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.

A fight in front of a Yucca Valley restaurant resulted in the arrest of two Twentynine Palms men. According to the Sheriff’s department, about 12 men were fighting in the parking lot at a restaurant in the 57100 block of Sunnyslope Drive about 2 a.m. Saturday morning. When deputies arrived, several men fled the scene, but the restaurant’s security guard was able to point out Samuel Williams, and Tomnita Smith, both 25, who he said were the aggressors. According to the Sheriff’s report, the deputy saw Williams and Smith trying to get into a car in order to flee, but was able to place them under arrest. Samuel Williams and Tomnita Smith were arrested for investigation of being drunk in public and released.

Twelve young women are hard at work preparing for this year’s Miss Yucca Valley pageant, being presented by the Yucca Valley Rotary Club. Managing Editor Tami Roleff tells us who the contestants are…
Twelve girls are competing in this year’s Miss Yucca Valley Scholarship pageant. Seven contestants are from Yucca Valley High School: Ninarae Kieffer, Cassie Cannon, Katie Davis, Kenzie Collins, Kiarra Mora, Sara Cruz, and Sara Polos. Three girls are from Joshua Springs Christian School: Aerielle Burnet, Margot Clyde, and Danielle Harrington. And finally, two girls are home schooled: Charlotte Rowell and Mariana Falossi. The Miss Yucca Valley Scholarship pageant will be held Saturday, February 4, at 6 p.m. in the Thunder Dome of Joshua Springs Christian School. Tickets, which may be purchased from any contestant, or from the 2011 Court, or at the door, are $10, $5 for students with ID, and sophomore girls are free. Starting tomorrow, we will feature brief interviews with each of the 12 Miss Yucca Valley contestants.

And in a related story, the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors will meet at 7 p.m. tonight in the Covington Park Community Building’s multi-purpose hall in Morongo Valley. Among items of interest, President Chuck Osborne will announce the Volunteer of the Year. Glen Shepherd will give the Fire Department Report. Next is the monthly Parks Report on facility usage, followed by the legislation and projects report. The subject of CSD Manager Meg Foley’s firing is not on the agenda although there will be an opportunity for public comment.

Upset with the recent firing of Morongo Valley CSD General Manager Meg Foley, a group of citizens met Monday night to consider their options. Reporter Mike Lipsitz talked with the group after the meeting…
In the wake of the controversial vote of “no confidence” and subsequent departure of the popular Morongo Valley CSD Manager Meg Foley, more than a dozen angry citizens met Monday night to consider possible actions against the three members of the Morongo Valley CSD Board. Spokesman for the group Bear Zeller said they would prefer resignations from CSD Board Members Michael Francis, Glen Sheppard and Johnny Talbert, but the group is prepared to initiate the recall process. Community Services District Board President Chuck Osborne is not being targeted; Board Vice President, Richard Brewer, resigned his seat following last week’s action against Foley. Many residents are upset about Foley’s treatment; some speculate the actions against her were in retaliation for recent firings at the Morongo Valley Fire Department, which falls under supervision of the CSD manager. Hopes are high the public will hear details of Foley’s abrupt release at tonight’s CSD. That meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Covington Park multi-purpose room.

A Landers man was arrested Saturday night on drug charges. A deputy made a traffic stop about 11:30 Saturday night near the intersection of Old Woman Springs Road and Napa Road in Landers. After an investigation, Rene Villegas, 25, was arrested for investigation of possession of dangerous drugs. Rene Villegas was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $25,000 on the drug charge, but he is being held without bail for violating his parole.

Two Twentynine Palms men were arrested Friday on drug charges. According to the Sheriff’s department, about 11 p.m. Friday night, a deputy made a traffic stop at Abronia Avenue and Two Mile Road in Twentynine Palms. Herman Platzke, 26, was arrested for investigation of being under the influence of a controlled substance, and cite released. Jeremy Ortega, 31, was arrested for the unlawful sale of speed. Jeremy Ortega was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $50,000.

A Yucca Valley man was arrested Sunday afternoon for beating up his wife. About 1 p.m., deputies received a call that Marcos Rubalacaba, 34, of the 7100 block of Cholla Avenue, had pushed his wife to the ground and covered her mouth with his hand so she couldn’t scream. She then began to have trouble breathing. Marcos Rubalacaba was arrested for investigation of felony spousal abuse and for committing a felony while on bail with his bail set at $50,000.

A Twentynine Palms man was arrested Sunday afternoon for beating up his girlfriend. According to a Sheriff’s report, a neighbor called to report that Angel Duran, 43, of the 77200 block of Baseline Road in Twentynine Palms, had been beating his girlfriend for the past two days, and had also threatened his neighbor. Angel Duran was arrested for investigation of making terrorist threats. Duran was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $50,000.

The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met last night. Reporter Derwood Andrews said the entire meeting was taken up by discussion of elements of the City’s new General Plan…
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met last night with one item, but a biggie—a study session on draft elements of the General Plan, inclusive of the GPAC and City Council comments. Accuracy and clarification was the order of the night along with a lot of agreement with the General Plan Advisory Committee’s (GPAC) findings. Specifically, Councilman Corbin’s recommendation on clustering and what a good Planning Commission tool it was, although there was some debate over the use of the words “in perpetuity” in regard to the use of open land left after clustering. “Nothing lasts forever,” said Vice Chair Mendoza, but the words were left in, in case it does. Several items were left for the “nitty gritty” of the Development Code review in the near future and the general review on the General Plan continues on January 31.

