Quiet Victory

Next week Twentynine Palms will take a huge step in our new political era. A quiet victory was achieved in the hiring of Michael Tree as the new City Manager. Tree will take over Monday. There will be some powerful and positive changes in the face of local government. We believe these changes will be for the good of all.Two years ago, citizens of Twentynine Palms began the process of liberating ourselves from years of special interest and special favor. We the People used the power of the ballot box to make city government more fair to all. In the next few months culminating in the November General Election we have the opportunity to complete the mission of making the city council of Twentynine Palms a true representation of the majority.

While the rest of us have spent our time raising our families and bringing in the bacon, the reactionary faction of the old guard have spent their days planning to wrench back the power they once controlled on the council and the special favors that used to flow their way.

Be warned these people wish to have their power back. They believe they are the ruling class. They are pissed and will go to any length to get control of this town and your life back into their hands.

Be on your guard. Old dogs do not learn new tricks. They plan to return us to the bad old days of minority rule.

"They are a perfect target for payday lenders."

Major General Michael Lehnert commands most Marine bases west of the Mississippi. He says soldiers find nothing but trouble behind a payday lender's door.

But General Lehnert says this is a legitimate problem. He recently spoke with a group of 1,400 Marines about payday loans.

"I asked the question, ‘how many of you have someone that you know personally who has been in trouble with payday lenders, who has gotten in trouble financially with payday lenders.' Nearly every single hand went up."

Lehnert believes America's armed forces are being preyed upon by payday lenders. There's research that backs him up. A joint California State and University of Florida report finds that payday loan centers are disproportionately found near military bases.

Based on population, researchers believed a town the size of Twentynine Palms should have one payday lender. They found seven, all huddled near the Marine base.

At Camp Pendleton, near Oceanside, researchers expected five payday lenders. They found twenty-two near the south and east gates of the base. And it's not just near military bases that soldiers are targeted.

"Nowadays, a soldier doesn't even need to leave the base in order to get a loan. On the internet, there are literally scores of websites offering military payday loans." The whole Story

JT Water district may lock horns with would-be golf course owner

JOSHUA TREE - The Joshua Basin Water District Board of Directors authorized their attorneys to try to negotiate an amicable solution with the owner of a property on Sunfair Road who proposes to build a golf course development.

Failing an amicable solution, the board authorized the filing of a complaint.

Robert Ellis has installed wells on his property for high-volume use.

The issue involves the district's requirement to install meters on wells. According to Joe Guzzetta, JBWD general manager, so far Ellis has failed to allow the installation ofmeters. The board authorized its staff to initiate litigation if Ellis continues to prohibit it. More

No punishment for “Hadji Girl” Marine

    "The preliminary inquiry has been concluded. No punitive action will be taken against Corporal Belile. And there will be no further investigation," said Maj. Shawn Haney, a spokeswoman at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina.

    Haney said the inquiry ruled out any violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

    Another Marine Corps official, who asked not to be named because details of the inquiry are private, said poor taste, poor judgment and poor timing, not to mention offensive lyrics, do not necessarily amount to criminal conduct. Link

See the video. Best video is at LGF.

A Malkin exclusive — Cpl. Belile speaks.

"I want everyone to know that I’ve read every e-mail, and every message that came my way, and out of nearly 1300 messages, I had one single message that was negative...

    I am planning on recording and releasing a professionally produced and engineered version of "Hadji Girl" which will be aired on the Mike Church show, and will be available for sale through their web site within the coming weeks. I have decided to take this step to show that I am in full support of every American’s right his or her own freedom of speech, military or civilian- to include my own. As long as I am representing only myself and my thoughts and opinions I am within my legal rights as an American.

    If you don’t want to listen to my music, I’m sure your volume knob works as well as mine."

Calif. Town Had No Elections for 25 Years

The tiny town of Vernon, embroiled in a bitter fight over its first election in 25 years, is now facing a wave of search warrants in a corruption investigation.

The city handed prosecutors 1,700 pages of municipal records last week after the California Supreme Court refused to intervene in the case, and prosecutors quickly served search warrants at City Hall and homes in California and out of state.

