Twentynine

Federal Court Upholds ATF Decision Against Twenty-Nine Palms Tribe in Cigarette Tax Dispute

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Riverside, Calif. – A federal court has upheld a decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to block the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians from shipping untaxed cigarettes. U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes ruled against the tribe, stating there was no arbitrary or capricious action on the part of the ATF, which enforced the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act. The tribe had been permitted by federal law to sell untaxed cigarettes to other Native American nations. However, complications arose when these cigarettes were subsequently sold to non-Native consumers without … Read more

Tragic Multi-Vehicle Collision Claims Life of Benjamin Perez on Twentynine Palms Highway

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JOSHUA TREE, CA — A tragic multi-vehicle collision claimed the life of Benjamin Perez on the Twentynine Palms Highway near Kerr Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. Officials from the California Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred around 4:15 p.m. and involved several cars, though the specific circumstances leading up to the crash are currently unclear. Investigators were on the scene to determine the initial cause and whether any external factors may have contributed to this fatal event. Benjamin Perez, whose age and city of residence have not been disclosed, was pronounced dead at … Read more