The Hi-Desert Water District faced a barrage of criticism last night before finally getting down to business. Reporter Derwood Andrews has the details... The Public Comments came thick, fast and negatively towards most of the Board and leading members of staff to begin last nights meeting, mainly concerns of a linkage between the Water District and Town Council, on an "educational/advocacy" proposal and the one percent sales tax issue. This was followed by a presentation on the rate…

The Wonder Valley Fire, Road, and Park & Recreation Municipal Advisory Commission meet this afternoon at 4:30 at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526½ Amboy Rd. County Special District Regional Manager, Pam Vandervoort will be on hand to hear a series of reports from County Fire, Lt. Rich Boswell of the Sheriff's Dept., Lt. Commander Tim Tompkins, California Highway Patrol and other presentations.

The Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Council, the MAC, meets this evening at 7 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Community Center. There'll be a series of community updates from the fire department, Morongo Basin Ambulance, Sheriff's department, California Highway Patrol, and then a presentation. There'll also be comments from members of the MAC.

The 2012 Miss Yucca Valley Pageant is set for February 4th at the Joshua Springs Thunderdome. Today, Managing Editor Tami Roleff introduces us to contestant Nina Kieffer... Today we visit with Ninarae Kieffer, a junior at Yucca Valley High School and a candidate for Miss Yucca Valley. Hi Nina. Tell us, who is the prominent woman interviewed, and what you have learned... My prominent lady's name is Natalie Carpenter. She has taught me that no matter what difficulties life throws at you, you…

A Yucca Valley man arrested Tuesday afternoon for driving under the influence was found to have a prior arrest for DUI and was driving on a suspended license. According Sheriff's reports, Ed Williams, 42, was weaving in and out of traffic on Highway 62 when he was stopped by a deputy near Linda Lee Drive shortly before 5 p.m. Ed Williams was arrested on a warrant for driving with a suspended license, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content greater than .01, and driving under the…

After a very controversial firing last week of the popular manager of the Morongo Valley CSD, the Board's regular scheduled meeting was set for last night and citizens were ready to express their disapproval of the action, some even considering recall. The room was packed, but, in an amazing coincidence, there were not enough Directors in attendance to hold a meeting. Reporter Mike Lipsitz was there and files this report... Tension was high last night as more than 80 Morongo Valley…

Yucca Valley firefighters rescued a horse yesterday that was trapped inside a trailer that came off from its tow hitch and ended up standing upright on its back doors. About 9:30 Wednesday morning, Lynn Follstad of Yucca Valley left her home towing a horse trailer with her horse inside. According to County Fire Captain Wayne Thompson, Follstad forgot to pin the trailer's tow bar to her truck's hitch, but according to Follstad, the pin didn't go all the way through the hole. About…

In high school sports, the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcats basketball teams are at home tonight against the Big Bear Bears. Tip-off for the girls' game is at 6; boys at 7:30. The Yucca Valley High School Trojan basketball teams travel away to Desert Mirage High School tonight. Girls at 6, boys at 7:30.

The Joshua Basin Water District Board will look at well repair and a wastewater grant tonight. Reporter Mike Lipsitz has details... The Joshua Basin Water District meets in regular session at 7:00 tonight in district offices on Chollita Road in Joshua Tree. Topping tonight's agenda is a proposal to inspect, rehabilitate, and repair Well 10 at a cost not to exceed $50,000. Directors are also expected to consider an authorization of a grant proposal to the Bureau of Reclamation for the…

The Hi-Desert Water District Board faces a light agenda tonight. Reporter Derwood Andrews takes a closer look... A relatively light agenda tonight at the Hi-Desert Water District meeting begins with a vote for a single candidate for the ACWA Health Benefit Authority Board of Directors. Then, a couple of contracts for a capital replacement project, ending with a water rate study workshop. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at District offices on Highway Twentynine.