NEIGHBORHOOD DISPUTE TURNS INTO ASSAULT WITH BASEBALL BAT
A neighborhood dispute over unpaid yard work turned ugly and ended with one woman being arrested for assault. According to the Sheriff’s department, Irene Hudson, 48, of Landers, did some yard work for a neighbor. Hudson said the neighbor never paid her for the work, but gave her a computer to hold until she–the neighbor–could get the money. Then about 11:30 Monday morning, the neighbor came to Hudson’s home in the 800 block of Sunny Vista Road to retrieve the computer, but Hudson said she still hadn’t been paid. Hudson told deputies the neighbor tried to pull her over her fence and also pulled her hair, and so Hudson went into her house to get a baseball bat to defend herself. After an investigation, the deputy arrested Irene Hudson on suspicion of assault with a weapon. Hudson was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with bail set at $50,000.

UNION BACKING PART TIME SUPERVISORS HAS DEEP POCKETS
The powerful county union backing a proposed measure to reduce County Supervisors to part-time has a political action committee fund with well over a half-million dollars, according to campaign finance reports. The San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association, SEBA, representing about 3,100 county public safety employees, has over $660,000 on hand in its local PAC. Last week, SEBA announced that it would fund a proposed ballot measure that would make supervisors’ positions part-time, cut their pay and benefits, and reduce their annual staff budget from $6 million to $250,000. The announcement came the same day the union criticized a proposed ballot measure that would require future employee pension increases go before voters. SEBA has been at odds with the county in contract negotiations in recent months over retirement and health benefit concessions. SEBA has donated to most of the county supervisors in 2011 and one of the candidates, Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt received $15,200. San Manuel tribal Chairman James Ramos, who is challenging Supervisor Neil Derry in the 3rd District, received $7,995. The union also donated $5,000 to Derry, $5,000 to Supervisor Rutherford, $300 to Board Chairwoman Josie Gonzales and $10,000 to District Attorney Mike Ramos.

EMBATTLED MORONGO VALLEY CSD BOARD MEETS TONIGHT
The embattled Morongo Valley Community Services District Board will finally meet tonight, the first time since firing popular CSD Manager Meg Foley. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says a large and unhappy crowd is expected…
In Morongo Valley, the embattled Community Services District Board meets at 7 p.m. tonight in the Covington Park Multi-Purpose Room. Last month’s meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum. The cancellation prevented approval of an interim CSD Manager to run the District in the wake of the recent firing of Manager Meg Foley. The result was the January 19 padlocking of the CSD Office which remains closed. The Board decision to release the general manager has divided many in this close-knit community with one side calling for resignations or recall of the Directors who voted to oust Foley, and the other side rallying around them, confident they acted in the best interest of the community. Neither side is certain what motivated the board action against Foley; those details aren’t likely to surface anytime soon due to rules of non-disclosure. What is certain is that both sides, eager for answers, are expected to turn out in mass for tonight’s meeting.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE
In high school sports today, the Joshua Springs Lightning basketball teams host Baptist Christian Warriors at home tonight. Tip-off for the girls is at 5:30; the boys’ game starts at 7 p.m.

Soccer dominates high school sports tomorrow. The Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat soccer teams travel away to Desert Hot Springs to play the Golden Eagles. Girls play at 3:15, boys at 5.

The Yucca Valley High School soccer teams travel away to Shadow Hills High School in Indio. Girls at 3:15; boys at 5.

WE MEET MISS YUCCA VALLEY CONTESTANT MARIANNA FALOSSI
This Saturday is the Rotary Club sponsored Miss Yucca Valley Pageant. Z107-7 has been introducing you to the candidates. Today, Mariana Falossi…
Today we visit with Marianna Falossi, a junior who is home schooled and a candidate for Miss Yucca Valley. Who is the prominent woman interviewed, and what you have learned?
My prominent lady is Anne Tenbrooke and I have learned from her to be proactive and motivated in everyday life, because there is nothing I can’t accomplish.
What have you learned from your experience with Miss Yucca Valley?
I have learned to be more confident in myself throughout the pageant and to be a proud to be part of the community. Abd I’m so thankful to be a part of this community.
Any final words?
The pageant is on February 4 at 6:00 and I hope every one will come and support us.
Thank you, Marianna.

TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BEATS YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN GIRLS BASKETBALL
Friday the Twentynine Palms High School Girls Varsity Basketball team took a two-game lead with only three games to go in the De Anza League by winning the game against Yucca Valley at home by the score of 55-to-35. Erin Stanford had 8 points, 10 assists, 12 rebounds, and 5 steals. Rosa Graham had 15 points, including 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Johnette Brown had 11 points, 8 rebounds, and Cherokee Turner had 6 points, 11 rebounds. The ladies are now 17-and-7 overall and 7-and-0 in league.

PARENTS INVITED TO VISIT LA CONTENTA MIDDLE SCHOOL TOMORROW
La Contenta Middle School invites parents to visit for their monthly Parent Visitation Day tomorrow. Parents may come for all day or part of the day. Parents may also stay for lunch. The school hours are 7:15 -1:50. Seventh grade lunch is at 10:16 and eighth grade lunch is at 11:48. Principal Garrett Gruwell reminds parents to check in at the office and get a Visitor’s Pass. Parent Visitation Days will be held throughout the school year on the first Wednesday of every month.

