Soboba Band to hold meeting on P.L. 2808/5/2008, Indian Country Today
SAN JACINTO, Calif. - The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, whose turbulent relationship with local sheriffs reached a tense high point earlier this year, is holding an open forum to assess the adequacy of a 1950s law that gives jurisdiction of criminal offenses to the state. Indians, BIA officials and legal scholars are expected to attend the event, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 11 at the Country Club at Soboba Springs, said Mike Hiles, public information officer for the southern California tribe.
Rift with tribe worries sheriff 8/3/2008, The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County Sheriff Stanley Sniff said Sunday he does not want to arrest security officers or tribal leaders who have been delaying his deputies as they attempt to enter the Soboba reservation and worries that such confrontations could escalate into violence. Sniff said the restrictions implemented by the leadership of the Soboba Band of Luiseņo Indians could lead to conflicts at the security booth near the entrance to the reservation, because law enforcement officers for other agencies have the right to arrest anyone who impedes them. Given the recent history of violence on the reservation, Sniff said, the situation easily could escalate.
Sheriff seeks Soboba Casino's closure 8/1/2008, The Valley Chronicle
Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff has petitioned the National Indian Gaming Commission to shut down the Soboba casino "until the Tribal Council allows unhindered and unrestricted access by law enforcement authorities onto the reservation to enforce State of California criminal statutes." Sniff's action drew an immediate and virulent reaction from Robert Salgado, tribal chairman for the Soboba band of Luiseņo Indians.
- $10 million for cross-deputization or other cooperative agreements between state, local, and tribal governments.
Bingo halls' plan gets tribes back on same side8/3/2008, The Press-Enterprise
The February voter referendum fight over four Southern California tribes' amended casino agreements split the state's gambling tribes in one of the costliest campaigns ever. Only months later, the tribes on both sides of the fight have joined forces. The tribes are trying to ban devices in some nontribal bingo halls that critics say are illegal slot machines. Legislation is in the works and could come to a vote before lawmakers adjourn for the year Aug. 31.
No budget? Let's party!
8/2/2008, Fresno Bee
There were so many influential state legislators at the party celebrating the expansion of the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino the other night in Coarsegold that they could have solved the state's budget mess in between cocktails and gambling. Instead, we are 33 days into the fiscal year and there's no budget as required by law. It must be nice to be able to party instead of doing your job.
San Pasqual trouble threatens SD County casino 8/3/2008, Sacramento Bee - Associated Press VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -- The Bureau of Indian Affairs says the tribal government of the San Pasqual Indian band has collapsed, which could force the closure of the Valley View Casino in San Diego County. Tribe officials in late June said about 50 of the tribe's 300 members face exclusion because they are descendants of a man who was not a full-blooded Indian. Tribal members each receive about $4,000 a month in casino profits. James Fletcher, the bureau's local superintendent, wrote in a letter Friday that he is "unable to recognize any tribal government for the San Pasqual" and the tribe should "take immediate action" to address the problem. The bureau and the National Indian Gaming Commission say only legitimate governments can operate tribal casinos. READ LETTER:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/images/080802pasqual.pdf
Protest to target casino's alcohol bid
8/4/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
EAST COUNTY - Opponents of a liquor license for the Sycuan Casino are mobilizing and planning a letter-writing campaign they hope will persuade state officials to reject alcohol sales at the East County gambling hall. "We're trying to put together a case and information to send in a protest and get as many people that are interested in it to protest," said Pat Riggs, president of the Dehesa Valley Community Council. The community council was a vehement opponent in the casino's failed bid for a liquor license 15 years ago, when an administrative law judge found that alcohol sales there would create a traffic hazard.
Editorial: Not a time to gamble 8/3/2008, Sacramento Bee
Gambling on gambling is a big gamble. So it is more than a little alarming that gambling is such a big part pf Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to close the state's $15.2 billion budget gap. As luck would have it, the state's first payments from expanded new gambling deals that the governor negotiated with Indian tribes are set to arrive just as the gambling industry is beginning to feel the effects of the recession, both nationally and at California's Indian casinos .
County's strategy over tribe's casino is a prudent wager8/4/2008, Marin Journal
MARIN supervisors were wise to strike an agreement with a local Indian tribe to limit it to a single casino in Marin and Sonoma counties. It is a practical measure designed to place some limits on one tribe's federal right to build a casino in what U.S. officials have confirmed to be its historical tribal territory. Rather than risk federal authorities giving the tribe even broader rights, Marin supervisors struck a deal with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. The county agreed that it will not join a lawsuit challenging the tribe's right to build a giant casino and hotel complex in Rohnert Park.
Tribe gives up little but gains much 8/2/2008, Press Democrat - Opinion
What would the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors do if Station Casinos, a Nevada casino operator, were to buy land close to Highway 101 in Rohnert Park and seek to construct a massive new casino that would generate thousands of car trips a day on already overcrowded Highway 101? |
