BISHOP, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office is announcing an increased reward of $4,000 for information on the individuals responsible for damaging petroglyph panels at the Volcanic Tableland, north of Bishop. The perpetrators vandalized three locations within the site.
“Those responsible have destroyed an irreplaceable part of our national cultural heritage,” said Bishop Field Manager Sherri Lisius. “We hope the additional information released will help bring the responsible parties to justice.”

The perpetrators accessed the site by climbing over a fenced area, proceeded to climb on the site and break off sections of rock. Where the damage occurred, the vandals carved obscenities that included a Nazi swastika. Rehabbing the site will be extensive.

The site is protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This site is one of the most significant rock art sites in the region and has significant cultural importance to the local Tribes. Violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act can lead to felony charges. First-time offenders can be fined up to $20,000 and face up to two years in prison. Repeat offenders may face fines up to $100,000 and up to five years in prison. The law also allows federal or tribal authorities to impose civil fines. Courts can also seize vehicles and equipment used during the violation as an additional punishment.

If you have any information regarding this vandalism you are encouraged to call WeTip immediately at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or report online by scanning the QR code or visiting www.wetip.com. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $4,000 if your tip results in an arrest and conviction.
 

BISHOP, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office is offering a $1,500 reward for information on the individuals responsible for damaging petroglyph panels at the Volcanic Tableland, north of Bishop. The perpetrators vandalized three locations within the site.

“Those responsible have destroyed an irreplaceable part of our national cultural heritage,” said Bishop Field Manager Sherri Lisius. “We have increased surveillance of our sites and are determined to bring the responsible parties to justice.”

The site is protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This site is one of the most significant rock art sites in the region and has significant cultural importance to the local Tribes. Violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act can lead to felony charges. First-time offenders can be fined up to $20,000 and face up to two years in prison. Repeat offenders may face fines up to $100,000 and up to five years in prison. The law also allows federal or tribal authorities to impose civil fines. Courts can also seize vehicles and equipment used during the violation as an additional punishment.

If you have any information regarding this vandalism you are encouraged to call WeTip immediately at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or report online by scanning the QR code or visiting www.wetip.com. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,500 if your tip results in an arrest and conviction.

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Criminal Justice

Former judge is accused of threatening to burn down polling site

By Debra Cassens Weiss

November 6, 2024, 11:23 am CST

A former New York judge who served time in prison was charged Tuesday with making a terroristic threat after he was only offered a provisional “affidavit ballot” at the polls.

Ex-Judge Paul M. Lamson, 69, of Gouverneur, New York, allegedly made “threatening remarks such as burning the place down and returning with a firearm,” according to a Nov. 5 press release from the New York State Police. The incident happened in Fowler, New York, where Lamson once served as a town justice.

The Times Union, North Country Public Radio, the Hudson Valley Post and WWNY are among the publications with coverage.

Lamson pleaded guilty in March 2017 to charges of receiving a bribe and official misconduct, according to a story by the Gouverneur Tribune Press. He had been accused of trading beneficial rulings for sexual favors. He was released on parole in February 2019, according to the Times Union.

Lamson couldn’t vote because he never re-registered after his felony bribery plea, state police said. A 2021 state law gives re-registered felons the right to vote after their release from prison.

Jennie H. Bacon, the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections commissioner, told the Times Union that Lamson claimed that he had registered to vote online. He was offered an affidavit ballot, but he rejected it. He went home to check his registration and “came back even more angry,” Bacon said.

“When we again offered an affidavit ballot, it didn’t help the situation,” she said.

When poll workers called the board of elections, Bacon allegedly heard Lamson threaten to burn the building.

Affidavit ballots can be counted if poll workers later find that a would-be voter is registered, Bacon told the Times Union.

Updated Sept. 13, 2024.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the draft environmental assessment and land use plan amendment for the proposed Morongo Canyon Highway 62 Multi-Tenant Wireless Broadband Communications Site project in San Bernardino County. If approved, the project would improve telecommunication and broadband connections for Morongo and Yucca valley communities.

The applicant, InterConnect Towers LLC, proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a broadband communication site with an access road and ancillary facilities on just over two acres of public lands in Morongo Valley in southeastern San Bernardino County.

“The BLM will consider potential site-specific effects the proposed communication site may have on visual resources,” said California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch. “We want to hear from the community on this project.”

The BLM, as the lead federal agency for National Environmental Policy Act review, drafted an environmental assessment that considers scoping comments, issues, planning criteria, potential effects, alternatives, and mitigation measures.

Implementation of the proposal would require a BLM decision to amend the California Desert Conservation Area Plan, as amended by the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Area Plan, to modify the proposed action area visual resource objectives from retaining the existing character of the landscape to partially retaining the existing character of the landscape.

The BLM will hold an in-person public meeting with a virtual option on Thursday, Sept.5 at 5:30 p.m., at the Community Services District Multipurpose Room in Covington Park, located at 11165 Vale Drive in Morongo Valley, CA 92256.  Advance registration is required to attend virtually. The public comment period will close Oct. 7. (updated 09/13/2024)

Public comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” function on the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred); emailed to blm_ca_ps_morongocommunicationsite@blm.gov; or delivered to “Morongo Communication Site Project EA,” Attn: Matt Toedtli, Project Manager, Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive in Palm Springs, CA 92262.

For additional information, please email: blm_ca_ps_morongocommunicationsite@blm.gov.