CASH FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP AT YVHS TOMORROW NIGHT
Yucca Valley High School students and their parents are encouraged to attend the Cash for College workshop tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1, at 6 p.m. in the high school library. Students can learn about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, and applying for financial aid for college. One Yucca Valley High School student can qualify for a $1000 scholarship just by attending. For more information, see Mrs. Thompson.

TWENTYNINE PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION IN SPECIAL MEETING TONIGHT
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commissioners meet in a special session tonight. Reporter Derwood Andrews tells us why…
A special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall, for the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission. Called to expedite the recommendations on the General Plan to the City Council, when the review is complete. Maybe tonight’s study session will be the last word.

20TH ANNUAL HEALTHY HEARTS RUN, FAMILY WALK SET FOR FEBRUARY 11
Personal health and fitness are the theme of the 20th annual Healthy Hearts 5K Run and Family Health Walk scheduled for Saturday, February 11. The event will start at 8 a.m. sharp, rain or shine. With moderate elevation changes, the 3.1 mile course offers a challenging trek through the neighborhoods and open areas of Yucca Valley’s scenic Sky Harbor area. The event begins and ends at Machris Park, on Santa Barbara Driver. Race information and a map are available at the Recreation Office in the Yucca Valley Community Center. The Healthy Hearts 5K Run and 1.5-mile Health Walk are open to participants of all ages and fitness levels. Those uncertain about their ability to complete the run are encouraged to participate at a comfortable pace in the Family Health Walk. Awards will be presented to overall male and female winners in the 5K run as well as to top finishers in each age division. Participation certificates will be presented to those who complete the non-competitive health walk. You can register in advance at the Recreation Office or online at www.yucca-valley.org. Registration fees ($20 for adults and $18 for seniors and runners 12 and under) include souvenir race T-shirt. For more information, contact the Community Services office Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 760-369-7211. The event is organized by the Town’s Recreation Department, with support by Bruce Jones Dentistry and media sponsors Hi-Desert Publishing Company and Z107.7 FM Radio.

COOK BILL WOULD TO RESTORE COUNTY JAIL FUNDING
State Assemblyman Paul Cook, the former Mayor of Yucca Valley, has introduced a bill to restore jail funding to the County. Reporter Dan Stork takes a closer look at the legislation…
Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has introduced AB 1556 to restore $16 million in jail funding to San Bernardino County by the end of 2012. Previously, legislation was passed that required counties that had received state construction funding for jails to give it up, and reapply under a different program that would require the county to put up 10% of the cost. According to a press release from Cook’s office, the Adelanto Detention Center expansion project was the only jail construction project in the state affected by this change. In line with this unique treatment, AB 1556 doesn’t mention San Bernardino County by name, but simply gives $16 million to “any qualified county.” Cook’s press release berates the state for its unfair treatment of the county. The jail project has been touted as a job-creator for the Adelanto area. Adelanto is not within the 65th Assembly district currently represented by Cook. But as a result of re-districting, it does lie within the congressional district for whose seat he is campaigning.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN YUCCA VALLEY TOMORROW
The Santa Fe Clubhouse in Yucca Valley will be holding their monthly food distribution tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1st, at 3 p.m. It is first come first served. They will be distributing the food at the back of the building where there is adequate parking. They suggest that you bring water and dress according to the weather. Please take in consideration that there are no public bathrooms. The food distribution is for any individual or family living in the Morongo Basin area who need free supplemental food due to low or no income. For more information call 760-369-4057 and ask for Maxine or Phebe.

A PROGRESS REPORT ON Y.V. SUPER WAL-MART & DOLLAR GENERAL
Just what is going on with the Yucca Valley Super Wal-mart and Dollar General stores? Funny you should ask, Managing Editor Tami Roleff said the town just got an update…
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission was given a progress report on the Super Walmart and Dollar General stores at its meeting Tuesday night. According to Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle, the Super Walmart has submitted its grading and off-site improvement plans, and it’s expected that the plans will be approved in February. The Dollar General store, which is to be built on the corner of Hopi Trail and the Highway, received an unexpected—and unpleasant—surprise recently when CalTrans informed the company that it was required to build raised medians in the highway in front of the store. Stueckle said Town staff is working with the discount store so that CalTrans’ request doesn’t impede the progress in bringing the store to Yucca Valley.

OVER 15,000 AFFECTED BY LOCAL POWER OUTAGE LAST NIGHT
Thousands of Morongo Basin residents were without power for about an hour yesterday evening. Southern California Edison reports that at 6:42 p.m. Monday, about 7,200 homes and businesses—over 15,000 people—from Morongo Valley to Wonder Valley and some parts of Landers, were without power until 7:35 p.m. Some isolated areas were without power longer. The Morongo Valley Fire Department reports that a transfer switch at Canyon House Road and Elbow blew, knocking out power throughout the Morongo Basin. It’s not known at this time if the power outage is related to the planned power outage on the Combat Center. The Combat Center was to have been without power from 8:30 Monday evening until 6:30 this morning.

