Your Community Radio Station Since 1989
Hear Local News 7 times a day, 7 days a week, at 7, 8, 9, noon, 4, 5, and 6.
Read Local News here every weekday.

WANTED: ARTURO CARRILLO LOZANO [CLICK FOR DETAILS]

Listen To Your News		Friday, August 17, 2012		News Archive

FIRST-GRADE TEACHER ARRESTED FOR CHILD MOLESTATION
More details on the first grade teacher arrested earlier this week on child molestation charges. According to the Sheriff's department, Caleb Hesse, 52, admitted to a deputy Wednesday evening that he had inappropriate contact with an unknown number of boys. Hesse recently resigned as a first grade teacher at Friendly Hills Elementary School in Joshua Tree. Additionally, he has been a youth volunteer with a youth group at Evangelical Free Church in Yucca Valley since the early 1980s. Investigators with the Sheriff's Crimes Against Children Detail are trying to identify the victims, the majority of whom are believe to be members of the church youth group. Hesse was a youth volunteer involved in countless overnight outings that took place throughout California. The crimes are believed to have occurred between the early 1980's, and as recently as one week ago. Some of the victims may now be 30-40 years old. Caleb Hesse was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail for PC 288(A) Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child under 14 and bail was set at $2.5 million. The investigation is ongoing and investigators anticipate additional charges will be filed. Anyone who may be a victim or who has additional information should call Detective Kirby at 909-387-3615.

...Back To Headlines...

STATE SUSPENDS BURNING PERMITS BECAUSE OF HIGH FIRE DANGER
Due to the recent wildfires, coupled with the current weather forecast, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CalFire, has suspended all burning permits and open fires with the State Responsibility Areas. The burn ban suspends all residential burn permits, forest management, hazard abatement, and other industrial-type burning in the SRAs. Campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property are still allowed if they are in a designated campfire site that prevents fire from spreading outside the site. The burning suspension will remain in effect until there is a significant change in weather conditions or until the end of the fire season.

...Back To Headlines...

CREATE A FIRE DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND YOUR HOME
With fire danger high and wildfires plaguing the state, CalFire reminds you to help them by creating a defensible space. Managing Editor Tami Roleff explains...
California is experiencing an increase in wildfires this year. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection offers the following tips to prevent wildfires. A defensible space of 100 feet around your home and outbuildings is required by law. At the very least, clearing an area of 30 feet around your home is critical. Don't throw cigarettes out your car window. Don't pull your car over into dry grass or brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires. Report any suspicious activity to the Cal Fire Arson Hotline at 800-468-4408.

...Back To Headlines...

BOYS START FIRE AT YUCCA VALLEY MCDONALDS
A couple of juveniles who were annoyed at being told to leave the McDonald's playground equipment in Yucca Valley last night are suspected of starting a fire in the equipment. According to fire officials, two boys, between the ages of 10 and 14, were playing "inappropriately" on the plastic play set and were asked to leave by a McDonalds employee. The boys came back later and are believed to have started a fire in the plastic tubing about 7:50 p.m. The fire melted the plastic, which dripped down below and melted a second hole. Yucca Valley firefighters were called to the scene, but McDonalds' employees were able to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher before they arrived. The Fire Department and the Sheriff's Department are investigating the incident.

...Back To Headlines...

ARSON VEGETATION FIRE IN YUCCA VALLEY THURSDAY NIGHT
After Yucca Valley firefighters returned to the station after the arson at McDonalds, they were called to another arson. About 9 p.m., a small fire was burning vegetation in the area of Yucca Trail and Wamego Trail. Firefighters were able to put out the fire in minutes. This is the third fire this week in that area.

...Back To Headlines...

PARK SERVICE ASSESSING BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND
The National Park Service is finally going to take a close look at their Black Rock Campground in Yucca Valley. Reporter Dan Stork says the public can submit their comments...
The long-overdue rehabilitation of the Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park has reached a milestone – the National Park Service has issued an Environmental Assessment for the project. In its current state, the campground suffers from bad drainage and poor circulation patterns which affect not only the facility, but its private neighbors as well. The rehab plan includes diversion of storm water runoff away from campground roads and nearby residential properties into natural drainage channels. Campground roads would be realigned across the topographic contours to support this. Other goals are improvement of campsite layout, with more privacy. However, improvements to the campground entrance road, which is acknowledged to be in dreadful condition, has been deferred to a future project. The full Environmental Assessment is available online and comments can also be submitted online. The deadline for comments in September 7th, 2012. For more information, call Kirk Diamond at 760-367-5680, or email him at kirk_diamond@nps.gov.

...Back To Headlines...

HOMESTEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETS MONDAY
The Homestead Valley Community Council will meet at 3 p.m. Monday at the Johnson Valley Community Center. Some of the issues facing High Desert residents that will be discussed are the proposed expansion of the Marine Base into the Johnson Valley ORV area; the $150 fire tax; the increase in the Morongo Basin pipeline bond rate; and plans for fast-tracking wind and solar farms in the desert. Jim Ventura of the Mojave Water Agency has been invited, as well as County and Fire Department officials.

...Back To Headlines...

"HOT DESERT NIGHTS" ALL DAY TOMORROW AT YUCCA VALLEY ELKS LODGE
It's Hot Desert Nights at the Yucca Valley Elks Lodge Saturday night. The "night" will actually start at 10 a.m. with a horseshoe tournament, with sign-ups starting at 9:30. Then the Elks will be hosting a car show with the Morongo Basin Old Car Club and Route 66 Club starting at 4 until 7 p.m., with trophies awarded at 7 p.m. There'll be hot dogs, corn wagon and popcorn available, and for the kids, a bounce house, face painting and a fish pond. The Elks Lodge is located at 55946 Yucca Trail in Yucca Valley.

