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Listen To Your News		Friday, September 4, 2009		News Archive

CHP ON MAXIMUM PATROL OVER THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND
The California Highway Patrol will be on a Maximum Enforcement Period this Labor Day weekend. Starting tonight at 6:00 p.m. through midnight on Monday, every available CHP officer will be on the road. They will be on the lookout for violators of the three major causes of highway deaths: speeding, drinking and driving, and not wearing seat belts. Last year 40 people died statewide on Labor Day weekend on California highways. Of those killed in CHP jurisdiction, more than half were not wearing seat belts. According to the CHP, motorists can help assure their own safety by doing some very simple things when they get behind the wheel: Buckle up, driver and all occupants, every time on every trip. Observe all speed limits. Never mix alcohol and driving. Choose a designated driver or be one for your passengers. If you are making a long drive this weekend, leave early, make frequent rest stops to stay alert, and do not let delays change your driving behavior.

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MAN SMASHES INTO UNION BANK
A Chevy Envoy smashed into the teller’s window at Union Bank in Yucca Valley, after the driver suffered a apparent seizure and lost consciousness. Fire Chief Mike Snow said around 2:30 Today a man in his 50’s was headed east on State Route 62 when he passed out. The Chevy then veered off the highway, across westbound traffic, pass the frontage road, then into the parking lot of Union Bank, finally slamming into the drive up teller’s window. Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers said the man was unconscious, his foot still on the gas pedal when they arrived. Firefighters extracted the victim from vehicle taking him by ambulance to Yucca Valley Airport, then he was airlifted to Desert Hospital in Palm Spring. The crash caused moderate damage to the bank, no one inside was hurt. The exact cause remains under investigation.

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MAN ARRESTED FOR HITTING A PREGNANT WOMAN IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
A Marine fighting with his pregnant girl friend is behind bars today after being arrested for suspicion of felony spouse abuse. Sheriff’s spokeswoman Vera Martinez said Wednesday night at 10:42, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call from a home in the 6000 block of Mojave Avenue in Twentynine Palms. The caller said her roommate and his girl friend were in the bedroom arguing and she can hear crying and screaming. Arriving deputies found that the bedroom door had been punched in and was covered with blood. After investigating deputies arrested 21 year old Lance Corporal Samuel Vidia with Combat Logistics Battalion 7 for investigation of felony spouse abuse. Lance Corporal Samuel Vidia was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail and held on $50,000 bail.

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Dan Munsey Bob Stadum

HI DESERT WATER DISTRICT REJECTS PROPERTY OWNER WATER BILLING Should the tenants or the property owners be responsible for the water bills. That was the question facing the Hi Desert Water District Board Wednesday. Managing Editor Karl Gardner tells us what they decided ----- At Wednesday’s Hi-Desert Water District Board Meeting, local property managers and landlords were able to convinced board members that an ordnance making property owners responsible for tenants’ water bills isn’t such a good idea. Based on a recommendation from the District’s auditor, staff developed the blueprint that in a nutshell, would place the onus of paying water bills not only on renters, but on property owner as well. Several members of the public, both individuals and property managers, spoke in opposition, saying the plan was at best unfair and possibly illegal. Following public comments, Board Member Dan Muncy said the comments had swayed his opinion, a view echoed by other members. Director Bob Stadum remarked, "It doesn’t pass the fairness test". Stadum did recommend that fixed charges for rental properties be placed on the owner’s tab, an issue along with charging higher deposits for renters, be brought back at a future meeting.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO MEET WITH CITY COUNCILMEN
The Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce hosted Council Connections will be held this evening at 6 p.m. at the Wonder Garden Café. Council Connections is a unique opportunity to meet informally with City Council members and express your concerns and compliments. Mayor Joel Klink and another city council member will attend.

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HI DESERT MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION GALA DINNER "A NIGHT IN THE EMERALD CITY"
"A Night in the Emerald City"... is the theme of the Hi-Desert Medical Center Foundation’s annual Gala Dinner and Auction, Saturday, September 26, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will commemorate the 70th anniversary of one of America’s most beloved films, "The Wizard of Oz." "The Helen Gray Education Center in Joshua Tree will be transformed into a place over the rainbow," said event chairman Cindy Daigneault." The event will include a fabulous cocktail hour followed by a five-star meal. The silent and live auctions include magnificent iron work sculpture by Simi Dabah; an adult-sized rocking horse donated by Art Claybaugh and hand-decorated with "Oz" inspired themes by local artist Jeane Middleton; a one-week condo stay with a choice of locations including Hawaii, Fiji and St. Thomas; local art and some fun "experience" packages. Tickets for the Foundation’s largest fundraising event are $125 per person. Attire is your favorite "Oz" character or black-tie. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For tickets or more information, call the Foundation office at 366-6321.

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MURAL BOOK AT TOMORROW’S ACTION COUNCIL 15TH ANNIVERSARY
The unveiling of a top quality coffee table book featuring the murals of Twentynine Palms will be a big part of tomorrow 15th anniversary celebration for Action Council for Twentynine Palms. Reporter Tami Roleff tells you how be part of the festivities ------
The Action Council for Twentynine Palms will hold a special celebration beginning at 4 p.m. September 5 at Bucklin Park in Twentynine Palms in honor of its 15th anniversary. The celebration will include a hayride tour of the town’s murals, along with food, beverages, music, and a silent auction. The highlight of the evening will be the unveiling of the book by local author Vickie Waite, Oasis of Murals: 29 Palms, California – A Cultural Renaissance at the Gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. The book chronicles the history of Action 29 from the beginning of the mural project in 1994 through each of its 24 murals. More than 250 photos illustrate the creation of the murals and the mural unveilings. The 72-page, full-color book will be available at the September 5 event for $24.95 and the author will be on hand to autograph copies of the book. All proceeds will go to Action 29 for its maintenance and upkeep of the existing murals.

