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

Morongo Valley Dog Mayor Election witnesses last minute chicken candidate winning by landslide

Last Saturday in Covington Park at the Morongo Valley Halloween Extravaganza, a Morongo Valley mayor was elected after a controversial last-minute candidate took the big sweep, an unexpected upset that edged beloved two term mayor Roxy out of her seat. Despite the giddy atmosphere of the all-ages festival celebrating spooky season and its adjacent rock concert, I felt an undeniable tension beckoning me through Covington Park, unable to reconcile these conflicting emotions until community pillar…

Onaga Elementary cuts the ribbon for grand opening of STEAM lab

Students, staff, and the local press gathered at Onaga Elementary yesterday afternoon for the ribbon cutting and demonstration of the flagship Steam Lab, one of five new classrooms in the district dedicated to cutting edge technological learning, including coding and robotics. MUSD Superintendent Dr. Patricio Vargas opened the festivities by greeting the students, asking them if they were excited about STEAM Lab, to which the dozen kids responded in synchronized and enthusiastic…

Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve hold volunteer recruitment event this Saturday 

This Saturday, October 12, Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve will conduct a volunteer recruitment event in Covington Park’s multipurpose room at 1PM. Get to know the Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve’s mission and learn how you can make a real difference in our community. Join any of their five volunteer teams based on your skills and experience with no "minimum hours" required—just give to the Preserve what you can. The Preserve’s five volunteer teams include Kiosk and…

MUSD Trustees honor Yucca Valley Elementary social worker Estaban Arellano Santacruz with Certificate of Appreciation

The meeting began by honoring Yucca Valley Elementary licensed social worker Estaban Arellano Santacruz with a Certificate of Appreciation. Board trustee Christopher Claire praised Santacruz with his “significant impact” on student’s mental health and being a key player in launching the new district-wide mental health counselor program, collaborating with colleagues to provide much needed individual support to students. Certificated Representative Jennifer Beasley reported that last…