luckie Park in Twentynine Palms Saturday between noon and 4. Players who have not signed up yet can come during those hours and register and learn to play like the pros. If you have any questions, call Jennifer Garcia at 760-367-1351.

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