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Listen To Your News		Monday, December 19, 2011		News Archive

VICTIMS IDENTIFIED AS MARINES IN FATAL TWENTYNINE PALMS CRASH FRIDAY
The Coroner has identified the victim of a fatal traffic accident in Twentynine Palms early Friday morning. Marine Private First Class Dominic Nop, 18, of Lowell, Massachusetts, attending the Communications and Electronics School at the Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, was a passenger in the left rear seat of a Nissan Sentra driven by Marine Private First Class Herbert Jimenez, 22. Investigators say Jimenez was driving eastbound on Highway 62 when for unknown reasons he crossed the center and westbound lanes of the highway and crashed into a utility pole on the north side of the highway near Shoshone Valley Drive at about 2:15 Friday morning. The pole was sheared off by the impact. Jimenez and the two surviving passengers, also Marines, were taken to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs. One received minor injuries. Jimenez and the other passenger sustained moderate injuries. Sherif's Sergeant Steve Everhart said PFC Herbert Jimenez's blood alcohol content was .075. The Sheriff's Department is continuing its investigation of the crash.

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DUI DRIVER IN HEAD-ON CRASH ARRESTED IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
A man was arrested Saturday evening for DUI after a crash in Twentynine Palms. About 7:45 Saturday, Robert O'Reilly, 54, left a liquor store driving on the wrong side of Twentynine Palms Highway. After driving about a quarter mile, O'Reilly collided head-on with a small car near the highway and Lupine Avenue. Both occupants of the car suffered head and neck injuries in the accident and were transported to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs. Robert O'Reilly, who was found to be driving with an expired license, was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence and booked into West Valley Detention Center. His bail is set at $100,000. O'Reilly has two past arrests in this area since 2004.

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JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR HOYT AWARD NOMINATIONS
A special award for contributions to protecting and honoring our fragile desert is seeking nominations. Reporter Dan Stork tells you how to nominate someone for the "Minerva Hoyt" award...
The Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) is seeking nominations for the Eighth Annual Minerva Hoyt California Desert Conservation Award. Minerva Hamilton Hoyt was a South Pasadena resident whose persistent campaign to preserve the deserts of southern California persuaded President Franklin Roosevelt and Congress to create Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936. Nominees will have made a notable achievement toward conservation of the California desert in one or more of the following areas: 1) leadership resulting in legislative action or public policy in the area of desert conservation, 2) research leading to improved conservation knowledge, techniques or strategies, 3) conservation partnerships and collaborations, or 4) education and outreach activities. Nomination guidelines and forms are available on the Association's website at www.joshuatree.org. All nominations must be received by JTNPA no later than January 31, 2012. The 2011 Hoyt Award winner will be announced on February 17, 2012.

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YUCCA VALLEY MAN WHO CALLED 9-1-1 ARRESTED FOR SPOUSAL ABUSE
A Yucca Valley man reported his father-in-law was trying to hit him with a pole was arrested himself for investigation of felony spouse abuse. According to Sheriff's, Lawrence Bonilla Jr. went to pick up his wife at her parents' home in the 55800 block of Mountain View Trail in Yucca Valley and his father-in-law attempted to hit him with a long pole. 9-1-1 dispatchers could hear the woman yelling in the background that she wasn't going to go with her husband. After an investigation, Lawrence Bonilla Jr. was arrested on suspicion of felony spouse abuse after bruises were found on his wife's upper arm. Bonilla was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $50,000.

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BARKING DOG LEADS TO ARREST FOR CAR BURGLARY
A woman's barking dog alerted her to a thief breaking into her car outside her home early Friday morning, resulting in the arrest of a Twentynine Palms man. Shortly after 12:30 Friday morning, a woman in the 6500 block of Tamarisk Avenue was awakened by her dog barking outside. When she looked out her window, she saw a man, later identified as Matthew Brown, 24, going through her car and the trunk. After investigation, Matthew Brown was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with bail set at $25,000.

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65-YEAR-OLD MAN INJURED IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK FALL FRIDAY
A rock climber was injured in a fall in Joshua Tree National Park Friday afternoon. Park officials say William Becher, 65, fell 30 feet in the Saddle Rock area of the park about noon. Ten members of the Park's Search and Rescue team carried Becher from the base of Saddle Rock to the park road where he was loaded into an ambulance, driven to the Oyster bar parking area, and then flown by Mercy Air to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs. The extent of William Becher's injuries is unknown. The fall is under investigation by Joshua Tree National Park rangers.

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COUNTY FIRE REMINDERS ON ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY
If you use and artificial Christmas Tree, Reporter Derwood Andrews says County fire has some safety tips for the holidays...
The San Bernardino County Fire Department wants you to know… if you want to use an artificial holiday tree, make sure it is made of safe, fireproof materials. If your artificial tree is pre-lit, make sure you check all electrical cords and connectors for damage, fraying or broken parts before using the tree. Look for burned-out, broken or damaged light sockets, too. Damaged equipment should be replaced or repaired before using the tree.

