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Listen To Your News		Monday, June 20, 2011		News Archive

JOSHUA TREE SOLAR PROJECT FORUM BRINGS OUT ABOUT 60 PEOPLE
Interested citizens were on hand Saturday Morning as representatives of Axio Power answered questions about a proposed 150-acre solar energy farm in the Sunfair area of Joshua Tree. Z107-7 reporter Dan Stork was there and files this report. A crowd estimated at 60 people showed up at a meeting of the Joshua Tree Community Association on Saturday morning that featured a visit from representatives from Axio Power. That company is planning a 150-acre solar farm in the Sunfair area of Joshua Tree. A slide show focused on anticipated concerns of residents, minimizing impacts related to light, noise, glare, views, traffic, wildlife, and infrastructure. Among the most heavily emphasized features is that the field will be tied directly into the existing power grid, without the need for large transmission towers. Following the presentation, residents served up questions about the status of the permitting process, security at the site, recreational access to the Coyote Dry Lake, local sourcing of labor, country of manufacture of the equipment, who will buy the power generated, impact on utility rates, local benefits of the project, wildlife corridor impact, technological obsolescence, water usage, the timeline for environmental impact studies, and comparisons with rooftop solar technology. The Axio representatives stressed that the only connection between their parent company, Sun Edison, and Southern California Edison, is that SCE will be the primary customer of the power generated by the project.

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NEW COMMANDING GENERAL COMING TO THE COMBAT CENTER
The Combat Center will be getting a new Commanding General in July. Brigadier General H. S. "Stacy" Clardy will relinquish command to Brigadier General George W. Smith Jr. on July 7 at Lance Corporal Torrey L. Gray Field on the base. General Clardy is going to the Plans, Policies and Operations department at the Pentagon. General Smith is currently serving as the military assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps, in Washington, D.C.

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ON PATROL WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: PART 1 OF 3
The County Sheriff's Department covers a huge geographical area in the largest county in the country. Z107-7 News Managing Editor Tami Roleff spent 6 hours in the passenger's seat of a Sheriff's Patrol Car Friday night. She breaks her report into 3 parts. Today, in Part 1, creeping though the neighborhoods. Curfew citations, tools stolen from a pick-up truck, two false alarm 9-1-1 calls, a sexual offender compliance check, and a couple pedestrian checks. Such is the work day—or rather work night—of a Yucca Valley police officer on a Friday night. Last Friday I rode along for almost six hours with Deputy Mike Cusack from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, who serves as a Yucca Valley police officer. It was a slow night, crime-wise, so we did a lot of driving around, looking for people who were doing things they shouldn't be doing. We drove through neighborhoods at a snail's pace, or "creeping," as Cusack called it. "I'm telling you, you'd be surprised just what creeping and showing the star, what it does to keep a neighborhood quiet." Cusack admits that not everyone is glad to see the patrol car driving down their street. "We'll be called pigs, you'll hear it all. Is it against the law? No. Do they even know who they're yelling at? No. It's been my experience the majority of people who are yelling at me are not from San Bernardino County." Because Friday was a slow night, we were able to respond to calls quickly, arriving within minutes of when the calls came in. But on busy nights, it may take hours for a deputy to respond to low-priority calls. "Just bear with us when you call us for service, know we're coming. It just takes us awhile sometimes." In my next report, some of the things you can do to avoid coming to the attention of law enforcement.

