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,…

Transit Occupancy Tax funds hotel rooms for unhoused 29 Palms residents

As snow fell in Twentynine Palms last night (February 22), the City Council rented hotel rooms to provide warm shelter for unhoused people in the community. Money raised through the city’s transient occupancy tax has been used to rent rooms at the American Best Value Inn Twentynine Palms for thirteen people beginning last night and until Sunday morning (February 26). The hotel rooms are being paid for by funds raised by the transient occupancy tax ,which are fees added to vacation rentals within…

Morongo Valley CSD announces special meeting today, Feb. 23 at 2PM

Just before noon yesterday (February 22), the Morongo Valley Community Services District announced a special meeting to be held today (February 23) at 2 p.m. On the agenda is the recertification of a proposal that allows the CSD to hold online meetings, which must be voted upon every 30 days, and closed session with legal counsel related to impending litigation. Public comments will be welcome at this meeting. This special meeting comes one week after the Morongo Valley CSD Board of Directors…

“Love Your Park” Desert-Dining Food Tour helps Joshua Tree National Park

Dining in the high desert has never been better, and now eating at some of your favorite restaurants can now make a positive impact on our national park. Culinary reporter Jef Harmatz joins us with a look at this delicious fundraising event. The first ever "Love Your Park" Hi-Desert Food Tour is in full swing and just in time for Valentine's Day. By ordering a specialty food or drink item from a participating restaurant, a portion of your purchase between 10 and 100% of the…

Suspect in Joshua Tree attempted murder flies to Minnesota, arrested on arrival

The suspect in a Joshua Tree attempted murder and kidnapping was arrested after fleeing to Minnesota. On Saturday (February 11) shortly after midnight, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a 911 call in which a woman claimed that her husband had shot her friend. The suspect in the shooting was identified as Fami Hassen, a 28 year-old from Minnesota. Deputies arrived at a property in the 7000 Block of Sierra Avenue in Joshua Tree to find only the male victim, suffering from…

2nd Saturday Art Walk in Joshua Tree tonight, Feb. 11

Downtown Joshua Tree's art galleries team up for another evening of fine are and socializing. The Joshua Tree Art Gallery is holding a reception for their new solo exhibit, "Ba Midbar – In the Desert," featuring paintings, drawings and prints created by Robert Aronson. The Yucca Valley-based Aronson creates abstract paintings are inspired by the vistas of the high desert. A reception will be held tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Desert Driven”, a solo show by Janis Commentz,…

Upcoming Joshua Tree Gem and Mineral Show Cancelled, Return Planned for Fall

The spring 2023 edition of the Joshua Tree Gem and Mineral Show has been cancelled. The Sportsman’s Club Organization President Wayne Hamilton confirmed that the event was cancelled for the spring, but that he is working to secure a new location for the popular event in the fall. Hamilton said that an agreement could not be reached between the new owners of the property at 6225 Sunburst Ave in Joshua Tree, the vendors, and the Sportsman’s Club Organization. Hamilton explained that when the…

Albert Okura, Owner of the Town of Amboy and Roy’s Café, Dies at 72

Albert Okura, the owner of the the town of Amboy and its iconic Roy’s Café and Motel, passed away early in the morning of January 27. Okura was born in Wilmington, California, 1951, and found success by opening a chicken restaurant, Juan Pollo, that quickly became a chain of 26 restaurants throughout Southern California. Okura demonstrated an interest in restoring iconic elements of Route 66, preserving the original McDonald’s hamburger stand in 1998. In 2005, he purchased the entire town of…

Yucca Valley Artist Eric Nash debuts new work at Compound YV tonight Jan. 28

Compound YV is opening a new show this evening (January 28) featuring the work of Yucca Valley-based artist Eric Nash. His dramatic two-dimensional work, which uses oil and charcoal, is inspired by scenes of the California Desert and Los Angeles. The exhibit, titled "Western Lust" opens tonight and will remain up at the gallery until March 26. An opening reception will be held tonight from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Compound YV, located at 55379 Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley.…

Attempted kidnapping thwarted in Pioneertown, suspect arrested

The kidnapping of a Pioneertown woman was thwarted by the victim’s father last week, and the suspect was later located and arrested. On Wednesday morning (January 18), County Sheriff’s Deputies report that a male suspect broke into a house and physically removed a woman from her home in the 5500 block of Tom Mix Road in Pioneertown, carrying her down the stairs and towards the front door against her will. Deputies say that the victim’s father witnessed the incident and intervened, preventing her…

Joshua Tree Retreat Center Recognized as Historic District by National Register

The Joshua Tree Retreat Center has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. Covering 152 acres in Joshua Tree, the retreat center, also known as the Institute of Mentalphysics, was formally recognized as a historic place on January 17. The recognition affords the center, which includes a number of buildings, residences, outdoor scultpures, and even a restaurant, a number of federal and state protections. Many of the structures that make up the Joshua Tree…