Daily Press (Victorville, CA) articles from October 2007

Daily Press (Victorville, CA) archives from October 2007

BRIEF: Man arrested during mail fraud investigation.
October 1, 2007... Oct. 1--VICTORVILLE -- A Victorville man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm after a search warrant was served by United States Postal Inspectors. Inspectors served the search warrant in...

Going green: Cities helping county fight global warming.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Hillary Borrud Oct. 1--Since Attorney General Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown filed a lawsuit against San Bernardino County in April for not including global-warming impacts in its March general plan update, media and activists have...

Man stabbed during altercation in Victorville: Fight may have started over drugs, officials say.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 1--VICTORVILLE -- A man was stabbed in the abdomen over an argument -- according to witness accounts -- that started over drugs. David Cernac is in stable condition at Loma Linda University Medical Center after...

BRIEF: Off-road accident results in death.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 1--JOHNSON VALLEY -- A 19-year old man was killed after being ejected from an all terrain vehicle just before 1 a.m. Sunday. Matt Helton, 30, of Yorba Linda, was driving an off-highway Toyota truck on a dirt road...

BRIEF: Man killed after hitting semi-truck.
October 1, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 1--HESPERIA -- A Victorville motorcyclist is dead after colliding with a 18-wheeler on Highway 395 in Hesperia. Richard J. Barnes, 52, of Victorville was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle north on Highway 395 when...

S CO U T I N G N E W S.
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--Alec Wieczorek, 15, a sophomore at Granite Hills High School, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He did his Eagle Scout project at Mojave Mesa Elementary School, where he attended 4th and 5th grades and both his parents have been...

Excelsior honored as 'Certified Charter School'.
October 2, 2007... Oct. 2--T h e C a l i fo r n i a C h a r t e r Schools Association announced that Excelsior Education Center in Victorville has been honored as one of 17 "Certified Charter Schools" through a program that validates charter public schools that...

Bigger, better Costco makes its debut: 160,000-square foot warehouse opens today.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Tatiana Prophet Oct. 2--VICTORVILLE -- Instead of the brand new Costco opening today, the city almost got another indoor swap meet. Costco wanted to expand, but there was no empty space to spread out from 104,000 square feet to...

Damage from power surge estimated in the millions: Edison now accepting damage claims.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Tatiana Prophet Oct. 2--VICTORVILLE -- Melanie Hareski woke up early Saturday morning to a flash of light and a bang. "It scared the daylights out of us," said the Victorville resident, who lives near Village Drive. "It woke us...

Martinez's story: Editor's note: The following is excerpted from a story that was originally published July 20, 1997. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ? John 15:13.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Don Holland Oct. 2--It was December 1966, and Pfc. Manuel F. Martinez Jr. was finishing up his third month of combat in a place called Vietnam. Two months earlier, the 20-year-old infantryman from Victorville started doubting...

County gets grant to prevent West Nile: Poorly maintained pools are biggest risk.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 2--SAN BERNARDINO -- County officials are planning to beef up aerial surveillance of dirty swimming pools and take other measures to fight mosquitoes carrying deadly West Nile Virus. A bird in the Barstow area was...

County to get $3.7 million for children's dental care: Educating children of the importance of dental care ages five and under.
October 2, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 2--SAN BERNARDINO -- Children ages 5 and under throughout the state and particularly San Bernardino County are in dire need of better dental care and dental education. Many parents and young children are under the...

Kidnapper's prior convictions found true: Chambers could face 130 years to life in prison.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 26--VICTORVILLE -- A Hesperia man convicted of kidnapping to commit rape could face 130 years to life in prison after a jury Thursday found two prior convictions to be true. Her man Chambers, 42, of Hesperia was...

BRIEF: Supplies, volunteers no longer needed at fairgrounds evacuation center.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 26--VICTORVILLE -- The community responded to the needs of fire evacuees by bringing truckloads of supplies to the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds on Wednesday. The initial response was so great that supplies and...

Arson suspect could face 10 years.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 26--VICTORVILLE -- A Hesperia man was arraigned Thursday and could spend 10 years in jail for allegedly setting a fire in Summit Valley on Wednesday night. John Alfred Rund, 48, pleaded not guilty Thursday in a...

Football on hold due to low air quality: Several local prep sports events suspended.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Gerald Tang Oct. 26--Football fans probably didn't need more confirmation than the smoky haze that enveloped the Victor Valley on Thursday. All of tonight's local high school games have been canceled or postponed due to air quality...

