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.…

“Verify your phone number” scam hitting Facebook

If you use Facebook to buy or sell things on the marketplace, or if you are part of many of the for sale or informational groups on the site - you should be aware of a scam that isn’t new, but seems to be resurging lately - at least here in the Morongo Basin. Here’s the situation - let’s say you list something for sale on Facebook and you leave your phone number as a contact Someone messages you on Facebook saying they are interested in the item, and they just want to verify that the phone…

29 Palms Art Gallery Summer Show intake tomorrow (6/26)

The 29 Palms Art Gallery is holding their summer show from June 30th to August 20 - and they want members to fill the gallery with hi desert artwork. All art mediums are welcome. The intake will start tomorrow, June 26th - from 10am to 1pm. All submitted artwork needs to have two tags per piece. The Opening reception will be this upcoming Saturday, July 1st. For more information - you can visit 29palmsartgallery.com

Open and permitted burns suspended in San Bernardino County SRA’s

It’s the first official weekend of summer, and despite record breaking precipitation along with a mercifully cooler spring… this is still California and the Mojave desert - and triple digit temperatures will be coming for a brief but intense visit to the Morongo Basin. On the heels of summer’s arrival is Cal Fire's proclamation of the suspension of all burning in SRA areas in San Bernardino County. That means that previously permitted burning activity, such as burning brush or debris…

Seasonal and permanent climbing closures in Joshua Tree National Park

If you are here in the Morongo Basin to experience our unparalleled climbing, then there are a few seasonal and permanent closures in the national park that you should be aware of. The following routes are permanently closed to rock climbing and bouldering due to their proximity to sensitive resources or private property. Other areas may be closed temporarily to protect sensitive wildlife. Rock Climbing Closures Energy Crisis, Police and Thieves, and Unsolved Mystery on the east side of Little…

High Desert Beekeepers meet Saturday in Joshua Tree (6/24)

Bee season is approaching and these petite pollinators have plenty of work ahead of them this year. If you have ever been interested in fostering these tiny but important parts of our desert ecosystem, then the The High Desert Beekeepers Association is holding its monthly meeting tomorrow at 12 noon in Joshua Tree. You can join in person or on Zoom. Come to learn how to extract honey, see what bee-attracting plants are in bloom locally, and get in on the local buzz with other local beekeepers. …

Free “Go Skate Day” contest today at Luckie Park in 29 Palms

Listen here: When: 6:00PM on Wednesday, June 21stWhere: Luckie Park Skatepark in Twentynine PalmsLinks: Aaron and Paul's Go Skate Day Event on Facebook Paul Halcomb is super enthusiastic about skateboarding. I met him at the sportsman’s skate park in Joshua Tree to talk to him about Go Skate Day, and an event called “Aaron and Paul’s Go Skate Day Event.” It was early in the day still but the sun was warm with only the slightest breeze - a nice day for an outside interview, and an even…

Drones ground air support in fire, search & rescue efforts

The Geology fire in Joshua Tree National Park is 90% contained - and is a good reminder of why drones aren’t allowed to fly in the park. When a drone is spotted in the area, helicopters aren’t permitted to fly because of the danger drones pose to their much larger family members. This includes fire-fighting helicopters, as well as search and rescue aircraft such as the helicopters that were present at the initial search for Trammell Evans. In the case of search and rescue operations - although…

Summer solstice star party tomorrow night in Joshua Tree (6/16)

With the Hi Desert continuing to grow, and new satellites being launched every few weeks - it's possible that this Saturday's new moon is the darkest the hi desert skies will ever be. With our dark skies being constantly brightened by string lights and satellites - it's a good time to get out and enjoy the ancient celestial wonders that continue to appear in the skies as long as we allow them. To celebrate the longest day of the year The Joshua Tree Astronomy Arts Theatre is…

Downtown sewer fees kept off 29 Palms tax roll at City Council meeting last night (6/13)

Listen here: At last night’s 29 Palms City Council meeting, a single dissenting vote will move the proposed wastewater billing for 12 downtown businesses off the tax roll and into their mailboxes each month. The meeting started with recognizing Explorer Troop 870’s efforts to clean up the field near Circle K - where 14 explorers and their family members cleaned up nearly 10 bags of trash - earning them a donation from the city of 29 Palms and Burrtec. A proclamation officially recognized June…

Yucca Valley grass fire threatens multiple homes Monday evening (6/12)

Dry grass and vegetation caught fire at a property in the 7400 block of Borrego Trail in Yucca Valley yesterday evening at 5:30PM. San Bernardino County Fire were enroute to another public service call when they spotted the smoke column and headed toward it. As the fire crews arrived at the scene, they found a brush fire threatening several homes in the area. Calls came in to dispatch reporting the fire as crews had already started to attack the flames. Additional crews arrived and secured a…