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,…

Yucca Valley Man Arrested for Suspicion of Violently Resisting Arrest Twice in Two Weeks

A Yucca Valley man has been arrested twice in two weeks, both times for suspicion of assaulting San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies. On September 4, a Deputy responded to a call of a man walking northbound in lanes of traffic on Sage Ave near Carlyle Drive in Yucca Valley. Sheriffs identified the man as Charles Pritchett, a 36 year-old resident of Yucca Valley, and report that when the deputy approached him, a fled. A foot pursuit ensued, during which Sheriffs say that Pritchett turned…

MUSD to discuss funding matters, anti-discrimination policy at tonight’s meeting

Tonight’s MUSD closed session will discuss final action for readmitting a pupil and conference with legal council regarding ongoing litigation. For open session, action items will include a request to adopt District Appropriation Limits, a Committed Fund Balance to include: Local Control Accountability Plan; Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant; and a Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, as well as a request to adopt anti-discrimination policy regarding…

Yucca Valley Vandalism Suspect Arrested

A suspect in the vandalism of five Yucca Valley businesses has been arrested. Edy Morales, a 36 year-old resident of Yucca Valley, was arrested for suspicion of Felony Vandalism on Friday (September 9). The vandalism, which included rocks and bricks thrown through windows and the destruction of property at five businesses in Yucca Valley, was reported first on September 1, and is estimates by the business owners total more than $12000. Two windows were broken by rocks at Luna Bakery, on…

Vandalism Spree Causes Thousands of Dollars in Damages to Yucca Valley Businesses

Note: This story has been updated with a corrected timeline and list of businesses affected by the vandalism. There has been an arrest in connection with these crimes. Unknown vandals caused thousands of dollars worth of damage at several Yucca Valley businesses on Monday (September 5) night. County Sheriffs received five similar reports about smashed windows and damage to commercial property in and around Old Town Yucca Valley, totaling more than $12000. Two windows were broken by rocks at Luna…

New Exhibition Depicts The Mojave Desert Through Woodcuts at Black Rock Art Gallery

A new exhibit is running at the Black Rock Art Gallery.In her exhibition entitled "Into the Mojave," Mollie Doctrow has created a series of black and white woodcut prints that seek to interrogate natural forms through shape, line, contrast and rhythm. The artist has held several residencies at national parks, which have informed her work, and this latest exhibition is based on her return to her native California and time spent in the Mojave National Preserve.The exhibition will run…

Rollover on Hwy. 62 leaves one passenger dead, two injured including 4 Y.O.

A car drove off Highway 62 on Wednesday (August 31) morning, rolling several times into the open desert, leaving one passenger dead and the driver and a four-year old passenger with minor injuries. California Highway Patrol reports that, at approximately 5:10 a.m., a 30 year-old female from Chula Vista was driving westbound on Highway 62 east of Ironage Rd with two passengers, a 31 year-old male and a four-year old male. The CHP report says that, due to possible fatigue, the driver steered to…

State Grant Creates Outdoor Programming at Oasis Elementary

A new state grant will provide outdoor education opportunities to students at Oasis Elementary School in Twentynine Palms. The Joshua Tree Residential Education Experience, affectionately known as “JTREE”, has been awarded $227,000 grant from California’s State Parks and Recreation to provide outdoor access for underserved communities. JTREE chose Oasis Elementary as the school that will participate in an educational program that will have students, families and teachers, engaging with…

Joshua Basin Water District special meeting tomorrow (Aug 31)

The Joshua Basin Water District has called a special meeting of their board of directors for tomorrow (August 31). In addition to public comments, the only item on the meetings agenda is a rate study discussion kickoff for 2022, during which the board is expected to develop multiple water rate scenarios with input from the Citizens Advisory Council. The meeting begins Wednesday at noon, and will be held in the boardroom of the Administration Building at 61750 Chollita Road, Joshua Tree. Click to…

Joshua Tree man arrested for suspicion of torture and child abuse

A Joshua Tree man was arrested for suspicion of domestic violence, child abuse, and torture. Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an assault call on Wednesday (August 24) to the 61000 block of Begonia Place in Joshua Tee, where deputies say they that Larry Gillette, 23, was involved in an argument. Their report says that during the argument, Gillette reportedly pushed the victim down the stairs, causing injury. Investigators also discovered indications of on-going abuse and torture. On Friday,…

Rise In Reports of Telephone Scams and How to Protect Yourself

Z107.7 has received a number of telephone calls over the last week from local people who have been scammed out of money via calls or email, and we’ve seen an increase in police reports about scams as well. Though our information comes from residents of the Morongo Basin, scammers are targeting people all over the country, with a focus on senior citizens. One popular scam involves a stranger on the phone seeming to be in distress, vaguely claiming to be a grandchild or relative, and asking the…