LANTERN STARTS FIRE DURING POWER OUTAGE
And in a related story, during last night’s power outage, a resident on Sunflower in the Sunfair area of Joshua Tree, brought a gas lantern into the house about 7 p.m. Shortly after, the vapors from the lantern caught fire. The resident managed to bring the lantern over to the kitchen sink, at which time the overhead sprinklers in the kitchen started going off. Due to the sprinklers, the fire was out by the time that Joshua Tree firefighters arrived on the scene. There were no injuries. Captain Steve Lasiter reminds residents that gas- and kerosene powered lanterns are meant for outdoor use only, because, as this story illustrates, their fumes will catch fire when confined inside a structure. And, he added, “Sprinklers save lives.”

MAN WITH HISTORY OF VIOLENCE HELD FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY
A Joshua Tree man who was allegedly discharged from the military due to problems with violence was arrested Sunday for domestic battery. According to a Sheriff’s report, Richard Beard, 35, was arguing with his wife at their home in the 61800 block of Belmont Street when he choked her and she called for help. The deputy noted bruising on his wife’s arms and legs, but she did not require medical attention. According to the report, the wife told the Sheriff’s department that Beard suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Richard Beard was arrested for investigation of domestic battery and the firearms in the house were taken for safe-keeping. Beard was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $25,000.

TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL BEATS YUCCA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN BOYS BASKETBALL FRIDAY NIGHT
It was Yucca Valley High School versus Twentynine Palms on Boys Varsity basketball in Twentynine Palms Friday night. Twentynine Palms High School Coach Michael Schneider said Wildcat gymnasium was packed with fans supporting both sides, and the atmosphere was electric. The Trojans and the Wildcats battled defensively throughout the first half. The score was 18-to-13 in favor of the Wildcats at the break. Offenses loosened up a bit in the second, with the ‘Cats extending their lead to as many as nine points midway through the fourth quarter. Chris Fui Fui came through for the ‘Cats late by hitting 3 three-pointers in the fourth. Yucca Valley pushed the full court defensive pressure on, and the Twentynine Palms’ boys answered with a 50-to-45 point victory. This brings the Twentynine Palms High School Boys’ Varsity record to 11-and-10, 6-and-1 in the De Anza league. Top scorers were Michaiah Russell, 16 points, 12 rebounds; Ramon Smith, 10 points, 5 rebounds; and Chris Fui Fui 10 points. Twentynine Palms High School’s next opponent is Desert Hot Springs away on Wednesday night. The game starts at 7:30.

WE MEET MISS YUCCA VALLEY CONTESTANT MARGOT CLYDE
As the February 4th Miss Yucca Valley pageant approaches, we are meeting the 12 candidates. Today, Managing Editor Tami Roleff introduces us to Margot Clyde…
Today we visit with Margot Clyde, a junior at Joshua Springs High school and a candidate for Miss Yucca Valley. Hi, Margot. Tell us, who is the prominent woman interviewed, and what you have learned…
My prominent lady is Debbie Gubler, the owner of Tease-Shirts. She has taught me the definition of success.She has helped me come to the realization that success does not only apply to your job but you can also achieve success in your family life and in the things you participate in, such as making jerseys for sports teams, which is how Mrs. Gubler started out.
What have you learned from your experience with Miss Yucca Valley?
From my experience, I have learned that communication plays a key role in everything that you do and being calm and confident will help during stressful situations.
Any final words?
I would recommend that up-and-coming junior girls would come see the Miss Yucca Valley pageant and try it out next year.
Thank you, Margot.

LANDERS MAN HELD AFTER STEALING TOOLS
A Landers man was arrested Saturday morning on drug charges after he was seen trying to steal tools from a backyard patio in Yucca Valley. According to the Sheriff’s department, a resident in the 6900 block of Airway Drive saw Floyd Montoya, 29, in his backyard, attempting to steal some tools. The resident confronted Montoya, who ran off toward Old Woman Springs Road. During an area check, a deputy found Montoya near Old Woman Springs Road and Highway 62. Floyd Montoya was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary. During a search at the Morongo Basin Jail, a deputy found heroin in Montoya’s pants. Montoya was then arrested for investigation of possession of heroin for sale. His bail is set at $25,000.

“DESERT STORM” SHOW CONTINUES AT TWENTYNINE PALMS VISITOR CENTER
The Twentynine Palms Visitors Center Art Gallery is featuring our desert in its extremes. Reporter Mike Lipsitz urges you do see the “Desert Storms” display…
“Desert Storms” features 15 desert artists at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce. The exhibit runs through February 29; the Visitor Center is open every day. Featured in the show are more than two dozen paintings representing various moods of desert storms in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media. Photography of desert storms, from a blinding sandstorm to dramatic night time lightning, is also featured in the show. The Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Gallery and Chamber office is at 73484 Highway 62. For more information, call 760-367-6197 or visit www.visit29.org.