Needles Desert Star from Needles, California • 25

NEEDLES DESER STAR, WEDNESDA Y. NOVEMBER 4, 1 987 D-1 cent; and Kern County, down less than 0.1 percent. Of the twelve counties with total assessments of $30 billion or more, only Kern County failed to achieve an increase over 8 percent. Los Angeles County, with the largest assessment roll at $321.1 billion, grew by $33 billion (11.4 percent). The seven smallest counties, all with total values under $1 billion, scored increases ranging from 2.9 to 6.6 percent.

Ratepayers Receive $72 Million The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced today that California ratepayers will receive over $72 million in refunds as the result of a settlement PUC attorneys reached with Southland Royalty Company and several other natural gas producers. Pacific Gas and Electric Southern California Gas (So Cal Gas) companies and the Enforcement staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) joined with the PUC in negotiating the settlement. The refunds will be made when the FERC gives final approval of the settlement, which is expected sometime in January 1988. This settlement resolves, inpart, the controversy over natural gas production from the Waddell Ranch in Crane County, Texas. IN a landmark 1978 U.S.

Supreme Court decision, in hich the PUC prevailed, it was found that Waddell Ranch natural gas had been dedicated to interstate commerce. During a time of natural gas shortages in the 1970s, this meant that California was assured of a dependable supply of natutal gas from Waddell Ranch. About two years ago, however, the PUC learned that a substantial amount of Waddell Ranch had been diverted from the in-terstatemarket to the intrastate market in Texas. This means that and SoCal Gas had to buy natural gas from more expensive sources, or their customers were forced to switch to more expensive oil. These costs were passed on to ratepayers.

Consequently, the PUC, and SoCal Gas have been representing ratepayers before the FERC, seeking redress of the natural gas producers diversionary actions. The present settlement agreement, filed with the FERC on October 23, 1987, resolves this dispute with Southland Royalty and certain other natural gas producers They have agreed to collectively refund over $72 million to California ratepayers, and $15 million to ratepayers in other states Even with this settlement, the FERC proceeding is not concluded because the same issues concerning diversion have not been resolved regarding gas produced by Chevron U.S A Inc. from the Waddell Ranch. However, settlement talks have recently begun among the PUC. SoCal Gas.

and Chevron. Mohave Valley Elementary School Menu for 11-5 to 11-11 Thursday. 11-5 Chili Beans Peaches Celery Sticks Cheese Roll Milk above are two of the new rivers in Bullhead City. As of press time most of the water in the area had receded but there was news of another impending storm to pass the local area towards the end of the week. combat chemical dependency among youth.

In addition to substance abuse topics, the training is providing first-hand insight on how to detect other high risk behaviors in youth, lb just focus on substance abuse would be to encourage tunnel vision," says Loretta A. Middleton, consultant to SBCSS for this project, and program coordinator for high risk youth at San Bernardino City Unified. Substance abuse is a high risk behavior and its not unusual for other destructive behaviors to have the same underlying problems serving as their catalyst," she continued. "The Task Force and the County Superintendent of Schools have adopted a training of trainers model as the most effective use of the available funds, said Jon Scharer, SBCSS assistant superintendent of instruction. "The training we are providing will enable school districts throughout San Bernardino County to implement or expand substance abuse prevention and intervention programs, he added.

Middleton, with the assistance of local agencies, are conducting workshops where participants will learn about intervention, counseling, curriculum, networking with other resources in the community, and facilitating student support groups. Aside from the 24 school districts involved in the training, two private schools in San Bernardino, St. Anthonys and Aquinas High, as well as the Diocense of San Bernardino, Juvenile Court Schools program of SBCSS, and Palm Springs Unified have all sent representatives to be trained. In addition to SBCSS, other participating agencies on the task force include the City of Colton, Safe and Sober Task Force, San Bernardino County Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs, San Bernardino County Public Health, San Bernardino County Probation, San Bernardino Community Against Drugs, San Bernardino Police Department, as well as school members, PTA representatives, and the school districts of Ontario-Montclair, San Bernardino City Unified, and Snowline Joint Unified. California Property Increases Ernest J.

Dronenburg, Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization, announced today that the total assessed value of property in California increased by 10 percent from the 1986-87 tax year to the current 1987-88 tax year. Dronenburg reported that the total value of state-assasessed and county-assessed property rose to $1.1751 trillion, up $106.4 billion (10 percent) from last year's $1.0587 trillion. The county assessment rolls broke the one-trillion dollar mark for the first time, increasing by $103.0 billion (10.4 percent) for a statewide total of $1.0977 trillion. State-assessed property, mainly privately owned public utilities and railroads, rose by $3.3 billion (5.2 percent) to $67.3 billion. Inyo County led the other counties with an increase of 18.8 percent barely outpacing the 18.5 percent growth in Tuolumne County.

Growth in both counties was fueled by natural resources development geothermal energy in Inyo and gold mining in Tuolumne. Among the other counties, sixteen posted gains between 10 and 14 9 percent, 28 grew between 5 and 9.9 percent and nine showed increased below 5 percent. The depressed value of petroleum producing properties is reflected in the assessment roll decreases in Colusa County, down 3.1 percent; Glenn County, 1.2 per- Body Found Near Devore Someone, a mother perhaps, must be wondering why a daughter has not communicated with her for a year or so. The daughter, who was a young lady a few years on either side of age 30 about a year ago, took good care of herself by having such things as good dental work, wearing designer-type clothes with a sports or outdoors flair and colorful Nike shoes. But that lady doesnt have the capability to communicate since her remains are just one of a growing list of Jane Does, Class of 87, which are in storage in the San Bernardino County morgue awaiting identification.

