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Listen To Your News		Wednesday, December 15, 2010		News Archive

MAJOR INJURIES IN PIONEERTOWN ROAD MOTORCYCLE CRASH
A motorcycle crash on Pioneertown Road sent a man to the hospital with major injuries. Sheriffs’ officials said dispatchers received a call of a motorcycle crash on Pioneertown Road about 4:05 Sunday afternoon. Responding deputy Mike Cusack reported that a 36-year-old man possibly from Riverside County, who’s identity has not been release pending notification of family, was riding south down Pioneertown Road at a high rate of speed, lost control of the bike, crashed, and was thrown to the roadway. Although wearing a helmet, the victim sustained severe head injures. He was flow from the Yucca Valley Airport to Desert Hospital in Palms Springs.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZES, HARRIS MAYOR, CORBIN QUITS GPAC
The Twentynine Palms City Council met in regular session last night, swearing in new members and honoring those leaving public office. Reporter Dan Stork said after reorganization, it was on to the controversial General Plan Advisory Committee, or GPAC, whose chairman resigned at the meeting....
At the start of the Twentynine Palms City Council meeting Mayor Steve Flock delivered a state-of-the-city address, listing accomplishments of the past year. He also presented the annual Mayor’s Recognition Award to the City’s Media Consultant Vickie Waite. Re-elected member Jim Harris, and newly elected members Daniel Mintz and Jay Corbin were sworn in by Judge Rod Cortez. The new council selected Jim Harris to be Mayor, and John Cole is the new Mayor Pro-Tem. Departing members Flock and Steve Spear were honored with resolutions of appreciation and numerous plaques, including a nameplate for Spear identifying him as “Rogue” Council member. With the changeover in the council, representation to regional organizations and task force assignments were allocated by Mayor Harris. Mintz and Corbin were appointed to be the task force that will review applications for Planning Commission vacancies. The council heard the General Plan Advisory Committee request for an extension. It voted to authorize one more meeting of the GPAC on January 3, and to hear staff recommendations concerning possible future life of the Committee at the January 11th Council meeting. Joel Klink dissented, because he favors disbanding the GPAC now. Marine Base liaison Jim Ricker was authorized to designate a replacement for himself on the GPAC. GPAC chairman Jay Corbin acknowledged the concerns of his new Council colleagues about his dual roles, and announced his resignation from the GPAC. The scheduled December 28th meeting of the Council was canceled.

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Brad Mitzelfelt Gary Ovitt Neil Derry Josie Gonzales Janice Rutherford

SUPERVISORS VOTE TO ADD “GOD” MOTTO TO COUNTY SEAL The County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the displaying of the "In God We Trust" motto in its chambers yesterday, making it the second county in the state to do so Seven San Bernardino County cities have approved displaying the motto in their council chambers in the last four years. Imperial County is the only other county in the state that has the motto displayed in its board chambers. The county's push to display the motto, however, was met with resistance from the Freedom From Religion Foundation In other actions, the board approved a more than $90 million construction contract to expand the Adelanto Detention Center from 740 to more than 1,300 beds.

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COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER, DEPUTY RESIGN UNDER PRESSURE
The two top administrators at the County Public Defender's Office - Public Defender Doreen Boxer and Assistant Public Defender Lauri Ferguson - resigned Tuesday amid allegations of mismanagement and plummeting morale in the office. Chief Deputy Public Defender Phyllis Morris-Green was appointed Boxer's successor on an interim basis. She placed Martin Dante, the office's head investigator, on paid administrative leave after complainea that Dante - under the direction of Boxer and Ferguson - conducted overly aggressive personnel investigations, which contributed to the sinking morale.

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HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT EXPECTED TO REVEAL COST OF SEWER SYSTEM TONIGHT
The Hi-Desert Water District Board is expected to reveal, for the first time, what the new sewer system will cost individual Yucca Valley property owners tonight. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says because of an expected large attendance, the meeting will be held at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The cost to property owners for the Yucca Valley Sewage Treatment project will take center stage at this evening’s Hi-Desert Water District board meeting, being held in the Yucca Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center, starting at 6, please note the change of venue. First up on the docket the board will receive its annual Audit Report, then hear cost estimates for the multi-million dollar project, followed by a review of the community outreach and stakeholder involvement plan. Lastly, the board will look to approve a construction management agreement for the lower ridge reservoir project. A closed session follows to conduct property negotiations. As a follow up to announcing the costs of the sewer system, both Hi-Desert Water District General Manager Ed Muzik and state Water Quality Control representative Jose Angel, will be the guests on the Z107.7 “Up Close Show” this Friday at ten, to answer questions about the system, cost, and upcoming septic prohibition.

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FALLEN SHERIFF’S VOLUNTEERS HONORED WITH MEMORIAL
Two fallen volunteers of the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team, one from Yucca Valley, were recognized Tuesday in a dedication ceremony at the department's headquarters. Gary Card of the Morongo Basin Search and Rescue Team and Walt Peterson of the Wrightwood Team were added to a memorial plaque dedicated to all sheriff's volunteers who died in the line of duty. Card, 58, from Yucca Valley, collapsed April 26 at the beginning of a search in Wonder Valley for 73-year-old Betty Jo Blevins, who wandered away from her home. Blevins suffered from Alzheimer's disease. The woman's body was found two days later by a sheriff's pilot more than two miles from her home. Paramedics took Gary Card to the Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms, where he died that evening from a heart-related illness. At the ceremony, Card's family remembered him as a man who dedicated many hours to serving the county. Peterson, 65, died in 2000, while recovering Sheriff's Department equipment from the side of Mt. Whitney, when he suffered a heart attack.

