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Listen To Your News		Wednesday, April 21, 2010		News Archive

SCHOOL BOARD HEARS BUSSES WILL COST $200.00 A YEAR
The Morongo Unified School Board heard what the cost of school busses for local families will be at their meeting last night. Reporter Dan Stork was there and has the figures...
The Morongo Unified School District will join the ranks of several hundred school districts in California, and will charge for bus service next year. Assistant Superintendent Michael Walker revealed the details at the meeting of the District Board of Education. All student bus riders will have to have a bus pass. The cost of a pass will be $100 per half-year for the first child in a family, $50 for the second child, and no cost for the 3rd or subsequent child. Reduced cost or free passes will be available to the same students who are eligible for reduced cost or free nutritional services. Passes can be applied for and bought between mid-August and the end of September, and passes will required for rides starting October 1. The bus pass rules address the inevitable occurrence of lost or forgotten passes. Students will be allowed a small number of days of rides without a pass, after which the bus driver will take them to school, but won’t take them home. In another report to the Board, Measure O Citizens Oversight Committee Chairman Michael Roark gave the committee’s annual report, saying that the District is doing everything by the book in the spending of the bond funds. In a rare exception to a consent agenda item, funding for support of teachers at a summertime conference for the AVID program was withheld, pending future consideration by the full Board. Board members Ron Palmer and Ed Will were absent, due to health problems. Representatives for both certificated and classified employees reported that changes in health care benefits are likely to increase costs to both groups.

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COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE LOOKING AT ANOTHER BOND ISSUE ELECTION
In November of 2004, the voters of the Morongo Basin approved Measure "C", assessing property owners $25.00 per $100,000.00 in assessed value to support Copper Mountain College. The total, $19,720,000.00 to be paid by taxpayers through 2015, was earmarked for specific projects and needs. Now, just six years later, College officials are looking at going back to the voters for yet another bond issue. According to the college’s Vice-President for Military, Community, and Economic Development, Joe Olson, Copper Mountain College will be conducting a study on another bond issue, this one at between fifteen and thirty million dollars. Olson will be running the idea past the existing Bond Citizens’ Advisory Committee today because it would be, quote, "helpful to know", even though it has nothing to do with their mission. Olson told Z107.7 News that the additional bond money would be used for infrastructure and classrooms and said while they had been "speculating on the possibility of another bond, state shortfalls are making them look more realistically at another bond for additional funding." Olson said "they would conduct a study to see if another bond was even feasible, then start the process for a General Election, as bond issues are easier to pass in a big election cycle." Olson did not know who would pay the costs of the study or for the election itself, referring us to College President, Dr. Roger Wagner. Wagner could not be contacted for comment.

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TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY TO PUT PFF BUILDING ON SALE -- FOR NOW
The Yucca Valley Town Council and Redevelopment Agency met last night. Reporter Tami Roleff says at issue was what to do with the former PFF bank building...
The Yucca Valley Redevelopment Agency was given two options at its meeting Tuesday night for the PFF Bank Building, which it had purchased in October for $1.65 million. One option was to renovate the building and move the museum, California Welcome Center, Desert Regional Tourist Agency, and the Chamber of Commerce into the building, at a cost of about $150,000-$200,000. The second option was to put it up for sale and see if there’s anyone interested in buying it. During the public comment portion of the meeting, there were charges that the Town was competing against local business landlords by trying to sell or lease the building. Sarann Graham told the Agency buying the building was a mistake. "You’re not in the business to compete against the business community." Sabrina Peukert, a commercial real estate broker, presented the Agency with a solution that she said would allow everyone to sleep better. "I have an offer here from one of my clients … that is offering full price for what you paid, $1.630, and with several terms." After discussion, the RDA voted 4-0, with George Huntington absent, to put the PFF Bank Building on the market for 45 days.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS MAN HELD AFTER HITTING AND KICKING HIS WIFE
A Twentynine Palms man is behind bars after hitting and kicking his wife. Sheriff’s officials said Monday evening around 5:30, Deputies responded to a call in the 5500 block of Chia Avenue, after a tipster said a man was beating his wife. Investigating Deputy Eric Dominick said Javier Rodriguez, 42, had grabbed his wife by both her arms, kicked her in the stomach then kneed her in the chest, finally pinning her to the ground. Javier Rodriguez was arrested for investigation of felony spouse abuse, booked into the Morongo Jail and held on $50,000 bail.

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JOSHUA TREE MAN WAVES A SHOTGUN AT HIS WIFE
A Joshua Tree man was arrested after he waived a shotgun at his wife. Sheriff’s officials said Saturday afternoon around 2:50, Deputy Armando Cantu responded to a 9-1-1 call of a domestic fight in the 61900 block of Terrace Drive in Joshua Tree. Cantu reported that Garon Sarvas, 54 and his girlfriend were arguing. During the argument, Sarvas pulled out a shotgun and waived it in a threatening manner towards the woman. Garon Sarvas was arrested for investigation of brandishing a weapon, cited and released.

