BIG RIG VERSUS CAR CRASH CLOSES 247 EARLY
TUESDAY MORNING
Another Big rig versus car crash closed State Route 247 in
Johnson Valley Early Tuesday morning. County Fire Battalion
Chief Katherine Oplinger said that firefighters responded to
the collision around midnight Monday, finding a passenger
car heading north appeared to have drifted across lanes
slamming into at flatbed 18-wheeler head on. The driver of
the auto, a 52-year-old man, yet unidentified, sustained
significant injuries and was flow to desert hospital in Palm
Springs for treatment. The driver of the big rig was not
injured. Highway 247 was closed for about an hour and a
half. This crash comes on the heels of a big rig versus
pick-up crash Friday, March 27. The Pick-up truck driver in
that wreck was arrested for suspicion of DUI.
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BIGGER INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION IN THE DESERT SKY TONIGHT
[AUDIO ONLY]
MORONGO BASIN RED CROSS OPENS IN NEW LOCATION
TODAY
The
local chapter of the American Red Cross will be in new
quarters starting today, Managing Editor Karl Gardner tells
you where to find the agency ------
Morongo Basin chapter of the American Red Cross opens their
new location today. Prompted by economic factors, the move
sees the local Red Cross vacating their Joshua Tree offices
and moving to Yucca Valley’s Monetary Business Center suite
I and H, on Yucca Trail. While their mailing address, PO Box
212 Joshua Tree remains the same, their new phone number are
760 365-5501 or FAX them at 760 365-5505. The Morongo Basin
Red Cross is open daily, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to
5 PM.
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THE WILDFLOWERS ARE HERE, WE’LL TELL YOU WHERE
The
Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce reports Desert
wildflower season is in full swing – more than 60 species of
wildflowers can be seen in Joshua Tree National Park right
now. Bill Truesdell, retired chief of interpretation at
Joshua Tree National Park, said not all species are visible
from the road. When tourists find a good patch of flowers,
they should stop, get out of their cars and walk around.
Species in bloom near the south end of the park include
chuparosa, yellow brittlebush, Arizona lupine, desert
poppies and chia. Near the Pinto Basin, visitors will find
pink sand verbena, brown-eyed evening primrose, desert
dandelions, white pincushions and yellow daisies. Truesdell
said, bladderpod is blooming all over the park. The
Cockscomb Mountains and Clarks Pass are the best places to
see wildflowers right now, he said. Chief of resource
interpretation at Mojave National Preserve, Linda Slater,
said desert dandelions are blooming the most at the
preserve, and visitors can see them on Kelbaker and Cima
Roads, at the Kelso Depot Visitors Center, and on Interstate
40 between Barstow and Ludlow. Cadiz Inc. operations manager
Lesley Thornburg said Lupine, cecilia, desert chicories,
cacti, daisies, pincushions, Mojave asters, wild rhubarb,
purple mat and fiddleneck are also visible. The Twentynine
Palms Chamber said Wildflower blooming in both parks will
continue through May. The best way for park visitors to find
out where blooms are and what’s blooming is to ask at the
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center at Utah Trail and
National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms. In Mojave National
Preserve, the Kelso Depot Visitor Center is located on
Kelbaker Road in Kelso. Joshua Tree National Park offers
wildflower walks, visitors can call the park at 367-5500 for
dates and times of wildflower walks.
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ADDITIONAL SALES TAX KICKS IN TODAY
The
geniuses in charge of state finances are getting deeper into
your wallet starting today. Reporter Dan Stork says an
additional sales tax kicks in ------
No foolin’ – the state sales tax is going up today. The
increase of 1%, or 1 penny on each dollar, brings the
overall rate to 8.75% here in San Bernardino County. The
rate varies around the state, going as high as 10 ¼% in some
locales in Los Angeles County. This is intended to be a
temporary hike, expiring on July 1, 2011, approved as part
of the state budget compromise. However, if the state’s
voters approve Proposition 1A on May 19th, the
increase will stay in effect for at least 1 year further.
