Gabriel Hart is a journalist and author from Morongo Valley, CA.

Twentynine Palms HS celebrates diversity through students, clubs and festivals

On last Friday’s Up-Close Show, our own Gary Daigneault spoke with Twentynine Palms High School principal Michael Ruggiero. Among many other positives for Twentynine Palms High, Ruggiero discussed their many school clubs that celebrate diversity, as well as their International Festival. Ruggiero describes Twentynine Palms High School as “a very inclusive community.” This inclusivity, which includes taking care of often marginalized students of military families, is The Wildcat Way, says…

MUSD board President Nelson announces resignation at last night’s meeting

Last night, The Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees held their first regular meeting of the 2023-24 school year at Joshua Tree Elementary. The meeting began with a moment of silence for MUSD Culinary Arts teacher Travis Royer, who passed away in early August. Assistant Superintendent Amy Woods announced 15 out of the 16 MUSD schools will be recognized at the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Recognition Ceremony for San Bernardino County. Woods then gave a slide…

First MUSD Board of Trustees meeting of the 2023-24 school year tonight

The Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold their first regular meeting of the 2023-24 school year at 6pm tonight at Joshua Tree Elementary’s multi-purpose room. While the meeting’s open session will begin at 6pm, an open study session will be offered staring at 5pm, where Jason List of Isom Advisors will present on School District Bonds, followed by 2022-23 Unaudited Actuals Workshop. For open session, there will be a course outline on 7th and 8th grade media arts where…

Covington Park skatepark open thanks to one Morongo Valley resident

Since last week’s reporting of Covington Park’s beloved skatepark closing due to mud flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary, a prominent Morongo Valley community member has taken measures into his own hands to clean it and is now re-opened and safe for use. Morongo Valley Youth Softball League organizer Buddy Stogner cleaned every mud-covered inch of the skatepark’s cement surface with his own tractor, a task he did alone that took him two hours. Beyond the softball league, Stogner has no official…

YVHS Principal Justin Monical discuss graduation rates and education scores

On last Friday’s Up Close Show, our own Gary Daigneault spoke with Yucca Valley High School Principal Justin Monical across a variety of positive developments, including Yucca Valley High’s high education scores and graduation rates. On the subject of academics, Daigneault remarked “I don’t think a lot of people realize what a remarkable record our local schools have with graduation rates, quality of education… exceeding even state standards.” Prompting Monical to “blow that up a bit,”…

Jardine Libraire book release for “You’re an Animal” tonight

The author of novels like Here Kitty Kitty and White Fur, Libaire is an award-winning writer previously based in Texas, now in Joshua Tree. Her new novel “You’re an Animal” is “a tender portrait of four misfits, on the run across Texas, that speaks to those who are left out, those who opt out—and to the wild animal in us all.” Libaire’s book launch is from 6-8pm with food, drinks, and music. Libaire will be signing copies of “You’re an Animal” available for purchase. All are welcome tonight at…

MVCSD hold special meeting tonight to update new General Manager job description

The Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors will be holding a last-minute special meeting at 6pm tonight in Covington Park’s multi-purpose room. Resuming older business, board members will provide updates on estimates to repair the CSD administration office from damage accrued by Tropical Storm Hilary, as well as continue with their previous budget workshop in hopes to adopt a 2023-24 preliminary budget. For new business items, the board will review, discuss, and update…

YVHS Principal Justin Monical discusses CMC “Dual Enrollment Program”

On last Friday’s Up-Close Show with Gary Daigneault, Yucca Valley High School Principal Justin Monical spoke with Daigneault about various positive changes, including partnerships with Copper Mountain College. When Daigneault mentioned Yucca Valley High School’s closer relationship with Copper Mountain College with “career acceleration” for students, Monical mentioned exceptionally large growth in the Dual Enrollment Program, allowing students to receive high school credits for high school level…

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve remains closed after more flooding

The Big Morongo Preserve will remain closed until further notice so clean-up crews can continue repairing damage from Tropical Storm Hilary, as well as new damage from last Friday’s heavy storm. Last Friday’s storm, which hit Morongo Valley exceptionally hard with more flooding, was an unfortunate cap to an otherwise productive day. Director of Regional Parks of San Bernardino Beahta Davis made another visit for more site inspections with a number of FEMA representatives, as well as the Urban…

“Archive and Artifacts of Paula P-Orridge” tonight in Yucca Valley

Fatty’s Barber Shop in Yucca Valley will be hosting a rare exhibit tonight, displaying the archives of Alaura Odell, better known as Paula P-Orridge, wife and collaborator of Psychic TV’s Genesis P-Orridge. Znz presents “Live in Yucca Valley: The Archive and Artifacts of Paula P-Orridge,” displaying books, records, art, letters, photos, X-Mas cards and much more from Paula’s time with Genesis P-Orridge and Psychic TV, the highly influential English video art and…