'Right now, we're just not sure if we have a smoking gun or what,' said David Demerjian, head deputy of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit. MORE

Immigration measure off ballot

The backer of a San Bernardino city immigration initiative says he probably will start over after a judge ruled Monday that he did not gather enough petition signatures to put the measure before voters.

San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge A. Rex Victor said that the number of signatures needed to qualify the City of San Bernardino Illegal Immigration Relief Act should have been set about twice as high as it was.

The judge said he would allow San Bernardino resident Joseph Turner, who wrote the proposed law, 10 days to gather more signatures.

More than 1,600 additional valid signatures would be needed. MORE

California mayors who have been arrested

LYNWOOD: Former Mayor Paul Richards was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2004 on charges of steering a series of lucrative city contracts to a company he secretly owned. Richards served on the Lynwood City Council for 17 years -- including seven years as mayor -- until he was ousted in a recall election in 2003. His recall came after a series of articles in the Los Angeles Times disclosed many of the business dealings that formed the heart of the government's indictment. In November 2005 Richards was convicted on corruption charges and in March 2006 was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison. MORE

Lewis inquiry raises fears for future funds

 Rep. Jerry Lewis has helped secure more than $1 billion for projects across Inland Southern California in recent years, according to an analysis of federal figures and the congressman's press releases.

From his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Lewis, R-Redlands, has aided more than 250 Inland projects with allocations ranging from $81,000 to help move the Big Bear Zoo to nearly $100 million to ESRI, a Redlands mapping company working on reconstruction plans in Iraq.

Federal funding that the veteran lawmaker has helped obtain has paid for flood-control and transportation projects, community services, and advanced technology for area businesses and agencies.

He is credited with bringing tens of millions of federal dollars for cancer research in Loma Linda and helping reverse factors that led to unprecedented fire danger in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Now, as federal authorities investigate Lewis and a prominent Washington lobbying firm that has employed former members of the lawmaker's staff, some Inland observers are concerned that the flow of money from Congress may slow to a trickle. MORE

Gov. Refuses Bush Request for Border Troops

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said Friday that he turned down a White House request to more than double the number of California National Guard troops that will be deployed to the border, fearing the commitment could leave the state vulnerable if an earthquake or wildfire erupts.

Three weeks ago, Schwarzenegger and the Bush administration worked out a written agreement in which the state would send 1,000 troops to the Mexican border as part of a 6,000-strong deployment aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration. MORE

San Jose mayor, aide arrested in garbage scheme

San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales was arrested Thursday on suspicion of six felony counts -- including accepting a bribe -- in connection with a garbage-contract scandal, prompting calls from five members of the City Council that he resign immediately as mayor of the nation's 10th-largest city.

Gonzales, whose second and final term ends Dec. 31, said through a spokesman that he had done nothing wrong and would stay on the job.

The mayor was arrested on charges that include bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation of funds and falsifying government records, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said. He posted $50,000 bail and was released. MORE

Redlands might cut lobbyist

REDLANDS - The city will still be shelling out $30,000 each year for lobbying services, but it might not continue its contract with a lobbying firm embroiled in a federal investigation for its ties to Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands.

On Tuesday, the City Council agreed to keep money for a lobbyist in next year's budget but decided to open the process to bids rather than renew its six-year contract with Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White.

"I'm very concerned about our relationship with the current firm," said Councilwoman Pat Gilbreath. MORE

Faith in Jerry Lewis

You're probably wondering if I've lost faith in my favorite Congressman Jerry Lewis. The answer is a unequivocal No. I honestly believe that Jerry Lewis is as honest as the day is long and would not have knowingly allowed this whole lobby scandal to have ever happened if he had not been so preoccupied with the job as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

Did his friends take advantage of his position to blow smoke up others asses on how they had the Congressman's ear? You bet. Did they do Jerry wrong? You bet your sweet ass they did. Did they do the taxpayer wrong? Right again.

I have personally never had a problem contacting Jerry. His door is always open to every constituent. Why anyone would need a middle man to talk to the most open man in Congress is beyond me.

My complaint is, what kind of bobble headed idiots in local government would have ever thought they needed a god damned lobbyist to contact Jerry Lewis? Just because Highland and SanBag were reeled in like groupers does that mean we had to take the bait too? Is the quality of Public Administration so bad that we are lead by the "if Johnny jumped off the Bridge" crowd?

