Members of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) voted 3-0 last Friday to adopt a revised cease and desist order involving Lake Arrowhead Community Service District's (LACSD) draw on Lake Arrowhead.

“The district is now looking at ways we can move forward,” stated LACSD President Mary Ann Dickinson, “and how we can comply with the order.”

Dickinson explained the SWRCB order, which was still being finalized during last Friday's hearing, will hopefully be released by the state in the next few days.

Basically, the order takes corrective action to ensure LACSD doesn't withdraw more water for consumptive purposes from Lake Arrowhead and its source, Little Bear Creek, than its pre-1914 water right provides.

SWRCB, in addition to establishing the allowable draw at 1,566-acre feet, also assessed an administrative liability against LACSD in the amount of $112,000....Read Entire Article

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Chamber Receives Bed Tax Appropriation (From The Mountain News)

Each year local mountain chambers of commerce join their counterparts in other unincorporated areas of San Bernardino in receiving “Transient Occupancy Tax,” more informally known as “bed taxes” from the county and 2006 will prove to be no different.

On Feb. 14 the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors gave the chambers and similar organizations a “valentine's gift” when they approved the amount due to each chamber. Overall, 20 chambers of commerce will share a total of $260,000.

As usual the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce will receive the most money of all 19 chambers with $138,264 while the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will receive $6,693 and the Crestline Chamber of Commerce will net $7,674.

The funds are awarded each year to the chambers or other recreation organizations to help promote tourism in their particular community and each chamber is accountable to the county for how the funds will be used. Read Entire Article

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New CHP commander pledges safer mountain roads (The Alpenhorn News)

Since assuming command of the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Running Springs office at the beginning of January, Lt. Rick Sanders has been enjoying all the amenities that a rural community has to offer; blue skies, lush vegetation, lakes and a quiet atmosphere.

“It’s been a nice change. Everyone is friendly and it’s been an easy transition,” said the married, 43-year-old father of two, who began his 23-year law enforcement career as a motorcycle patrol officer in the San Gabriel Valley in 1983.

Saying his passion for motorcycles began during his teens, Sanders added that his interest in law enforcement began at the age of 14 when he joined a Law Enforcement Explorer Scout Program while attending high school.

His interest in law enforcement intensified while working as a cadet dispatcher for the city of Monrovia. When it came time for college, he enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut where he pursued a law enforcement curriculum.

Sanders said he hates rolling out to incidents where there are injuries, devastation and fatalities. With that thought in mind, he said his goal for the mountain area is to reduce accidents and save lives. To attain his goal, he urges motorists to obey speed limits and to buckle up.

“I’m encouraging my staff to reduce the death rate by continuously focusing on seatbelt, speed and DUI (driving under the influence) violations,” he said...Read Entire Article

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Parents Denied Access to High School (The Alpenhorn News)

The Alpenhorn News, a lawyer and a school activist, and local residents, were denied access to Rim of the World High School by Principal Walter Harrison on Wednesday, February 5.

After several request by The Alpenhorn News to tour the high school because of complaints from the community and activists, Harris told Dennis H. Labadie, Publisher/owner that he could not come on school grounds after hours with his lawyer, and a school activist, but would allow only Labadie and a reporter access. He said that he had the right to deny access to school property to anyone he chose too, and that it was written in the State Education Code, but could not cite the codes or what laws pertained to his denial.

Harris told The Alpenhorn News that the Interim Superintendent Karen Bryan was in agreement with his decision, and the newspaper would have to take the issue (the high schools position to deny access to mountain residents) up with the Superintendent.

When informed that The Alpenhorn News was advised by the Rim High School principal that a reporter could accompany the publisher on a tour of the Rim High School property to investigate recent complaints, but that no lawyers or community activists would be allowed, Maureen Mann, attorney and community activist stated, "that kind of attitude is exactly what destroys confidence in our public schools." Read Entire Article

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Upcoming Mountain Events and Activities

Lake Gregory Calendar of Events

See the latest events planned at the Lake Arrowhead Village

Lake Arrowhead Chamber's Calendar of Events

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