BRIEF: Predator helps battle fires for second day.
October 26, 2007... Oct. 26--EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE -- A NASA unmanned aircraft has taken to the skies for a second day to help firefighters battling wildland blazes across Southern California. Today's flight is taking the Ikhana aircraft over the major...

BRIEF: Woman run over by own car dies.
October 26, 2007... Oct. 26--A P P L E VA L L E Y -- A n 82-year-old woman was run over by her own car and killed Thursday morning after she had pulled out of her driveway to Comanche Road, then pulled over and got out, deputies said. The woman thought she...

All area schools closed today: School sporting events canceled due to smoke.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Gretchen Losi Oct. 26--VICTORVILLE -- Smoke from area wildfires has forced all 10 local school districts across the High Desert to close their doors today. All school sporting events have also been canceled. "It's awful....

BRIEF: A.V. man killed in motorcycle accident.
October 26, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 26--APPLE VALLEY -- An Apple Valley man was killed Wednesday evening after crossing into oncoming traf fic and running head on into a Ford Expedition. Rene Meza Jr., 21, of Apple Valley was driving his m o t o...

Some mountain residents go home: Passes issued today only for those with proof of address.
October 27, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 27--VICTORVILLE -- Residents of Crestline, Lake Gregory, Cedarpines Park and Valley of Enchantment can get passes and return to their homes. Checkpoints for passes are the Cottonwood Fire Station on Highway...

Congregating for Christ, cars, fellowship: Hot Rod Garage brings Christian men together.
October 27, 2007... Byline: Sarah Boyer Oct. 27--Tom Contino can still recall times when young men he knew told him they planned to spend their Friday nights drinking just because there was nothing better to do. Contino wanted to offer a positive...

BRIEF: District attorney warns about post-fire scams.
October 27, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 27--SAN BERNARDINO -- In the wake of millions of dollars in damage caused by wildfires leveling parts of the San Bernardino Mountains, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos is cautioning residents not t o b e c o m e v i...

Teams ready robot vehicles for challenge.
October 27, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 27--VICTORVILLE -- For many anxious teams ready to show off their robotic vehicles, the Urban Challenge is a mixture of work and play. For some competitors, robotics is a profession; for others, it's a hobby....

Desert Valley wins award for care.
October 27, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 27--VICTORVILLE -- Desert Valley Hospital was one of 49 hospitals in the country to receive the 2007 Premier CareScience Select Practice National Quality Award for quality and efficiency of care. To receive...

Museum delights rail fans of all ages from all over the world.
October 27, 2007... Byline: Story and Photos By Lara Hartley Oct. 27--If the Western America Rail Museum had fingers, they would be crossed. WARM is the top bidder on a little steam engine in Oklahoma City and if they win, Santa Fe No. 643 will be in Barstow...

Serrano to face Apple Valley on Monday.
October 27, 2007... Oct. 27--APPLE VALLEY -- The Apple Valley football team will host its crucial Mojave River League matchup against Serrano on Monday at 4 p.m. The game was called off Friday due to air quality concerns caused by the Southern California...

Poll shows frustrations in education: Daily Press online poll shows many believe public schools not doing good job of preparing students for the future.
October 28, 2007... Byline: Gretchen Losi Oct. 28--Schools are in trouble. From No Child Left Behind mandates to a growing lack of teachers, it would seem the education system is now in an uphill battle. And a level of frustration is boiling over from the...

Park vandals get a clear message.
October 28, 2007... Byline: Katherine Rosenberg Oct. 28--APPLE VALLEY -- Authorities are getting the message out loud and clear: Vandalism in local parks will not be tolerated. In the latest attempt to "educate" violators, officials from the San Ber...

BRIEF: A R E A RO U N D U P: VVC's McKnight takes all-star title.
October 28, 2007... Oct. 28--SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Victor Valley College freshman wrestler Brandon McKnight won his match Saturday at the North-South All-Star Meet at Cuesta College. McKnight, a 141-pounder out of Hesperia High School, was selected to represent...

One-room schoolhouse back in business.
October 28, 2007... Byline: Gretchen Losi Oct. 28--ORO GRANDE -- Growing up in Oro Grande, Eva Padilla remembers her oldest brother attending class in a one-room schoolhouse built in 1890. Today, a new generation of young minds are once again filling those...

100-office business park may come to A.V.: Amenities to include shorter leases, utilities and wireless Internet services.
October 28, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 28--APPLE VALLEY -- C&C P ro p e r t y A d m i n i s t r at i o n Inc. of Upland is planning an entrepreneurial business park on 15 acres on Waalew Road. The development would include 100 furnished offices of...