You'll notice that the School District didn't fall for that crap. Neither did the Twentynine Palms Water District. They have in house grant writers and have the professional confidence to pick up the damned phone and use it. Both the districts have access and seem to be able to get what they need from Washington.

I put the blame right down at city hall. This is what you get when you fail to do a background check. This is NOT an example of "you get what you pay for." If it was, we've been screwed for the last 5 years. This is nothing more than the capper to a less than brilliant career in public administration. I can hardly wait until we shake ourselves loose from this SOB. Just ten more days to go.

Anti-corruption measure to take effect July 1

City and county leaders will be prohibited from lobbying their colleagues for one year after leaving office under a law that takes effect July 1.

The anti-corruption measure is identical to one that already applies to members of the state Legislature and statewide office holders.

State Sen. Nell Soto, who authored the legislation, said she wanted to extend the rule down to the local level to fight a rise in influence peddling in her home district.

"In my county alone, we have had a recent rash of corruption and bribery charges against locally elected officials," Soto, D-Ontario, said in a statement in support of her bill.

"I feel the citizens of San Bernardino deserve the commitment to see that our local government is free of corruption."

The restrictions cover all local elected officials, from city council members to county supervisors to school board members, county chief administrative officers, city managers, and general managers for special districts.

Any official covered by the law who lobbies on behalf of any entity seeking a contract, license, grant or other benefit from the agency that official left will be subject to civil fines and possible criminal penalties. MORE

Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

Why local entities hired the concern when Rep. Jerry Lewis has long delivered U.S. funds to his district isn't clear. The lobbyist is one of his key donors. 

WASHINGTON — Growing up in the Inland Empire, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) was such a star at San Bernardino High School that he captained the swimming team and his basketball jersey was later retired. He went on to build an insurance business, raise seven children, serve on a school board and enter the state Legislature before going on to Congress.And as a member — now chairman — of the House Appropriations Committee, he has sent so much federal money home and been so attentive to local officials that his name is on facilities everywhere. On a community center in Highland, a San Bernardino swimming pool, a University of Redlands research center and more.
"If I want to speak to him or his office, I can contact them at any time," says Redlands Mayor Jon Harrison.

Yet even though the mayor can talk to Lewis and his staff whenever he needs to, the Redlands city government pays $30,000 a year to a Washington lobbying firm for help getting federal funds for local projects.

Redlands is not alone. Over the last few years, at least 19 Inland Empire cities, schools, hospitals and government institutions have paid fees totaling several million dollars to a single lobbying firm — in large part to help them get federal money from a congressman whose door was already open to them. MORE

Why don't he write?

 On Saturday, June 17, 2006, at about 11:30 AM, human remains were found in the open desert north of State Route 62, east of Sunfair, in the Sunfair dry lake in Joshua Tree. Examinations will be conducted this week in order to identify the remains and to determine the cause of death. Anyone with information is urged to call the Coroner Division at 909-387-2978. San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, Homicide Division, is also investigating. Coroner case 06-4713 DC

What Jane Jacobs Really Saw

Legendary author and urban theorist Jane Jacobs passed away last [month] at the age of 89. Her classic 1961 book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities," delivered a damning indictment of postwar city planning and urban renewal efforts, revolutionizing the way we think about and plan our cities.

A working mother with no formal education in urban planning, Jacobs became an icon in the 1960s when she mobilized citizens to fight the redevelopment and highway-construction plans of New York City planning czar Robert Moses, who wielded almost unchecked power over the city's urban development during the mid-20th century. She famously led the effort that defeated Moses' plan to build an expressway through Manhattan's Washington Square Park and West Village, which would have displaced nearly 10,000 residents and workers and destroyed thousands of historic buildings.

Given urban planners' almost universal reverence for Jacobs, it is ironic that many have largely ignored or misinterpreted the central lesson of "Death and Life" -- that cities are vibrant living systems, not the product of grand, utopian schemes concocted by overzealous planners. More

OMG an honest politician: Ohio Mayor Violates Policy He Helped Write

NEWARK, Ohio (AP) - The mayor of this central Ohio city caught someone violating a city employee policy - himself.

