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.…

Heading into the Mojave National Preserve? Kelso Depot closed for renovations

The Mojave National Preserve is continuing to recover from storms and fires this year - and they’ve closed a few more areas for renovations. Beginning on Tuesday the National park Service has closed the public restrooms and parking area at the Kelso Depot just northeast of the Morongo Basin. They say that the current facilities have frequent issues that force emergency closures and repairs can take weeks as parts for the current facilities are limited. Preserves encourages visitors to prepare…

Can you donate Joshua Tree seedlings to the National Park?

Joshua Trees are a species under threat. Wildfires sparked from careless activity spread further and faster in the desert than in years past due to invasive species, and climate change brings hotter and drier seasons. This can spell trouble for a species that can take decades for their seedlings to grow to the full-size trees that we see in higher elevations here in the Morongo Basin. Recent fires in the Mojave National Preserve have devastated thousands of acres of Joshua Tree forest. The Cima…

Today is Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day - a day recognizing Americans who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. November 11th was formerly known as Armistice Day - commemorating the end of major hostilities in World War 1 that were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the armistice with Germany went into effect. 46 years later in 1954, the day was officially renamed to what we know it as today. Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so non-essential…

Support local animal shelters and #adoptdontshop

The first full week of November is Shelter Appreciation Week - dedicated to the shelters and workers around the country who rescue, foster and help find homes for animals who need a little help. The Joshua Tree No Kill Shelter - formerly known as the Morongo Basin Humane Society - is open today from noon to 4. They are also always in need of supplies for the pets they rescue. Dog and cat food, kitty litter and cleaning supplies are always in demand - but you can check with them to see if they…

Joshua Tree National Park working to reduce wildfire-fueling invasive weeds and shrubs

Listen here: Joshua Tree National Park will begin a fire management and fuel reduction program on Monday, November 13th. According to a press release by the National Park Service, park staff will be working to reduce the amount of potential fuel in areas to give extra protection to Joshua Trees if a wildfire were to spark in the park. The entirety of Keys View Road and Covington Flats road in Joshua Tree National Park will be affected as crews remove non-native grasses and shrubs that can fuel a…

2023 Weed Show Winners – crafted compositions connect the hi-desert with Hollywood

Listen here: With its 83rd year in the books, the Twentynine Palms Historical Society have announced the winners in the 13 Hollywood-connected categories - such as “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” which limited weed arrangements to 3 square inches.  Every category was well-represented with 214 entries in the show, and there were some popular returning categories that any Weed Show regular would recognize… Cheryl: “I like the purple glass… everyone is so clever! It’s fun!” That’s Cheryl - she’s been…

“Myrtle” statue receives a tortoise-touchup courtesy of Joshua Tree Rotary Club

Listen here: If you’ve been through Joshua Tree in the last couple weeks, you may have seen a bit of commotion in the island between Highway 62 and the Farmer’s Market parking lot: Paul Hoffman: “This is the perfect spot, especially with that Joshua Tree sign in the background…” Left to right: Laurel Arismendi, Grateful David Esqueda, Charlie Esqueda, Paul Hoffman and Joshua Tree Rotary members That’s Paul Hoffman - he’s the President of the Joshua Tree Rotary Club - and he and a small group of…

Two Medicare clinics at Twentynine Palms Senior Center starting tomorrow

A healthcare counselor will be holding two Medicare clinics at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center in November - the first one taking place tomorrow morning (11/7) from 11AM to 3PM. Organized by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, these two events will help senior and disabled residents of the hi-desert get medical coverage through Medicare. A counselor will be available to help individuals understand benefits and enrollment; prescription drug plan coverage; Medicare advantage…

Reminder: Set your clocks back an hour Sunday morning

As a convenience of the modern age, most of us don’t have to worry about rolling back all the clocks an hour on Sunday morning for Daylight Savings Time. However if you still have time-keepers that need to be changed the old-fashioned way - here’s your yearly reminder to Fall-back an hour on Sunday morning. This may magically grant you an extra hour of sleep, but it also means shorter days are on their way with the darkness of night creeping closer and closer to the evening hours until it peaks…

Kangaroo Rat variant added to California’s list of endangered and threatened species

The San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat is a subspecies that lives in approximately 3200 acres of habitat west of the Morongo Basin – ranging from the San Bernardino Valley to Menifee Valley in Riverside County. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, those areas include the historical floodplain along the upper Santa Ana River wash and San Jacinto River. Facing the ongoing threat of climate change and land development, the diminutive subspecies has officially been listened as endangered by the…