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Listen To Your News		Thursday, December 8, 2011		News Archive

WESTERN GOVERNORS MEET IN YUCCA VALLEY, WE WERE THERE
The governors of Washington, Utah, Arizona, and South Dakota, and a capacity crowd were in the Yucca Valley Community Center Wednesday morning to hear local voices on the issues of the economics of outdoor recreation, and passing an outdoor ethic to youth. Reporter Dan Stork was there, and he filed this report on the discussions...
In the economic panel, Outdoor Industry Association CEO Frank Hugelmayer used many statistics to emphasize the sheer size of outdoor recreation as an economic force. San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry talked about the importance of outdoor recreation to the economy of the county. Twentynine Palms Inn owner Paul Smith focused on the spiritual relief that the desert gives to visitors. The panelists were asked what the governors could do. Hugelmayer gave a 3-point program: Zone the outdoor areas to give a full menu of non-conflicting recreational experiences; make it easier for European and especially Chinese visitors to get here; and explicitly make outdoor recreation a top economic priority in each state. Derry counseled educating young people on available opportunities in the parks. Smith urged a disciplined approach to alternative energy developments, such as solar fields, so as not to spoil the desert environment while fighting climate change. Yucca Valley High School junior Sierra Zacks led off the youth panel with what was arguably the best prepared and delivered talk of the morning. She presented a detailed list of programs directed at teenagers that would get them into the parks, stating that current offerings slight her age group in favor of younger children and adults. Barstow Community College student Lucas Basulto urged the governors to be role models, by going into the parks and visiting educational programs, with the media in tow. National Park Service environmental specialist Mike Cipra advised creating partnerships among the parks, their nonprofit support groups, industry, education, and government to promote and facilitate use of the parks by young people. State Park District Superintendent Ron Krueper talked about an Essential Life List of 10 Activities that everyone should have in the outdoors.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS SYMPOSIUM REVEALS 1.4 ANNUAL VISITORS TO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
More than 1.4 million people visited Joshua Tree National Park last year, and poured millions of dollars into the local economy. Richard Warne, city manager for Twentynine Palms said, "We consider the park to be an important part of our economic future," Members of the Western Governors Association were in Yucca Valley Wednesday for a rare public hearing on the growing economic importance of tourism and recreation in the West's economy. And Tuesday, officials with the national park and chambers of commerce hosted a similar economic symposium in Twentynine Palms. Visitors to Joshua Tree National Park, which has no concessions within its boundaries, spent almost $59 million on various services within 30 miles of the park last year, according to a study at the University of Idaho. They supported more than 700 jobs.

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COUNTY TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county by 15 percent by 2020. The plan satisfies the terms of a 2007 legal settlement between the county and then-state Attorney General Jerry Brown. By 2020, the county aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the private sector to 15.3 percent below 2007 levels and a 24 percent reduction of emissions generated by the county. The board approved the plan, 3-1. Supervisor Neil Derry recused himself from voting and Supervisor Rutherford dissented. In May, the Federal Highway Administration suspended Derry from voting on board agenda items involving federal funding after he was charged with three felonies for allegedly laundering a $5,000 campaign contribution. Derry pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of failing to report the campaign contribution.

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A REMINDER ABOUT HOLIDAY LIGHTS FROM COUNTY FIRE
This is the time of year that homeowners are putting up lights and decorations on their homes. Reporter Lenore Roberts says county Fire has some safety tips...
A public safety message from the San Bernardino County Fire Department reminds you that breaking out the holiday decorations means time to inspect. Remember to check out your lights before you plug them in; check for burned-out lights, empty sockets, and broken bulbs. Check wires too, looking for breaks, fraying, and damaged connections. Lastly, throw out damaged light strands, plug no more than 3 light sets into a single outlet, and avoid overloading circuits.

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FAKED BOMB SCARES JOSHUA TREE NEIGHBORHOOD
A Joshua Tree neighborhood was cordoned off for several hours, and a man was arrested for possession of dangerous weapons, yesterday, after Sheriff's deputies investigated a report of an explosive device in the back yard of a home. On the scene, Sheriff's Sergeant Jason Radeleff told Z107.7 about a call from a resident in the 7300 block of Sunnyvista, who had found the suspicious item. It looked like several sticks of dynamite wrapped together, attached to some kind of power source. Deputies evacuated that residence, evacuated nearby residents, and blocked off the street. The bomb and arson squad used a robot to deactivate the device, which turned not out to be a live explosive device. Deputies proceeded to obtain a search warrant, and to search the residence in a further investigation. Mark Mroz, 58, was arrested for investigation of possession of a dangerous weapon, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail. His bail is set at $25,000.

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JOSHUA TREE MAN ARRESTED TRYING TO DRIVE THROUGH A HOUSE
A Joshua Tree man was arrested early Wednesday morning after he tried to drive a van through his family's house. According to the Sheriff's Department, deputies were called to a home in the 4600 block of Avenida del Sol in Joshua Tree about 9:30 Tuesday night to help calm down an argument. Deputies returned shortly before midnight when family members called to report that Jeffery Wire, 36, had broken windows at the residence and was trying to drive a Dodge Caravan into the house. Jeffery Wire was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISTRICT HOLD PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT ON PROPOSED FIRE TAX
The public will have a chance to weigh-in tonight on a proposed fire tax in Twentynine palms. Reporter Derwood Andrews has your invitation...
Tonight at 6:00, at the Lear Fire Station 422, is the second Public Hearing concerning the Special Fire Tax proposal. The Public are invited to hear the facts and comment and get a clear response from the Fire Chief regarding this important measure. This affects everyone served by the Twentynine Palms Fire Department, if a swift professional response to your emergency is what you expect.

