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Listen To Your News		Friday, November 11, 2011		News Archive

A FATAL TRAFFIC ROLLOVER ON AMBOY ROAD THIS MORNING
Sketchy information on a fatal traffic rollover early this morning in the Wonder Valley area East of Twentynine Palms. Preliminary information says that a single car roll-over on Amboy road near Naborly Road occurred shortly after 5:00 am. The CHP is on scene now investigating the fatality and we will have more information as it becomes available.

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DUI/DRIVER'S LICENSE CHECKPOINT IN YUCCA VALLEY TONIGHT
Yucca Valley Police will conduct a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint from 6:00 tonight until 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning in the area of Highway 62 and Church Street. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. This DUI/Drivers' License checkpoint is an effort to protect members of our community from being senselessly injured or killed by impaired drivers, as well as insuring drivers have a valid driver's license. Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. The objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.

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DOVE SEASON PART DEAUX: THE SOUNDS OF SHOTGUNS
The sounds of shotguns will ring through the rural areas of the Morongo Basin starting tomorrow. Managing Editor Tami Roleff says it is Dove season: Part deaux...
The second half of the dove season opens Saturday and goes through December 27. As a result, Sheriff's Department is usually flooded with numerous "shots heard" and "man-with-a-gun" calls. Legal hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset. This is a change from the past when bird hunting was allowed until ½ hour after sunset, so some hunters may be unaware of this change. It is illegal to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow within 150 yards of any train, aircraft or domestic livestock, or within 150 yards of any building, or without having in your possession the written permission of the property owner or occupants. The County, the City of Twentynine Palms and the Town of Yucca Valley have their own shooting ordinances, so check before you start hunting. An online map that shows legal shooting areas in the County can be found here.

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NEWLY ELECTED BIGHORN DESERT VIEW WATER AGENCY DIRECTOR RESIGNS
Less than 48 hours after the close of polls Tuesday, a surprise resignation at Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency has dampened any forecast for calm waters at the turbulent Agency. Paul Dossey, who on Tuesday won a seat on the Agency's Board of Directors along with incumbent Judy Corl-Lorono, faxed his resignation to the County Registrar of Voters Thursday morning citing high blood pressure and doctor's orders as his reasons for stepping down. Dossey expressed regret in a phone conversation with general manager Marina West yesterday, stating he really wanted to take the position but his blood pressure was getting higher and his doctor advised against continuing. In a statement late yesterday, the Registrar of Voters clarified that Dossey's resignation could not become effective until December 2nd when the newly elected directors are due to take the oath of office. The Agency will have 60 days from that date to appoint a replacement, call for a special election, or ask that the Board of Supervisors determine how best to fill the open seat.

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TWELVE GRADUATE FROM JOSHUA TREE DRUG COURT
Twelve Morongo Basin citizens stuck it out through a difficult program to get back their lives and families from the scourge of drug addiction. Reporter Dan Stork was at graduation ceremonies from the Joshua Tree Drug Court and files this report...
An enthusiastically supportive crowd estimated at between 150 and 200 people packed the Yucca Valley Community Center Thursday night to celebrate the latest graduating class of the Joshua Tree Drug Court. Judge Rod Cortez presided, and started the evening with a list of celebratory statistics, highlighting the successes of the 5-year-old local program in terms of numbers of clients, their cumulative drug free years, educations pursued, and savings to taxpayers of millions of dollars that would have been spent on jail beds and child services. He reflected on his experiences, before he became a judge, as a prosecutor assigned to gang control, in which he observed that every crime had some relation to drugs at its core. He warned the graduates, past and present, and other program clients, that he will not grant another chance to any graduate who relapses in the future, emphasizing that they must build on this opportunity. The keynote speaker Mark McGowan, who is a graduate of a drug court program in Indio, and currently runs a homeless shelter, re-made Cortez' points from the perspective of a long-time substance abuser and repeated felon. Representatives from agencies that cooperate in the program -- law enforcement, public defenders, district attorneys, and program staff -- added their accolades and cautions. But the evening belonged to the 12 individuals who received their certificates of graduation. They spoke – some briefly, some at length, some tearfully, some with self-deprecating humor -- but all with gratitude for the chance they've been given to turn their lives around. Judge Cortez concluded the evening, saying, "Thanks to each of you for getting to this day, because it makes me proud of what we're doing here…I think it's an important message that we can send to our community, that there are good things that are happening, here at the Joshua Tree Court House."

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$150.00 FIRE FEE ON STATE-PROTECTED PROPERTIES APPROVED
In a move that will affect many Morongo Basin property owners, a divided California forestry board Wednesday imposed significantly higher fire-prevention fees on people living in rural areas where the state has the main firefighting responsibility. Wednesday's action overrides a fee passed in August that topped out at $90 for dwellings in the most fire-prone parts of the state areas. Discounts would have reduced the fee to almost nothing. The new fee is scheduled to take effect early next year and generate an estimated $85 million in 2011-12. The estimates assume that about 90 percent of property owners live within a local fire district and would be eligible for a $35 discount. The fee for additional dwellings on a parcel is $25 per structure. More than 800,000 structures are in the state responsibility area, including about 100,000 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said fee would cost rural residents in the county an estimated $10 million, on top of what they already pay for local fire protection. Critics call the proposed charge an illegal tax. Some groups and local governments, such as San Bernardino County, have talked of filing a lawsuit as soon as the Board of Equalization tries to collect the fee.

