In San Bernardino this morning, County Supervisors hold their regular twice-monthly meeting at 10 o’clock. The five-member board is expected to adopt a resolution calling on the California Insurance Commissioner, Legislature, and Governor to declare a state of emergency and take immediate action to strengthen and stabilize the state’s marketplace for homeowners and commercial property insurance. Increased risk of wildfires and other natural disasters caused by climate change and rising home…

Yesterday morning in San Bernardino, County Supervisors held an extended public hearing and then approved a $9.8 billion county budget. In an afternoon session, the board took up the issue of local housing and short-term vacation rentals. County Supervisors heard the results of a state-mandated study of housing in the unincorporated communities. The study showed what many here already know: that Joshua Tree - where a third of the homes are occupied by short-term rentals - is disproportionately…

At tonight’s (June 11) 6 p.m. meeting of the Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency directors will hold a public workshop and consider an emergency water supply agreement. Following the public workshop, directors are expected to fix and adopt the fiscal 2024-25 water agency budget.   Also tonight, directors are expected to approve a mutual emergency water supply agreement with Yucca Valley’s Hi‐Desert Water District. Tonight’s meeting takes place at the agency’s board meeting office under the old…

At tomorrow’s (June 11, 2024) 10 o’clock meeting of county supervisors in San Bernardino, Land Use Services will ask the board to revisit the issue of Short-Term Vacation Rentals and the scarcity of affordable housing for sale or rent in Joshua Tree and other nearby communities. Last November, a county contractor presented the findings of a federally mandated study of housing in the unincorporated areas of the county. The study aimed to reveal how best to meet housing needs in areas where there…

While the threat of COVID-19 has been somewhat tamed, the virus’s devastating effects continue to plague communities across the nation. Studies show small nonprofits in underserved rural communities are disproportionately affected. As social distancing devastated small community organizations, members and volunteers withdrew and resources dried up. This is visible in Morongo Basin’s Homestead Valley, which saw the virtual disappearance of the community associations serving Yucca Mesa and…