Joshua Tree performance benefits unhoused children in Morongo Basin

In recent years inflation, a shrinking rental market, and a growing population have led to a sharp increase in the number of homeless or unhoused children in Morongo Basin, some estimates put the number as high as 700 children. And while long-term solutions are needed, there is also an urgency for immediate aid. Furstwurld performance and event space in Joshua Tree will host a special benefit with live performances, internet streaming, a Zoom-a-thon, and prize giveaways this Wednesday from 2 to…

Wednesday Water Roundup: Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley meeting agendas

Listen here: At 4 p.m. this afternoon (December 7, 2022) the Hi-Desert Water District, which serves Yucca Valley, will meet at the district office on the highway at Inca Trail. And in Joshua Tree, the Joshua Basin Water District’s regular meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the office on Chollita Road off Park Blvd. Following the election of a president and vice president, the board will consider hiring a consulting firm to study water district employee compensation. The district will also recognize…

Yucca Valley property owners get sweet-smelling sewer discount

Yucca Valley property owners will receive an unexpected gift for the holidays this year. It’s coming in the form of a discount on the sewer assessment charges added to 2022/2023 property tax bills. The discount is a result of funds received under the Measure Z sales tax and additional properties buying into the sewer system. Property owners in Yucca Valley’s sewer assessment district can expect to pay about half of the originally estimated annual charge. It comes thanks primarily to $2.8 million…

Controversial County Measure D being challenged by watchdog group

San Bernardino County’s most tenacious watchdog, the Red Brennan Group plans to challenge the constitutionality of the county’s new charter amendments voters approved as Measure D in the November 8 General Election. “Mailers for Measure D were completely deceptive,” said Red Brennan Group President Tom Murphy, “and that’s one thing, but when the title and text of the measure are misleading that's entirely different.” Entitled ‘Amendments to the County Charter for Taxpayer Protection and…

Pioneertown short-term rental trailer park submits revised plans

Listen here: Squeaking in just ahead of the deadline, the developer of a proposed 14-unit, short-term rental trailer park along historic Mane Street in Pioneertown yesterday submitted a revised plan. The plan wasn’t submitted to the County Planning Commission or Land Use Services, but instead went to the Pioneertown Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development, the ad hoc community group that filed an appeal with the Board of Supervisors to stop the project altogether. Pioneertown Sustainable…

Campground on Yucca Mesa Rd to be discussed at County Planning Commission

At tomorrow’s (November 17, 2022) 9 a.m. meeting of the County Planning Commission in San Bernardino, a campground on an 18-acre site on Yucca Mesa Road will be the subject of a public hearing.Planned for the southeast corner of Yucca Mesa Road and Douglas Lane, the developer is seeking a Conditional Use Permit to construct a 10-pod campground linked by an internal drive and including an office and storage building. The County Department of Land Use Services has recommended approval. Tomorrow’s…

San Bernardino County BOS Agenda – King of Hammers economic impact study

Listen here: Reporting by Mike Lipsitz An unusually large agenda awaits County Supervisors at tomorrow’s (November 15, 2022) 10 a.m. meeting in San Bernardino. Several items on the consent calendar are unique to our Morongo Basin although our third district supervisor, Dawn Rowe, will be 6,827 miles away from the board meeting room. Supervisor Rowe is representing the county at a symposium on international education in our region’s sister city, Taoyuan City, in Taiwan. Closer to home, county…

Pioneertown Glamping Trailer Park Approved by County – 14 Short Term Rentals coming

Listen here: Reporting by Mike Lipsitz Pioneertown residents are unhappy about a proposed 14-unit trailer park to operate as a short term rental glamping destination on an undeveloped, three-quarter-acre parcel along historic Mane Street. They say that despite the proposed project’s failure to conform to various elements of the county development code, the community plan, and the California Environmental Quality Act, and dozens of letters from Pioneertown residents all opposing the trailer park,…

Hi-Desert Water District meets today (11/2)

Listen here: Reporting by Mike Lipsitz The Hi-Desert Water District meets in regular session today at 4 p.m. and down the highway in Joshua Tree the gavel comes down for the Joshua Basin Water District meeting at 5:30 p.m. Just ahead of routine matters on the consent calendar directors at the Hi-Desert Water District today will get official introductions to the crew tasked with moving forward the Capital Replacement Program. While in Joshua Tree, directors at the Joshua Basin Water District will…

Hi-Desert Water District seeking Committee Members

The Hi-Desert Water District is recruiting residents in its service area to sit on the Public Advisory Committee. The committee has been inactive due to the pandemic. The committee will meet monthly, or as needed to consider matters identified by the Board and staff. Committee input may be sought for major projects, policies, rates, water resource planning, conservation, and community engagement. The ideal committee member will make a two-year commitment and reflect the knowledge and interests…