Citizens: What happened to Measure L?
Rebecca Neipp
As members of the Citizens Oversight Committee for Measure L reflect on the first eight months of collecting and spending a city sales tax recently passed to augment police and street funding, some of those members point out that the city actually funded zero road-paving . . . Read Full Story >>
Finance director says revenues on target
Rebecca Neipp
After a turbulent last few budget cycles — filled with midyear cuts from upper levels of government, underperforming revenues and even funding streams that have been cut off altogether — Ridgecrest Finance Director Rachelle McQuiston reported to the city council last week that once all . . . Read Full Story >>
Ground unbroken for proposed Super Walmart
Linda Saholt
After several years rumors around town about the proposed new “Super Walmart” project, ground still hasn’t been broken. According to Ridgecrest Economic Development Manager Gary Parsons, the current delay is on Walmart’s side. “Walmart has terminated their third or fourth engineering firm and is in . . . Read Full Story >>
United Way to hold Summer Reading Backpack Program
The United Way of the Indian Wells Valley is holding its second annual Summer Reading Backpack Program and requests donations of new and/or gently used books suitable for readers in Kkindergarten through second grade. Also needed are donations of backpacks and tote bags. All collected . . . Read Full Story >>
Summer of Westerns, Disney and Silent Movies at Historic USO Bldg.
Free movies on alternating flex Wednesday nights (Wednesday before flex Friday) have become a popular mainstay at the Historic USO Building. Each series focuses on a theme, and resident movie authority and Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert Film Program Coordinator Nick Rogers introduces . . . Read Full Story >>
Children’s Hour set for May 24
In the Gladys Merrick Garden at the Maturango Museum, the rabbits, lizards, hummingbirds and many others are at their busiest finding good things to eat and making homes for their families. The Children’s Hour, Friday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m., will have its end-of the-year . . . Read Full Story >>
Thousands of pounds of food donations help ’Stamp out Hunger’
If you were among the many local residents who contributed to the Post Office’s “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive May 11, you may enjoy learning the total amount of food collected. According to a post office spokes-person, a total of 9,425 pounds of nonperishable food . . . Read Full Story >>
Because they care
Members of the High Desert Stars Cheer team wash cars on May 18, raising $407. The team hosted the carwash to help fund the Ridgecrest Military Banner Program’s efforts to maintain and replace banners around town that have been damaged or destroyed. The youngsters thank . . . Read Full Story >>
Ridge Project cleans up community
Tod McKinney and his team of young volunteers are among more than 200 RidgeProject and “Be the Church” volunteers who teamed up for a community cleanup day on April 23. At least 50 people worked on the Ridgecrest Boulevard cleanup, one of more than 40 . . . Read Full Story >>
Swimmers turn out for annual meet
Greg Williams helps his team win the 200-meter relay with his butterfly stroke during the 47th annual Bjorklund Invitational Swim Meet, which drew about 100 swimmers to Pinney Pool last weekend. The IWV Swim Team racked up 1934 points, while the Swim Club of Ridgecrest . . . Read Full Story >>
Clean-up volunteers band together to honor veteran
On the northeast corner of China Lake Boulevard at the Bowman Road intersection hangs the military banner that reads, “Ridgecrest Honors Veteran Matthew Rael.” Military banners that line China Lake and Ridgecrest boulevards testify to the patriotism of this remote desert city. On Saturday, April . . . Read Full Story >>
County wants to preserve programs
Rebecca Neipp
As the city of Ridgecrest looks at creative solutions for cutting expenses while minimizing the negative impact to the community, officials from Kern County endorsed the concept of partnering with community organizations to preserve recreation programs — a tactic the county has leveraged to survive . . . Read Full Story >>
County nears completion of Phase I for Jackson park expansion
Rebecca Neipp
Phase I of the expansion project for LeRoy Jackson Park is expected to be completed by the end of June, according to Kern County officials. Kern County 1st District Super-visor Mick Gleason was joined by several high-level county staffers last week for a walkthrough of . . . Read Full Story >>
Council to hear revenue projections
Rebecca Neipp
The Ridgecrest City Council will hear a budget projection update for the current fiscal year at tonight’s meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers. According to a staff report, Director of Finance Rachelle McQuiston has researched revenue and expenditure projections for the remaining . . . Read Full Story >>
Bingo to raise funds for Fourth fireworks
Ridgecrest Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Fundraiser Bingo event on June 22, at the Kerr-McGee Center, 100 W. California Ave. All proceeds will help purchase fireworks for the city of Ridgecrest’s July 4 celebration. Doors open at 9 a.m. Early . . . Read Full Story >>
Foundation raises $22,500 for hospital
From left, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Foundation President Alice Benton presents a check for $22,500 to RRH CEO Jim Suver, CEO as Sandy Gilliam, administrator of patient care; Todd Rowland, RN - resource nurse; Jennifer Hugho, clinical manager of the Intensive Care Unit and Med Search; . . . Read Full Story >>
Organizers of Vets Stand Down seek donations, volunteers
The second annual Ridgecrest Veterans Stand Down is set for Friday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kerr McGee Center. Event coordinators are calling for volunteers and donations for this major community event. This year organizers hope to extend their service . . . Read Full Story >>
Post Office helps stamp out hunger
Ridgecrest Postmaster Scott Frid puts bags of donated nonperishable food items into the big collection bin at the post office on May 11, the date of the annual national “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the American Postal . . . Read Full Story >>
Scorpions sweep beach soccer tournament
The Ridgecrest Scorpions Soccer Club boys under 14 and boys under 16 teams traveled to Mission Bay, San Diego, on the weekend of April 27-28 to participate in the Beach Soccer Jam tournament held on Fiesta Island. Each team came home with first-place wins. The . . . Read Full Story >>
Family Fun Fest disappoints DEF
Linda Saholt
Desert Empire Fair CEO Mike Leming reported that the fair’s annual spring event, the Family Fun Fest, cleared about $600, much less than organizers hoped. Heavy winds and cancellations by vendors appear to be the causes. “We had about 600 people over the two days,” . . . Read Full Story >>