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TWENTYNINE PALMS GENERAL PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP TONIGHT [AUDIO
ONLY]
COLLEGE BOARD IN BROWN ACT STUDY SESSION TOMORROW [AUDIO
ONLY]
HI DESERT WATER DISTRICT TO HEAR FROM YUCCA
VALLEY TOWN MANAGER TONIGHT
The
Hi-Desert Water District Board meets in regular session
tonight. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says they will hear
from the town manager ------
Yucca Valley Town Manager Andy Takata updates the Hi Desert
Water District on town activities, at this evening’ board
meeting, being held at district offices on the highway at
Inca, starting at 6. Next, the board will again review
portions of the water rate study, consider approving
measures to mitigate potential flooding at the nitrate
removal facility, and hear an update on the Sewage Treatment
Plant project. Prior to the District’s Board meeting, the
Warren Valley Basin Watermaster meets in special session at
5:30.
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JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING
LOOKING AT A LOT OF NON-WATER BUSINESS
The
Joshua Basin Water District Board will meet in regular
session tonight, using their time and your money for what
appears to be a lot of non-water business. In two items that
have nothing to do with providing water, they are expected
to approve a resolution in support of the acquisition of
open space by the Mojave Desert Land Trust and give $300.00
of the public’s money to co-sponsor a John Muir
presentation. They are also expected to authorize bids for a
landscape demonstration garden at the District offices and
Copper Mountain College, over $10,000.00 just for the
bidding process. The meeting starts at 7:00 tonight at the
Joshua Basin Water District offices on Chollita road.
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17TH ANNUAL JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ARTS
FESTIVAL IN TWENTYNINE PALMS THIS WEEKEND
The annual Joshua Tree National Park association arts
festival is set for this weekend in 29 palms. Reporter Tami
Roleff says the local favorite event showcases park related
arts and artists ------
Enjoy the arts in an outdoor setting at the Oasis of Mara
Visitor Center this weekend in 29 Palms. The 17th
Annual Arts Festival will be held Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday from 9 to 5 at the visitor center, which doubles as
the Joshua Tree National Park’s headquarters. More than 20
artists will be showcased under the visitor center patio
next to the historic Oasis of Mara nature trail. Their
artwork includes paintings, sculptures, photography,
ceramics, and jewelry, and focuses on their interpretation
of Joshua Tree National Park. The art show is free and open
to the public.
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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE NAMED ALL
CIF FOR 4TH YEAR
Twentynine Palms Senior Montreal Harris has been named to
the Division 3A all CIF 1st team. This is the 4th year that
Montreal has made the 1st team All CIF. His Sophomore and
Junior years he was also named the Division 4A player of the
year. This caps off Montreal's basketball career that
includes the all time point and rebound leader for
Twentynine Palms High School and the only 4 time All CIF 1st
team player in the school history in any sport.
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YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TROJAN BASEBALL TEAM
FOUGHT HARD, TENNIS TEAM OPENS SEASON
Yucca Valley High School baseball played a well fought game
but fell short by a score of 10-9 yesterday. Coach Chris
Cook said Dennis Gray had an excellent day on the mound
throwing all 6 innings. While at the plate Austin Zimarik
went 4 for 4 with 2 runs. The Yucca Valley High School boys
varsity tennis team opened the De Anza League season with a
home-court win against Desert Hot Springs Tuesday afternoon.
Trojan singles players won all 9 sets played. Coach Jennifer
Harlow said the Trojans hope the overall match score of 17-1
is the beginning of a trend for a winning 2009 season.
Tomorrow the boys travel to Thermal to take on the team at
Desert Mirage High.
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TWENTYNINE PALMS WILD CAT GOLFERS IN A WIN
The 29
Palms Varsity Wildcats golf team won their third league
match of the season Tuesday afternoon with a 213 to 290
victory over Desert Mirage. The Cats shot their lowest score
of the season as four players shot 42 or below. Senior
Anthony Altemoos and Sophomore Brandon Bell led the team
with a pair of 41's. Senior Nathan Sullivan and Junior Jacob
Michener both shot 42 on the day. Coach Ernie Martinez said
the team is now 2-1 in league, and 4 - 2 overall, heading
into Tomorrow’s showdown with Yucca Valley. The Cats lost a
heartbreaker last Thursday against Desert Hot Springs.
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TWENTYNINE PALMS PARKS AND RECREATION GIRLS ALL STAR WIN
SECOND PLACE
This
past weekend the Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation 7th
and 8th grade girls all star team traveled to Redondo Beach
for a basketball tournament. After going 3-1 over the
weekend the girls were in the Championship game against
Swoosh from Orange County. Swoosh pulled away in the end
winning 39 - 32 and the 29 girls finished in 2nd place.
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