Mayor Bruce Bain paid a $368 fine for sending an e-mail that promoted his son's part-time beverage business to city workers. He wrote to 15 city employees, recommending they become involved in selling a health drink.

"I violated the computer use policy I helped write," Bain said at a news conference Thursday. "You have to use the computer only for city business. How can I say to a city employee, 'Don't do that,' if I do it?" MORE

Arsons stoke fear of fires

Dozens of small arsons have ushered in the 2006 Inland fire season, officials say.

More than 40 arsons have been set since the beginning of May over a swath spanning Yucca Valley, northern Riverside County and the Cajon Pass.

That is an unusual surge, said Rocky Oplinger, deputy chief of Fire and Aviation Operations for the San Bernardino National Forest.

"The concern is how many," Oplinger said. "They're spread out throughout the forest and all the jurisdictions."

In response, fire investigators and law-enforcement officials from agencies in Riverside and San Bernardino counties have started an informal task force to share information. More

Lobbying Firm Breaking Up Over Lewis Probe

The lobbying firm enmeshed in a federal investigation of Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, is breaking up because of publicity surrounding the probe, the company said.

The firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White, has been a major player in Washington, particularly in winning narrow appropriations, known as "earmarks," for military contractors, municipalities and others.

Federal investigators last month subpoenaed many of the firm's clients to learn more about the relationship between Lewis and former Rep. Bill Lowery (R-San Diego), a partner in the firm since 1993 who is a friend and financial supporter of Lewis. More

Police intrusion for evidence allowed

Police who enter a home illegally without knocking and find incriminating evidence can use it in a trial, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Thursday, carving an important exception in the 45-year-old rule that keeps unlawfully seized evidence out of court.

In a 5-4 ruling, with new Justice Samuel Alito casting a crucial vote, the court said police intrusions on residential privacy are adequately restrained by several factors -- including "the increasing professionalism of police forces'' -- without suppressing evidence that is obtained with a search warrant. MORE

Earmarks: Out of control spending

Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., took to the House floor to object to the use of earmarks, specifically two written by Lewis, one of which was for a community pool in Banning.

Flake, who submitted amendments to stop the expenditures and forced their sponsors to defend them in person, is a foe of the time-treasured earmarking practice. Earmarks dedicate federal dollars for specific projects, such as community centers, sports facilities, libraries and parks.

The underlying bill still passed by a 406-22 vote after a two-day debate. Banning will receive $500,000. The city had already received a combined $500,000 in earmarks proposed by Lewis over the past two years. Also as a result of the vote, Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa will get $500,000 for an athletic center.

Flake's amendments failed by margins of about 6 to 1, reflecting the broad support for lawmakers' cherished right to direct taxpayer dollars back home. The votes came despite sentiment among the GOP's core conservative supporters that the process is out of control. More

Best Representation Money Can Buy

An analysis by Citizens Against Government Waste shows that dozens of groups in Rep. Jerry Lewis' district in Riverside County received funding targeted specifically for them in spending bills. Some of those groups also hired Bill Lowery's firm to lobby Congress. For example, the city of Twentynine Palms paid the firm $40,000 last year to represent it. Congress approved $24 million for projects in the area last year, including $21 million for military operations on urban terrain and $3 million to improve a wastewater treatment facility, the analysis shows. More

Lobbying deals needed?

Records sought by investigators include "all documents relating to your decision to retain (Copeland Lowery) to perform lobbying services and/or public-relations work," a subpoena to the city of Twentynine Palms states.

When city leaders in Glendora need to enlist some help from their hometown congressman, they just pick up the phone and call Rep. David Dreier's office.

Smith & Wesson cornered market on arming CHP

SACRAMENTO - The California Highway Patrol restricted bids on a $5.3 million gun contract to a single Smith & Wesson pistol, even though a rival manufacturer offered almost identical weapons for $2.2 million less.

SigArms Inc. alleged in April 10 letters to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and CHP Commissioner Mike Brown that the state's decision to favor Smith & Wesson was improper and contrary to state contract regulations, which require competitive bidding for big government purchases.

