1999 The year in review

November 28-30

Nov. 28

PALMDALE - Martha Flores still remembers that night more than a quarter-century ago when she illegally crossed the border into the United States. She was one of five Mexicans seeking a better life.

But it was a night of terror for the 12-year-old Flores. She was with strangers. Her parents had illegally crossed the border two years earlier and settled in Los Angeles.

QUARTZ HILL - Darren Parker's memories of his boyhood in South Central Los Angeles during the 1960s are happy ones. Back then, if you left your sweater at the park, it would still be there when your mother sent you back to get it.

But by the 1970s, life had changed for the worse in Watts, Compton and other South Central communities. The streets were in the deadly grip of gang violence and rock cocaine. It wasn't enough to be good and mind your own business. No one was immune from the violence.

LANCASTER - The times are a-changin'.

A generation ago, Antelope Valley residents were predominately white. Now, minorities make up more than one-third of the Valley's 300,000 population.

And in the coming decades, the Valley, like the rest of California, will experience growing Hispanic and Asian populations, and lower ratios of white and black.

PALMDALE - A 14-year-old boy was killed Saturday when he and his cousin attempted to ride their bicycles across the Antelope Valley Freeway at Avenue P.

According to Deputy J.J. Adams of the California Highway Patrol, the boys rode up from the onramp to the southbound 14 Freeway.

As they crossed the three southbound lanes of traffic, the 14-yearold was struck by a maroon Pontiac Grand Am traveling in the left lane. The incident occurred around 3:25 p.m., Adams said.

LANCASTER - Antelope Valley Hospital will get more money for treating members of the Blue Cross of California insurance company.

Blue Cross members once again will get the full benefit of the insurance plans for which they pay.

Nov. 29

LANCASTER - When Thanksgiving arrived this year, Dawn Venegas had more than her share of blessings for which to be thankful.

"I am really happy and comfortable with the way I am now," she said. "Everything is so close to perfection. It is really good. I have my kids back. I have a whole new relationship with my parents. I can pay bills. I can pay my rent. I can put brand-new shoes on my children's feet. I can go to the grocery store and shop. I can fill my car with gas."

It wasn't always this way.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Loosening congestion at America's most clogged freeway interchanges can reduce drivers' frustration, save gas and cut polluting vehicle emissions, according to a report released Tuesday by a nationwide freeway users group.

The study by the American Highway Users Alliance lists the 167 worst freeway interchanges nationwide.

LANCASTER - Antelope Valley Hospital will be granted tax-exempt status retroactive to 1972, according to an attorney negotiating on the facility's behalf with the Internal Revenue Service.

That means neither the hospital nor its employees will suffer consequences as a result of a reported lapse in that status since 1981, Chief Executive Officer Mathew Abraham told the medical facility's board of directors last week.

PALMDALE - The governing board of the Antelope Valley Air Pollution Control District is slated to discuss a measure that could guarantee the panel more control over composting plants.

Support of the measure, Assembly Bill 1450, is being urged by attorney David Cranston, a longtime foe of a composting plant planned by the Bio Gro Systems Inc. near Avenue A and 145th Street West.

Nov. 30

LANCASTER - Don Ross, Antelope Valley College board president, peers out the window, pointing at a car parked across the street.

"I'm an antique car nut," Ross said, pointing to the Model A parked on 30th Street West. "Notice the one over there by the bus stop?"

At 83 years old, this spirited, family man is hanging up his hat after 32 years of service on the Antelope Valley College board of trustees.

PALMDALE - The adult brothers of 13-year-old Stephan Corson - the boy who died Nov. 19 from injuries after a fistfight at Juniper Intermediate School - traveled to the Palmdale School District offices, seeking answers about their brother's death.

Scott Corson, 31, and Jay Corson, 26, were accompanied Monday by a Los Angeles activist who is pushing for quick criminal charges against and immediate expulsion of Matthew Perry, the 14year-old who allegedly punched Corson.

LANCASTER - Technical problems emerged afresh on Monday for telephone registration at Antelope Valley College for the winter intersession and the spring semester.

The problems are occurring on the voice response system. On that line, students' personal identification - or "pin numbers" - are being rejected.

Also, the correct registration times for students are not available within the system, according to Don Mourton, vice president of student services.

Uploaded December 27, 1999