Royals end Patriots' Agape League reign: V.V. Christian sweeps rival Hesperia Christian.
October 28, 2007... Byline: Gerald Tang Oct. 28--VICTORVILLE -- On her 17th birthday, Morgan Stansell decided to get together with a group of friends and overthrow a dynasty. Stansell and a core group of her fellow seniors led the Victor Valley Christian...

'Trick My Trucker' reality show hits the road: New program will air on Country Music Television in November.
October 28, 2007... Byline: Hillary Borrud Oct. 28--HESPERIA -- "I know you know about 18-wheelers," said trainer Aaron Aguilera, as he led two truckers with their bikes u p a h i l l near Comp e t i t ive E d g e M X Park. "Today, I'm gonna find out what you...

The Odyssey continues: Student-run Odyssey TV changes channels after 18 years.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Beatriz E. Valenzuela Oct. 29--VICTORVILLE -- The production board lights up as a producer barks orders, "go to camera one!" without cutting his gaze from the many images projected onto the monitors. The anchorperson comes into...

BRIEF: Motorcyclist struck by drunk driver.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 29--VICTORVILLE -- A 24-year-old Hacienda Heights resident sustained major injuries after being hit by a suspected drunk driver just before police could stop the car. A citizen driver called and reported a drunk...

Reports on damaged properties released.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 29--The office of San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus has released two reports of damaged and destroyed properties that have been confirmed by the staff. Staff members of the assessor's office first gained...

BRIEF: Suspect sought in death of Hesperia woman: Deputies response to suspicious circumstances results in murder investigation.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 29--HESPERIA -- A woman was found dead in a home filled with natural gas, and authorities are now looking for her ex-boyfriend, a suspect in her murder. H e s p e r i a sheriff''s deputies were called Saturday...

BRIEF: Foundation kicks off fundraiser.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 29--APPLE VALLEY -- This Holiday season give the gift that keeps on giving by making a contribution to a charitable organization in someone's name. The High Desert Community Foundation, as part of their...

BRIEF: Man fires at father and son: San Dimas man booked on attempted murder and is being held on $500,000 bail.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 29--EL MIRAGE -- A 41-year-old man is in custody after allegedly firing shots at a father and son just north of the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle area. The Victor Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement Team...

Mississippi firefighters help combat fires: Gulfport returns favor for San Bernardino County's help after Katrina.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 29--LAKE ARROWHEAD -- Six firefighters from Gulfport, Miss., who are no strangers to disaster, are helping in the damage assessment and rebuilding of mountain communities that have been devastated by recent wildfires....

Community foundation to raise the bar: New executive director brings new hope and new goals to High Desert Community Foundation.
October 29, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 29--APPLE VALLEY -- The High Desert Community Foundation has hired a new executive director and is ready to rise to a new level in community outreach. Doubling the board of directors, which currently sits at nine,...

BRIEF: Victorville teacher surprised with classroom supplies.
October 30, 2007... Oct. 30--Math and science teacher Nancy Gomez at Cobalt Middle School in Victorville was surprised with almost $1,200 in donated school supplies. The donation was part of OfficeMax's "A Day Made Better" campaign to eliminate "teacher-funded"...

Trial starts in twisted tale: Woman charged with plotting husband's murder.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 30--VICTORVILLE -- In a murder trial that started Monday, the deputy district attorney laid out a plot for the jury fit for primetime television. Rose Avellaneda, 48, solicited the murder of her husband, and when...

Spring Valley Lake gets ready for Halloween headache: Deputies, CHP to patrol neighborhoods.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Tatiana Prophet Oct. 30--SPRING VALLEY LAKE -- A stomach ache is a common thing for many children on Halloween. But for the residents of Spring Valley Lake, there's also the headache caused by throngs of children transported to...

Th e c a rs of t h e f u t u re: Robot experts prepare for challenge.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Tatiana Prophet Oct. 30--VICTORVILLE -- Some people thought a computer could never play chess better than a human. But then it happened. Now 35 teams of elite robot experts -- who have taken over Victorville -- hope to...

Health advisory lifted as blue skies return: Monday night football for high schools.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Hillary Borrud Oct. 30--Some of the High Desert high schools that were forced to postpone their football games Friday got to play some Monday night football... and some Monday afternoon football, too. The smoky h a z e f ro m...

Worker dies after fall at cement plant: Appears man dropped 50 to 60 feet through air duct shaft, officials say.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Tatiana Prophet Oct. 30--ORO GRANDE -- A 24-yearold man fell to his death while working construction at TXI Riverside Cement, according to details released Monday from the San Bernardino County Coroner's office. Jose Chirino of...