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MOJAVE DESERT LAND TRUST HOSTS QUAIL MOUNTAIN NATURE WALKS
Mojave Desert Land Trust Hosts "Nature Walks Through The Quail Mountain Habitat" in Joshua Tree this Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, from 4:00-5:30 p.m., and Sunday, from 7:00-8:30 a.m. The walks will be conducted on the south side of Joshua Tree on a beautiful and rare section of land that the Land Trust is in escrow to acquire. It provides high quality habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, bobcat, gray fox, skunk, coyote, badger and mountain lion. The leisurely walks, will take advantage of the quiet hours before sunset and following sunrise to observe the summer landscape and consider the adaptations and adjustment by the desert plants and animals to live, survive, and even thrive through the hot, slow, dry season. To reserve your spot please call Leslie Nyquist at 760-366-9103. Meet 15 minutes prior to start time in the parking lot at The Park Visitor Center in Joshua Tree. Price: Free! Bring: Water, Hat, Sunscreen, walking shoes.

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HOSPICE REVERSE RAFFLE AND DINNER SEPTEMBER 12
Here is a great way to support the very valuable work of Hospice of the Morongo Basin. Reporter Dan Stork invites you to their annual reverse raffle dinner -----
Hospice of Morongo Basin is holding its annual fundraising dinner on Saturday, September 12 at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst in Joshua Tree. The evening starts at 5:30 with a cocktail hour, with dinner following at 6:30. Tickets, each of which covers dinner for two, are available at $80 each, and also serve as raffle tickets, with the drawing starting at 7 PM. The evening’s festivities will be emceed by Gary Daigneault. Dress for the evening is casual – or you can come dressed for your dream vacation, and be eligible for a special prize. For information about the dinner and raffle, or to learn about becoming a sponsor for the event, call 366-1308.

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JOSHUA TREE ROTARY PLANS "A TASTE OF THE MORONGO BASIN"
Local restaurants will serve their best food and beverages in the Joshua Tree Rotary Club’s second annual Taste of Morongo Basin September 18 in the Joshua Tree Community Center. The public is invited to sample cuisine from more than a dozen participating local eateries from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a mostly silent art auction. Proceeds from the food tasting and auction benefit area charities. Tickets are on sale in Yucca Valley at the Hi-Desert Star and Desert Images, in Joshua Tree at the Unity Home office and in Twentynine Palms at Farmer’s Insurance in Smoketree. Tickets are also available from Joshua Tree Rotarians.

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YUCCA VALLEY ROTARY PLANNING PIONEER PASS GOLF EVENT ABOARD BASE
In conjunction with the traditional Pioneer Pass Golf Challenge, the Rotary Club of Yucca Valley is hosting a Sunday Scramble Golf Tournament at the Desert Winds Golf Course aboard the Marine Corps base. This fun tournament is open to all golfers and features a $10,000 hole in one prize in addition to many wonderful prizes and gifts. The cost is $65 per golfer that includes your 18 hole round in addition to lunch and is all for charity! For more information, contact Rotarians, Cindy Melland at 217-0133 or Grumpy at 792-4143.

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BALLROOM DANCING CLASSES OFFERED IN YUCCA VALLEY
The Town of Yucca Valley is hosting ballroom dancing classes. Reporter Desiree Weston tells you how to get signed up -----
The Town of Yucca Valley is bringing back their Ballroom Dancing classes! These classes will be held at the Yucca Valley Senior Center on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, for ages 14 and up. Ballroom dancing is fun and great exercise for all ages. You don’t need a partner; dancing partners are rotated throughout the class. Some dances taught are fox-trot, waltz, cha-cha, rumba, West Coast swing, tango, and wedding dances. Pre-registration is required at the Yucca Valley Community Center or online at yucca-valley.org. Cost is $12 per session, or $32 for four weeks. For more information, call the Community Services office at 369-7211.

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THREE MEALS PLANNED AT JOSHUA TREE VFW THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND [AUDIO ONLY]

BREAKING BREAD MEALS IN TWENTYNINE PALMS TOMORROW [AUDIO ONLY]

JEWISH NEW YEAR SERVICES PLANNED
Jewish New Year services are being planned in the area. Reporter Dan Stork has details -----
Religious services for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and for Yom Kippur, will be held in Desert Hot Springs, at a location convenient to the Morongo Basin. For the third consecutive year, Jewish Family Services of the Desert is sponsoring the observance at Mission Lakes Country Club during the High Holy Days. Admission is free to Jewish residents of the Morongo Basin and Desert Hot Springs, and includes a break-the-fast meal in the Country Club dining room following the end of Yom Kippur. The dates and times are 7 PM September 18th and 10 AM September 19th for Rosh Hashanah, and 7 PM September 27th, and 10 AM and 4 PM September 28th for Yom Kippur. To get tickets and more information, call Linda Zweig at Jewish Family Services, 325-4088.

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TONIGHT’S HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
In local high school sports action today, the Yucca Valley High School Trojans host the Spartans from El Centro’s Central Union High School. Out east the Twentynine Palms Wildcats travel away to face the Indio High School Rajas. Both games begin at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, the Joshua Springs Lighting football squad plays a scrimmage game at home versus the Avalon Lancers.

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