Sand racers pullout of Soboba8/26/2008, The Press-Enterprise
The National Sand Drag Association has pulled its races from the Soboba Indian Reservation, citing safety concerns following a series of fatal shootings by deputies that left three tribal members dead. The Arizona-based organization, with a membership of more than 500, decided in June to pull its events off the reservation and instead will hold its races at a new facility near Mystic Lake west of San Jacinto, said Alfonso "Chachy" Zavala, one of several organizers. "We didn't feel safe going back there," Zavala said Tuesday. "We didn't want to put anyone else in danger. It was better for the racers, organizers and spectators to hold it somewhere else."

 

 

Disenrollment issue derails Barona-sponsored bill on trespassing8/26/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
SACRAMENTO - Over the past 18 months, a Barona-sponsored measure to create a new infraction with fines of up to $500 for trespassing on Indian reservations moved through the Legislature without a single no vote. But the bill, SB 331, could never overcome the belief by some that it would be used against hundreds of California Indians banished from their tribes, often wealthy gambling tribes.


Judge may axe Richmond casino deal
8/26/2008, Associated Press
A judge says Richmond violated state environmental laws when it struck a deal with an American Indian tribe seeking to build a casino just outside the city. ·Takeover robbers strike El Cerrito restaurant 08.27.08 In a tentative ruling, Contra Costa County Judge Barbara Zuniga said last week that the city needed to conduct a complete environmental review before entering the 20-year, $335 million pact with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. It had agreed to provide emergency services, roadwork and political support for the Las Vegas-style casino.  READ TENATIVE RULING

Tribes in So. California playing key roles at Democratic National Convention
8/26/2008, The Desert Sun
Talking points include: compact protection, charity bingo issues in California and land lease options. Percolating as well: Creating a Native American policy advisor position in the White House. "We want to discuss how this government intends to carry out the government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes,'' said Jacob Coin, a spokesman for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of Highland. "Clearly, we're interested in having a relationship with the federal government at the highest possible level."

Abramoff Sentences Looming?8/26/2008, U. S. News
There's quiet buzz in Washington this week that convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff and several colleagues-including scam-artist Michael Scanlon-will be sentenced soon for their roles in the 2005 tribes-and-bribes scandal. These rumors have circulated before, so perhaps it's the natural gossip of idle politicos during the Capitol's dog days. But individuals tangentially related to the case say the sentences could come as early as next week, during the Republican convention.

Man says Viejas fired him out of retaliation
8/26/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
The former head of public works for the Viejas Indian reservation says he was fired after complaining that a tribal elder's cattle were polluting a creek that drains into the Loveland Reservoir. Viejas officials acknowledge that they fired Jamal Kanj in 2005, but they say it was because of his shoddy work overseeing a construction project and his request for a long vacation, not as retaliation. In a whistle-blower case, Kanj, 50, is asking for his job back and more than $3 million in damages, said his attorney, Scott McMillan.

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