The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors reduced their benefits by nearly 40 percent yesterday, making board member compensation comparable to Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties and saving taxpayers more than $240,000 a year. According to a county press release, Supervisors eliminated several types of benefits currently provided to members of the board, including their retirement pickups, contributions toward 401(k) and 457(b) savings plans, and medical expense reimbursements. A voter-approved County Charter amendment sets board member salaries at a fixed amount comparable to supervisors in neighboring counties. However, their benefits add nearly $121,000 to each board member’s total annual compensation. The board’s action cuts that number by more than $48,000. The 2010-11 Grand Jury concluded San Bernardino County compensation was not comparable to other counties, the board responded by directing the creation of the benefit reduction ordinance.

The Bighorn Desert View Water Agency met in a special session last night. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says they appointed a new Board member and finally approved a long-awaited water agreement…
At last night’s special meeting of the Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency Board, Directors interviewed three candidates and appointed Dennis Staley, a retired educator and 18-year resident of Landers, to fill the open board seat. Also last night, the Board gave its approval to the Ames/Reche Groundwater Storage and Recovery Agreement, which is the product of many years of negotiations between the Agency and Hi-Desert Water District, County Special Districts and the Mojave Water Agency. The agreement aims to provide for more equitable and better managed control of groundwater resources using mechanisms that are better defined than the existing Agreement, and it provides for a shared recharge facility. The County is expected to give their approval to the Agreement next month. And finally, directors voted to nominate Director Judy Corl-Lorono to the Association of California Water Agencies Health Benefits Authority.

A Yucca Valley man is behind bars after steel knuckles were found in his possession. According to a Sheriff’s report, dispatch received a call about 9:45 Sunday night about 1989 Volvo almost sideswiping another car in the area of Pueblo Drive and Borrego Trail in Yucca Valley. The Volvo’s driver, later identified as Tommy Marquez, 27, got out of his car and started walking toward the car he almost sideswiped, which is when the driver called police. A few minutes later a deputy located the Volvo being driven southbound on Church Street. After a search, the deputy found steel knuckles on Marquez, which is a felony. Tommy Marquez was arrested for investigation of being in possession of a dangerous weapon and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $25,000.

A Twentynine Palms parolee was arrested early Tuesday morning for possessing marijuana and ammunition. During a security check of a business in the 73600 block of 29 Palms Highway in Twentynine Palms about 1:30 Tuesday morning, a Sheriff’s deputy noticed the business had been broken into. An investigation led the deputy to the home of Darkise Gorman, 28, of the 6500 block of Smoke Tree. After determining that Gorman was on parole, the deputy conducted a search of the residence looking for evidence of the stolen goods. During the search, the deputy found marijuana and a 12-gauge shotgun shell. Darkise Gorman was arrested for investigation of being a felon in possession of ammunition and violation of his parole. Darkise Gorman was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $35,000. The stolen items—flat screen TVs, XBox 360s, and Play Station gaming consoles—were not found.

A minor traffic accident in Twentynine Palms sent two people to the hospital yesterday afternoon and resulted in the arrest of a Twentynine Palms man. Shortly after 5 p.m. Charles Little, 53, was making a left turn from southbound Lupine Avenue onto eastbound Highway 62, when he pulled out in front of a westbound SUV being driven westbound on the highway and broadsided the SUV. Little suffered a severe cut to his head, and the driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries. Both Little and the woman were taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center. Charles Little was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence resulting in bodily injury. He was booked into West Valley Detention Center with his bail set at $100,000.

The Twentynine Palms City Council met last night with a busy agenda. Reporter Dan Stork breaks his report into two parts. Today, accessory structures and a pedestrian walkway. Tomorrow, Project Phoenix and the redevelopment agency…
The Twentynine Palms City Council began its meeting with an appreciation of Steve Whitten’s year of service on the Planning Commission. The Council then turned to a reconsideration of a code amendment on accessory structures. The Planning Commission had rejected Council member Jay Corbin’s shortened version of the rules that it had developed, and returned its measure to Council in a slightly lengthened form. Corbin moved his version as the final word, but only Mayor John Cole agreed with him, and the motion failed.
Then the Planning Commission’s version was enacted into the code with minor language tweaks, by a vote of 3-2, Cole and Corbin dissenting. Acting under a state-imposed deadline following the court decision that promises to disband all Redevelopment Agencies on February 1, the Council unanimously named the city as the successor agency and successor housing agency to the Redevelopment Agency. City Manager Richard Warne addressed the impact on Project Phoenix – we’ll report on that in a separate story. The council then directed staff to develop plans for a pedestrian trail and sidewalk from Highway 62 to Joshua Tree National Park headquarters, along National Park Drive. Council liked the idea of a meandering walkway, but opted for a straight path out of considerations of construction, land acquisition and maintenance expenses.

