April 2001 News

Hospitals fear possible High Desert closure
By LISA WAHLA  Valley Press Staff Writer  April 1, 2001 
The possible closure of the only local county-run hospital would dramatically affect medical care for all Valley residents, even those with insurance, local health-care experts say. 
[full article]

Republican faithful affirm their strengths
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 1, 2001.
By JULIE M. DRAKE  Valley Press Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES - While state Democrats rallied in nearby Anaheim, the Republican faithful gathered at the Renaissance Los Angeles Hotel to solidify their party's strengths at the California Republican Assembly conference. [full article]

Energy crisis concerns delegates
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 1, 2001.
By LISA WAHLA  Valley Press Staff Writer
ANAHEIM - Though this weekend's state Democratic Convention was designed to celebrate the party in power in California, power of a different sort took over the agenda. [full article]

County motion pushes regional airport takeover
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 4, 2001.
By LISA WAHLA  Valley Press Staff Writer
PALMDALE - Hoping to jump-start development of Palmdale's airport, county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is proposing that a more regionally friendly owner take control of some small airports. 
[full article]

Valley Republicans ready for party's weekend meeting
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 6, 2001.
By LISA WAHLA Valley Press Staff Writer
A month ago, state GOP leaders Brooks Firestone and Shawn Steel were engaged in a no-holds-barred battle for leadership of the California Republican Party. [full article]

Census figures to alter political map
Hispanic population adds new redistricting dimension
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 6, 2001.
By LISA WAHLA  Valley Press Staff Writer
California's swelling Hispanic population, which now makes up 32.4% of the state's residents, will add another dimension to the complicated redistricting process. [full article]

PG&E files for bankruptcy protection
Move could amplify turmoil on Wall Street, across West
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 7, 2001.
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE  AP Business Writer
SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas & Electric became the largest power utility in U.S. history to file for federal bankruptcy protection, betting Friday it will fare better with a judge than with California politicians struggling to alleviate the state's energy crisis. [full article]

Lawmakers, customers ponder where state stands
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 7, 2001.
By ALEXA HAUSSLER  Associated Press Writer
SACRAMENTO - Plunged into uncharted territory Friday, stunned lawmakers and utility customers scrambled to decipher what Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s bankruptcy filing means for the state. 
[full article]

Term limits loom large in redistricting
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 7, 2001.
By LISA WAHLA  Valley Press Staff Writer
Term limits will make the messy, political and often litigated process of redistricting even messier and more political this time around, according to one expert. [full article]

AV Realtor killed in car crash
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 20, 2001.
By BART WEITZEL  Valley Press Staff Writer
LANCASTER - A prominent Valley businesswoman and Realtor was killed in a car crash early Thursday morning when she apparently lost control of her car and it rolled several times. [full article]

Eatery gets set Togo
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 20, 2001.
By ANN WISHART  Valley Press Business Editor
PALMDALE - Jeff Dollinger, franchisee of the joint Togo's Eatery/Baskin-Robbins restaurant under construction at 39340 10th St. West, is under no illusions. Competition is going to be tough.  [full article]

Sheriff Baca man of many parts
Department boss nears midpoint in first term
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 20, 2001.
By DENNIS ANDERSON Valley Press Editor
LOS ANGELES - Like a game of Clue, hints laid out all over the Monterey Park headquarters office of Sheriff Leroy D. Baca indicate that he's not your usual suspect.  [full article]

McKeon backs Bush on defense
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 23, 2001.
By LISA WAHLA  Valley Press Staff Writer
SANTA CLARITA - From a military standpoint, to say President George W. Bush's first few months in office have been eventful would be an understatement.  [full article]

New designs for Avenue S OKd by city
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 23, 2001.
By BOB WILSON  Valley Press Staff Writer
PALMDALE - Preliminary designs for the widening of Avenue S from the Antelope Valley Freeway to about 20th Street East have been approved, according to city officials.  [full article]

Ledford dangles deal
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 24, 2001.
By BOB WILSON  Valley Press Staff Writer
PALMDALE - The Palmdale and Hispanic chambers of commerce would get equal billing and equal funding from City Hall under a plan proposed by Mayor Jim Ledford and Councilman Jim Root. [full article]

County black ink could turn red
Health Department, energy situation threaten budget
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 24, 2001.
By LISA WAHLA  Valley Press Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES - While the Los Angeles County budget is generally healthy, twin crises are brewing: The Health Department's projected long-term deficits and the statewide energy situation threaten to derail the county's in-the-black progress. [full article]

Westside School District boundaries to stay intact
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 24, 2001.
By JANNISE JOHNSON  Valley Press Staff Writer
LANCASTER - School boundaries in the Westside Union School District won't change next year despite the need to ease overcrowding on the district's 10 campuses. [full article]

Local CCR Members Attend Annual Convention
April 6, 2001 was the Annual Convention of the California Congress of Republicans(CCR).  The event included a luncheon on Saturday featuring the New Chairman of the California Republican Party, Shawn Steel.  Later that night there was a dinner featuring Brooks Firestone, who was the candidate endorsed by CCR for the Chairmanship.  His appearance served as a "Thank-you" for that endorsement.  Also speaking at the event was California State Secretary Bill Jones who is currently the Republican frontrunner for Governor in 2002.  

Members attending this year's convention were Larry Hales, Jan Davis, Dean Henderson, and Richard Loa. [photos]