The body was discovered on the afternoon of October 1 off a steep hillside west of Interstate 15, approximately one mile south of the Kenwood Ave. offramp. The area is readily accessible for travelers in that area. Private surveyors located the skeletal remains while working in the area shortly after they had completed their noon break. Members of Sgt.

Bill Arthurs homicide detail squad responded and conducted a death investigation, but are stymied until they learn the identity of the woman. Detective Gerrit Tesselaar, a member of the investigation team, reports that the womans age could range from 23 to 35; she had expensive dental work; was wearing a dark-blue wool sweater which was medium size and long-sleeved; had a light pullover short-sleeve shirt with small horizonal redgreenblue stripes; Lee brand blue jeans with a 24-26 waist and an inseam of 26-28; a pair of white Nike shoes with a lavender stripe and trim, size and gray socks with a maroon stripe. There are probably many women with a similar build and tastes, said Detective Tesselaar, but were looking for the one who may have lived anywhere in a geographical triangle from Ontario to the Morongo Basin to the Barstow-Baker area and perhaps elsewhere and who is missing. We need the publics help, the Veteran detective said. He can be reached at 714-387-3573, but any information about the case can also be given to any law enforcement agency.

County Begins Indepth Series Monday marked the start of an indepth series of substance abuse training sessions for 24 school districts throughout San Bernardino County aimed at curbing drug and alcohol abuse among youth. A group of over 160 educators, parents, and other community representatives convened at the Norman Feldheym Library in San Bernardino to begin their training being conducted by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. The program is being funded by a federal grant of $124,000 that was awarded to SBCSS by the San Bernardino County Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Support of the program was extended in opening remarks delivered by Mayor Evelyn Wilcox; San Bernardino City Police Chief Donald J. Burnett; Bill Shalhoub, chief, Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Department of Mental Health; and Charles S.

Terrell, San Bernardino County superintendent of schools. The program is the result of a cooperative effort of SBCSS and several community agencies who, in January of this year, banned together to form the San Bernardino County Substance Abuse 'Risk Force to address ways to Deukmejian Requests Assistance On the morning of October 1, a major earthquake rocked Southern California. This earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks, took a tragic toll on our state taking eight lives, forcing hundreds of people to lose their homes, and causing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property damage. Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend all of those state, federal, local agencies, private volunteer organizations and individual citizens whose efforts resulted in such an effective and well organized reponse to this disaster.

In the wake of this tragedy, thousands of Southern Californians are now struggling to rebuilt their homes, their businesses and their lives. Upon my request, President Reagan designed the earthquake area receive federal disaster assistance. This federal aid is essential and helpful, but it is not enough for many of those who were hardest hit by the earthquakes. Therefore, I am calling a special session of the state Legislature for November 9. First, I will request the Legislature to provide supplemental grants to needy individuals and families.

Second, I am proposing state funds to assist public agencies to rebuild public facilities. With this combination of federal assistance and state funding, it is my intent to provide the funding to fully repair state and local public facilities, including our schools. Third, I will ask for a law which would direct county assessors to make adjustments on the assessed value of damaged homes. Lost county revenues would be made up by the state. Fourth, I will ask the Legislature to amend our states tax codes to allow individuals to carry forward 100 percent of their casualty loss on their state income tax returns.

And finally, I have asked the leaders of Californias banking and credit institutions to take into consideration this disaster when making decisions that affect the finances of earthquake victims. The combined total of state and federal direct grants is expected to be approximately $120 million. Low interest loans and tax relief will provide additional aid to victims. I am hopeful that these measures will receive strong bipartisan support and that the Legislature will act swiftly to help the earthquake victims. For the past five years, I have insisted that our budget contain a prudent reserve for emergencies.

The tragic events of the last few weeks in Southern California have certainly proved the need for this reserve. Finishing and Modeling school Visual Poise Personality Development Developing Confidence Manners 6 week program Needles (602) 768-7734 849 Front St. (619) 326-3709 NEW BUSINESS OPENING OCT. 3lst Country General 10325 Barrackman Rd.f Mohave Valley (Next to Polar Elec.) Deadline For Classified Ads Is FRIDAY 5 P.M. USED Furniture.

Beds Sofas. Easy Chairs Tables. Lamps Appliances Friday, 1 1-6 Pizza Tossed Salad Peas Chocolate Brownie Milk Monday, 11-9 Tbstado LettuceCheese Cinnamon Apples Cookie Milk Tuesday, 11-10 Cheeseburger French Fries LettucePickle Fruit Milk Right, TVvo Stores in One -2- Thats NEW Tools. Toy's for Xmas Art Crafts Supplies Ribbon. Lace Wholesale Retail Custom Made Ladies Hats We Buy Sc Sell Good Used Furniture Sc Appliances tf GENERAL HOMES PATIOS REMODELS (602) 768-9474 Specializing in Finish Work Doors Windows Formica Arizona Licensed and Bonded Come in and Sten Up for Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey to Be Given Away (No Purchase Necessary) Nov.

25 Stop By to Browse and Say 'Hi to Millie and Ra" Wednesday, 11-11 VETERANS DAY NO SCHOOL.