Heather Clisby has been working in journalism and communications for over three decades, includings stints at newspapers, magazines, blogs and radio stations. A native of Long Beach, California, she can usually be found guiding tourists in Joshua Tree…

Twentynine Palms City Council Wraps Up 2023 with a dog detective, a new Mayor, and a pause on sewer plans

Last night’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting was a festive affair that included big-hearted kids, a canine crime fighter, a pause on sewer plans, a mayoral switch-out, and just a splash of Satan. In a true cold open, the Twentynine Palms City Council began last night’s meeting with an invocation from a member of the Church of Satan. Not intended literally, the statement expressed support of secular beliefs and against religious inference in city proceedings. Otherwise, the meeting included…

Twentynine Palms City Council to wrap up 2023 with a new Mayor

Tonight, the Twentynine Palms City Council will wrap up 2023 in their usual fashion tonight, by playing their own version of ‘musical chairs.’ But first, the council will hear a presentation on the state of Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) by Jane Rogers, JTNP Superintendent. Mayor McArthur Wright will then give the annual State of the City Address, followed by a presentation of Employee of the Year and the Mayor's Recognition Award. Then, the installation of a new mayor and mayor pro tem…

Twentynine Palms hosting Holiday Festival tonight at 6PM

The city of Twentynine Palms will host a Holiday Festival this evening, and there are rumors that a certain North Pole celebrity will make an appearance. Tonight, the city of Twentynine Palms promises to spread that seasonal cheer by putting on their annual Holiday Festival at Freedom Plaza starting at 6:00 p.m. and going until about 9:00 p.m.Presented by Donahlue Clothing Co., the festival includes a Light Parade downtown that will feature local businesses, organizations, schools, and Santa…

Twentynine Palms Planning Commission talks street vendors, historic preservation, and car washes this week

The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will meet this week to discuss street vendors, development code amendments and the new car wash coming to town. Tuesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will host two public hearings and discussions around historical preservation, street vendors, mobile food trucks, and new car wash. The first public hearing will focus on minor Development Code amendments to the Specific Plan, Historic Preservation and Hillside Grading. The second public…

The Past is Present: Searching for Gold with First Class Miners

Listen here: Bumping down a rough road in the Eagle Mountains, I’m tagging along with six members of First Class Miners (FCM), a group of small-scale miners on the search for gold. Miners who scoured the area in the 1880s likely came through on wagons and burros, not 4WD trucks and jeeps. We’re visiting two claims that FCM holds on land belonging to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and within the borders of Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP). Though the claims are ‘unpatented’ – meaning, the…

Twentynine Palms City Council revisits VHR regulations

The Twentynine Palms City Council faced a full agenda at last night’s meeting though Vacation Home Rental (VHR) regulations brought out the most passion. While such meetings have traditionally begun with an invocation of prayer, resident Karalee Hargrove presented a secular invocation, likely the city’s first. Recreation Division Manager Kary Minatrea then introduced two new city employees, Curtis McCoy, and George Pena, who will be working in youth sports. Councilmember Octavius Scott asked…

Twentynine Palms City Council Agenda – VHR, Western Joshua Trees, pay raises

Tonight, the Twentynine Palms City Council will host four public hearings and discuss topics relating to city employee compensation and public art. The first public hearing pertains to development code amendments for Nonconforming Buildings and Uses. The second hearing will address changes to the Vacation Home Rental (VHR) regulations recommended by the city’s planning commission. Those changes include a reduction in insurance requirements, conditions of approval, and frequency of the Good…

Twentynine Palms Water District Board of Directors meets this Wednesday

This week, the Twentynine Palms Water District Board of Directors will gather for their monthly meeting On Wednesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Water District Board of Directors will meet to discuss water-related issues. Up for discussion is the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams products liability litigation and how the water district is involved. The remainder of the public meeting will consist of management reports on maintenance, water quality, and finance. A closed session relating to labor…

Twentynine Palms Planning Commission Tuesday meeting addresses housing issues

On Tuesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will host a public hearing to discuss regulations for mobile home parks, RV parks and campgrounds. The hearing is a continuation of the public hearing held on September 19 and seeks to clarify differing regulations for recreational vehicle parks versus those pertaining to campgrounds. Next, there will be a study session for the Housing and Homeless Committee. The session will include updates on the proposed Navigation Center, mobile…

Yonder Resort development faces tough crowd at Indian Cove neighborhood meeting

Listen here: *Corrected to indicate project is east of Indian Cove neighborhood. Representatives from the Yonder Hospitality group faced a tough crowd last night at the Twentynine Palms Elks Lodge as they presented their vision for a proposed small-cabin resort just off Highway 62 and Lear Avenue. The Twentynine Palms Elks Lodge had a full house at last night’s community meeting to discuss a proposed resort east of the Indian Cove neighborhood. Luke Searcy, director of Acquisitions & Asset…