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Listen To Your News		Tuesday, July 13, 2010		News Archive

THOUSANDS OF MARINES COMING AND GOING TO OKINAWA Thousands of local Marines and sailors are coming and going between Okinawa and the Twentynine Palms Marine Base this week. Base spokesperson Jennie Haskamp said Marines who deployed in support of operations with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are returning to the Hi-Desert over the course of the next five days. The returning Marines and Sailors with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, deployed to Okinawa, Japan from the Combat Center in late December and early January. The more than 1,100 participated in multiple international training exercises including exercises in Thailand and the Philippines. While the 2/7 Marines are returning, Marines and Sailors with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, are deploying to Okinawa to serve as a Battalion Landing Team with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. They will participate in international training exercise and serve as a reinforced infantry.

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Jim Harris Joel Klink John Cole Steve Flock Steve Spear

TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL MEETS, ART ORDINANCE, STREET MAINTENANCE AND RDA The Twentynine Palms City Council meets in regular session tonight, a busy agenda sees lighting and landscaping districts, the art in public places ordinance and pavement planning. Reporter Dan Stork has a closer look... The Twentynine Palms City Council has a regular meeting on Tuesday July 13th at 6 p.m. in City Hall on Adobe Road. The first scheduled public hearing will be on the assessment for the lighting and landscaping district between El Paseo and Sunnyslope, west of Encelia. Next up for consideration is a proposed ordinance on Art in Public Places. The ordinance was approved by the Planning Commission in May, but without any recommendation on fees to pay for public art, which had been the subject of lengthy debate in earlier meetings.

City staff has crafted language for the fee section of the ordinance that it says will allow City Council to approve the ordinance without addressing the fee issue in any concrete way -- for now. Council will also hear a report on the 5-year pavement maintenance program. The staff report for this item estimates about $1.4 million in street work for the current fiscal year and $700,000 for each of the following four years. After choosing delegates to the League of California Cities annual conference, the council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, will consider a request from Bisram Hospitality, the developer of the Casa Inn and Suites, for redevelopment funds.

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Curt Sauer

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT CURT SAUER RETIRING IN SEPTEMBER Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Curt Sauer announced that he will retire September 30, after 35 years of federal service, seven years as superintendent of Joshua Tree. During his career, Sauer served as chief ranger at Olympic National Park, manager for the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, park ranger at Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain national parks, as well as seasonal positions with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. He came to Joshua Tree National Park as the acting superintendent in 2002 and was appointed superintendent on October 6, 2003. At Joshua Tree, Sauer oversaw the addition of more than 7,400 acres of privately held land through acquisition or donation to the park, and 36,700 acres of land were upgraded to wilderness status. In announcing his retirement, Sauer said, "I would like to thank local communities, the Joshua Tree National Park Association, park friends groups, and my staff for making the last seven years of my 35-year career absolutely joyful for me." Curt Sauer will maintain a home in Joshua Tree while exploring new adventures.

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YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON NEW ANIMAL SHELTER TONIGHT
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will focus on a new animal shelter tonight. Reporter Tami Roleff says a public hearing will be held...
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight to evaluate the possible location, design and construction of a new animal shelter. The proposed location is on 5 acres on the southeast corner of Malin Way and Paseo Los Ninos. It’s anticipated that the future animal shelter will house and care for approximately 5,000 animals per year. The shelter would include a 12,000 square foot building, a 16,700 square foot covered animal shelter, and a 60,900 square foot uncovered animal shelter. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 tonight in the Yucca Room of the Community Center.

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BAR BRAWL RESULTS IN ARREST IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
A Twentynine Palms man was arrested following a brawl at the Break ‘n Run bar in Twentynine Palms. Sheriffs’ Officials said early Saturday morning at about 1:50, deputies responded to a fight call at the bar. Deputy Tony Romero, backed up by other officers arrived and broke up the fight. One man involved in the fracas, Jeremiah Timu, 22, was arrested for investigation of disorderly conduct, cited and released. No injuries were reported.

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MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
Sheriffs’ officials could only provide limited details on a motorcycle versus car crash in Twentynine Palms. Investigators said Saturday afternoon about 5, an unidentified man was riding along Hatch Road nearing Manzanita Avenue when an unidentified woman pulled out in front of the motorcycle, causing him speed up to get out of the car’s way. The rapid acceleration caused him to lose control and crash the bike. The man sustained extensive injuries and was taken to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs.