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HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER DESIGNATED AS COOLING CENTER
Hi-Desert Medical Center will once again serve as a "cooling station" for the Morongo Basin in the event of excessive heat or should there be power outages during the summer. Cooling stations are air-conditioned facilities where local residents may go for temporary relief from extreme heat. The cooling station at Hi-Desert Medical Center is in the cafeteria of the main hospital, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM STARTS TODAY AT AREA SCHOOL
A free summer feeding program kicks off today at area schools. Reporter Dan Stork has more on this valuable program. The importance of good nutrition for children doesn't end with the school year. To ensure the availability of good meals during the summer, the Morongo Unified School District is conducting a Summer Feed Program, starting Monday June 20th. Both breakfast and lunch will be provided for free for ages 0 to 18 during 15- or 20-minute windows on Mondays through Thursdays, so get there on time. Times and ending dates of the program vary by site. Three sites offer breakfast-only. Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley High Schools offer breakfast at 9:20 a.m. through July 28th. At Yucca Mesa Elementary, the starting time is 9:45, and the final date is July 21. Three other sites offer breakfast and lunch, through August 11. At Sunburst Park in Joshua Tree, breakfast is at 8:45, and lunch is at 12:30. At the Twentynine Palms Youth Center and the Yucca Valley Boys & Girls Club, breakfast is distributed at 8:20, and lunch at 11:40. Adults can get breakfast for $2.50, and lunch for $3.50. For more information, call Morongo Unified School District Nutritional services at 367-9191 extension 4263 or 4271.

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BENEFIT FOR JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK SET FOR THIS SATURDAY
Joshua Tree National Park Association, in partnership with Brian and Lori Rennie, will host a special benefit for Joshua Tree National Park. The benefit will include a BBQ, drinks, entertainment and a silent auction. The auction starts on-line, and includes some unique and interesting items. The benefit is being held as a celebration event for the park's 75th anniversary. Reservations are required and are available from the Joshua Tree National Park Association, by phone 760-367-5535 or on-line at www.joshuatree.org. Special guests are expected to attend and space is limited. The benefit, set at the Rennies' residence near the west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, will be held this Saturday, June 25 starting at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are $100 per person. Contributions are tax deductible. The view from the Rennie's patio is a Joshua tree woodland in the park's Mojave Desert. Additional information about the benefit can be obtained by calling the Joshua Tree National Park Association at
760-367-5535.

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LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO GO WHALE WATCHING TOMORROW
A whale-watching trip is planned for tomorrow by the Town of Yucca Valley. Reporter Derwood Andrews wonders who is watching who? The whales of Southern California are taking part in a human being watching event on Tuesday, June 21st. The Town of Yucca Valley has organized a coach that will whisk you to Dana Wharf and get you on a boat for a couple of hours, so you can be seen. Dolphins, sea lions and other marine life have promised to show up too. The cost is $69 per person and the coach will leave the Community Center at 8:30 a.m. back in town by 6:30 in the evening. You'll have time to buy lunch also. Make a reservation at the Community Center or call 760-369-7211 or visit yucca-valley.org.

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MORONGO BASIN SENIOR SUPPORT CENTER OFFERING AQUATIC ZUMBA
6:30 p.m. Thursday evenings Morongo Basin Senior Support Center Pool at 57121 Sunny Slope Drive in Yucca Valley is offering an Aquatic Zumba Dance Classes. Warm water, music, dancing and laughter are ingredients for Morongo Basin Senior Support Center pool's zumba classes. Limited spaces are available, so hurry and sign up. Please call (760) 365-9661 ask for Shelly

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THE ALLEY CATS WILL DOO-WOP AT COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE SATURDAY
A musical treat at Copper Mountain College this Saturday. Reporter Mike Lipsitz invites you to come Doo-Wop with the Alley Cats. Copper Mountain College rocks with a retro sock hop featuring America's premier Doo Wop group, the Alley Cats, live on Saturday, June 25th. Tickets are $10 for bleacher seating and $15 for VIP table seating on the floor. The public is invited to wear their coolest fifties attire and dance the night away in the new Bell Center's Gymnasium on the CMC campus. The Alley Cats blend musical talent and comic timing. Their interaction with audiences, combined with spontaneous humor, make their shows refreshing and exciting. Advance tickets are available online at cmccd.edu or at the CMC Business Office on campus. For more information call 366-3791. Tickets will also be available at the door and payable with cash only.

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