Woman dies in crash in preserve

From Staff Reports
Desert Dispatch

CIMA • A 28-year-old woman died from injuries she sustained when her car rolled on Morning Star Mine Road Wednesday morning.

Natasha Nichol Leinaala Mahelona, of Hawaii, was driving northbound on Morning Star Mine Road, around 120 miles east of Barstow inside the Mojave National Preserve, when she lost control of her car according to California Highway Patrol officer Taj Johnson.

Johnson said there were no witnesses, but the car appeared to have rolled several times. Mahelona was pronounced dead at the scene.

The CHP is investigating the accident.

Preserve to hold community meeting Sept. 29

Desert Dispatch [Barstow, CA]

MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE — On Saturday, Sept. 29 the National Park Service will hold a community meeting at Hole-in-the-Wall Interagency Fire Center in the Mojave National Preserve at 10 AM.

Park officials will present information about projects currently underway at the preserve, including efforts to clean up dumps at Morningstar Mine and proposals to open a restaurant at the Kelso Depot.

Superintendent Dennis Schramm will host a community meeting at the Hole-in-the-Wall Fire Center beginning at 10 AM. Park managers will be available to answer questions and provide information about park activities.

Meanwhile, park employees and volunteers from Desert Survivors will be working all day on cleaning up campsites and repairing the road in Caruthers Canyon area. Before the meeting, there will be a ribbon cutting of two new hiking trails near the Hole-In-The-Wall visitor Center.

For more information about the meeting and directions, please call 760-252-6101.