"Historically, when governments or companies have not used the competitive bidding process, waste and corruption have often been the result," SigArms general counsel Eric Cook wrote.

The CHP confirms it restricted bids to a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semiautomatic pistol, but it denies that it breached state rules.

In a letter to SigArms, Brown said the decision favoring Smith & Wesson was made to save taxpayers' money and prevent CHP officers from being hurt while learning to use new pistols. His letter was obtained by the Sacramento Bee under the state Public Records Act. More

Angry attorney critical of leaks in Marine probe

CAMP PENDLETON -- A Carlsbad attorney blasted military officials Monday for leaking information about an ongoing investigation of 11 Camp Pendleton Marines and a Navy Corpsman for the alleged April 26 kidnapping and killing of an Iraq man.

David Brahms, who said he is representing one of the Marines under investigation, said the men from Kilo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment are being charged, sentenced and executed in the media because of reports from unnamed military sources.

"The bastards who leaked the information should be hung in a public square," said Brahms, who declined to identify his client. "My Marines are being thrown under the goddamn bus." MORE

Yucca Valley tied to Lewis Inquiry

The High Desert town of Yucca Valley has been subpoenaed for records pertaining to the federal criminal investigation of ties between Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, and lobbying giant Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White.

Yucca Valley joins a growing list of government entities that have been served subpoenas, including San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Redlands, Loma Linda, Twentynine Palms and the Cal State San Bernardino Foundation.

An FBI spokesman in Washington, D.C., confirmed Tuesday the agency is working more than 2,000 public corruption investigations, including the Jack Abramoff lobbying probe and several inquiries stemming from the bribery conviction of former San Diego Rep. Randy ``Duke'' Cunningham.

The clerk for Yucca Valley confirmed Tuesday her office has been subpoenaed for records pertaining to Copeland Lowery and Lewis in connection with a criminal investigation being conducted by the FBI, the federal Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the IRS. MORE

FBI Investigates Twentynine Palms

Federal prosecutors have served the cities of Loma Linda and Twentynine Palms with subpoenas as part of a probe into ties between Rep. Jerry Lewis and a powerful lobbying firm.

Investigators appear to be zeroing in on the connection between Lewis, R-Redlands, and Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White, one of the more successful Washington, D.C., lobbying firms.

In the May 17 subpoena to Twentynine Palms, the Los Angeles branch of the U.S. attorney's office ordered city officials to produce all documents relating to their decision to retain Copeland Lowery, all communications with the firm and Lewis or his staff and all documents connected with payments to the firm. More

California won't immediately enforce new Medi-Cal ID law

LOS ANGELES - A new federal law aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from getting Medicaid won't be enforced in California until guidelines are set up to make sure U.S. citizens don't mistakenly lose their benefits.

The law requires that beginning July 1, 50 million enrollees in the nation's government-funded health insurance program (called Medi-Cal in California) must provide identification and proof of citizenship to receive benefits. People granted asylum and legal immigrants who have been in the country at least five years also are eligible. More

Cook Wins!

Congratulations Mr. Paul Cook. Barring a Golbal Meltdown Mr. Cook will be the new 65th District Assemblyman come the General Election.

I stand in awe of a mind boggling feat. On to November.

P.S. Does someone have a savory recipe for hat?

Results: State Assembly District 65

100% precincts reporting Candidate                                  Votes Percent
Democratic
Rita Ramirez-Dean                    17,692  100.0
Republican
Jim Ayres                                   6,357   22.2    Ken D. Smith                                1,369    4.7    Paul J. Cook                                8,324   29.0    Robin Lowe                                  6,225   21.6    Brenda Salas                                6,434   22.5
Peace & Freedom
Jon Taleb                                          30  100.0

Election Day!

Registered voters in the 65th District include 76,200 Democrats, 103,300 Republicans and 32,100 undeclared voters.

Recommend this...

Rocky wants to add a room. City Staff seems to say ok. You'd think it would be cut and dry wouldn't you? It seems like there is a rift at city hall. The City Managers Agenda says deny the addition, and the Staff says it is a go. Who will win?

