The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 19

I VI. 20, IDiW imDaMmdl IEmninDnn0 Obituaries Busincs Tho Sun San Bernardino, California Central Valley mi (Ion Rialto, Colton, Grand Tcrraco Bloomington, Lytlo Creek Oak Glen CYA escapees apprehended in Phoenix By CONMKRITII OAK CIXN Two leenatfers who reaped from a California Youth Authority ramp here two weeks ago were apprehended in Phoenix on Tuewlay following a bank robbery there, authorities uid The two ar believed responsible fr 1 No detail about tho bank robbery wcr available, be said. Hull said the pair were bring sought by San Diego County sheriff's deputies and I1U agents in connection with a Tuitn bank robbery and several other Kan Diego robberies, including bank. Authorities obtained Information the )ouths were headed for the Phoenix area in a red Toyota and alerted law enforcement agencies there. Hull said.

He said Phoenix police were told If I bank robbery occurred there to search within several blocks of the holdup site for the rar and the suspects, an apparent pattern In the earlier robleriet. Following Tuesday's bank robbery, officers searched the area and. at the motel. Several Oak Glen retidents. already con-rerned over Increased rcapr from the ramp, became angry over the latet rcape and fearful that unle the ramp is secure! something worse might happen.

Iiy the time Assemblyman lull lonard, lledlands, loured the ramp Friday to set ho security rould lie lightened, ramp of finals told him warning lyMems are under way and fencing la planned Camp Superintendent Cynthia Urown said programmable telephone tem to warn residents of escapes has been ordered and fencing etlmates also were requested. Urown said serious offenders rour- found the rar and two leenatfers who fit the description of the robbers. Hull said. In addition to a bank rubbery in the Ixmon Grove area of San Dirga, the teenagers are believed reponible for the robbery of a liquor store and doughnut hop in that area. Hull said.

He said a girl In San Diego had befriended the lernagers and that the boys drove her rar to Arizona, On IV b. 12, two teenagers walked away from the Oak UWn ramp and reportedly broke into a houe two miles away, terrorti-Ing and robbing the residents and two neighbor. The pair fled with weapons and a truck. The truck wai recovered In the San Diego area Sunday. several other robberies in California, offi cial said.

Ilotx-rt Dean Mills. 18. of San Diego and Walter Williams. Id, of Stockton were ar retted about 2 11 m. at a Phoenix motel about four blocks from a bank that had Just been robbed, said Caj't.

Al Hull of the San Bernardino County sheriff's Yucaira sta Students show off tion. Trucker: some talent if r. There are talented kids In the Inland Empire who want my Job. Didn't know he hit man One of them Is likely to eel il, and Trial starts in suit by student barred from graduation you. the reader, wont mind a bu, They are newspaper and yearbook Matters from high schools and Junior huh schools in ByJOEimiDCMA.N KANCHO CL'CAMONGA San Ikrnardino and Riverside counties taught by members of the Inland Journalism Education Sheriff's officials said Tuesday they have completed tests on a tractor trailer believed Involved in i fatal hit and run accident Feb.

18. Association. The association enlisted ncwspcoplc to Judk'e its annual ritlng competitions Saturday at lit ft It, i the University of California. John Paul, -VI. of Iowa was Riverside.

We happily agreed the Identified as the driver of the truck. Officials say the vehicle quality of writing had Improved Mnre last year, at least among the best of them. dragged and killed a motorcyclist at a Whlttram Avenue intersection, then left the scene. Unfortunately, the runof the- 3 i Paul told authorities he was unaware he had hit anyone, said Deputy Ed Witham. He has not been arrested.

The case Is scheduled to go to the county district By Jl'UI AWE DART Sun M-rnar Jurors In a Ix Angeles federal court began hearing evidence Tuesday In a suit filed against the San Bernardino school district by a former Cajon High School student who was barred from a graduation ceremony because he refused to sign a behavior "contract" The suit centers around a contract devised by the San Bernardino City Unified School DLstrlct In li84 to help ensure that students would remain orderly during the graduation ceremony. The document said the district could exclude students from the ceremony If they were under the Influence of alcohol or drugs, and prohibited them from bringing "beach balls. FrLsbees. nolscmakcrs, fireworks, glow sticks, etc." The contract also allowed school officials to dismiss students who shouted or made rude gestures during the ceremony, and to search them to make sure they were not hiding contraband. Poffek, now 20 and working toward a career in law enforcement, was an honor student at Cajon mill riling needed more work than one would comrortably expect from an average Mudent.

Spelling, punctuation and grammatical problems were compounded by difficulties in keeping facts straight. Maying on the subject and generally communicating with the written word. Conversation in complete sentences with a teenager has attorney's office today. "We've put together an Investi gation and we're going to submit It to the DA for his determination as to whether there should be a prosecution or not." Witham said. always been allegedly difficult, at Joseph I.

