Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut,…

Structure fire and propane explosions outside of Joshua Tree displaces three residents on Monday

One person suffered minor injuries and three people were displaced from a loud and visible fire in Joshua Tree on Monday (November 27). At around 1:30 p.m., a fire broke out in a small residential structure near Twentynine Palms Highway and Watson Drive. San Bernardino County Fire Crews arrived to find the structure well-involved with several small propane tanks gassing, which crews said can combust and sound like explosions. Fire crews from Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms were…

Happy Thanksgiving! Z107.7 News is off Thursday + Friday

Z107.7 will be taking the holiday off tomorrow and Friday. Our hard working news team will be giving thanks with their family and friends over the next two days, and will return on Saturday, November 25. I’m thankful for Z107.7’s incredible news team, the entire staff of this radio station, and everyone who tunes in here in the Morongo Basin and around the world.  Thank you.

3rd Saturday Art Walk in Yucca Valley: Compound YV, JTNPA Group Show, and Goat Mountain Teeny Weeny art

Three galleries are holding openings in Yucca Valley tonight (November 18), it what is becoming a bit of a third Saturday of the month tradition. Compound YV is debuting their brand new exhibition this evening, called "Heavenly Bodies." It's a solo show from New York based painter Tess Jenkins, who debuts mixed media work described as "part offerings of gratitude, part exorcisms" and "joyfully excessive. Compound will hold an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.…

Essig Dog Park set for reopening on November 21

Yucca Valley Mayor Rick Denison and Town Manager Curtis Yakimow were the guests on Z1077's Up Close show last Friday (November 10), where they spoke with host Gary Daigneault about a number of issues facing the town. In response to a question from a caller, Denison and Yakimow announced for the first time the official reopening day for Essig Park's dog parks, which have been under construction since June. Denison: "We were just talking about that this morning. I personally went by…

Second Saturday Art Crawl in Joshua Tree tonight

It’s the second Saturday of the month, and that means the art crawl returns to Joshua Tree tonight. Downtown Joshua Tree’s many art galleries will all open to the public tonight, and many of them will have receptions for new shows. La Matadora kicks off something unusual tonight, as the gallery becomes a pop-up shop in time for the holidays. Jewelry designer Shahasp Valentine and her Rock and Rapture will be taking over La Matadora Gallery for two months beginning tonight, featuring a…

Remains found in Anza Borrego confirmed to be Fang Jin, who went missing after visiting Joshua Tree National Park

Fang Jin, the woman who was declared missing in July, shortly after arriving in the hi-desert from China, has had her remains positively identified, according to the San Bernardino County Coroner. Fang, 47, was believed to be traveling with John Fitzpatrick, 52. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported in October that human remains found in Anza Borrego Desert State Park belonged to Fitzpatrick. Recent reports from various news sources said that a second set of human remains were found nearby…

Twentynine Palms Planning Commission tries to better define campsites and glamping

The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission attempted to better define campsites at their meeting last night (November 7).  A number of residents spoke on the matter during a public comment period, with many suggesting that developers were able to create large scale commercial hotel projects under the guise of campsites, often called "glamping." With public comment in mind, the commission set about to better define the different types of camping and campsites currently allowed in the…

Hay Festival happening all weekend at Joshua Tree Retreat Center

For the second year, the Hay Festival celebrates Latinx culture in all its traditions—dance, film, food, music, theater, and community, with events happening throughout November. The festival continues tonight (November 4) with “Caminando,” a dance work by choreographer Liliana Gomez. Presented by the Latina Dance Project, the piece focuses on themes of love and migration, and will be accompanied by live music by Marivel and Jesse Simms. The event starts tonight at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are on a…

Weed Show returns to Twentynine Palms this weekend

Listen here: The beloved hi-desert institution, the Twentynine Palms Historical Society's Weed Show, returns this weekend (November 4 and 5) to the Old Schoolhouse Museum. The judged competition is part art show and part garden show, with a unique desert twist. A typical entry sees a desert plant, like creosote, cholla, chia, or even juniper twigs, integrated with handmade artwork or assemblages of found objects from the sandy desert floor. Here's Robert Haydon with a look at entries…

Yucca Valley woman arrested for suspected arson after travel trailer fire

A Yucca Valley woman was arrested for suspicion of setting a trailer fire that damaged her own home and another. Early Saturday (October 28), County Sheriff's Deputies and San Bernardino County Fire crews responded to a report of a fire in the 7600 block of Balsa Ave. Deputies say they found two travel trailers on the north side of the property to be fully engulfed in flames. After ensuring that no one was inside the trailers, Deputies say they began to evacuate nearby homes. Fire crews…