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JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT NARROWS BOARD APPLICANTS TO FOUR
At last night's meeting of the Joshua Basin Water District, Directors narrowed the field of eight candidates down to four before the meeting was recessed until next Wednesday, December 14. That meeting will be held at the Helen Gray Education Center. At that time, the board is expected to name and seat a new director following additional public interviews. The remaining candidates include Frank Coate, Barbara Delph, Bob Johnson and Karen Tracy. Also last night, the board voted to allocate up to $11,000 for preparation of a grant application for the Ground Water Recharge Project valued at up to $2 million. Director Gary Wilson was opposed. Presentation of the fiscal 2010-2011 financial audit report was postponed. No action was taken on the agreement between the District and Hi-Desert Medical Center for a package wastewater treatment plant.

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BIGHORN DESERT VIEW WATER DISTRICT BOARD MEETS IN SPECIAL SESSION TONIGHT
The Bighorn Desert Water Agency board meets tonight in special session. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says they will review options to replace a director who resigned before he could be sworn in...
The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency Board of Directors meets at 6:00 tonight at Agency Offices on Cherokee Trail in Landers. At tonight's special session directors are expected to take up several routine matters and decide how to fill the vacant seat. Paul Dossey, who was elected to the seat just weeks ago, declined the position on doctor's orders within days of the election. Directors now have the option to fill the seat by appointment, call for a special election or turn the matter over to the County Board of Supervisors for a decision. Smart money says the public can expect the Agency to appoint a new director within the next 60 days.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CRAFT FAIR THIS SATURDAY
The Twentynine Palms Junior High Associated Student Body will hold its fifth annual craft fair Saturday, December 10 from 9 to 3 at the Junior High School on Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms. More than 25 local crafters and artists will offer unique gifts. The craft fair will also feature music and dance performances, gift wrapping, refreshments, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

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JOSHUA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS "PARENTS NIGHT OUT" EVENT SATURDAY
Joshua Springs High School Varsity Cheerleaders are putting on a "Parents Night Out" fundraiser Saturday night. The cheerleaders, along with their head coach, will watch children from kindergarden through sixth grade. Pizza and drinks will be provided along with games and crafts for the children to enjoy. The event is located at Joshua Springs Christian School in the Thunderdome. The cost is $20 per child. Coach Sarah Husband says this is a great way to do last-minute Christmas shopping or for just a night out! If you would like to sign up or have any questions, please call the school at 760-365-3599.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION HAS BUSY MEETING
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met in a regular session last night. Six agenda items were presented to the commission...
A lively meeting of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission addressed six different issues. The Commission sent a memo to the City Council asking that it be allowed to study "feasibility and desirability" of commercial solar fields before crafting ordinances to regulate them. It decided to expedite consideration of the General Plan Update by having it on the agenda for every meeting in the new year, with the second meeting of each month dedicated to the subject. With a split consensus, staff was directed to initiate a code change to specify more precisely how the deposit required of a Farmers' Market operator might be applied to recoup unexpected expenses to the city. Commissioners Mendoza and Benton thought the code is adequate as it stands. The Commission decided to take up the revision of the development code rules that govern hawking and peddling in the city. The general feeling was that current regulations are both overly restrictive and are not uniformly applied. The Commission directed staff to drop from a future agenda a public hearing on a move to revise downtown land use standards to smooth the way for Project Phoenix. Commissioners felt that even talking about revision is inappropriate until the courts decide the status of Redevelopment Agencies. Somewhat grudgingly, the Commission decided to proceed with a public hearing at the next meeting, on the "prezoning" to commercial/industrial of 150 acres on the city border that the property owner would like the city to annex, on land that is currently zoned residential. It was suggested that the annexation would shave months, if not years, off the establishment of a Redi-Mix concrete batch plant.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS' RECREATION TAKING BASKETBALL LEAGUE SIGN-UPS
The City of Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation Department is currently accepting registrations for its 2012 Youth Basketball League. Registrations are being taken at the recreation from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. until Friday and today and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon at the Twentynine Palms High School Gym. Children in Kindergarten through 8th grades are eligible to register. Families with three or more children participating receive a discount. The league will start in early January. Volunteer coaches, officials and scorekeepers are also being sought! For additional information call the recreation office at 760-367-7562.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND SCHEDULES
The Yucca Valley Lady Trojan basketball team used another solid defensive effort to earn a 44-39 victory against the San Jacinto Tigers last night in Trojan Gym. Coach Jess Geeson said the Yucca girls had a balanced scoring attack with seniors LaTreya Ross and Whitney Rodriguez each scoring 12 points, senior Lauren Pitts hit for nine and senior Lindsay Sullivan notched seven. Their record is now 5-1 to start the season.

In high school sports tomorrow, the Twentynine Palms High School Boys soccer team travels to Yermo to play Silver Valley High School. Game time is at 3:15. The Joshua Springs Lightning Boys and Girls Varsity basketball teams host University Prep High School from Victorville. The Girls game starts at 5; boys game starts at 6:30.

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