Robert Haydon

Contract awarded for JTNP West Gate redesign, could take 9 to 12 months

January 10, 2024

Mines, historic structures and ‘legacy pollution’ getting cleaned up in Joshua Tree National Park

Listen here: For the 3rd year in a row, visitation to Joshua Tree National Park has topped 3 million, a number felt by anyone trying to enter the Joshua Tree entrance - colloquially known as the West gate - on a busy spring weekend. Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Jane Rodgers reported the figure in her latest newsletter, where she also says relief is coming for those affected by those busy times. The West gate entrance to the National Park is by far the most popular of the three. The…

Gates of Spain mobile home park won’t be changing to all-ages

by Robert Haydon

January 10, 2024

Yucca Valley Council votes ‘Yes’ on urgency ordinance to pause changes to 55+ mobile home park

Listen here: At a special meeting of the Yucca Valley Town Council, the Gates of Spain mobile home community was the main topic - the 55 and older seniors-only park was in the middle of a 45-day moratorium on a proposed change to an all-ages park. The urgency ordinance was approaching the expiration, and the law allowed an additional extension of nearly 11 months if passed. However, early in public comments the Gates of Spain Park Manager announced that the owners will no longer seek a…

Mojave National Preserve requesting public input on road rehab

by Robert Haydon

January 9, 2024

Mojave National Preserve requesting public input on road rehab

The Mojave National Preserve is requesting public input on two major road rehabilitation projects. The National Park Service is proposing to rehabilitate Kelso Cima Road and South Kelbaker Road inside the Preserve. Rehabilitation of the roads will include demolition, removal and replacements of the existing asphalt road surface, including an installation of a new stable road base. In addition, the National park Service will construct fencing to facilitate safe passage and reduce population…

29 Palms Visitor Center showcasing elementary student’s artwork

by Robert Haydon

January 5, 2024

29 Palms Visitor Center showcasing elementary student’s artwork

Artwork from Hi-Desert elementary students will be displayed as part of a show at the 29 Palms Visitor Center, with an opening reception scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.The show is called "Shape of Color," and was produced in partnership with the 29 Palms Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC), will feature more than 40 paintings by students from 11 schools, with support from 20 MUSD teachers and 12 Groundwork Arts artists.In collaboration with Groundworks Arts, Morongo Unified…

Friends of the Joshua Tree Library looking for board members and volunteers

by Robert Haydon

January 2, 2024

Our local library branches support our community with free access to knowledge and social services - and one of the Morongo Basin’s smallest branches is looking for some support of their own in the new year. If you have a couple extra hours each month, consider volunteering at the Friends of the Joshua Tree. The non-profit organization is looking for board members and volunteers to help out in the new year. The Friends of the Joshua Tree Library say that there are some exciting changes coming to…

Looking back at what made news this year in the Morongo Basin

by Robert Haydon

December 31, 2023

Looking back at what made news this year in the Morongo Basin

Listen here: We’re counting down to the final hours of 2023 -so we thought we’d take a look at some of the news stories reported this year by the talented and dedicated news team here at Z107.7. Last January still felt like it was going to be a calm winter, and news wise San Bernardino County’s illegal marijuana task force Operation Hammerstrike wrapped up, while Operation Dust Devil continued to monitor and enforce illegal off-road activity. Old Woman Spring’s Road made early 2023 news with…

High Desert or Hi Desert?

by Robert Haydon

December 30, 2023

Z107.7 is broadcasting to you from Joshua Tree - located more or less right in the middle of the Morongo Basin, which itself is a roughly-defined valley stretching from Twentynine Palms and the Marine Corp Air Ground Combat center, westward through Yucca Valley and including the unincorporated areas of Wonder Valley, Pioneertown and Rimrock, Landers, Morongo Valley, Yucca Mesa, Desert Heights, Johnson Valley, Homestead Valley, Flamingo Heights and of course, Joshua Tree. Despite all these…

Offroading and bad parking a common problem in JTNP when park is at capacity

by Robert Haydon

December 23, 2023

Joshua Tree National Park continues to be popular year-round, and the holidays won’t be any different. Locals staying in the desert have out of town visitors who use the opportunity to head into the park, and the days off from the holidays through New Years usually means an uptick in visitors to our area. The area we know as Joshua Tree National Park started as Joshua Tree National Monument, when the original desert defender and my personal hero Minerva Hoyt used her generational wealth,…

Visitors in from out of town? Take them to these free desert destinations.

by Robert Haydon

December 23, 2023

If you have visitors in town and are looking for alternatives to visiting the National Park on the busiest days - there are some easy to access spots around the morongo basin that will scratch that desert itch without waiting in lines. The Nancy Karl trail in Joshua Tree and the multiple trailheads in Black Rock Campground in Yucca Valley are both immediately adjacent to the National Park, and both are less crowded despite being free and incredibly close to the busy Joshua Tree west entrance.…

Hi Desert Nature Museum starts 2024 with new exhibit

by Robert Haydon

December 23, 2023

Hi Desert Nature Museum hosts Bi-Annual “Spotlight” October 8th

The Hi Desert Nature Museum will be starting out the new year with a new exhibit of old things - namely abandoned planes, trains and automobiles by Photographer Ken Lee. The museum says the photos will take you on a nocturnal journey through secret locations hidden in the deserts of the Golden State. The exhibit opens January 6th but there will be an opening reception on Friday, January 12th from 5 to 7pm, with a presentation and a book signing by the Photographer at 6PM. For more info - check…

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