Lucerne Valley Leader

By TOMOYA SHIMURA, Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE • A Lucerne Valley woman was sentenced to 15 years to life on July 16 for the murder of her stepfather five years ago.

Justina Marie Perry, 22, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in February but then tried to withdraw her plea. She withdrew that motion Friday just before Victorville Superior Court Judge John Tomberlin sentenced her.

By Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer

ADELANTO • The crowd at Maverick Stadium was a bit thin Thursday night before the High Desert Mavericks’ game against the San Jose Giants. Although no drops had fallen at the Adelanto baseball stadium, periodic lightning strikes were visible, and fewer than 200 spectators were in the stands as more than three dozen young men and women marched out onto the baseball diamond.

By KRIS REILLY, Editor

As summer temperatures climb into the triple digits, there’s a place where Lucerne Valley residents can go to escape the searing desert heat.

For the first time, Southern California Edison is offering a “Cool Center” in Lucerne Valley. The Senior Center, located on Old Woman Springs Road behind the library, will welcome local residents free of charge from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, now through Oct. 15.

PHOTO submitted BY DAVID CZECH

A firefighter douses a fire that burned a home in the 32000 block Amber Road on July 13. No one was hurt.

No one injured as blaze consumes Lucerne Valley home

By KRIS REILLY, Editor

LUCERNE VALLEY • A home in the 32000 block of Amber Road was ravaged by a fire on the morning of July 13 while the residents were away.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

LUCERNE VALLEY • A fire burned a trailer and other structures on a property near Highway 247 and Meridian Road on Monday afternoon.

Firefighters at the local stations teamed up with firefighters from other nearby departments to stop the blaze and save another trailer and other vehicles on the property.

Official comments from authorities could not be obtained before press time on Monday afternoon.

The fire appeared to have destroyed a trailer, two nearby structures, a water tank and two vehicles.

Y Saloon benefit raises money for couple injured in motorcycle spill

By PETER DAY, Special to the Leader

Y Saloon patrons last Saturday helped out fellow motorcycle riders Zachary and Jessica Shuler who are recovering from injuries suffered during a recent spill in Reno.

The well-known local couple was participating in a motorcycle run when the accident occurred, according to Y Saloon manager Letty Padilla.

“Zach broke his arm, and Jessica had really bad road rash.”

McConnell names Lucerne Valley, Hesperia districts among 174 in financial trouble

By Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer

The Lucerne Valley Unified School District is one of 174 public school districts statewide to end up on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s list of schools that are having “trouble meeting their financial obligations.”

By KRIS REILLY, Editor

When Jerry Bryant bought an old ranch off Highway 18 on the southeastern end of Lucerne Valley, he thought he’d fix it up and have it open in no time.
Seven years later, he’s still optimistic.

Byrant’s Lazy Lizard Ranch has faced numerous obstacles over those seven years. He thinks the 67-acre property – which already hosts the occasional charity event or private gathering – will finally be ready to open to the public by next spring.

Hundreds line Highway 18 for Saturday morning parade

By Beau Yarbrough, Special to the leader

Valley residents woke up early Saturday morning, lining both sides of Highway 18 and Old Woman Springs Road from Trade Post Road to Pioneer Park, celebrating Independence Day.

“Happy 3rd of July!” a girl standing in front of Lucerne Valley Dental called out to a passing float.

By KRIS REILLY, Editor

As the deadline for public comments on the project approached, representatives of the Granite Mountain Wind project spoke to a sparse gathering at the Lucerne Valley Community Center.

It was originally intended to be a Municipal Advisory Council meeting, but that meeting was canceled because there weren’t enough MAC board members present.