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,…

Twentynine Palms Interact Club feeds over 300 families this Thanksgiving

This past Thanksgiving, 300 people in the Morongo Basin ate turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables and stuff that was provided by a group of high school students in Twentynine Palms. The Twentynine Palms High School Interact Club is known for, among many other programs, providing Thanksgiving meals to people in our community who might not be able to afford it. Here's Interact Club Vice President Amiel Escobal to explain. "We have our annual Thanksgiving food drive. We host it at the high…

Morongo Valley Community Services District board election results continue to be close

Three weeks after the election, one local race continues to shift. The race for the Morongo Valley Community Services District, the local elected body that oversees Morongo Valley’s Fire Department, Covington Park, and other infrastructure, has seen the lead shift for two positions on the five-person board. All members of the board were up for re-election this year split amongst two distinct races.  Three candidates vied for two seats,with incumbents Christina Gorke and Lance Fisher…

Scammers and solicitors misrepresenting themselves as power companies, SCE

Social media is alight with videos of aggressive solicitors claiming to be with power companies, and Southern California Edison has issued a new warning about potential power bill scams. SCE says that scammers are particularly targeting the elderly, non-native English speakers and small businesses. Z107.7 has tracked an uptick in door-to-door solicitors claiming to be from SCE or smaller power or solar companies. Even legitimate power companies use aggressive and even sometimes misleading…

California Highway Patrol collecting gifts during annual “CHiPs for Kids” toy drive

The California Highway Patrol is once again collecting toys for children in need as part of their "CHiPs for Kids" toy drive.The annual drive is a statewide initiative that has given away millions of toys throughout California, and they couldn't do it without donations from the community. The CHP's Morongo Basin station kicked off the 2024 toy drive on Thursday night with an event in the parking lot of Walgreens in Yucca Valley. Officer Mike Radford explained the origins of…

Rivian opening second National Park-adjacent charging station in Joshua Tree

A new electric vehicle charging station is opening soon in Joshua Tree. Rivian, the maker of electric trucks and SUVs, is opening their second charging station at 61142 Twentynine Palms Highway, just east of Saddleback Road. This is Rivian's second charging station, with the first built near Yosemite National Park. The company says they are placing charging stations near national parks to encourage exploration. The facility features more than a dozen chargers. Though Rivian has not…

Final night for Yucca Valley Haunted House

One family is bringing huge scares to the hi-desert this Halloween. The Dudra family has a history with Halloween. The Dudra brothers Jason and Phillip, and Phillip’s wife Judi have turned the yard of their home on Hanford Ave. in Yucca Valley into a haunted maze that will strike genuine terror into those who dare enter.  Judi Dudra explains the origins, “Well we’ve been doing it for the last twenty years, because my husband’s mom started the whole thing in LA. They moved here in 1995 and…

Stage Fright and General Baby light up the Palms tonight in Wonder Valley

Stage Fright, one of the strangest bands in the hi-desert, takes the stage tonight for a free show at the Palms in Wonder Valley. This post-Halloween show from the musical collective fronted by Lolly Goodwoman will be "goth themed." Lolly joined Cody and I on Z107.7's morning show to explain Stage Fright. "You know, many of us are non-traditional performers and we maybe weren't exactly trained musicians or performers or clowns or whatever you want to call us. You know,…

Final weekend of HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours has day and night events

HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours concludes with a bang this weekend. Today and tomorrow are your last chance to visit artists in their studios in the hi-desert. It's a big draw for out of towners, but locals love this event as well, because it lets you meet your neighbors and community members, get active in the desert's thriving art community, and buy art to support local artists. More than 130 artists are opening their studio from Morongo Valley to Wonder Valley, and everywhere in…

Pioneer Days: Meet your local first responders at the Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast this Saturday

The City of Twentynine Palms kicks off the 88th Annual Pioneer Days this weekend. The celebration kicks off this week on Thursday with the Pioneer Days Kick-Off Mixer at 29 Palms Inn, and continues through Sunday with a variety of events. One important function is this Saturday's (10/19) Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast, put on by firefighter's from San Bernardino County Fire. Held at the Twentynine Palms fire station, here's County Battalion Fire Chief Jeff Allen with more.…

HWY 62 Studio Art Tours continue, Joshua Tree Art Walk tonight at galleries

Art is happening in the hi-desert this weekend, as the HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours continues, coinciding with the second Saturday Joshua Tree Art Walk. More than 130 local, hi-desert artists will be opening up their studios to neighbors, tourists, and art appreciators. This annual event brings people to the hi-desert from all over the country. The event is put on annually by the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, and is an autumn staple for the local artist community. This year’s event will…