Two Morongo Basin Rotary Clubs, representing business and professional men and women from both the East and West ends, are stepping up once again to continue a time honored tradition of honoring area firefighters.

 For many years, the Twentynine Palms Elks lodge sponsored a firefighters awards banquet which recognized the “Firefighters of the Year” from the east end communities. The top firefighters from Wonder Valley, the Marine Base, Twentynine Palms, and Joshua Tree were named by their respective chiefs. The honorees were given distinctive trophies and attendees were feted to dinner and then a dance after the ceremonies.

 In 2008, the event was greatly expanded to include all of the “West end” fire personnel as well. The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms and the Rotary Club of Yucca Valley, Noon, stepped in to organize the now much larger event, and a new tradition was born! Over 200 firefighters, supporters, and community leaders gathered for the new festivities, now including all of the Fire Agencies in the area stretching from Morongo Valley on the West to Wonder Valley on the East.

 For 2012, Former Yucca Valley Rotary Club President Shannon Luckino stepped up to the plate to chair the event, Twentynine Palms Fire Chief and Rotarian Jim Thompson is assisting. All of the area Fire Agencies, local, county, state, and federal, have agreed that a Morongo Basin wide event honoring the valuable work of all the fire stations is a good idea and have agreed to participate.

 The Two Rotary Clubs are taking on the sponsorship of the awards event as a community service project, which honors the hard work and sacrifice of firefighters from all eight Morongo Basin fire stations.

 The Firefighters awards dinner and dance will be held Saturday March 10, starting at 6:00 pm at the Bell Center at Copper Mountain College, 6162 Rotary Way, Joshua Tree. The dinner will see the Chiefs of the eight agencies present “Firefighter of the Year” honors to personnel from Twentynine Palms, Morongo Valley, The Combat Center, the state CalFire and  Blackrock Federal stations in Yucca Valley, and County fire stations in Wonder Valley, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley.

 The Rotarians will supply the dinner, catered by Bruce‚s Coyote kitchen at Copper Mountain College, at no charge for firefighters and one guest for each honoree. They will also provide the distinctive awards specially designed by “Trophy Express” in Yucca Valley.

 Z107.7 Radio personality Gary Daigneault will serve as the Master of ceremonies for the event. The Z107.7 “Mobile DJ” is donating the sound system and entertainment for the event. 

 The committee will be inviting area VIP‚s to join them in honoring the eight “Firefighters of the year”.

 Tickets will only be sold in advance of the event at $25.00 each. Tickets or more information can be obtained by calling Luckino at 760-333-0053 or at Luckino@aol.com.

KidWind Workshop for Local Teachers

CVEP’s Advanced Technology Industry Council and College of the Desert are bringing 28 local teachers together to participate in a hands-on wind energy workshop this Saturday, February 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at College of the Desert’s Desert Energy Enterprise Center located on the south side of I-10 at Gene Autry Trail. Workshop participants will learn the basic principles behind wind energy and how to engage students in learning about wind energytechnology.

The event is part of the KidWind program, an initiative funded through the National Science Foundation that helps teachers learn about wind energy technology, receive curricula and materials for integrating wind energy instruction into their classes, and learn about a regional competition they and their students canenter.

Teachers attending Saturday’s event represent all three local K-12 Districts, including faculty from the two high school “green” academies – the Renewable Energy Academy of Learning (REAL) at Desert Hot Springs High School and the Green Technology Academy at Desert Mirage High School in Thermal.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

 Location:                   COD Desert Enterprise Energy Center

                                    At the I-10 and Gene Autry Trail Exit

                                    Palm Springs, CA

 On-site Contact:      Kim McNulty, CVEP Career Pathways Program Director

760-413-5990 (cell)

Desert Hot Springs, California (January 31, 2012) – The City of Desert Hot Springs is seeking residents and/or business owners who wish to volunteer to serve on Desert Hot Springs RDA Successor Agency Oversight Board. The City Council will review the list of people wishing to serve and forward three (3) names to Riverside County Supervisor, John Benoit, who in turn will nominate members for the Riverside County Board of Supervisors appointment to the Desert Hot Springs RDA Oversight Board.

The Oversight Board will oversee the dissolution of the Desert Hot Springs Redevelopment Agency and liquidation of the Agency’s assets. The Board members will serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

If you wish to be considered for nomination, please provide your contact information to Jerryl Soriano, City Clerk at jsoriano@cityofdhs.org by 4:00 P.M. on Monday, February 6, 2012.

Deputies from the Big Bear Station responded to a report that a seven year old female had been sexually molested on numerous occasions by Hernandez in 2010 and 2011 while being babysat by Hernandez’ mother. The Crimes Against Children Detail assumed the investigation. The investigation revealed two other victims who reported being molested by Hernandez in 2001.

On Thursday, January 26, 2012 Crimes Against Children detectives arrested Hernandez for PC 288(a) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14. He was booked at the Big Bear Jail and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Additionally, Hernandez is an illegal alien and is also being held on a no bail Title 18 Immigration Hold.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sergeant Roberto Lomeli of the Crimes Against Children Detail (909) 387-3615.

Officers from the Desert Hot Springs Police Department responded to an alarm call at the listed location. Upon arrival, officers discovered that an unknown suspect had forced entry into the location. They also discovered that several items had been taken during the crime.

During the investigation, officers attempted to identify the suspect but were not successful. However, with the help of the surveillance video,  local media stations, and the community, they  were able to identify the suspect. At this time, the suspect is currently in custody at the Banning Jail. He will be charged with commercial burglary in connection with this investigation.

Any information regarding this press release should be directed to Desert Hot Springs Police Detective Eddie Cole at 760.329.6411 x294.