A visiting mountain lion brought a state game warden to the Flamingo Heights area Monday. Residents said the big cat, thought to be an adult female at about 90 pounds, took a rest under a pick-up truck at a residence. After about an hour, a game warden, state biologist, and Sheriff’s deputy were able to flush the cat out from under the truck and back out into the open desert.

The man who led Sheriff deputies on a car chase through the desert that started a fire in Yucca Valley in July was arraigned in Joshua Tree Court Monday. Kristofer Shoup, 23, of Sugarloaf, was arrested Friday at his home on multiple warrants by a Special Enforcement unit of the Sheriff’s Department. July 9, a deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a white pick-up truck driven by Shoup. Shoup sped away and led the deputy through residential neighborhoods in Yucca Valley. While trying to escape Shoup drove his truck out into the open desert at Carlyle and Tamarisk, where the truck became stuck in the sand and caught fire, sparking a 10-15 acre brush fire. Fast response by firefighters kept the fire from spreading to nearby homes. Shoup managed to escape a massive manhunt for him then and for the next six months. Kristofer Shoup pled Not Guilty to evading a police officer with wanton disregard for safety; two counts of possession of a controlled substance; causing a fire of a forest, and driving with a suspended license. His bail is set at $200,000.

The Morongo Valley Community Services District has fired its general manager. In a special closed session meeting Monday, the CSD held a performance evaluation of their general manager, Meg Foley, and gave her a vote of “no confidence,” and terminated her. The District’s Board President Chuck Osborne said he couldn’t give out information on why Foley was terminated in a special meeting after working for the Community Services District for the last five or six years. As the general manager, Foley also served as the community service district’s Board secretary and was responsible for the district’s office administration, human resources, grant writing and administration, budget & policy oversight and representation of the community on the County and State level.

After being down 7 points at the first quarter, the Twentynine Palms varsity boys’ basketball team went on a 30-to-10 run to complete a strong half Friday at Desert Mirage High School. They finished with a 79-57 win on the road, the first De Anza League victory of the season. Coach Michael Schneider said the Wildcats were led by sophomore Richard Ewing with 22 points. David Haney and Michaiah Russell had 12 points each. Ramon Smith added 11. Tim Dyer led the way with 8 rebounds. This brings the Wildcats’ record to 6 wins and 8 losses. League record is 1 and 0.

In high school sports today, the Joshua Springs Christian School basketball teams host Lucerne Valley at home. The girls’ game starts at 5, the boys at 6:30.

“Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones” will be the first story of the morning read by storyteller Lynda Grove tomorrow. The author reminds us that other animals lay eggs too: Snakes, turtles, fish, dinosaurs, and many others. Other books being read will be “Mr. Seahorse and the Crows of Pearblossom.” Songs, fingerplay and a visit by Mr. Monk will make the morning a fun and happy occasion. Storytime begins at 11 a.m. every Wednesday. Plan to stay for Miss Laura’s Little Laptoppers, beginning immediately after storytime. For more information, call 760-228-5455.

The Joshua Tree Clean Team and the Joshua Tree Rotary Club invites everyone to start the new year off with community service. The organizations will be meeting tomorrow morning at 8:00 on the north side of Highway 62 and Olympic Road across from the cemetery in Joshua Tree. There will be trash bags, grabber sticks and gloves to make the job easier. Afterwards, everyone is encouraged to come to the Park Rock Cafe for coffee and conversation. For any questions, please call 760-366-8415.

The Morongo Unified School District Board meets in a busy session tonight. Reporter Dan Stork checks the agenda…
At the meeting of the Morongo Unified School District Board of Education on Tuesday January 10th, a closed session at 6:20 p.m. will deal with early application to kindergarten, and student expulsions and re-entries. Items on the action agenda at the 7 p.m. open session include the Title III year 4 Action plan, the budget calendar for the 2012-2013 school year, and piggyback bids for technology contracts. Also on the docket are approvals of a Division of the State Architect Inspector and a Soils and Materials Testing Lab for the new Joshua Tree Elementary School facility. The Board will consider changes to the 403(b) and 457(b) employee savings plans. Next, the Board is scheduled to authorize bids for modernization projects at Yucca Valley High School and Palm Vista Elementary. Second reviews are listed for classic books by Charles Darwin and Rachel Carson, to be used as texts, a prevention program in elementary math, and a Microsoft Office text. A first review for a research guidebook rounds out the agenda. The meeting will take place at Friendly Hills Elementary School.

The Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce has a vacancy on their Board of Directors due to the resignation of Karen Provost. Eligible candidates must be a business member, representative of any business membership or associated member in good standing. Applicants can stop by the Chamber office in downtown Twentynine Palms to pick up an application. For more information, call 760-367-3445.

Join the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce and Rainbow Stew on this evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. for the January Mixer. Rainbow Stew is located at 55509 29 Palms Highway (the former Stefano’s Restaurant building). Rainbow Stew offers a collection of jewelry, essential oils, original art, books for all ages, home decor, incense, candles, stones, music, massage and more. Mixers are held as an opportunity for business people to gather to do business, by exchanging business cards, distributing brochures and making new acquaintances. For directions or information, call the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce at 760-365-6323.

