The Palo Verde College District began serving Needles and surrounding area in 1998 when an agreement was reached to transfer responsibility with the San Bernardino CCD which had been providing limited classes to the area since 1968.

Beginning in the Fall 1998, Palo Verde College began offering classes in the evening at Needles High School campus.

Almost immediately, a search began for a permanent site for the college, which would allow a full array of classes to be offered, both in the daytime as well as the evening.

The three dealt exclusively with Al Stremble, Assistant Superintendent of Palo Verde College and a San Bernardino County Reserve Sheriff's Deputy.

Palo Verde College was required to repay $713,000 it obtained illegally as part of the scheme.