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HOSPITAL BOARD REORGANIZES, SWEARS IN 2 NEW MEMBERS
The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board swore in new and honored outgoing members at their meeting last night. Reporter Mike Lipsitz was there and has the hospital boards actions...
At last night’s regular meeting of the Hi-Desert Medical Center Board of Directors Third District County Supervisor Neil Derry administered the oath of office to newly elected, incoming directors Korina Cole and Dianne Swella, following a presentation to outgoing directors Catja Arnzen and Leslie Moody. Also last night, the board re-elected Paul Hoffman as President, and selected Dianne Swella Vice President, Dr. Dennis Wilcox Secretary, Patricia Cooper Treasurer and Korina Cole as Member-at-Large. This was followed by a discussion and confirmation of organizational and sub-committee assignments. In other business from the action agenda, the board approved a resolution authorizing a number of updates and changes in the Administrative Manual. The meeting concluded with reports from the chief of staff, CEO Lionel Chadwick, clinical services, finance and marketing. The next regular meeting of the board of directors is scheduled for January 11.

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JOSHUA TREE FIREFIGHTERS BRINGING SANTA CLAUS TO NEIGHBORHOODS
Santa Claus will be touring around Joshua Tree, with a little help from County Fire Station 36. Joshua Tree fire officials say Santa will be aboard a fire truck to wish everyone happy holidays. The tour begins this evening around six, in the Friendly Hills area. Thursday evening at 6, Santa and the fire crews will be in the downtown area south of State Route 62, and Friday about 6, they will be downtown North of the Highway. When you hear the trucks coming up your street, come on out and say hi to Santa and the Firefighters from Joshua Tree Fire Station 36.

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MORONGO BASIN AMBULANCE ISSUES TOY COLLECTION CHALLENGE
It was quite a sight when Morongo Basin Ambulance representatives rolled a gurney full of toys into the Z107.7 studios Tuesday morning. You can see the pictures for yourself at kcdzfm.com. Managing editor Karl Gardner says the ambulance association brought a challenge along with the toys...
The gauntlet has been thrown down. The Morongo Basin Ambulance Association is challenging other area businesses and groups to match or beat the number of toys MBA employees gathered for both the Fire Fighter and Toys for Tots toy drives. MBA General Manager Ramón Lomeli and his trusty elves dropped off a gurney full of donated toys at the Z107.7 lobby Tuesday morning, Lomeli throwing down the challenge. Anyone wishing to meet or beat MBA’s toy donation are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys to the Z107.7 studios on Hallee Road, across from the Post Office in Joshua Tree.

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COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER IN 29 PALMS THIS SATURDAY
Food for Life is hosting the Annual Twentynine Palms Christmas this Saturday from 3 to 5 P.M. at Little Church of the Desert, on Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms. Participants will be treated to dinner, lots of goodies and a visit from Santa with toys for all good girls and boys. If you are unable to attend the dinner you may call Reach-Out 29 at 760 361-1410 for home delivery. To help defray costs, donations will be greatly appreciated. You may mail them to Food for Life, P.O. Box 282, Twentynine Palms, CA. 92277. Or drop them by Little Church.

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JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT BOARD MEETS IN REORGANIZATION MEETING TONIGHT
The Joshua Basin Water Board meets tonight to select new officers and thank one outgoing board member. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says the Joshua Tree Water Board will also look at an audit and potential litigation...
The Joshua Basin Water District Board of Directors holds its regular meeting tonight at district offices on Chollita Road in Joshua Tree, starting at 7. On tonight’s agenda, the board is expected to approve a resolution in appreciation of outgoing director Steven Whitman. Also, the board will elect a president and vice president as part of its annual reorganization. As part of that same effort, new board representatives are expected to be appointed to the Mojave Water Agency, Morongo Basin Pipeline Commission, and the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts. On the Action Agenda, the board will review and consider approval of a report on the District Audited Financial Statement for fiscal year 2010. Following these possible actions, the board will adjourn to closed session for conference with legal counsel on potential litigation.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISTRICT LOOKS AT CODE OF CONDUCT, DEMOLISHING OLD FIRE BUILDING
The Twentynine Palms Water District Board will meet in regular session tonight on both water and fire business. Reporter Derwood Andrews checks the agenda...
Among the reports scheduled for tonight’s meeting are a discussion on a ‘Code of Conduct’, and a resolution to approve. Pretty much a contract for ethical behavior, smartness and accountability. A report on a Surplus Property Auction and a talk about Pay Meter Upgrades. Then in Fire Department business, mainly a report on the old administration building and the recommendation of demolition.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL GIRLS NOTCH 4TH WIN
The Twentynine Palms High School Lady Wildcats Varsity basketball team won its 4th game of the season Monday night at home 70- 29. Coach Tim Stanford said five Wildcats were in double figures on the night including, Rosie Graham with 19 points on 5 of 7 shooting from 3 point range. Erin Stanford with 14 points, including 4 threes, 6 assists and 9 rebounds. Johnette Brown with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Catherine Mount with 11 points and 7 assists, and Alexa Herrera with 10 points.

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TODAY’S HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULES
A busy couple of day coming up in local high school sports. Today the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat girls’ basketball team hosts the Coachella Valley High School Arabs, with tip off at 6:30. Tomorrow, The Wildcat girl’s soccer team is away versus the Coachella Valley High School Arabs with kick off at 5, and the Wildcat girls’ basketball team is on the road to Temecula, versus the Temecula Valley Bears, with tip off at 6. The Yucca Valley High School Trojan boys’ soccer team continues play in the Chino Hills Tournament, and the Joshua Springs High School Lighting girls’ travel away to face the Redlands Adventist Academy Bull Dogs, with the tip off at 5.

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