Robert Haydon is the Online News Editor at Z107.7 He graduated from University of Oregon's School of Journalism, with a specialty in Electronic Media. Over the years, he has worked in television news, documentary film, and advertising and marketing.…

Flying Doctors golf tournament returning 4/20, space still available

The Flying Doctors SoCal Golf Tournament is returning to Hawks Landing Golf Course in Yucca Valley on April 20th - and there is still space for 3 teams to join up. The tournament will feature on-course games like longest drive, closest to the pin, a putting contest, and a chance at a new car if you sink a hole in one. Mulligans, raffles and a 50/50 drawing all on top of a great day of golf. The Flying Doctors have been Flying Medical Missions since 1975 - most recently right here in the Morongo…

A few photos from Monday’s partial solar eclipse

Z107.7 News listener Tim Curr sent in photos from Monday's partial solar eclipse. Partial only because Southern California wasn't in the "path of totality" - which is the strip of the United States that got to experience the eerie dusk feeling of the moon passing between the earth and the sun - completely blocking out most of the light for a brief few seconds.Here in the Morongo Basin it looked noticeably dimmer and scattered clouds moved quickly making viewing the eclipse…

Western Burrowing Owl slated for Endangered Species list

The Western Burrowing Owl has had a petition submitted on its behalf to be placed on the California Endangered Species list as threatened or endangered. According to the California Fish and Game Commission Notice, the western burrowing owl is a small bird of prey that lives in open, arid, relatively flat to rolling terrain covered by low stature vegetation, such as grasslands, shrub steppes, and desert shrubs.  Vegetation cover and height are significant habitat factors due to the…

Deadline Approaching: MBCA offering three scholarships for Morongo Basin graduating seniors

Are you a graduating Morongo Basin high school senior? Do you plan on continuing your higher education in a major that can impact environmental conservation? The Morongo Basin Conservation Association, or MBCA - will be awarding three $1000 scholarships for students who have a strong interest in environmental and conservation issues - with a strong preference for technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The MBCA says that one of the three scholarships will be awarded to an arts major in…

Escape to Sawtooth Canyon Campground for a free staycation in a different desert landscape

I was driving back home on the 247 from a few weekends ago when I passed Sawtooth Canyon Campground - situated about halfway between Barstow and Lucerne Valley. I was doing my favorite type of traveling - the kind with no itinerary or timeline that I had to stick to. That's also when I can find my new favorite camping spots. I’m always trying to clock new places to camp and explore, especially if they have those three magic letters I love to see on campground sign: BLM. Sawtooth…

Free Permits required for campfires on BLM land

Campfure permits are required to have one on BLM land. It’s free and super easy to obtain at the BLM's website. You have to watch a video and take a short quiz, but its might be a good thing to do with kids before heading out and doing some camping. You can also get one at any CAL FIRE, U.S. Forest Service, or BLM office. A campfire permit is also required to operate a gas powered stove. If all this seems like a bit much to roast some marshmallows, according to the National Park Service a…

Guided sunset hike to Mecca Hills on 4/19

It may not look like it this weekend, but spring is here and that has me wanting to get out and hike as much as I can. One area that I have yet to explore is the Mecca Hills to our south. If you exit the National Park at the Cottonwood Exit you won’t be too far from them. They are also part of the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument - 660,000 acres of potentially protected California desert located south of I-10 and stretching from the Coachella Valley to near the Colorado River. The…

Yucca Valley domestic disturbance and robbery suspect arrested

The suspect in a robbery and assault was arrested Wednesday morning. On Tuesday (March 26), Sheriff's Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance and robbery that occurred in the 5000 block of Buena Suerte Road in Yucca Valley. Deputies report the suspect, Nate Lewis, a 55 year-old resident of Yucca Valley, entered the victim's home, made considerable threats with a firearm, and stole property from the house. The victim told deputies that Lewis was her ex-husband,…

Cholla cactus just want to hitch a ride. Here’s how to politely turn them down

Listen here: Spring has sprung and it's already busier in the basin. And as the days continue to creep toward those perfect temperatures, you are going to hear more and more about wildflowers and where to go to catch an eyeful of the abundant  colors that have been popping out of the ground all month. And while locals and park officials may be reticent to use the possibly-cursed term “superbloom” - the promise of peeping those little pops of color will certainly draw people from all over to…

Way Station holding Easter good giveaway this Friday (3/29)

Easter is this Sunday - and while candy and easter eggs can be in abundance this time of year, for some families an extra holiday dinner can be hard to fit into their budget. The Way Station in Joshua Tree is holding a food giveaway on Friday to provide for the upcoming Easter holiday. Starting at 8AM on Friday the 29th - they will be giving away hams, turkeys, fresh and canned produce as well as Easter baskets for the kids. No ID or proof of residency is needed to pick up the food, and a…