Sanders, an 18-year- least ever since I as the object of old Ontario resident, died after he and his motorcycle became entangled in the trailer's front axles. The truck made a left turn from the complaints and not the complainer. It is unclear hat all of this portends beyond the existence of talent that could be outstanding wilh work and the comfort Whittram Avenue onto Pecan Avenue as Sanders was attempting to pass the rig, Witham said. writers can take in knowing there r- Sanders and the motorcycle are kids who still want to write. So such a contract was a "visual" search, Pfaeler said Tuesday that th only question left to he decided was whether Poffek was damaged by the district's requirement of a mandatory search.

If he was, the Jury roust determine the amount of the damages he Is entitled to, Tilton said. Besides picking a Jury Tuesday, Tilton and Ronald Ruud. representing the school dhtrlct, began examining witnesses In the case. Jay's father, Edward Poffek. testified about the events leading up to his son's graduation, Tilton said.

He said he expected Jay Poffek. his mother. Judith Poffek, and several San Bernardino school officials to take the stand today. Testimony should be completed by the end of this week, Tilton said. Ruud could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

At a press conference when the suit was filed in April 1984, Tilton said his client was subjected to "public ridicule, humiliation and emotional distress" because he would not sign the contract. Edward Poffek was originally a party to the action. Tilton said at the time the suit was filed that the district violated Edward Poffek's rights when it asked him to sign the contract for his son. Edward Poffek, who graduated from high school by earning an equivalency certificate, suffered emotional distress because his son was not allowed in the ceremony, Tilton said. Pfaelr ruled Tuesday that Edward Polek could not sue the district in federal court because he was not a student and the contract did not apply directly to him, Tilton said.

Tilton originally was asking for $500,000 in compensatory damages and $300,000 in punitive damages on behalf of the Poffeks a total of $2 million. But Tilton said Tuesday he had decided to leave the amount of damages up to the six-person jury. Last April, Tilton said he decided to file the lawsuit in federal court because the constitutional claims could be tried there, as well as the claims for emotional distress. Staff shot by David hrlbf let's salute the winners. wen? both dragged 1,200 feet up Pecan Avenue before becoming San Bernardino's San Gorgonio dislodged.

Witnesses said the truck, which never stopped, bore the Insignia of Pacific States Transport Inc. Sheriff's investigators and offi Loma Linda youngsters Nathan Wilson, 7, left, and Chris Shennar, 10, cooled off with a hose at the Wilson home Tuesday. Summerlike weather expected 'til weekend cials of the trucking company tried to find the tractor-trailer rig and identify its driver in a search that stretched as far away as Utah. Paul returned to the compa ny's Rancho Cucamonga yard on Feb. 19, Witham said, and investi gators examined the truck he was High and the only one in his class who refused to sign the contract.

Although school administrators said at the time that they did not expect Poffek to disrupt the ceremony, he had to watch the graduation from the bleachers of the school's football field. "He's not a disruptive student, but he's a highly principled person," Poffek's attorney, Dennis Tilton, said of his client. "It's the principle of hat happened." The suit, filed last April in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, originally claimed the district violated Poffek's constitutional rights by barring him from taking part in the graduation ceremony and posing for his senior class picture. It also claimed that the inspection of students' graduation gowns was an illegal search.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Mariana Pfaelzer said the decision of a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge, who ruled in an earlier suit by Poffek that the district could compel students to sign a contract, was binding on her as well. In the Superior Court suit, however, Judge John Ingro also ruled that the only kind of search school officials could specify in driving for evidence. It was not until Tuesday, how ever, that sheriff's officers were satisfied they had found the truck involved in the accident, Witham said. By comparison, last February's daytime temperatures in San Bernardino averaged 70.4.

Although forecasters say there's no hope in sight for Southern California's dormant ski season, fishermen were having a ball Tuesday at Glen Helen and Yucai-pa regional parks. Both lakes were stocked with trout, drawing about 200 anglers to Yucaipa and several dozen to Glen Helen, park spokesmen said. The hottest temperature recorded Tuesday in this county was 90 degrees. That distinction was shared by three communities (Please see Weather, B-2) Paul's truck was loaded with By RICHARD BROOKS Sun Staff Writer While Midwesterners are shoveling snow from the Great Lakes to the upper Ohio Valley today, San Bernardino County residents will be basking in some of the warmest February temperatures in G5 years, weather forecasters said. Today is expected to be a slightly cooler version of Tuesday, with the San Bernardino Valley registering peak temperatures in the upper 80s.

Thermometers in San Bernardino recorded 88.5 degrees Tuesday the hottest temperature for that date since 1968, when the high was 90. 40,000 pounds of freight and "it's very possible he didn't know an accident occurred, Witham said. "It's a determination the DA should make." He said Paul will remain avail able for questioning during the district attorney's review of the case. Halley's comet, with tail, is back High School won the yearbook sweepstakes award with a first place in layout and a second in copy writing. Arlington and Poly, both Riverside, were second and third.