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HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF HOME CARE SERVICES
Hi-Desert Medical Center has named Anne Marie Clark as its new Director of Home Care Services, ¬Home Health and Hospice. Clark comes to the healthcare District from Visiting Nurses Association in Palm Desert, where she was Director of Hospice, a post she held for seven years. Clark will oversee a staff of 23, which includes home and hospice nurses, aides, chaplains and office staff. "I am delighted to be joining this distinguished group of women and men who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Morongo Basin residents," said Clark. She adds that one of her goals is to bolster marketing and relationship building in the community on behalf of Hi-Desert Home Care Services. She can be reached at 760-366-6424.

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BRAILLE INSTITUTE TO OFFER TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
Good News today for local residents who want to have access to the services of the Braille institute, but find transportation down the hill to be a problem. Managing editor Tami Roleff says once a week transportation services will be offered starting in January...
The Braille Institute will offer transportation for residents in the High Desert to its facility in Rancho Mirage once a week starting January 3. The pick-up location will be at the "old" Stater Brothers grocery store, 57075 29 Palms Highway in Yucca Valley. Pick up time is at 8:15; the return time will be between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. The Braille Institute offers a variety of classes and vision services, including daily living skills, cooking, computers, creative arts, golf, and a library. For more information about transportation or Braille Institute classes, call John Billings at 760-321-1111.

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29 PALMS ART GALLERY GIFY SHOP OPEN CHRISTMAS EVE
This Christmas Eve the 29 Palms Art Gallery and Gift Shop will be open from 10 to 3 for last minute gifts and taking in artwork for the upcoming show. Those looking for unique gifts this holiday season can find what they were looking for in the gift shop and in the gallery. The gallery's Pickering Room showcases the Mini Show with art from guild members that also carry a small price tag. There are one of a kind ceramic mugs for under $20, a number of original paintings, wood block prints, metal sculptures and photographs for under $25, with the majority of the artwork for under $50. Over 25 guild members are showing their works and there is bound to be something for everyone. "Everything is unique here, every piece has its own character," said gallery curator Scott Monteith. The art gallery and gift shop are located off of National Park Drive next to the 29 Palms Inn. They will be open from noon to 3 Wednesday through Sunday with special hours on Christmas Eve, 10 -3. The gallery will be taking in new works by members on the 24th for anyone who can not make it to the regularly scheduled In/Out Day on the 26th. There will also be an after-Christmas sale from Dec. 28 to Dec. 31. You can reach the 29 Palms Art Gallery by calling 760 367-7819 during regular business hours.

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THEATRE 29 ANNOUNCES CAST FOR "JAKE'S WOMEN"
Theatre 29 has announced the casting for the first show of the 2012 season. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells us whose names will be on the marquee...
Theatre 29 and Director Butch Pelfrey have announced the cast for Theatre 29's "Jake's Women," Neil Simon's quirky comedy about a novelist who is more successful with fiction than real life. He faces a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life. Veteran actor K.W. Heckart takes the lead as "Jake." Jake's women include Julie, a revered first wife played by Rebekah Douglas; his daughter Molly, played at age 12 by Kayleigh Coughlin, and as an adult by Theatre 29 newcomer Kara Daily. Actor Jeanne Rodick makes makes her Theatre 29 debut as Jake's opinionated therapist. In the role of Jake's current wife is Janet Peercy, last seen in "Come Blow Your Horn". Appearing as Jake's possible third wife is Cheryl Gillon. And Wendy Costello rounds out the cast as Jake's obnoxious sister.

"Jake's Women" runs for five weekends beginning January 13th.

Tickets can be purchased from the box office by calling 361-4151 or at theatre29.org.

Season Tickets for the 201 Theatre 29 season are also available, a holiday gift that gives all year. Just call the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151 and a season brochure and order form will be mailed to you. For more information, go to theatre29.org. (That's theatre with an re)

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND SCHEDULES
The Yucca Valley High School Lady Trojan basketball team tipped off the Riverside Poly Holiday Tournament on Saturday with a 52-31 win over the Ramona Rams in a first round game. Using a stingy defensive effort the Yucca girls held the Rams to 8 first-half points jumping to a 29-8 halftime lead. Leading the offense was senior Whitney Rodriguez with 18 points, while seniors LaTreya Ross pitched in 9 points and Lauren Pitts added 8 points.

Basketball dominates high school sports tomorrow. The Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms High School Boys basketball teams are both playing in the Palm Springs tournament. Tip-off for Yucca Valley is at 3:30; no game time has been announced for Twentynine Palms boys.

The Yucca Valley High School Trojan girls basketball team travels to Riverside to play in the Riverside Poly tournament. The Twentynine Palms High School Girls Basketball team travels to Hemet to play in the Hemet Tournament with game time to be announced.

The Joshua Springs Christian School Boys and girls basketball teams travel to Apple Valley to play Apple Valley Christian School. Tip off for the girls is at 4; boys is at 5:30.

The Yucca Valley High School Girls Soccer travels to Great Oak tomorrow.

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