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Listen To Your News		Tuesday, June 29, 2010		News Archive

DEATH PENALTY FOR YUCCA VALLEY TRIPLE MURDERER JIMMY KELLEY
A jury decided convicted killer Jimmy Dale Kelley should get the death penalty Monday morning for a violent triple murder in Yucca Valley of two men and a woman during a 2004 robbery. Kelley had confessed to killing William Landers, 43, Ward Phillips, 37, and Patty Crevoisier, 49, inside Crevoisier's Yucca Valley. Jurors heard evidence of the brutal killings, and Kelly’s life and criminal history, in deciding whether he should be executed or spend his life in prison. Kelley returns to court August 13 for sentencing. Prosecutors argued last week that Kelley showed no sympathy or remorse, planning his crime beforehand, waiting for the right time to strike and shooting his victims multiple times - some shots fired at close contact. After shooting Landers and Phillips multiple times, Kelley slit their throats. Crevoisier was also shot a number of times, and then her head was wrapped in wire. Kelley’s girlfriend Kimberley Michaud, who was at the home during the murders, faces eight years in state prison when she is sentenced August 6. She pleaded guilty in April to two counts of voluntary manslaughter.

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66 YEAR OLD HIKER MISSING IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
The search for a 66-year-old missing hiker in the Joshua Tree National Forest will continue into it’s 5th day today, officials said. Rescue crews are looking for William Michael Eswasko, who had not been heard from since Thursday. The California Highway Patrol found his car in a Joshua Tree parking lot and they do not suspect foul play, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Melissa Neiburger. The search has been concentrated in the Juniper Flats area, located in the high desert, which saw temperatures in the 90s over the weekend, officials said. Today’s temperature was expected to reach 102 degrees. Investigators say Eswasko is an experienced hiker, but they don't know how much water he has with him. The Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit has been called out to help with the search. The National Park Service, which is heading up the search, could not be reached for comment.

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THE SHERIFF’S WANTS YOU TO PROTECT YOUR HOME ON VACATION
With summer here, many local residents are planning for their summer vacations. Sheriff’s Safety Specialist Anita Baker says be sure your home is protected while your away...
Planning a summer vacation? Make sure your home is protected while you’re away. It should look like you never left. If you have an alarm system in your home, use it! It’s also a good idea to leave a radio on or put it on a timer. You could even ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway overnight; anything that will make it look like someone is home. Your local citizen patrol can check your home while you are gone. Just call 760-366-4175. Have a fun and safe vacation!

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FORMER MARINE GETS 60 YEARS FOR ARRANGED RAPE
A judge has sentenced a former 29 Palms Marine to 60 years in prison for using Craigslist to arrange the rape of a Casper, Wyoming, woman. A Wyoming Judge Monday sentenced 28-year-old Jebidiah James Stipe, of Twentynine Palms. Stipe was an active duty Marine when the crime was committed. Stipe pleaded guilty last month to sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary. Prosecutors say Stipe pretended to be his ex-girlfriend in Casper when he posted an ad on the Internet advertising site Craigslist late last year. He stated the woman was looking for a man to carry out a "rape fantasy." Prosecutors say Ty Oliver McDowell, of Bar Nunn, Wyoming, responded to the ad and raped the woman. McDowell also pleaded guilty to felony charges. His sentencing is set for today.

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A FULL AGENDA FOR SCHOOL YEARS FINAL MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING
Tonight’s final meeting for this school year finds the Morongo Unified School Board with an exceptionally full agenda. Reporter Dan Stork gives us a preview…
The Board starts the 6 PM meeting at Friendly Hills Elementary School in Joshua Tree with an open session workshop on Online Learning Options. During a closed session scheduled for 6:30, the Board will confer with legal counsel on anticipated litigation. The 7 PM open session begins with 3 public hearings, dealing with the overall District budget, the Special Education budget, and the authority to divert funds from Categorical Programs, all for the coming school year. The District and the teacher’s union will present sunshine items for the 2010-2011 school year. Following consideration of the consent agenda, the Board will work through a 21-item action agenda which includes assorted budget approvals and contracts with outside vendors for goods and services. Also up is a completion notice for modernization and expansion work at 29 Palms Elementary, and the establishment of subfunds for modernization projects at Onaga and Condor Elementary, and La Contenta Middle School.