...Back To Headlines...

JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT APPROVES $2.4 MILLION TREATMENT PLANT FOR HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER
The Joshua Basin Water District Board approved a $2.4 million wastewater treatment plant for Hi-Desert Medical Center last night. Reporter Mike Lipsitz files this report...
Wednesday night, the Joshua Basin Water District unanimously approved contracts to build a $2.4 million wastewater treatment plant at the Hi-Desert Medical Center. Under a partnership of the two districts, the plant will be owned and operated by the water district and paid for by the healthcare district. On Tuesday, the hospital board recommended the contract to the water board. The treatment plant will serve the hospital and the continuing care center and can be expanded to serve future improvements at the medical center campus. The almost $2 million construction contract was awarded to Van Dyke Plumbing of Twentynine Palms. The balance of the funds will be for construction management and contingencies. Speculation on the board was that the contract should result in local jobs and offer a boost to the Basin's economy. This will be the first public waste water treatment plant in the Morongo Basin.

...Back To Headlines...

JOSHUA TREE VFW DINNER TOMORROW, SUNDAY BREAKFAST
The Joshua Tree VFW will be holding a barbecued pork sandwich dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 tonight at the post on Veterans Way in Joshua Tree. Sunday breakfast is waffles or pancakes, burritos, and SOS from 8 to 11. And don't forget Taco Wednesdays from 11 to 1.

...Back To Headlines...

FREE MEAL IN TWENTYNINE PALMS TOMORROW
Breaking Bread Ministry will serve up free food and fellowship from 3-5 tomorrow afternoon at the Little Church of the Desert Community Hall in Twentynine Palms. Palms Baptist Church volunteers will serve meatloaf, applesauce, cornbread and dessert.

...Back To Headlines...

FREE BREAKFAST IN JOSHUA TREE TOMORROW
Joshua Tree Community United Methodist Church will provide a free Community Breakfast Buffet every Saturday morning 9 to 10 a.m. Used clothing, shoes, coats and blankets are free to those in need as supplies last. The community is invited. The church is located at 6213 East Parkway in the heart of Joshua Tree.

...Back To Headlines...

FREE MOVIE IN YUCCA VALLEY TONIGHT
Teens, young adults, and the young-at-heart are welcome to attend a free movie at 6 p.m. Friday night at the Teen Spirit Theater at the Yucca Valley Center for Spiritual Living. Friday's free film is "The Celestine Prophecy," and includes a complimentary hot dog. The Yucca Valley Center for Spiritual Living is located at 7434 Bannock Trail, two blocks east of Pioneertown Road in Yucca Valley. For more information, leave a message at 760-365-2205.

...Back To Headlines...

FREE FEDERAL SURPLUS FOOD DISTRIBUTION MONDAY
Free surplus federal food will be distributed to low-income residents and family this Monday. Reporter Dan Stork tells us when and where...
The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino will distribute surplus food to low-income residents of the Morongo Basin Monday, August 20th. The locations and times are: The Church of the Lighted Cross, at 11518 Elbow Lane in Morongo Valley, from 8 to 10; Belfield Hall, on Reche Road in Landers, 8:30 to 10:30; The Community Center in Yucca Valley, 8:30 to 10:30; Copper Mountain Mesa Foundation, 65336 Winter Road in the Copper Mountain area, 9 to 11; The Community Center in Joshua Tree, 9 to 11; Sunset Village Apartments, 6036 Sunset Road in Joshua Tree, 9:30 to 11:30; The fire station in Wonder Valley, 10:30 to 11:30; and Little Church of the Desert at 6079 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms, from 10 to noon.

Proof of income and address may be provided in a variety of ways, including self-certification on a form that will be available at each site. Recipients are requested to bring their own paper or plastic bags. The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to serve the low-income families, elderly, disadvantaged and homeless of the county. For more information, call 909-723-1580.

...Back To Headlines...

CAR WASH TO BENEFIT LANDERS 6TH GRADERS
Landers Elementary sixth graders will hold a car wash Saturday, August 18, from 10 to 2, in the Jack-in-the-Box parking lot in Yucca Valley. The cost is $5 per car. Funds raised will help send students to science camp.

...Back To Headlines...

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY, PART 1 OF A 6-PART SERIES
School starts in the Morongo Unified School District Monday August 27th. Today, with the first in a 6-part series, sheriff's safety specialist Anita Baker offers school safety tips...
For 23 million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding on the bus, but with approaching or leaving the bus. To help children's safety, it is essential that adults know traffic safety rules. When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking about getting there safely. Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Slow down. Watch for children playing or congregating near bus stops. Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic. Obey the school bus laws: Yellow flashing lights indicate the school bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles. Red flashing lights indicate the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move, before they start driving again. Our children are our future so let's all work together to insure their safety.

...Back To Headlines...

SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT PLANNED BY YUCCA VALLEY RECREATION
The Town of Yucca Valley will host a one-day Men's Slow Pitch Softball Tournament on Saturday, September 8, at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The double-elimination tournament is open to the first eight teams to register and pay the deposit to hold their place. The entry fee is $140 per team but managers can reserve a spot in the tournament with a $50 deposit; the balance must be paid by the registration deadline of Wednesday, September 5th. Registration is accepted online at www.yucca-valley.org or in person at the Yucca Valley Community Center, Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information call 760-369-7211.

...Back To Headlines...