The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board meets tonight. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says a presentation from the Marketing Department is a highlight…
The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board of Directors meets in regular session in the Helen Gray Education Center at 6:00 tonight. As always, the public is invited to attend. At tonight’s meeting, Directors will hear recommendations from the Governance Committee on Board Committee assignments. Also tonight, attendees can expect a presentation from the Marketing Department, approval of items on the consent agenda, and departmental reports.

A Yucca Valley man accused of being under the influence when he struck a Morongo Valley family, killing a 6-year-old girl and severely injuring her father, tried to fire his public defender last Friday. Ronald Simon, now 55, requested a “Marsden Motion,” during a pre-trial hearing in court Friday. Defendants may request a Marsden Motion when they believe their lawyer is ineffective in representing them in their criminal case. Judge Dan Detienne refused Simon’s motion to fire his public defender Paul Agron and continued the pre-trial hearing to January 20. Ronald Simon is accused of causing the death of 6-year-old Alyssa Hendricks in an October 2009 crash that severely injured 26-year-old Cameron Hendricks. Simon, who was not injured in the crash, has been charged with murder, driving under the influence of drugs causing injury, and hit and run resulting in injury or death. A Sheriff’s report said Ronald Simon was drifting in and out of the westbound lanes of the highway near Big Morongo Canyon Road before driving into oncoming traffic and hitting the Hendricks’ vehicle.

The former treasurer of the Onaga Elementary School’s Family-Faculty Association, or FFA, has been arrested for embezzling funds from the organization. Shelli Stovall, 34, of Yucca Valley, was arrested December 27 for embezzlement from the volunteer organization. According to Onaga Elementary Principal Kyle Hannah, the FFA was performing an internal audit in September when Stovall came to him and confessed to taking $3,393, after which she resigned her position as treasurer. Hannah notified the Sheriff’s Department, which conducted an investigation that confirmed the embezzlement. Hannah said the investigation was closed so that the FFA could move forward, but added “If we were to dig further, we would have found more money missing.” Shelli Stovall will be arraigned on the embezzlement charge in Joshua Tree Superior Court January 25.

The Twentynine Palms City Council meets in a busy regular session tonight. Reporter Dan Stork says among items of interest is a public hearing on accessory structures, regional assignments, and paving projects…
The January 10th meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council starts at 5 p.m. with a closed session to consider two potential cases of litigation. A public hearing will once again take up the matter of a code amendment related to accessory structures. Then the Council will consider whether the city wishes to serve as a successor agency and successor housing agency to the Redevelopment Agency. The council will also be asked to guide the staff concerning design elements for sidewalk and trail from Highway 62 to Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters, along National Park Drive. Council finishes off the night with assignment of its members to various regional organizations. The consent agenda includes awarding of a $541,000 contract for paving improvements to Hillside Avenue, Sunnyvale Drive and Sun Valley Drive, and acceptance of a half-million dollars worth of work on the “Safe Routes to School” project affecting portions of El Paseo Drive, Mesquite Springs Road, Split Rock Avenue, and Baseline Road. The meeting takes place in council chambers in City Hall on Adobe Road.

With State Assemblyman Paul Cook announcing yesterday that he would seek a Congressional seat, there are two candidates for 3rd District County Supervisor—incumbent Neil Derry and challenger James Ramos, Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Indians. At a recent Yucca Valley Rotary meeting, Derry made serious accusations about Ramos. Z107.7 News met with Ramos for his response. Derry said recent felony charges and a conviction on campaign finance irregularities were the result of collusion between the County District Attorney Mike Ramos—who Derry referred to as “corrupt”—and candidate James Ramos in an attempt to unseat him. (The two men are not related and simply share the surname.) When Derry was reminded that the charges came from the State Attorney General’s office and not the County DA, he claimed the state preferred the charges at the request of the DA, calling it common practice. James Ramos strongly denied Derry’s claims, saying, “There is no factual basis for that. Derry is deflecting the fact that what he did was wrong and he got caught. Derry needs to man up that what he did was wrong.” Ramos also said that while he knows the DA, there was never any collusion, and in fact the crime committed by Derry occurred before he was running. Ramos said Derry trying to deflect blame—rather than just admit he was wrong—is a reflection of his character. Ramos also took strong exception to Derry’s claims that because he is the head of a sovereign nation, he should not be allowed to run, saying, “Since 1924 Congress gave Indian tribes full citizenship, the right to vote and hold public office.” Ramos said he has served two terms on the San Bernardino College Board and on the State Board of Education and the claim is a non-issue. He cited former Native American Senator Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell as an example, reminding Derry that Native Americans proudly serve in the military defending their country. Native American Ira Hayes helped raise the American flag over Iwo Jima, and native “Code-talkers” helped win World War II. Ramos said “Native Americans have fought for their right to run for and hold office just like all Americans.”