Inside Adelanto
Newbie gets to know Adelanto
September 18th, 2008, 5:29 am · 3 Comments · posted by nlindstrom
Welcome to my blog, “Inside Adelanto.”
My name is Natasha Lindstrom, and I joined the Daily Press just seven weeks ago. Though I have been here a short time, I’ve already been able to cover several compelling stories about the fastest growing city in the Victor Valley.
Adelanto grew by nearly 50 percent from 2000 to 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and some projects currently in the works seem ready to accommodate the rapid population increase. The upcoming Adelanto Gateway Logistics Center, or Gateway Project, expects to build an industrial center across the street from the Southern California Logistics Airport that will provide up to 4,000 jobs for local residents. The Victor Valley Union High School District is committed to building Adelanto’s first high school over the next three years, which will provide a local school to the more than 2,000 students currently enrolled outside their city.
But I’ve also had to cover some less positive news.
Cabo Yachts, one the area’s largest manufacturing companies, had to lay off 45 more workers in mid August to cope with a slumping industry economy, shrinking the boat manufacturing company from nearly 350 to 220 positions since May, according to spokesman Dan Kubera.
In a story I suspect is not unique to Adelanto, Ernest and Debra Jones are waist-deep in the middle of a lawsuit against the Adelanto School District asking for a combined $1.075 million, claiming the district failed to provide the appropriate services for their special-needs son. Stay tuned to the follow-up articles on this story and perhaps a series about the obstacles and challenges that complicate interactions among special needs students, parents and schools.
I am new to the area, without any family or friends within 100 miles, other than the ones I’ve made in the last few weeks. Born and raised in Phoenix, Ariz. — an even hotter desert — I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past four years studying at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit college nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. I graduated in June with a bachelor of arts in communication and a bachelor of science in political science. After perusing the somewhat grim print journalism job market, I was thrilled to land the staff writer position here at the Daily Press.
I hope to update this blog frequently to provide you, the readers, with extra insights on the stories I’m covering and perhaps extended versions that don’t make it to the print edition. Most importantly, I want to provide a space for concerned residents or observers to open fruitful dialogues on any topic that interests them.
Ask me questions, pose questions to one another, tell me what you think I’ve missed or what upcoming relevant and compelling news you think should be covered.
Use the blog comments to suggest new topics or e-mail me with “blog” in the subject at nlindstrom@vvdailypress.com.
See you soon.
To Adelanto “newbie” nlindstrom. Congratulation on you job. Bob (my handsome hubby) & I, are newly & “early retired”, here in Adelanto! Our families know this High Desert 35-40 years. There’s a lot of history for ya. I look forward to your writing. Need directions or more history? please, ask. I am just setting up this press “publish your stuff” site this am. I’ll need some assist also. By the way don’t let the “nay sayers” talk you out of Adelanto…that’s old hx. Bunker down..it’s going to be worth it….
I was quite offended by all the cheap shots aimed at Adelanto from local high desert residents. I have lived in Adelanto 19 years. This is a nice little city with crime like in all the rest of the ctities/towns up here. It was suggested that Adelanto should be burnt down to start anew, has nothing but welfare, section 8, and gangs here. I have been reading the daily press for going on 20 years and it seems more recently, section 8 and welfare recpients, gang bangers, etc. have been ivolved in raids from joint forces of law enforcements that involved, ALL the areas in the high desert and the blight and crime are not limited to Adelanto. Give us a break, we have nice and bad areas just like every other area in the high desert. We are not all trash, we have many hardworking, retired, stable citizens here just like every other area..There is not one city/town excluded from all the undesirables that have invaded and ruined our once peaceful and beautiful high desert. Every area has their own problems. Don’t try to expose ours and sweep yours under the carpet!
I have to agree with you about the trash in ALL communities in the High Desert…We’ve lived in the High Desert for 15 years and have seen in more recent years the increase in crime and gang activity. I’m angry with the way the housing boom has ruined the economy and in the same way has ruined the High Desert with cheaper housing which has drawn the garbage from the “barrio’s” and “hood’s” down in the hill. We moved up here to get away from all that mess and to try to keep our kids free from the influences in those neighborhoods, and I’m glad that we were now that my kids are in college and serving in the military. I do feel for the families now who want the same with their young ones…but now, where do they go?