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YUCCA VALLEY GRUBSTAKE DAYS THEME AND GRAND MARSHALL SOUGHT
The Yucca Valley Chamber is Commerce is looking for a theme and a Grand Marshall For their annual Grubstake Days celebration. Reporter Lenore Roberts tells you how to submit and nominate...
The Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce is seeking a theme and grand marshal nominee for the 2012 Grubstakes Days. If you have a theme idea or know someone you would like to see honored, please submit them to the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce office no later than noon on Friday, November 18, by dropping it off at their office at 56711 29 Palms Highway. Submissions can also be faxed to 760-365-0763 or e-mailed to chamber@yuccavalley.org The creator of the winning submissios will be the guest of the Chamber n the May 26th, 2012 Grubstakes Day Parade. This will be the 62nd year for this community celebration, so help the Chamber make it the most memorable. For more information, please call 760-365-6323.

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DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETS SUNDAY
The Morongo Basin Democratic Club will hear from Jackie Conaway at this Sunday's 2:00 meeting in the Aztec Mobile Home Park Club House off Church Street in Yucca Valley. Conaway lives in Barstow and is running for U.S. Congress representing California's new 8th Congressional District which includes parts of Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties including the Morongo Basin in its entirety. Sunday's meeting is open to all registered Democrats, invited guests and others who wish to change party affiliations at the meeting. Learn more about the local Democratic Club at MBDems.com.

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AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS MEET TONIGHT
The Andromeda Astronomical Society will meet at 7 p.m., Friday, November 11, at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The meeting will be about Mars and there is to be telescope instruction available. Hospitality is included.

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NFL PLAYER KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT JOSHUA SPRINGS BREAKFAST NEXT WEEK
Retired NFL player Kermit Alexander will be the keynote speaker at a community prayer breakfast next Friday, from at 7:30 at the Joshua Springs Thunderdome, 57373 Joshua Lane in Yucca Valley. The breakfast will be held in honor of the late community leader Bob Burke. Reservations are due by Monday by calling 760-365-0769.

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SUNDAY BREAKFAST IN JOSHUA TREE
The Joshua Tree Veterans of Foreign Wars will be holding their Sunday breakfast from 8 to 11 at the Post at 6402 Veterans Way. ON the menu is a pork chop special. And don't forget Taco Wednesday.

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YUCCA VALLEY RECREATION TAKING A BUS TO LAWRENCE WELK THEATER
Yucca valley Recreation is taking a bus to the renowned Lawrence Welk Theater. Reporter Derwood Andrews has details and how to sign up...
Get in the mood for Christmas with a trip to the Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido. The Town of Yucca Valley has organized a day trip for the show 'Jingle Bell Rock,' with a delicious buffet lunch, a chance to look around the Welk Museum and a sing – along to old favorites at the performance. Early registration is advised by calling 760-369-7211 or yucca-valley.org or in person at the Community Center. The bus will leave at 7.30 on the morning of December 8th, from the Community Center.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC BOOSTERS DINNER-AUCTION SATURDAY NIGHT
Don't miss the best party in town­-the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcats Athletics Dinner and Auction, Saturday, from 6 to 10 at Smith's Ranch Auditorium in Twentynine Palms. The event includes a social hour, silent and live auctions with auctioneer Larry Bowden, a dinner catered by Bruce's Coyote Kitchen, and sound and music provided by Z107.7. Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds go to Wildcat Athletics. For more information or tickets, see a Wildcats coach or contact Jeremy Johnson at jjohnson@morongousd.com.

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MORONGO VALLEY VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS SUNDAY
Morongo Volleyball Club Tryouts will be Sunday, November 13, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yucca Valley High School Gym for girls in grades 6-12. There is no fee to try out.

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FIRST LADY ASKS MILITARY CHILDREN TO SUBMIT HOLIDAY CARDS
The First Lady of the United States is asking military children to help decorate the White house. Managing Editor Tami Roleff has the details...
First Lady Michelle Obama has put out a personal request to all military children to create holiday cards or letters that represent their parents, and then send the cards to the White House so they can be used as the final touches to the White House's holiday decorations. Children are encouraged to use their imaginations, and include words, pictures, and drawings in a 5-by-8-inch card that honors their mother or father who is serving our nation. Cards can be dropped off at the Twentynine Palms High School library, or sent directly to the White House at the following address: Reservation 1, Attention Social Office, PO Box 8070, Washington, DC 20032. The deadline for mailing cards is Tuesday, November 15.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS ELIMINATED IN CIF PLAYOFF
29 Palms High School Lady Cats Tennis Team hosted Oakwood High School Lady Gorillas yesterday in the first round of CIF Team Play-Offs. Coach Larry Battle said the Lady Cats tied the tournament in the 3rd final round 9 sets to 9 sets all. Winner of the tournament was determined by counting games won by each player on both teams. The Lady Cats lost 75 games to 80 games in a very close contest which ended the Lady Cats winner streak and CIF Team competition.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULES
Coming up in high school sports tonight, the Yucca Valley High School Trojans football team travels to Indio to play the Shadow Hills Knights. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

Tomorrow, the Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms high school cross-country teams will participate in the CIF prelims at Mount San Antonio College. First race is at 7:45 a.m.

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