Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Mike Lipsitz

Mike Lipsitz

Joshua Basin Water District gives updates on Sunday’s water main break

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
August 7, 2023
Joshua Basin Water District gives updates on Sunday’s water main break

Just before 10:30 a.m. yesterday morning (Sunday, August 6) a Facebook post from the Joshua Basin Water District announced what many residents and businesses in Joshua Tree already suspected –  that the day would bring some troubled waters to the district. That first post assured everyone the district was aware that a large leak was affecting multiple areas of Joshua Tree and that emergency staff was on site assessing the situation. The first update came a fast hour later with assurances that…

Wednesday Water Round-Up for 8/2

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
August 2, 2023
Wednesday Water Roundup – regular meeting for JBWD, Hi-Desert

Yucca Valley’s Hi-Desert Water District board of directors meets at 4 p.m. today (August 2, 2023), while Joshua Tree’s Joshua Basin Water District’s regularly scheduled meeting is canceled. Among the business at the Hi-Desert Water District meeting, the board is expected to hold a public hearing and approve increases to costs for properties identified as having a change of use of the sewer system. The action should net the district an additional $1.3 million. And among other items, the board is…

San Bernardino County BOS consider increasing fire tax

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 24, 2023

At tomorrow’s (July 25, 2023) 10 o’clock meeting of the county supervisors in San Bernardino, several agenda items will a direct impact on Morongo Basin residents. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells us what they are… Supervisors are expected to approve a three percent annual cost-of-living increase to the controversial Fire Protection Zone 5 special tax which will bring the unpopular tax to just under $172 per parcel for 2023-24. And in a related item, the board will likely extend County Fire’s lease…

Wednesday Water Round-Up for 7/19

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 19, 2023
Wednesday Water Roundup – regular meeting for JBWD, Hi-Desert

Yucca Valley’s Hi-Desert Water District board of directors meets at 4 p.m. today (July 19, 2023), while Joshua Tree’s Joshua Basin Water District’s regular meeting gets underway at 5:30 p.m. sharp. Among the business items at the Hi-Desert Water District meeting, the board is expected to direct staff to prepare a proposal for comprehensive energy conservation measures. That meeting takes place at the district offices on the Highway at Inca Trail. And on Chollita Road in Joshua Tree, the Joshua…

Behind on your Joshua Basin Water District bill? Assistance available Thursday 7/20

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 19, 2023
Behind on your Joshua Basin Water District bill? Assistance available Thursday 7/20

Last month, a number of qualified low-income customers of the Joshua Basin Water District attended the first Low Income Household Water Assistance event for a combined savings of more than $16,000. Ratepayers who missed that event will get another opportunity this Thursday. A second Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for households served by the Joshua Basin Water District has been set for this Thursday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the water district office on Chollita…

Volunteers spring into action as Landers food distribution almost derailed by power outage

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 18, 2023
Volunteers spring into action as Landers food distribution almost derailed by power outage

Every month local community organizations, in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, and the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County distribute surplus food to needy households throughout Morongo Basin. Normally, their all-volunteer-run events operate very smoothly, but that’s not what happened yesterday in Landers. For years, volunteer Bonnie Trezona has managed the USDA Food Distribution at Landers’ Belfield Hall. When she unlocked the door about 8 a.m. yesterday…

Historical Highlight: A desert airport becomes Landers, California

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 16, 2023

Landers lies on the northern edge of our Morongo Basin. The small community began as a remote airstrip in the 1950s. In today’s historical highlight, reporter Mike Lipsitz tells us how Landers first took off… Newlin Landers beside his water truck - 1965. Los Angeles inventor, manufacturer, and amateur pilot, Newlin Landers came across the area in a 1947 news story related to Giant Rock. From the air, he found a natural airstrip there and became fascinated with the area. Newlin contacted seven…

County Supervisors appoint Lynn Watts to MVCSD Board

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 12, 2023
Morongo Valley CSD Board Director declares resignation, once conditions are met

At this morning's (July 11, 2023) meeting of the county supervisors in San Bernardino, the board appointed Lynn Watts to fill the open board seat on the Morongo Valley Community Services District. In a single, swift action, county supervisors selected Lynn Watts from among seven candidates vying to fill the unpaid volunteer board seat on the Morongo Valley Community Services District. The county stepped in to make this appointment because the CSD has been unable to move…

Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency meeting tonight (7/11)

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 11, 2023
Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency meeting agenda for Oct. 11

At tonight’s (July 11, 2023) 6 p.m. meeting of the Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency’s directors, the board will hold two important public hearings and related votes. Tonight’s first public hearing is to hear comments on the agency’s plan to place property tax liens on 77 “excessively delinquent accounts” or those owing greater than $300 as of this past February. The second public hearing concerns the agency’s establishment of stand-by and availability fees for 2023 water services in the Goat…

Board of Supervisors to Appoint Morongo Valley CSD Director

Mike Lipsitzby Mike Lipsitz
July 10, 2023

At tomorrow’s (July 11, 2023) 10 o’clock meeting of the county supervisors in San Bernardino, the board will have to take unusual and necessary action on behalf of the Morongo Valley Community Services District. Supervisors are expected to fill a vacancy that was created by a resignation in April. The Morongo Valley Community Services District is run by a five-member board of unpaid volunteers.  The CSD had 60 days from April 19 in which to appoint a new board member or call for a special…

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Copyright © 2024 Z107.7 FM Joshua Tree - Local News for the Hi Desert.