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Catja Arnzen Dennis Wilcox Leslie Moody Paul Hoffman Patricia Cooper

HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER BOARD MEETS TONIGHT, CHANGES TO BYLAWS ON THE AGENDA The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board will met tonight, after recognizing graduates from their leadership committee, the hospital board will get down to business. Reporter Mike Lipsitz joins us... 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 off Whitefeather Road. The board will consider and likely approve several housekeeping measures including changes to District Bylaws, a revised Joint Conference Committee Charter, and other agreements and provisions with Medical Staff. Those actions will follow a recognition presentation to the first Leadership Academy Graduates; 11 graduates of the program received certificates. Also on the agenda, the Board will hear an educational report on the Airway Outpatient diagnostic and same-day surgery facility. Then, following departmental reports from administration, finance, clinical services, marketing and staff, the board will adjourn to closed session to review quality assurance matters, trade secrets and potential litigation.

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DAN MINTZ SR. ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
Dan Mintz, Sr. has announced his candidacy for the Twentynine Palms City Council. He has lived in Twentynine Palms for 43 years, graduating from Twentynine Palms High School. Mintz owns and operates The Bowladium Family Fun Center with his sister, Kathy Holloway. Dan coaches the Twentynine Palms High School Softball team and coaches the Junior High Flag Football team, volunteers as a scorekeeper for the Invitational Boys Basketball Tournament, a play-by-play announcer for Football games, at the annual Special Olympics Track Meet, and has been a board member for the Youth Club since 1991. Mintz served on the County Parks and Recreation Commission for many years until the City adopted our local parks. Mintz is very proud that his children all grew up in Twentynine Palms and graduated from Twentynine Palms High School. Mintz has been a member of the Elks Lodge for 31 years. He is also a 21-year member of the Rotary Club. Mintz was President of the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce for two consecutive terms. He is currently a City Planning Commissioner, and said he will resign from the Planning Commission, if elected to City Council.

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HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SEE ALTERNATIVE SEWAGE PLANS
The public advisors for the Hi-Desert Water District will discuss alternative sewage treatment techniques tonight. Managing Editor Karl Gardner has more...
Hi-Desert Water’s Wastewater Public Advisory Committee is expected to give an opinion on the STEP/STEG alternative sewage treatment process, when they meet this evening at Water District Offices, 55439 Twentynine Palms Highway, starting at 6:30. Other items of interest on the agenda include accepting the resignation of committee member Don "Elwood" Amos, discussion on Assessment District Formation, subcommittee sessions and round table discussions.

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HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION MEETS TOMORROW
Following federal mandate, a Non-Profit Improvement Corporation formed to manage a 1982 Hi Desert Water District USDA Federal Grant, will meet in their annual session tomorrow afternoon, at District offices, 55439 Twentynine Palms Highway, starting at 4. Public Comments and Board reorganization tops the agenda, followed by a review of financial results of the past fiscal year.

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HOSPICE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS MEET TOMORROW
The Morongo Basin Chapter of The Compassionate Friends will hold their monthly meeting Wednesday, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the office of Hospice of Morongo Basin in Joshua Tree. The Compassionate Friends is a national support organization reaching out to parents who have experienced the death of a child. For questions or more information, call Kristin at 760-250-7295 or Hospice of Morongo Basin at 760-366-1308.

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JOSHUA TREE LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK
The summer reading program continues at the Joshua Tree library. Reporter Dan Stork has this week’s programs...
The Joshua Tree Library Summer Reading Program moves into its 4th week. For the school-age program on Wednesday July 14th at 11 a.m., Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Karina Carlson talks about Water and the Desert. How much water do animals need to live in the desert? Where does their water come from? Learn how desert animals have made amazing adaptations to live in our environment where water is scarce. On Thursday July 15th at 10:30 a.m., pre-schoolers and kindergartners will meet the bully "Ugly Fish" and other fascinating creatures as they journey into the deep, of the aquarium to explore sea life through stories, songs and crafts. For more information about the Summer Reading Program call the Joshua Tree Branch Library at 760-366-8615.

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SUMMER FUN AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
Kids are having a great time at the Yucca Valley Boys & Girls Club this summer. From Foosball, arts & crafts, Lego contests, basketball, Wii, mentor groups and outside speakers, they are serving kids from those entering first grade through 12th grade. Programs run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; Monday through Friday and the Teen Center is open for drop in anytime from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kids 6-11 pay only $40 for a week or $10 a day and teens can come for only $15 a week. Call the club at 760-365-5437 for information or stop by at Little League Drive and Palm Avenue in Yucca Valley, near the Little League Park. There are over 4 weeks left in their summer programming.

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