A Twentynine Palms man with nearly a dozen criminal convictions was arrested again Monday afternoon, accused of beating up his girlfriend. According to the Sheriff’s department, Christopher Nunley, 30, of the 6500 block of Pine Avenue, took his girlfriend’s cell phone and held her in his apartment against her will. She managed to escape and went to a neighbor’s apartment for help. Nunley followed her, and when the neighbor wouldn’t let him in, Nunley kicked the door in, punched his girlfriend in the eye, and forced her to go back to his apartment. Investigators say Nunley denied the allegations and insisted witnesses could corroborate his side of the story, but no witnesses were found to confirm his version of events. Nunley has been convicted of disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, attempted extortion, burglary, disturbing the peace, battery, a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance in jail. Christopher Nunley was arrested for investigation of felony spousal abuse and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail. His bail is set at $250,000.

Sheriff Deputies say Copper Mountain College is not being cooperative as they try to locate a transgendered student who is believed to have stolen some engine parts from an auto class at the college last year. According to investigators, about $1000 in engine parts were found to be missing from a locked storage locker at the college. It’s believed the missing parts were stolen at least 4 months ago by a student worker at the college. The Sheriff’s department has identified a person of interest for the crime, but deputies are unable to locate the person in their system because HE is now a SHE. The Sheriff’s Deputy conducting the investigation says the college is being uncooperative with providing suspect information. Anyone with information about a former male student worker who is now a female is asked to call the Sheriff’s department at 760-366-4175.

Tonight, the Yucca Valley High School wrestling team will host a spaghetti diner and prize drawing from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Yucca Valley High School multi-purpose room. Tickets are $5.00.

In high school sports today, Joshua Springs Christian School will play Bloomington Christian High School in basketball at Bloomington, The girls game starts at 5; boys at 6:30. Coming up in soccer tomorrow, the Yucca Valley High School Trojans will travel away to Desert Mirage High School. Girls’ soccer starts at 3:15, boys at 5. The Twentynine Palms girls’ soccer team hosts Big Bear at home Wednesday. Match time is 3:15. The Trojan wrestling team will participate in the Big Bear Duals tomorrow. Match time is 4:30.

The Twentynine Palms High School basketball team split games over the long holiday weekend. In game 1 Friday, a home game against Desert Hot Springs, the Wildcats won 52 to 42, bringing them a Overall record of 8 – 8 and League record of 3 – 0. The Wildcat defense held DHS to three points in the second period and only seven in the fourth period. The Wildcats were led by Chris Fui Fui with 21 points, followed by Richard Ewings 8 points. Coach Micheal Schneider said rebounding was integral, and the Wildcats had a decisive edge. Morgan Cole and Michaiah Russell each ripped down 11 boards, and Tim Dyer had 7.

In Game 2 Monday, the MLK Showcase versus Walnut High School at Los Osos High School, they lost, Wildcats 37, Walnut High School 49. Schneider said they were down as many as 20 points late in the third period. The shots weren’t falling for the ‘Cats, but defense narrowed the lead halfway through the fourth period. Chris Fui Fui had 12 points and Ramon Smith chipped in 8. Michaiah Russell added 13 rebounds.

The Overall record is now 8 – 9. The next game for the Wildcats is at home versus a competitive rival, Big Bear High School. The game is on Wednesday, January 18, at 7:30 in Wildcat Gymnasium.

Yucca Valley area Cub Scouts will hold their Pinewood Derby this Saturday. Reporter Lenore Roberts says family and friends are welcome…
Come out and cheer on our local Cub Scouts at the annual Pinewood Derby race on Saturday, January 21, at 1 p.m. in the Yucca Valley Senior Center. Cub Scouts will build small cars from kits and race them head-to-head in a double elimination race. The three fastest cars will be awarded trophies. If you have a child who may be interested in scouting, this is another great event to see what Cub Scouting is all about.

The Yucca Valley High School Lady Trojan Volleyball Teams honored their players Sunday night at their annual awards banquet. The Varsity team, which won their third straight DeAnza League Championship this season honored the following players:
MVP Offense – Lindsay Sullivan
MVP Defense – Melissa Smith
Most Improved – Whitney Rodriguez
Most Inspirational – Sarah Terreri
Coach’s Award – Kaitlyn Woolling

In addition the DeAnza League All-League selections were announced:
MVP – Lindsay Sullivan
First Team – Sarah Terreri
First Team – Whitney Rodriguez
First Team – Kaitlyn Woolling
Second Team – Melissa Smith
Second Team – Katie Knight
Honorable Mention – Jamie Hayward

Lindsay Sullivan was also honored for her selection to the CIF Southern Section All-CIF Team. Fourteen players were honored as scholar athletes, who must maintain a 3.5 GPA during the season.

The Junior Varsity team, the 2011 DeAnza League JV Champions, honored:
Savannah Smith – MVP Offense
Daylin Anderson – MVP Defense
Ashley Priest – Most Improved

After six very successful seasons, Yucca Valley High School Varsity volleyball coach Pam Naylor announced her retirement yesterday. The new coach is Matt Jennings, currently the Junior Varsity Coach. In her resignation, Naylor thanked the public for all their support over past 6 years.

The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission meets in regular session tonight. Reporter Derwood Andrews checks the agenda…
This Tuesday evening the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission meets with a one-item agenda—a study session regarding the General Plan Update and Environmental Impact Report, hopefully concluding the review and forwarding to the City Council for final action. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers on Adobe Road.

Tonight at 6:30, the Yucca Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church invites you to come for a free dinner and a message, as it presents celebrity chef Mark Anthony in a live vegetarian cooking show. The topics include: how to cook vegan, a plant-based nutrition program, and new healthcare solutions. The church is located at 8035 Church Street in Yucca Valley. Although the event is free, donations will be appreciated for food, printing and traveling expenses.