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COUNTY SUPERVISORS APPROVE A BALANCED BUDGET
The Board of Supervisors yesterday passed a balanced budget for the fiscal year than begins Thursday, closing an $89.4 million shortfall largely with the help of employee-approved salary deferrals and departmental budget reductions. The County budget eliminates 529 positions, 85 of which are currently filled. Most of those are in Probation, District Attorney, Public Defender, and Land Use Services. One of the largest cuts in proportion to total budget was $2.5 million from the Board of Supervisors. The $3.8 billion county spending plan does not take into account any impact the state budget could eventually have on counties, nor does it address road and facility maintenance, helicopter and fire engine replacement, and accumulated leave time. "This is just a beginning, because we are projecting deficits for the next several years," County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux said. "With a projected $48 million deficit for the 2011-12 fiscal year, we are going to work right away to find ways to tighten our belts even more.

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BIGHORN DESERT VIEW WATER AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING TONIGHT
The Bighorn Desert View Water Agency felt the need to call yet another special meeting for tonight. Special meetings are supposed to be called for items that are urgent and can’t wait for a regular session. Reporter Mike Lipsitz checks the agenda on this one...
The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency Board of Directors holds another special meeting at 6 o’clock tonight at the Agency’s offices located under the big water tower on Cherokee Trail in Landers. The board will discuss and consider a vote on the proposed mitigated negative declaration pertaining to Pipes Wash recharge facility as part of the Ames/Reche Groundwater Storage and Recovery Program. Following that the Agency will consider a resolution to collect on delinquent accounts via property tax liens following a hearing for public comment on the proposal. Among other items the board will consider adopting a resolution to provide for the levy and collection of approximately $126,000 through taxes within the improvement District no.1 for the approaching fiscal year. Then, following approval of routine items on the consent agenda, the board will hear reports from the President, General Manager, and directors.

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JOSHUA BASIN WATER TO OVERFLOW WATER INTO DOWNTOWN JOSHUA TREE
Don’t be alarmed if you see water running on downtown Joshua Tree streets Wednesday morning. Water is expected to run for 1 to 2 hours from Joshua Basin Water District’s maintenance activities. The district will overflow the C-1 “Water Tank” “Tank Overflowing” is required by the state to maintain water quality. The tank, located on Crest Circle, will be overfilled, causing water to run into the downtown area from approximately 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Water is expected to flow from Crest Circle to Park Boulevard, north on Park and across Highway 62, then west on Commercial, north on Veterans Way, and east on Chollita to Park Boulevard. District staff expects water will be running for about an hour and a half. Joshua Basin Water District minds you that the running water in this particular case does not signify an emergency but is a routine water system maintenance event.

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JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT CITIZEN’S ADVISORY MEETS TONIGHT
The Citizens Advisory for Joshua Basin Water District meets tonight, Managing Editor Karl Gardner checks the agenda...
Joshua Basin Water District’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee meeting in regular session this evening at district headquarters on Chollita Road starting at 7. Following an opportunity for public comment, the committee will review and discuss the district’s proposed 2-year budget, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

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REACH OUT LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
Reach Out Morongo Basin is looking for a few good volunteer drivers to take seniors to their doctors' appointments within the Morongo Basin. Drivers are needed for morning and afternoon shifts Monday through Friday and will be driving Reach Out vans. Must have a clean driving record, patience with seniors and a good attitude. Reach Out exists to support seniors in their basic caregiving needs including rides to health care appointments, visiting, shopping, minor home repairs and personal business assistance. The transportation program is the largest of Reach Out's programs driving nearly 5,000 miles each month to doctors' appointments and is continuing to grow. Learn more about how you can help by becoming a volunteer driver by calling the Reach Out office in 29 Palms at 760-361-1410 or in Yucca Valley at 760-369-8671.

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JOSHUA TREE AND 29 PALMS LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
The Summer Reading Program continues at our local libraries this week. Reporter Dan Stork has the activities scheduled in 29 Palms and Joshua Tree...
At the Joshua Tree branch on Wednesday June 30th at 11 AM, record-holding juggler David Cousin brings his interactive, comedy juggling show to school-age children. On Thursday July 1st at 10:30 AM, pre-schoolers and kindergarteners can pack their beach towels and shades for an imaginary trip to the beach, where there will be stories, songs, and crafts with beach themes. Children who participate in the Joshua Tree Library’s cool Summer Reading Program can earn tickets for a chance to win hot prizes. Prizes being awarded include an iPod Shuffle, bicycles, scooters, and books. In Twentynine Palms, the pre-school program is on Wednesday June 30 at 10:30 AM, and feature artist and storyteller John Whytock. On Thursday July 1 at 11:30, Mr. Twister the Balloon Man will help elementary school-aged children make their own balloon animals. Children and teens that need transportation to the library may show their San Bernardino County library card to MBTA drivers and ride to the library for free. For more information about the Summer Reading Programs please call the Joshua Tree Branch Library at 366-8615, and the 29 Palms branch at 367-9519.

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