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

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to be recognized at tonight’s MUSD meeting

The Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold their regular 6 PM meeting tonight at Joshua Tree Elementary. For the meeting’s agenda, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians will be recognized for their recent enormous donation of high school football uniforms to the Yucca Valley Trojans and the Twentynine Palms Wildcats. There will be an enrollment update and Board of Trustees Payment Report from Superintendent of Business Services Sharon Flores, as well as a staffing…

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians donate new uniforms to YVHS and TPHS football teams

Last Friday morning, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians donated brand new uniforms to the football teams of Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms High Schools. A donation of 120 Under Armor brand uniforms and 142 Riddell Speedflex brand helmets were distributed to the Yucca Valley Trojans and The Twentynine Palms Wildcats. The high-quality helmets provide safety, flexibility and durability and are expected to last the high schools three to five years. Donating equipment to Valley wide…

Morongo Valley residents discuss effects of proposed tower before Thursday meeting

The InterConnect communications tower proposed for Morongo Valley continues to stir opposition from local residents. The development project, which includes grading of access roads and ancillary facilities beyond the tower, is now in the 30-day public comment period while InterConnect awaits amendments to the California Desert Conservation Plan to “partially retain the existing character of the landscape,” according to a recent notice sent to residents. BLM will be hosting a meeting at 5:30 this…

MUSD launches district-wide book vending machines

The Morongo Unified School District recently announced the installation of book vending machines in every school across the district, a significant step forward in promoting literacy and fostering a love for reading among students. As the first district in the state to implement this program district-wide, MUSD’s book vending machines were officially installed this week with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Each machine is carefully curated to include a mix of genres, authors and reading…

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve funded over 1 million dollars for Tropical Storm Hilary repairs

After nearly a year of repair efforts from last summer’s Tropical Storm Hilary, the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has finally been approved for funding to finish the vast damage incurred from the storm. While BLM was initially in charge of financial aid to the Preserve, Wong said three years ago all aid was pulled from the Preserve, leaving them in a tough position. Since 242 of the 21,000 acres of the Preserve is under jurisdiction of San Bernardino County (mainly the infrastructure; the…

MUSD introduces Early College Initiative Program, offering ‘free college education for students’ first two years of school’

The Morongo Unified School District have announced their new Early College Initiative program, a continuation of their long-standing dual-enrollment college courses to allow high school students to receive their general education college credits while they are still in high school. Designed to provide motivated high school students with the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school, The Early College Initiative program’s unique classes are taught at the high schools, or on…

MVCSD honors former Fire Chief James Brakebill with resolution, retirement badge, and cake

Last night, the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors held their regular meeting in Covington Park’s multipurpose room. After the urging from two public comments regarding opposition to the controversial Broadbands Communications tower proposed in Morongo Valley, the Board added the item to the agenda. Since the Ad Hoc Committee originally formed for this project contained members no longer serving with the Board, President Gorke proposed a new Ad Hoc Committee to pick up…

MVCSD to discuss Resolution and retirement ceremony for former Fire Chief James Brakebill

The Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors will be holding their regular meeting tonight in Covington Park’s multipurpose room. For the meeting’s agenda, action items include recommending that the Board discuss, review, and approve Smith, Marion, and Co’s audit engagement letter. To reduce the use of paper checks, the Board will explore the prospects of utilizing Quickbooks bill pay. After recently approving the use of a collection agency for non-residents, the Board…

MUSD expands Reader by Nine literacy initiative to grades beyond kindergarten

The Morongo Unified School District has announced the expansion of its Reader by 9 initiative, a district-wide campaign aimed at ensuring all students achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade. Research shows that reading proficiency by third grade is a critical milestone in a child’s education. Children not proficient in reading by this time are more likely to struggle academically in later years and are at greater risk of not graduating from high school. The Reader by 9 initiative…

Joshua Tree Shakespeare holds inaugural production “12th Night” this weekend at Joshua Tree Retreat Center

Newly established nonprofit performing arts organization Joshua Tree Shakespeare holds the premiere of their inaugural production, William Shakespeare’s timeless comedy Twelfth Night on Friday and Saturday at The Sanctuary at Joshua Tree’s Retreat Center, with performances at 7:30 PM each night. Known for its witty humor and intricate romantic entanglements, this enchanting production of Twelfth Night will be performed in the serene and intimate setting of The Sanctuary, the perfect backdrop for…