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.

The Hi-Desert Medical Center is offering free seminar on how to avoid the dangers of mixing medications. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says the seminar is free, but you do have to sign up ahead of time…
A recent study of adults in the U.S. showed that more than 90 percent of people age 65 and above use at least one medication per week. More than 40 percent use five or more medications. Obviously, the more medications you take, the more likely you are to be taking two that don’t mix. Even those just occasionally taking medications for a cold, headache or infection could be at risk for adverse medical reactions. Join Hi-Desert Medical Center Psychiatric Nurse Sylvia Warren and Pharmacist Ram Malhotra as they outline how to stay safe in a multiple-prescription world. Bring your medications in a brown bag and bring your questions to this seminar, Thursday, January 26, at noon in the Helen Gray Education Center on the hospital campus in Joshua Tree. Lunch will be provided. The seminar is FREE but reservations are required by calling 760-366-0808 or by logging on to hdmc.org.

A powerful state agency will be taking a close look at two wastewater projects in our Morongo Basin. Reporter Derwood Andrews says the meeting is open to the public…
On Thursday, January 19, at 9 in the morning, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board meets for a strategic planning workshop, at 73-720 Fred Waring Drive Suite 100, down in Palm Desert. Items of local interest are the wastewater discharge requirements and proposed treatment plants for the new Super Wal-Mart at Avalon and Highway 62 in Yucca Valley, and the same for the Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree. Get information and have your say regarding these important local additions to our community. Call 760-346-7491 for more information.

The Morongo Basin Conservation Association, MBCA, invites you to their annual meeting from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday in the Joshua Tree Community Center. A highlight of the meeting will be a special presentation by members of the Morongo Basin Dark Skies Alliance, an alliance of representatives from eleven area groups and agencies focused on promoting energy-saving lighting, and improving the San Bernardino County lighting ordinance. Before the meeting and during a program break, local astronomer, Tom O’Key, will be demonstrating his solar telescope. MBCA directors will share the accomplishments of 2011 and what’s in store for 2012. MBCA is a 501(c)4 non-profit, community-based, all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the economic and environmental welfare of the Morongo Basin since 1969. For more information on MBCA go towww.mbconservation.org.

The Yucca Valley Town Council meets in a busy session tonight, Managing Editor Tami Roleff says the Council will take action related to the state dissolution of Redevelopment agencies, a splash park contract, and look at hiring a consultant for a 1 percent sales tax campaign…
After a month off, the Yucca Valley Town Council meets for the first time in 2012 tonight. The meeting starts off with a closed session at 5 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room to discuss potential litigation and to negotiate for two lots on Church Street, one just north of Joshua Drive and the other on the southeast corner of Church and Onaga Trail. After the closed session, the Town’s Redevelopment Agency will meet at 5:30 in the Yucca Room. On the agenda is an updated list of obligations owed by the RDA. The regular Town Council meeting begins at 6 in the Yucca Room of the community center. Among the items on the consent agenda are the second reading of the underground utility ordinance, and the awarding of a contract for a splash park at the community center, highway and street improvements. Among the items on the action agenda are the selection of a bank for Town business; the appointment of a Council Member to the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District, and the awarding of a contract for public outreach services for a November election to implement a 1 percent sales tax in the Town. Finally, the Council will be asked to vote on naming the Town as the successor to the Redevelopment Agency.

Our two Morongo Basin municipalities, the City of Twentynine Palms and the Town of Yucca valley, are sharing honors as a California Strong City, Strong State. Reporter Dan Stork has the kudos…
The Town of Yucca Valley has joined the City of Twentynine Palms among the dozens of California cities that are featured on the Strong Cities | Strong State web site. The web site is part of an ongoing campaign that promotes City success stories alongside profiles of the elected officials and city managers, showing them working together to build and maintain a high quality of life for California city and town residents. For Yucca Valley, the success stories include an account of community events, the arts and culture environment, collaboration with other agencies, and sustainable community strategies. In addition to the “success stories” is a set of testimonials from officials of other governmental and private agencies, such as the Hi-Desert Water District and Basin-Wide Foundation, that have collaborated with the Town, and from developers of commercial and housing projects. For Twentynine Palms, the success stories highlight Theatre 29, recreation, redevelopment projects, new lodging, and art in public places, while the testimonials come from business people in the city, and National Park and Marine Corps representatives. The Strong Cities | Strong State campaign will continue for the next 18 months, with more cities being added every day. The web site is www.strongcitiesstrongstate.com.

In the wake of the controversial firing of Morongo Valley Community Services District Manager Meg Foley, a group of citizens are meeting to organize a recall of three of the five Morongo Valley CSD Board members. According to Spokesman Bear Zeller, the group is organizing to learn the legal steps needed to begin a formal recall effort against Board members Michael Francis, Glen Sheppard, and Johnny Talbert. The Citizens group held their first organizational meeting last night. Zeller told Z107.7 News that Foley’s firing was sparked when she fired three members of the Morongo Valley Fire Department, an agency that is under her supervision as the CSD Manager. When the Board demanded their time cards, Foley was advised by counsel that would violate their personnel privacy and she refused. Zeller says she was fired by the CSD Board in retaliation. A CSD is the step right below incorporation; the law allows residents of an unincorporated area to initiate the formation of a community services district, CSD, authorized to provide a wide variety of services, including, among others, fire protection, public recreation, street lighting, and library services. Foley’s firing was done at a 4 ½ hour closed session meeting Monday, January 9.. A large contingent of Morongo Valley citizens upset with Foley’s firing are expected to be at a meeting of the Morongo Valley CSD this Wednesday night at 7:00 pm at the Covington Park meeting room.

The Trojan boys basketball team beat the Shadow Hills Knights in overtime by the score of 78-74. Dutch DeMeo hit a three pointer at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime where the Trojans took control. Tanner Littrell lead the team with 28 points and 13 rebounds. Dutch DeMeo had 27 points and 8 assists. This brings the Trojans record to 2-1 in league play, 8-9 overall. Next week the boys travel to desert mirage high school on Wednesday and play Big Bear at home Friday night.

The YVHS JV Trojan Wrestling Team hosted its annual Trojan War tournament Saturday at Trojan Gym. The fans got to see two teams of Trojans (the “Black” and the “Yellow” teams) compete against squads from Brawley, Banning, Lucerne Valley, and a compilation team. The “Black Team,” dominated when they bested Brawley by a score of 54-22. The “Yellow Team” fought hard, as well, winning against the compilation team and tying Lucerne Valley before losing on criteria. Success came from individual efforts from Tylar Clifton, Jaden Derry, Cameron Merritt, Reymundo Zepeda, Jacob Montejano, Victor Martinez, Alex Corbin, and Dakota Brickey all earning first place honors at their respective weight classes. Second place honors went to Josh Goddard, Forrest Cowley, Nick Solorio, and Martin Kennedy. And third place honors went to Gavin Rompf, Mike Lazarescu, Christian Van Dyke, Mato Tatu, and Jerry Von Toman.

Tuesday at 6:00-7:30PM the wrestling team will hold a spaghetti dinner and prize drawing open to the public at the YVHS MPR.