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 District 4 Candidate: Octavious Scott interview

Election Day, November 8, is fast approaching and includes a race for Twentynine Palms City Council, District 4. Newcomer Octavious Scott is challenging council incumbent and current Mayor Karmolette O’Gilvie. We posed the same five questions to both candidates and here are Scott’s responses. What makes you uniquely qualified to sit on the council? If elected, I’d be the youngest city council member in Twentynine Palms at age 35, but at the same time, I have substantial experience in the private…

Mayor Karmolette O’Gilvie and City Manager Frank Luckino Up-Close Interview Recap

Last Friday’s “Up Close” show featured Gary Daigneault’s interview with Twentynine Palms Mayor Karmolette O’Gilvie and City Manager Frank Luckino where they discussed downtown growth, affordable housing, vacation home rentals, new retail spaces, social justice, and road maintenance. The city of Twentynine Palms is going through a definitive “transformation” so Mayor Karmolette O’Gilvie and City Manager Frank Luckino stopped by the Z107.7 studio last Friday to chat with Gary Daigneault’s on his…

Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours Wraps Up This Weekend – Links to Apps and Schedule

Showcasing 192 artists in 134 studios spread out over hundreds of miles, the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours kicks off this weekend. Stretching from Morongo Valley to Wonder Valley, desert artists will open their personal studios, workspaces and homes to the public. The tours continue this weekend October 15 and 16, and next weekend October 22 and 23. Tour hours are 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Hosted by the Morongo Basin Arts Council, creative mediums include photography, paintings, drawings,…

Twentynine Palms Planning Commission meets tonight (10/18)

The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will gather this evening for two public hearings. The first concerns an appeal of the denial of a Vacation Home Rental (VHR) at 7191 Utah Trail, #2. At the time of the original VHR application submission, the dwelling (one of three units) met code requirements. Later interpretations of the code disallow one permit for all three connected units and would only apply to only one unit. The second public hearing will discuss the Site Plan and Design Review for…

Wild, Wild West Hoedown Fundraiser for Reach Out Morongo Basin

To kick off Pioneer Days weekend, Reach Out Morongo Basin is hosting a Wild, Wild West Hoedown fundraiser at the historic Tower Homestead. Reporter Heather Clisby has details … Shine up yer boots, grab your hats and saddle up! Reach Out Morongo Basin is hosting a ‘Wild, Wild West Hoedown’ fundraiser on October 14, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The event will take place at the historic Tower Homestead Guest Ranch - one of the original Twentynine Palms homesteads - at 76969 Amboy Road. There will…

29 Palms City Council Meets Tonight – Business Loan Improvement Program money still available

Tonight, the Twentynine Palms City Council faces a short agenda that begins with introductions of more new city employees.The council will then discuss the possible expansion of the Business Loan Improvement Program. Last year, the council created the matching-loan program for businesses exclusively within the Downtown Specific Plan. The funds could only be used for upgrading or repairing the outside of the buildings, nothing indoors.There have been just four applicants to engage the program,…

Twentynine Palms City Council Gets an Earful on Events and Tourism

Last night, it was a spirited meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council as residents and business owners expressed views on the importance of event programming and how best to increase tourism. During a public hearing at last night’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting, several business owners took issue with the proposed 1.5 percent assessment fee on all short-term stays within the city. While the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) would largely benefit from the approximately…

Twentynine Palms City Council Meets Tonight to Discuss Expansion of Business Loan Program

The Twentynine PalmsCity Council will meet tonight to welcome new employees, host a public hearing on tourist fees, and discuss an expansion of the Business Loan Improvement Program. After welcoming new city employees, the Twentynine Palms City Council will host a public hearing tonight on the proposed 1.5 percent assessment fee on short-term stays within the city. This would be in addition to the nine percent Transient Occupancy Tax and is anticipated to generate approximately $285,000 annually…

Arm Wrestling and Outhouse Races Kicks Off 86th Annual Pioneer Days in Twentynine Palms

Rediscover 29, also known as the Twentynine Palms Downtown Business Association (DBA), is partnering with the city of Twentynine Palms to host the 86th Annual Pioneer Days Kick-Off featuring outhouse races and an arm-wrestling competition on Saturday, October 1. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. and go until 10:00 p.m. at Freedom Plaza in downtown Twentynine Palms. Registration is now open for vendors, outhouse races, and the arm-wrestling competition. To register, visit…