Members of the San team were Ursla Hedleston, Heather Summerfield, Kim Smith and Kevin Haugh. Vernon Junior High of Montclair dominated its division to win the sweepstakes trophy. Pioneer Junior High of Upland was second and Chemawa of Riverside was third. Pioneer's yearbook team of Brad Steward. Shelly Clack, Josh Cottrcll and Jackie Shinn won the copy writing competition and took third in layout to finish second in the sweepstakes, behind Chemawa.

In the high school newspaper sweepstakes, Poly outdistanced the field. Arlington led the rest of the pack, closely followed by Colton, Ontario and Victor Valley. Linda M. Hickman of Alta Loma High wrote the best editorial. James Van Beek of Don Lugo High in Chino was third.

Loraine Atilano of Ontario High won the sports writing contest and Donna Espinoza of Colton was runner-up. The news writing winner was Pam Bertram of Arlington. Julie Tamayo of Victor Valley was runner-up to features winner Jonathan Sherman of Poly. Ingo Schweitzer of Arlington won the cartoonists' trophy. Melody MacMurray of Don Lugo finished second and Steven Jones of Victor Valley, third.

Mandy Horak of Pioneer was judged the best junior high cartoonist. In junior high news writing the top two places went to Christine Parsons and Brian Cracchida of Vernon. Terry Robertson of Pioneer was third. Michael Antoniak of Pioneer wrote the best junior high editorial. Jeremy Meadors of Vernon was second.

Leonard Herta and Marcy McCamey of Vernon finished second and third in the junior high features competition behind Jennifer Olson of Chemawa. Aaron Putnam and Mathew Jauregui of Vernon finished one-two among junior high sports writers. Remember these kids (or save this column). It'll help you when you see one of their bylines someday. By JOHN WIHTEIIAIR Sun Staff Writer SAN BERNARDINO Ending a monthlong sojourn behind the sun, Halley's comet has reappeared bigger and brighter with a longer tail, said a local astronomer who saw it Tuesday morning.

Br X'Jl. I "I could see it naked-eye, as I did before, but of course it's better with a telescope," he said. Halley's comet can be seen in the eastern sky slightly above the horizon, about an hour before sunrise, he said. The sun is currently rising at 6:23 a.m. Herrington said Tuesday morning's clear sky enabled him to view the comet without the aid of a telescope or binoculars.

"It was right where the (star) charts say its suppose to be," he said. Herrington said the comet is passing through the Capricornus star constellation and can be easily found by looking from the San Bernardino Valley east between and slightly above San Gorgonio and San Jacinto peaks, he said. The comet had been lost in the solar glare as it reached its closest point to the sun Feb. 9. Halley's comet is now on course for its closest approach to Earth, on April 10.

The comet will (Please see Comet, B-2) i Here's "I was really surprised. It Halley's Comet is visible again in the eastern sky between Mt. San Gorgonio and Mt. San Jacinto slightly above the horizon. The comet showed a definite tail," said Bob Herrington, president of the San Bernardino Valley Amateur As Is passing through the Capricornus star constellation and is best Lv.sseen about an hour before sunrise.

tronomers club. He said he viewed the comet about 5 a.m. Tuesday from his Rialto home. Staff graphic by Jean Moxam Coroner: Autopsy results on two slain men not yet available SAN BERNARDINO Results of autop sies of two men found dead near Lost Lake in the Cajon Pass won't be available to the public until Thursday, Coroner Brian Mc- Cormick said Tuesday. The two men and another man were Pending are ballistics tests and a thorough examination of the truck in which Glass' body was found, he said.

A companion of Mabry and McDowell who slept inside a truck Friday night near the pair found the victims' bodies when he awoke. The man, whose name has not been released, told investigators he didn't hear gunshots or see Glass. Investigators found Glass' body as they searched the lake for clues in the two But, McCormick said the results wouldn't be available until Thursday. "We will release everything at that time," he said. McCormick declined to say why the results will be withheld for one day.

Investigators said Mabry and McDowell, both of La Puente, were shot while they lay in sleeping bags. Their bodies were found Saturday morning by a companion. The body of Richard Glass, 33, was discovered Saturday in his truck at the bottom of the lake. An autopsy of Glass' body indicated he died from a single blast from a shotgun, fired with the muzzle pressed against his chest. A shotgun was found lying near Glass' body.

The truck rolled into the lake under its own power, investigators said. But Glass, who worked for a temporary employment service firm and lived with his parents, seemed to be in good spirits and had no known psychological or drug problems, said investigators. Peppier said Tuesday that investigators had yet to come up with a motive for the killings. found Saturday at Lost Lake, all dead of gunshot wounds. The autopsies of Craig Mabry, 26, and Kenneth S.

McDowell, 17, were performed Tuesday afternoon and results were ex pected to be released by today, said sher iff's Sgt. Bob Peppier. 1.