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.…

Invasive weeds and plants are a big problem; help out by starting small in your own backyard

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the MDLT oversees 120,000 acres of the Mojave Desert. They currently manage 60,000 acres, but have protected 120,000 acres since 2006. 60,000 acres have been transferred over to federal partners. Thanks to MDLT for the correction. March 19th is when spring officially starts, but to be honest I never really pay attention to that. For me spring started today - this morning we sprung forward an hour. I’m not going to get into the daylight…

Two volunteer opportunities in spring at Joshua Tree National Park, sign up by 3/11

 If you are a people person who also loves the National Park, there are a couple volunteer positions that may be a perfect fit. Joshua Tree National Park is looking for Entrance Ambassadors to assist fee rangers at the West Entrance by checking park passes and answering visitor questions as they enter. The volunteer position requires long periods of standing outside and directing traffic. You may also be assisting staff inside the park at parking areas, trailheads and campgrounds. The…

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…

Candlelight vigil held for Joshua Barreras at memorial on Hwy. 62

Two crosses for Joshua have been erected right off highway 62 near Avalon Ave. Friends, family and community members gathered around the memorial last night, holding candles, and sharing stories and photos of Joshua Barreras. He was only 16 years old when he was struck and killed by a motorist on the night of January 26th. This weekend’s wild winds calmed a bit around 6pm last night as mourners gathered around the memorials. Joshua’s family thanked the growing crowd for the support and for…

Explore the proposed Chuckwalla Monument with guided sunset hike on 3/16

The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument is approximately 660,000 acres of California desert situated between the southern border of Joshua Tree National Park and north of the deliciously named chocolate mountains. While the Morongo Basin sits securely within the warm borders of the Mojave desert - anyone that’s driven south through the national park toward the cottonwood entrance has experienced the gradual change the landscape takes on as the Colorado desert meets the Mojave - creating two…

Yucca Valley residents can score a free countertop organic waste bucket

If you use Burrtec’s curbside trash services you’ve probably received your green waste bin intended for yard waste and food scraps. The idea is that all that kind of natural waste breaks down naturally in the environment - and mixing it in with regular trash means it will take a lot longer to become useful to the ecosystem. However - food scraps can get nasty quick just sitting around your kitchen, especially with warmer spring weather ahead. The Town of Yucca Valley is partnering with…

Candlelight Vigil for Joshua Barreras this Sunday at 6PM in Yucca Valley

A younger Joshua Barreras in a photo shared by his Grandmother Sherry Moreno A candlelight vigil for Joshua Barreras is planned for this Sunday at 6PM in Yucca Valley, according to friends and family members. Josh was 16 years old when he was struck by a vehicle on the night of Friday January 26th. The driver fled the scene, leaving the teenage victim in the middle of Twentynine Palms Highway near Avalon Ave. Joshua Barreras died later that night at the hospital. The driver suspected of…

“Leap Day” book sale today and Saturday at Old Schoolhouse Museum

The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is teaming up with the Friends of the Twentynine Palms Library to bring you a book sale that will have you jumping at literary steals and deals all weekend. Starting Thursday from 4PM to 7PM with an additional day on Saturday - Founders Hall at the Old Schoolhouse Museum will be filled with donated books with no prices set. Grab as much or as little as you’d like and donate what you can and the 29 Palms historical society will split the proceeds with…

Family and friends of Yucca Valley teen killed in hit-and-run call for “justice for Joshua”

Sherry Moreno holds a photo of her grandson Joshua Barreras at Tuesday's arraignment of Troy Reynolds (Photo Credit: Robert Haydon) Troy Reynolds entered a “Not Guilty” plea in the suspected hit-and-run case that resulted in the death of Yucca Valley teenager Joshua Barreras.  At 7:15PM last night, Reynolds was released on $500,000 bail - a sharp increase from the $75,000 bail that was suggested by prosecution.  Reynolds is the primary suspect in the hit-and-run that occurred on January 26…

Troy Reynolds enters “Not Guilty” plea in hit and run case, held on $500,000 bail

Listen here: Troy Reynolds entered a “Not Guilty” plea in the suspected hit-and-run case that resulted in the death of Yucca Valley teenager Joshua Barreras. He’s being held on $500,000 bail, an increase from the scheduled $75,000 bail that was recommended by prosecuting attorneys. Reynolds is the primary suspect in a hit and run that occurred on January 26. The victim, Joshua Barreras, a 16 year-old Yucca Valley teen, was found unresponsive in the center median of Twentynine Palms…