La Contenta Middle School would like to invite all parents to visit the school for its monthly Parent Visitation Day on Wednesday, January 4. 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. When parents visit, they are reminded to check in at the office and get a Visitor’s Pass.

The Joshua Basin Water District Board meets tonight. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says some key committee assignments will be made…
When the Joshua Basin Water District meets in regular session at 7 o’clock tonight in district offices, Directors will hear the fiscal 2010-2011 financial audit report and consider approval. Also tonight, appointments are expected to be made to the Mojave Water Agency Technical Advisory Committee, Morongo Basin Pipeline Commission, and the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts. Following those and other actions, reports and public comment, the board will adjourn to closed session to confer with legal counsel.

The Santa Fe Clubhouse will be holding their monthly food distribution tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4 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. It’s suggested 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.

The Coachella Valley’s first baby of 2012 was born at Desert Regional Medical Center to a Twentynine Palms couple. Corporal Mark Getzlaff and his wife welcomed Liam Mark Getzlaff into the world at 2:24 a.m. Sunday. Liam made his debut about six weeks earlier than expected, weighing in at 5 pounds 1 ounce and measuring 17¾ inches long.

The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission meets in regular session tonight. Reporter Derwood Andrews checks the agenda…
Following a closed session for litigation, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission begins a series of four Development Code Amendments tonight at City Hall, dealing with permitted land uses for downtown, performance deposits for farmers markets, hawking or peddling within City limits and an approximately 150-plus-acre site and its annexation into the City, followed by a study session on a new Development Code Section for Solar Fields.

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 ammunition. Armando Mayorga was arrested for investigation of possession of dangerous drugs and booked into the West Valley Detention Center with his bail set at $25,000.

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 person inside the home, Bunnie Valli, was arrested on a felony warrant. She was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail with her bail set at $250,000.

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 sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Interest rates range from 2 to 4 percent, with terms up to 30 years. Disaster loan information and application forms are available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling the SBA at 800-659-2955 or email [email protected], or visit SBA’s Web site at: www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance . In addition, the SBA will have a help center open in January. The center will be open Mondays through Fridays, January 9 through Friday, January 20, from 9 to 5:30. No appointments are necessary. Disaster Loan Outreach Center, Pasadena Fire Headquarters, 199 South Los Robles Avenue, Suite 550 (5th floor), Pasadena, CA 91101.

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 although firefighters put out the fire fairly quickly, the home was a complete loss. The owners were not at home at the time of the fire. Helmkamp called the cause of the fire “suspicious,” and said the cause is under investigation.

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 of retaliation and kidnapping. Jose Perez was booked into the West Valley Detention Center with bail set at $250,000.

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 with a 3-year state prison term. In 2009, Wenzel was again convicted of felony domestic violence against Rosser and was sentenced to another three years in prison. Wenzel, recently released from prison, pled guilty in November to a drunk-and-disorderly charge from October.

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 Christian gaining the win. Whittier Christian was coming off a tie against CIF 5th ranked Palm Springs High School and looked to get an easy win against Yucca Valley. However, they were frustrated as the Lady Trojans dominated possession in the physical game. Whittier Christian attempted many times to break through but were unsuccessful and never really threatened Sophomore goalie, Lizzye Bushong. Junior captain, Chaylin Couzens, received All-Tournament honors as she scored the game winning goals in both wins. The Lady Trojans finished their preseason play with a 5-5-1 record and look to begin De Anza League competition as they travel to Desert Hot Springs to take on the Golden Eagles on Friday, January 6th. The game starts at 3:15pm with the boy’s varsity game to follow. In upcoming action, the Joshua Springs Christian School basketball teams travel away to Mesa Grande tomorrow. The girls’ game starts at 6; boys’ at 7:30.

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 place to visit. As part of the Colorado Desert, this area provides great opportunities for exploration. Due to rain damage in September, the campground and Cottonwood Spring trails and trailheads remain closed. However, alternative hiking trails will give you a glimpse into the past, as you walk by rock formations, remains of historic structures and sweeping views of valleys. During the spring season, this open expansive area commonly has the best wildflower display of any other area in the Park. For additional information, check the park website at www.nps.gov.

A new California law that has been widely reported is one that requires that the contributions of gays and lesbians be taught in public schools. Not so well known is a list of other new laws that collectively normalize the position in society of LGBT individuals. These include:
The California Gay Bullying Law (or Seth’s Law) which requires school districts to have a uniform process for dealing with gay bullying complaints, and mandates that school personnel intervene if they witness gay bullying. Law effective July 1, 2012. LGBT Equality and Equal Access in Higher Education Law directs State universities and colleges to create and enforce campus policies protecting LGBTs from harassment and appoint employee contact persons to address on-campus LGBT matters. Domestic Partnership Equality Law adjusts inequalities between domestic partnerships and heterosexual marriages, including domestic partner health benefits sharing. Protection of Parent-Child Relationships Law allows courts to consider the relationship between a child and a non-biological parent when considering child rights cases involving birth parents, adoptive parents, and gay or lesbian guardians. The Transgender Non-Discrimination Law provides public accommodation and protection in education, housing and employment for gender identity and expression. The Transgender Vital Statistics Law makes it easier for transgender Californians to get a court petition to change their gender on official documents. LGBT Equal Benefits Law requires an employer with a state contract worth more than $100,000 to have non-discrimination policies in place for LGBT workers and their partners. The Judicial Applicant and Appointment Demographics Inclusion Law includes gender identity and sexual orientation of potential judges into the state’s Judicial Applicant Data Report to ensure that state courts are diverse. The Gay Divorce Law provides that if a gay couple got married in California but lives in a state that won’t grant them a divorce, the California court will have jurisdiction to grant them a legal divorce.

The Soroptimist International Club of Twentynine Palms is sponsoring the opening night of the Neil Simon Play “Jake’s Women” at Theater 29 on Friday, January 13. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the play starting at 7 p.m. There’ll be a silent auction and heavy hors d’oeuvres, with wine and champagne from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m., with desserts and coffee during intermission. All proceeds will benefit our scholarships and charities. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through members of the Soroptimist Club of Twentynine Palms or at Napa Auto Parts, the Flower Garden, Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce, and the Desert Trail. For more information, call 760-668-4594.

With all the recent fatal collisions on area highways, the Start Smart class offered by the California Highway Patrol, is especially important for teens and new drivers. The next Start Smart class will be Tuesday, January 3, from 6:30 to 8 at its Morongo Basin office, 63683 29 Palms Highway in Joshua Tree. California has the second highest fatality rate involving teen drivers. Start Smart speaks directly to the teen drivers and their parents/guardians. This program provides classroom instruction on collision avoidance techniques, collision causing elements, and driver responsibilities. The class is free, but reservations are required by calling the Morongo Basin California Highway Patrol Area office at 760-366-3707.