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WONDER VALLEY COUPLE CITED AFTER FALSE ID TO DEPUTY
Giving a false ID to a deputy found a Wonder Valley couple cited for misdemeanor warrants. Sheriff’s officials said Saturday morning around 10:50, Deputy Timothy Preston pulled a car over near Godwin and Amboy roads in Wonder Valley for a vehicle code violation. During the stop, a passenger in the car gave the deputy a Mexican ID. Investigating further, Deputy Preston identified the passenger as Carlos Chevez, 31. After taking Chevez into custody, Preston went to Chevez’s home and contacted his wife, Virginia Aguilera, who was also wanted on misdemeanor warrants. Both Carlos Chevez and Virginia Aguilera were cited and released.

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HIT AND RUN BY GOLF CART IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
Sheriffs’ deputies are looking two suspects in a Twentynine Palms hit and run crash, involving a golf cart. Sheriff’s spokeswoman Vera Martinez said Saturday morning around 12:30, a woman was driving north on Ocotillo. When she passed the rear entrance to McDonalds’ a golf cart appeared out of nowhere and crashed into the side of her car. The force of the crash threw two suspects out of golf cart, who then ran from the scene, leaving the golf cart behind. The woman was not injured. The golf cart was towed. Deputies said one of the suspects left their wallet at the scene.

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SEARS OFFERS CASH FOR CLUNKER APPLIANCES PROGRAM
Remember the government Cash for Clunkers plan? Now its cash for clunker appliances. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says the government rebate program is being run through the local Sears store...
It’s like the successful Cash for Clunkers program, this time for old appliances. The Department of Energy announced the newest energy savings program, the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate. This program gives consumers rebates, ranging between 50 and 200 dollars, for old inefficient appliances, if you buy a new energy star rated appliance. Locally, the Hometown Sears store in Yucca Valley has been approved by the state to administer the program and will be opening their doors to help you find that new energy efficient appliance, Thursday morning at 6.

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THOUSAND OF MOTORCYCLES COMING THROUGH
The roar of powerful motorcycles will fill the air this week as thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts travel through the Morongo basin on their way to and from the 28th annual Laughlin, Nevada, River Run Wednesday through Sunday. Motorists should try to be extra aware of the bikes, check your blind spots carefully before changing lanes and be sure your left turns aren’t in front of a motorcycle. Common road courtesy will make this a safe weekend for local drivers and the traveling two-wheelers. A friendly wave and smile goes a long way towards welcoming the motorcycle riders to our local gas stations, restaurants, and lodging.

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BOOTHS AVAILABLE FOR 60TH ANNUAL GRUBSTAKE DAYS
The annual Grubstake Days celebration, May 29th, is in the advanced planning stages. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells you how to have a booth at the year’s celebration...
The 60th annual Grubstake Days celebration is Saturday, May 29th. The event celebrates Yucca Valley "Diamond of the Desert".　　Immediately following the parade, the "Grubstake Days Community Fair" goes into full swing on grounds of the Yucca Valley Community Center. Community Fair exhibitor booths are still available for commercial vendors and non-profit groups offering games, family activities, information, and food and beverages; children’s games are particularly encouraged. The Community Fair will be held from noon to 7 p.m. and is hosted by Hi-Desert Publishing, Z107.7 Radio, the Basin-Wide Foundation, and the Town of Yucca Valley. Fees for booth space include required Insurance coverage. To reserve a booth, commercial vendors can contact Maureen Randall at the Town of Yucca Valley Recreation Department, 760-369-7211. Non-Profit exhibitors should call Kelly Carson at the Basin-Wide Foundation, 760-365-7219.

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HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT LOOKS AT COST OF SYSTEM BUY-IN
The Hi-Desert Water District Board meets tonight, Managing Editor Karl Gardner checks the agenda...
The Hi-Desert Water District will take it’s first look at the 2010-2011 budget, during a workshop at this evening’s Hi Desert Water District Board meeting, being held at distinct offices, 55439 Twentynine Palms Highway starting at 6. Other items of interest on the docket; A review of the Acquisition of Service fees, or the cost to "buy into" the water system, along with reports and comments from staff and board members.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BEATS YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN GOLF
Tuesday the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcats golf team hosted cross-basin rival Yucca Valley High School Trojans, coming away with another league victory 228 – 277. This Brings the Wildcats to 7 and 1 in league and 10 and 2 over all with the last league match against Big Bear next Tuesday at Hesperia.

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