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…

Pushback from solar-weary residents and small-scale miners on Chuckwalla Monument gathers steam

Listen here: Concerned residents and gold mining hobbyists gathered Thursday afternoon to hear a presentation and voice opinions about the Chuckwalla Monument in Riverside County that they say will bring an end to their decades-long practice of conducting small-tool prospecting and mining. Just off Interstate 10 near Blythe, a group of concerned residents met Thursday afternoon in a room that usually stands in as a chapel for the small community at Chiriaco Summit. Organized by Margit Rusche,…

Twentynine Palms City Council meets briefly; sets special meeting to appoint Interim City Manager

Though the agenda was mostly empty, and the meeting adjourned in less than 30 minutes, last night’s gathering of the Twentynine Palms City Council was necessary for a quick transition. As per outgoing City Manager Frank Luckino stated, a special (closed) council meeting is set for Wednesday, October 11, at 11:15 a.m. to discuss and perhaps decided on an interim City Manager. Last night’s regular meeting will instead be held next Monday, October 16, with a closed session at 5:00 p.m. and the…

Pioneer Days Dignitaries announced

Dignitaries of the 87th annual Pioneer Days were announced over the weekend, including Grand Marshall, Judge and Sheriff, and Old Timer of the Year. At the 87th annual Pioneer Days kickoff last Saturday, dignitaries were announced, and the pioneering Smith Family of Twentynine Palms was named Grand Marshall. Homesteader Bill Smith established Smith’s Ranch in 1923 and along, with his wife, Thelma, raised six kids while creating an entertainment and social hub for the burgeoning community of…

Twentynine Palms Planning Commission revisits vacation home rental ordinance in Public Hearing

Last night’s meeting of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission featured three public hearings, including a lengthy review of how the city handles Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs). The first hearing dealt with so-called ‘landlocked’ parcels – those without access to a public road. Instead of limiting building permits, the commission will require the builder to sign a waiver acknowledging lack of legal access. Due to new state regulations, the second hearing pertained to a ‘clean up’ of code with…

Twentynine Palms City Council to discuss wastewater treatment plant location tonight (9/26)

After a contentious regular and special meeting earlier this month, the Twentynine Palms City Council will gather this evening in regular session to discuss another controversial topic, the controversial proposed location for the wastewater treatment plant. Tonight, the Twentynine Palms City Council will host yet another discussion on the proposed location of the wastewater treatment plant. The current plan calls for the plant to be located just east of the post office, south of Buena Vista…

Twentynine Palms City Council pulls back the axe on TBID in special meeting

Listen here: In an expected Special Meeting called by the mayor, the Twentynine Palms City Council reversed its recent defunding of the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) and Reporter Heather Clisby was there … Just one week after the Twentynine Palms City Council narrowly voted to defund and essentially kill the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), the council reversed course in last nights’ Special Meeting called by Mayor McArthur Wright. At the September 12 meeting, the…

Twentynine Palms Planning Commission hosts five public hearings this week

This week, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will gather to host five public hearings relating to social justice, Joshua trees, mobile homes, and land uses. On Tuesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will oversee five public hearings. The first hearing concerns an amendment to the General Plan that includes an Equity and Social Justice Element which has been in the works since fall of 2021. The next hearing concerns a development code amendment to determine a procedure…

87th Annual Pioneer Days in Twentynine Palms Set to “Party Like It’s 1987”

The year was 1987. An animated series called “The Simpsons” made its’ debut, “Dirty Dancing” was heating up the screen, and Rick Astley was on the airwaves, insisting he was “Never Gonna Give You Up.” It’s a flashback theme for this year’s Pioneer Days in Twentynine Palms.   Based entirely on numerological coincidence, this year’s 87th Annual Pioneer Days in Twentynine Palms is slated to be not only bodacious but totally tubular with the theme, ‘Party Like It’s 1987.’ The local tradition that…

Fate of Tourism Business Improvement District could be determined tonight at TPCC

The fate of the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) could be determined at Tonight’s Twentynine Palms City Council Meeting Tonight’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting includes three public hearings and several discussion items, but whether the controversial Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) will survive the evening is anyone’s guess. Reporter Heather Clisby has the full agenda … The Twentynine Palms City Council gathers this evening to host several public hearings and…

Run-red light and car collision in Yucca Valley leaves Jeep on its side

A driver allegedly running a red light on Twentynine Palms Highway caused a serious collision that left him injured and one car on its side. At around 11:15 a.m., County Sheriff’s Deputies report that a Chevrolet Equinox failed to stop at a red light on Twentynine Palms Highway near Dumosa Ave in Yucca Valley and collided with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep, which was slowing down at a red light when the collision occurred, was flipped onto its side in the westbound traffic lanes, though it’s…