Some evacuees remain in Victor Valley.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 30--VICTORVILLE -- While some Lake Ar rowhead residents have returned home to survey the damage from the wildfires, many communities remain under mandatory evacuation and some families are still seeking shelter in...

Apple Valley Rattlers observe National 4-H Week.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Sarah Boyer Oct. 30--In honor of National 4-H Week, the Apple Valley Rattlers 4-H Club has been serving their community and helping to educate other area youth about the value of joining 4-H. This year their service project was...

Deadline missed for HUSD recall: Recall proponents to decide whether to start over or go to court.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Hillary Borrud Oct. 30--HESPERIA -- A fire in the Cajon Pass on Oct. 22 could be the end of a recall effort against three Hesperia School District board members or the beginning of a special-election drive, depending on what...

Serrano shuts down Sun Devils: Dominant win sets up shot at MRL title against Hesperia.
October 30, 2007... Byline: Gerald Tang Oct. 30--APPLE VALLEY -- It was an impromptu edition of Monday Night Football, except the game was played during the afternoon in front of sparse crowds on both sides. That didn't make the Serrano football team's...

Trojans hoist Pick: Silver Valley beats Lucerne for first time in seven-year history of Miner's Pick game.
October 30, 2007... Byline: C.J. Daft Oct. 30--YERMO -- Silver Valley junior nose tackle Joseph Pitre looked proud hoisting the Miner's Pick for photos following the Trojans' 33-8 win over Lucerne Valley on Monday afternoon at Don Price Field. Pitre...

Littering leads to crime ring's demise: Fifty home burglaries linked to group of seven, law officials say.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Katherine Rosenberg Oct. 31--VICTORVILLE -- Officials say roughly 50 home burglaries can be linked to a group of seven people, all arrested following a weekend pursuit. In serving numerous search warrants in Victorville, Apple...

Boys and Girls Club to expand: Victor Valley expansion to begin with Silverado High School campus.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 31--ADELANTO -- The Boys and Girls Club of the Victor Valley is working to open more facilities in the area, starting with the Silverado High School campus. The club has operated its Adelanto facility for the...

BRIEF: Warriors capture first league title.
October 31, 2007... Oct. 31--APPLE VALLEY -- The Apple Valley Christian boys volleyball team won the regularseason Inland Coast League title on Tuesday with a 25-19, 25-21 and 25-19 victory over Woodcrest Christian. "It's huge," AVC coach John Richart said....

A place for doughnut, coffee lovers: 'I Love Donuts' coffee house opens in Victorville.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Gretchen Losi Oct. 31--VICTORVILLE -- Doughnut lovers can now come out of the closet and embrace their sweet side at their very own haven, "I Love Donuts." Self-proclaimed doughnut addict, 19-year-old Ashleigh Barnes of...

Twenty pounds of coke seized: Drugs found stashed in dashboard of car stopped on Interstate 15.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Katherine Rosenberg Oct. 31--VICTORVILLE -- Authorities seized 20 pounds of cocaine worth at least $250,000 during a stop along Interstate 15 just north of Victorville, officials said Tuesday. Detectives from the San Bernardino...

A h a u n t i n g l y g o o d t i m e: Family works hard to spook neighbors.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Rachel Byrd Oct. 31--VICTORVILLE -- For the Navarro family, Halloween starts Oct. 1, when they begin transforming their garage into a haunted house. They started the tradition seven years ago when they lived in Rialto, and the...

Two-time kidnapper found after abduction.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Katherine Rosenberg Oct. 31--APPLE VALLEY -- Officials on Tuesday night found a man they had been looking for since Saturday, when he is believed to have kidnapped his estranged wife after she filed divorce papers against him. ...

Runners split on presidential candidates: Husband, wife politicians support different GOP candidates.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Ryan Orr Oct. 31--VICTORVILLE -- Assemblywoman Sharon Runner and state Sen. George Runner visited the Victor Valley on Tuesday to talk about a package of crime bills they co-authored, but when it comes to who should be America's...

BRIEF: Pair of football games moved to Saturday.
October 31, 2007... Oct. 31--Two Mojave River League football games have been moved to Saturday due to delays created by the recent wildfires. Serrano will host its big Mojave River League matchup with Hesperia on Saturday at 7 p.m., according to Serrano...

Football team vs. Orbis crew: Apple Valley players win by pulling DC-10 12 feet, but everybody wins.
October 31, 2007... Byline: Tatiana Prophet Oct. 31--VICTORVILLE -- Just in case there was any doubt, a high school football team is stronger than a group of doctors, nurses and airline pilots. The Apple Valley Sun Devils squared off against an unlikely...