New state law in effect to support electronic consumers and independent repair shops

Californians will now have an easier time getting their electronics fixed quickly at local repair shops. As part of a new wave of laws that went into effect on July 1, electronic and appliance manufacturers must provide service tools, parts, and instructions on how to repair their products for consumers and independent shops. Senate Bill 244, the Right to Repair Act, aims to create a fair marketplace for third-party vendors to benefit consumers. Similar bills have passed in New York, Minnesota,…

MBHD offers free HIV testing this morning at Yucca Valley Walgreens

Today is National HIV Testing Day  - which encourages everyone to “level up their self love” and check their HIV status. Testing is free and easy here in the hi-desert, and today the Morongo Basin Healthcare District is making the tests and their knowledge even easier to access. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022 an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States had HIV, but 13% of those weren’t aware of their HIV status. That’s over 150,000 unaware people…

Yucca Valley Planning Commission outlines sidewalk display requirements, Capital Improvement Project

The Yucca Valley Planning Commission reviewed Commercial Design Guidelines for outdoor sidewalk displays. Town Staff presented the Yucca Valley Planning Commission with sample guidelines for sidewalk and outdoor displays commonly found at secondhand stores throughout town. This is the fourth time the Commission has considered potential regulations for such displays, which were previously discussed at a meeting in November and two in May. Town Staff drafted Commercial Design Guidelines based on…

Yucca Valley Planning Commission for 6/25: sidewalk displays, Capital Improvement Project

Sidewalk and outdoor displays are on the docket once again for the Yucca Valley Planning Commission. Here is reporter Adeline J. Wells with that and more on tonight’s meeting. In efforts to improve the appearance of Highway 62, the Yucca Valley Planning Commission will consider design guidelines for sidewalk and outdoor displays. Yucca Valley does not have any regulations for such displays, which are commonly found at secondhand stores throughout town. The Commission discussed the matter…

San Bernardino County offers vouchers to offset spay and neuter costs for unincorporated areas

Pet overpopulation is a significant issue everywhere, and San Bernardino County is looking to reduce this by offsetting spay and neuter costs. San Bernardino County Animal Care is offering financial assistance to help pet owners in unincorporated areas neuter and spay their animals. The County will provide vouchers for up to six animals at a time at $200 per dog and $100 per cat. Multiple veterinary clinics in the Morongo Basin accept the vouchers, including Animal Action League in Joshua Tree,…

“Royal Ball” at Joshua Tree Retreat Center beckons “fancy hippies” to come celebrate summer solstice

Our beautiful desert summer nights are officially here. For those looking to get out and dance the night away, stop by Madame Harlequin’s Royal Ball. Held at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, this free community event celebrates the full moon and Summer Solstice. It will also feature the public debut of Madame Harlequin’s new project Janis from Beyond, a band honoring the music of Janis Joplin, after which a funky dance party will keep guests grooving into the night. The theme for the evening is…

Yucca Valley Town Council approves budget for new fiscal year

The Yucca Valley Town Council voted to approve the proposed budget for the new fiscal year, running from July 1 through June 30, 2026. Town Staff designed the draft to incorporate the town's Strategic Plan, maintain a balanced budget, and address community priorities. Identified in a recent town survey, these priorities include maintaining law enforcement and crime prevention services, maintaining local streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure, regulating short-term rentals, and facilitating…

Yucca Valley Town Council agenda: budget, workplace violence prevention, and Point-In-Time Count

The Yucca Valley Town Council will vote to approve the proposed budget for the new fiscal year. The drafted budget will include elements provided by the town’s Strategic Plan, which focuses on creating a balanced budget without disturbing the stable level of reserves. If approved, the budget will be in place from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. Town Staff will also present the Council with the Town of Yucca Valley Workplace Violence Prevention Program. State law requires all California…

Yucca Valley Pool and Aquatics Program opens today

Summer is here, and the Town of Yucca Valley aims to beat the heat with new additions to the aquatics program. The annual program consists of a three-hour Fun Swim held daily Monday through Saturday, as well as morning lap swim session, water aerobics, and class and private swim lessons across six levels. The Junior Lifeguarding Program is back for another year; the four-week course is for 11 to 14-year-olds who will learn the skills necessary to prepare for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding…

Yucca Valley Planning Commission votes to update ground disturbing policy

The Yucca Valley Planning Commission considered the Ground Disturbing Permit Policy. Since 2022, the town's policy has stated that all ground-disturbing projects requiring a building permit must submit both a Native Plant Permit and a Desert Native Plant Specialist report, the latter of which can be costly in both finances and time. Town Staff presented changes that would allow applicants to bypass the latter report if they submit photographic evidence that there were not any Western Joshua…