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City faces poor options on initiative
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Community mourns
loss of Evan Etoch
loss of Evan Etoch
| Above, Evan Etoch. Courtesy photo At right, William Muldoon (left) and Sam Sarrett stand before a monument erected at the scene of an accident that claimed the life of their friend, Evan Etoch. Photo by Laura Austin |
Funeral services were held Saturday at St. Ann
Catholic Church, where hundreds of friends and
family came to pay tribute to Evan Etoch. Loved ones
of the son of Fred and Janelle Etoch have turned to
family, friends and faith for comfort after the 14-year-
old was killed last week in an off-roading accident.
Evan represents four generations of family whose
lives have been interwoven through business, church,
school and social activities in the community since
the 1940s. The strength of those community ties was
demonstrated in an almost unprecedented
outpouring of support and sharing in grief.
Many joined the family at the graveside, where the
final portion of the services was held. The somber
mood was reflected even in the weather as a gentle
rain fell upon scores of mourners at Desert Memorial
Park.
Evan was riding his dirt bike with his friends near
Upjohn Park last Tuesday afternoon. When friends
saw him go down, some stayed with him while others
went for help. Officers of the Ridgecrest Police
Department speculated that Evan was killed instantly,
but friends and family held vigil at the scene for
several hours until the coroner arrived.
Within hours his friends began posting tributes on
Facebook — with more than 1,000 friends joining the
memorial page within just a few days.
Catholic Church, where hundreds of friends and
family came to pay tribute to Evan Etoch. Loved ones
of the son of Fred and Janelle Etoch have turned to
family, friends and faith for comfort after the 14-year-
old was killed last week in an off-roading accident.
Evan represents four generations of family whose
lives have been interwoven through business, church,
school and social activities in the community since
the 1940s. The strength of those community ties was
demonstrated in an almost unprecedented
outpouring of support and sharing in grief.
Many joined the family at the graveside, where the
final portion of the services was held. The somber
mood was reflected even in the weather as a gentle
rain fell upon scores of mourners at Desert Memorial
Park.
Evan was riding his dirt bike with his friends near
Upjohn Park last Tuesday afternoon. When friends
saw him go down, some stayed with him while others
went for help. Officers of the Ridgecrest Police
Department speculated that Evan was killed instantly,
but friends and family held vigil at the scene for
several hours until the coroner arrived.
Within hours his friends began posting tributes on
Facebook — with more than 1,000 friends joining the
memorial page within just a few days.
Interim City Manager Harvey Rose will present at tonight’s Ridgecrest City Council meeting a series of options facing
the city — each leading to one or more lawsuits along the way — regarding the initiative opposing mandatory trash.
“Unfortunately, there is no ‘best option’ here. The proponents [of the initiative] have placed the city in a very difficult
position,” said Rose.
That no-win position is the result of a years-long battle that started with contention between city and state officials
regarding the city’s lack of recycling programs. The city still faces penalties from the state if it pulls out of its mandatory
trash program, but now the city also faces a liability with contracted trash hauler if the program is canceled and the ire of
some Ridgecrest residents if it isn’t.
the city — each leading to one or more lawsuits along the way — regarding the initiative opposing mandatory trash.
“Unfortunately, there is no ‘best option’ here. The proponents [of the initiative] have placed the city in a very difficult
position,” said Rose.
That no-win position is the result of a years-long battle that started with contention between city and state officials
regarding the city’s lack of recycling programs. The city still faces penalties from the state if it pulls out of its mandatory
trash program, but now the city also faces a liability with contracted trash hauler if the program is canceled and the ire of
some Ridgecrest residents if it isn’t.
Ridgecrest solar project promises jobs
Part 3 in a series
By CASEY WILSON, News Review Staff Writer
By CASEY WILSON, News Review Staff Writer
It won’t happen overnight but if Ridgecrest Solar Project I wins approval from the California Energy Commission,
Indian Wells Valley employment stands to benefit from the project construction and operational phases to the tune of
several million dollars.
The construction phase, according to Billie Owens, senior project manager for the company, could bring in as many as
600 jobs over a 28-month period in a variety of skill sets. He described the majority of those skill sets as “normal
construction work.”
Indian Wells Valley employment stands to benefit from the project construction and operational phases to the tune of
several million dollars.
The construction phase, according to Billie Owens, senior project manager for the company, could bring in as many as
600 jobs over a 28-month period in a variety of skill sets. He described the majority of those skill sets as “normal
construction work.”
As students protest massive cuts in theater arts, Retterer points to 15-percent funding reduction
College president defends theater program cuts
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Decisions that may lead to cuts in the theater arts programs at Cerro Coso Community College have been explained
— and clarified — by the institution’s president, Dr. Mary Retterer. “The college is looking at a 10-percent budget cut,”
said Retterer. “This is after we’ve already taken a 5-percent cut last year. We have to cut back on something.”
Retterer said administrators researched the situation and decided to suspend theater arts and automotive technology
programs. “And by suspending I don’t mean ‘gone forever,’ I just mean we can’t afford them at the moment.”
— and clarified — by the institution’s president, Dr. Mary Retterer. “The college is looking at a 10-percent budget cut,”
said Retterer. “This is after we’ve already taken a 5-percent cut last year. We have to cut back on something.”
Retterer said administrators researched the situation and decided to suspend theater arts and automotive technology
programs. “And by suspending I don’t mean ‘gone forever,’ I just mean we can’t afford them at the moment.”