A traffic stop for having tinted windows resulted in an arrest on drug charges. About 10:25 Friday night, a deputy stopped a 1995 Honda for having tinted windows. During the traffic stop, the deputy determined that Armando Mayorga, 42, was on felony probation for drug charges. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found a clear baggie with what appeared to be methamphetamine on Mayorga. The deputy then went to Mayorga's residence and conducted another search and found rounds of…

A Sheriff's deputy who made a probation check of a Yucca Valley home made two drug-related arrests early Saturday. About 1 a.m., a deputy, suspicious that the occupants of a home in the 7500 block of Joshua Lane were stealing bicycles, checked the occupants and discovered that Jason Llamado, 33, of Joshua Tree, had hidden heroin inside his underwear. Jason Llamado was arrested for possession of narcotics and booked into the West Valley Detention Center with bail set at $25,000. A second…

A Yucca Valley man was arrested Saturday night for felony spousal abuse. According to the Sheriff's Department, a woman came to a motel in the 57300 block of Highway 62 in Yucca Valley with injuries to her face. After an investigation, Dusty King, 19, was arrested for felony spouse abuse. Dusty King was booked into the West Valley Detention Center with his bail set at $50,000.

If you had significant damage from the recent high winds in the region, Small Business Administration disaster loans are being made available. Managing editor Tami Roleff has details... Low-interest federal disaster loans are available through the Small Business Administration to California residents and business owners affected by the high winds that blew through the area November 30 through December 4. Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all…

A blown front tire sent a motorcycle rider to the hospital New Year's Day. Shortly after 11:30 Sunday morning, the front tire of an unidentified man's 2008 Yamaha motorcycle blew near Avalon Avenue and the highway. The rider lost control of his motorcycle and it went down on the highway. The rider slid about 100 feet. Witnesses said the man was bleeding badly, but responding paramedics said his injuries were mostly road rash. The rider was transported to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs.

A fire that completely destroyed a house in Twentynine Palms early Saturday morning is being called "suspicious" by firefighters. Shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, firefighters from Twentynine Palms, the Combat Center, and the County were called to a fire at an unoccupied home in the 68900 block of Rainier Road. The house was fully engulfed in fames when firefighters arrived, with flames shooting through the roof. Captain Matt Helmkamp of the Twentynine Palms Fire Department said that…

A Yucca Valley man was arrested Saturday for investigation of rape and kidnapping. According to a Sheriff's report, about 10 a.m. Saturday, Jose Perez, 27, was trying to break in to his ex-girlfriend's home in the 7700 block of Bannock Trail when neighbors called police. The Sheriff's report notes that a few days earlier, Perez had told his ex-girlfriend that he would kill her unless she went with him. After investigation, Jose Perez was arrested on suspicion of rape with a threat…

The Yucca Valley woman who shot her boyfriend last Wednesday was formally charged with his murder Friday. Jeanne Rosser, 63, pled Not Guilty to the murder of David Wenzel, 52. Z107.7 has learned that Wenzel, who was 6-foot-1-inches tall and 230 pounds, had been convicted twice of beating up Rosser, who is 5-feet-3 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. In 2004, Wenzel was charged with four felony counts related to felony domestic violence that was plea bargained to a single charge of spousal abuse…

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS In local high school sports, The Yucca Valley High School Girls Soccer team traveled to Ontario for the Ontario Christian Christmas Classic and returned with a 2-2 record. The Lady Trojans fought hard against the CIF 4th ranked Ontario Christian and Division 4 Calvary Chapel Santa Ana and came away with victories against Division 4 members Wilson and Whittier Christian high schools respectively. The highlight of the tournament was the girls strong play against Whittier…

The southern side of Joshua Tree National Park offers a dramatic contrast to our Mojave Desert setting. Ranger Pat Pilcher opens our eyes to the gateway to that area... Years ago, Cottonwood Spring was an important rest stop for travelers. For miles around this was the only dependable water source, and was a welcome sight to those passing through the desert. Though underground fault movement has decreased the water table, this southern portion of Joshua Tree National Park is still a wondrous…