6.0 PUBLIC HEARING -
6.1 PC 06-45 An application by Rocky L. Moore for a Variance to the RS-4 zone development standards, to allow a 5’ side yard setback for the construction of a 575 sq. ft. garage and conversion of the existing garage into living area, at 6809 Ivanpah Avenue, Zone RS-4, TIN, R8E, Section 33, APN #0614-072-09.

Swigart's Recommendation: Conduct the Public Hearing, deny the Variance, citing noncompliance with City standards for new construction. MORE

Staff Recommendation: Conduct the Public Hearing, make the appropriate findings and approve the Variance, subject to compliance with City standards for new construction. Report

Mike is getting his last digs in. We're just counting off the days.

Who is Backing Whom

Editorial: 65th Assembly District - Lowe is the Record Gazette's choice

The Hi-Desert Star's View: Cook only choice

As we find media endorsments we will link them.

Assembly candidate loses coalition's endorsement

A national Christian lobbying group has withdrawn its endorsement of a candidate in the 65th Assembly District after learning she lives with her fiancé.

The Traditional Values Coalition, an Anaheim-based group known for its opposition to abortion and gay marriage, pulled its support of Banning Councilwoman Brenda Salas after churchgoers in the district informed the group about Salas' personal life, the Rev. Lou Sheldon said this week.

Sheldon, founder of the coalition, said he didn't want "to create a smear campaign" against Salas, but said there was "no way under those circumstances" his group could support Salas. More

Campaign accused of breaking law

Assembly candidate Brenda Salas is accused of breaking campaign law by allegedly allowing links between her campaign organization and two independent expenditure committees that have financed mailers containing attacks against three of her opponents.

That's according to fellow candidate Jim Ayres and a representative for candidate Paul Cook.

Salas, who is one of five Republican candidates for the 65th Assembly District seat that Russ Bogh will vacate at year's end because of term limits, denied any connection with West Valley Young Republicans or the Committee Against Corruption.

“My campaign has nothing to do with those committees,” Salas said.

Campaign financial disclosure documents show that Salas' campaign manager, Josh Candelaria, has received salary from one of the committees, as well as from her own campaign committee. That may violate campaign law barring any significant contact between a campaign and independent expenditure committees. More

Immigration, experience main issues in June 6 primary

Voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide on a couple of statewide ballot measures, fill some nonpartisan offices and narrow down the field of candidates for November's elections.

Online Extra: List of candidates

In many cases, they don't face much of a choice: plenty of races already have only one Republican and Democrat (and in some cases, an "other'') set to go head-to-head five months from now.

But there are a handful of local races for federal and state offices that actually hinge on a decision from constituents. MORE

Kevin D. Dishon of Joshua Tree

At 7:10 PM on 06-02-2006,(Friday) a 1977 Datsun truck with two occupants was northbound on Yucca Mesa Rd. in the city of Joshua Tree. The Datsun made a right turn on to Aberdeen Drive in front of a 2004 Ford Ranger truck that was eastbound. The impact caused the Datsun to overturn. The driver was airlifted to a Riverside County hospital. The restrained passenger was extricated by Fire personnel and was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:40 PM. The decedent, Kevin D. Dishon of Joshua Tree a 26 year old male resident of Joshua Tree. he California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

29 goes in the Red

TWENTYNINE PALMS - The Twentynine Palms City Council last week approved a few changes to the city's 2006-07 budget, which it approved last year as part of a two-year budget package.

Council members, meeting in regular session on Tuesday, May 23, voted 5-0 to approve the amendments, which include $400,000 in added revenue and $450,000 in added expenses. MORE

Jury: County losing more than $13 million

SAN BERNARDINO — Last year San Bernardino County lost out on more than $13 million of development impact fees, according to an interim report of the 2005-06 Grand Jury.

The Grand Jury's interim report recommends the county consider development impact fees to offset the demands of growth. The fees collected would pay for libraries, fire stations, roads and bridges and similar projects. More

FBI eyes county records

Federal investigators have served San Bernardino County with a request for records related to the county's contract with a top D.C. lobbying firm tied to Rep. Jerry Lewis, sources said Wednesday.

The Redlands Republican and chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee has said previously there was nothing inappropriate about his relationship to lobbyist Bill Lowery.

He could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. More