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.…

Hi-Desert Nature Museum Calls for artwork featuring recycled and reused materials

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum invites Morongo Basin artists to Participate in “Metamorphosis: A Recycled Art Exhibition,” which is a community-curated art exhibit designed to make people rethink our throw-away society by sharing innovative and often surprising use of recycled and reused materials. You have about a month to create your piece, as artwork must be dropped off at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum on March 8 through the 11th. Pieces will be accepted on a first come first serve basis until the…

Fall in love with a rescue pet this weekend in Yucca Valley

This weekend while you are out and about - the Morongo Basin Humane Society is having a fundraiser and pet meet and greet in Yucca Valley. The Morongo Basin’s only no-kill animal shelter has plenty of adoptable dogs and cats in all age ranges - and this Saturday from Noon to 3 they will be at the Better Homes and Gardens real estate office with some of the them - raising funds for the shelter and showing off some of the lovable animals that are ready for you to bring home. The Morongo Basin…

Operation Dust Devil Week 7 – King of Hammers patrolled, 5,000 off-roaders contacted

As Operation Dust Devil entered its 7th week, San Bernardino Sheriff Deputies patrolled Victorville, Hesperia, Juniper Flat, Phelan and Apple Valley - issuing 26 California Vehicle Code Violations, 18 California Penal Code violations, and one county code enforcement citation. Three of the vehicles towed were quads being driven on the roadway in the town of Apple Valley. The majority of enforcement was in the Johnson Valley area where tens of thousands of racing fans have converged for King of…

Credit Card Skimmer found at Yucca Valley Wal-Mart self checkout

A credit card skimmer was found at a Wal-Mart self-checkout kiosk in Yucca Valley on Sunday, February 5th. Sheriff’s report that the device was placed over the PIN pad at one of the shelf-checkouts at approximately 7:30PM and was discovered the following morning at 8:00 AM. Video surveillance shows a suspect with a facemask placing the device on the credit card reader, and Wal-Mart staff and San Bernardino County law enforcement are reviewing footage to identify the suspect. Credit card skimmers…

Suspected DUI causes Yucca Valley traffic collision, multiple injuries

A suspected DUI driver making an illegal turn in Yucca Valley caused a serious collision, injuring himself and two others. On Sunday (February 5) at around 3:30 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Palomar Ave and Yucca Trail, where they found a silver Honda CRV, driven by Isaac Jimenez, a 41 year-old resident of El Centro, and a silver Kia Rio, damaged and disabled. An investigation by the Deputies found that the Kia, driven by a 26 year-old with a 23…

King of the Hammers returns to Johnson Valley for 2023 offroad races

In just a few weeks - from February 2nd to February 12th -  the Johnson Valley area will transform into a massive arena of dust, exhaust and speed as off-road racers and fans from all over the world will converge for King of the Hammers - one of the largest off-road events of its kind. Last year over 80,000 people came to the hi desert for the 10 day event, and this year there’s no reason to expect that it won’t be even bigger.  The giant off-roading race will feature over 500 teams racing in a…

Rental Scam – two victims lose $2700 trying to rent 29 Palms homes

Another scam is hitting the Morongo Basin - this time targeting people looking for long-term rental properties in 29 Palms. The San Bernardino Sheriff’s office reports that two separate victims said they found and applied for a rental property in Twentynine Palms through Craigslist. After filling out an online application and speaking with who they thought was a realtor on the phone, they were approved for the rental and were asked to secure their deposit through an online payment system like…

Joshua Tree National Park West Gate project hopes to alleviate gridlock at entrance

Listen here: With Superintendent David Smith leaving for San Francisco - he’s looking back over his nearly decade long tenure at Joshua Tree National Park - and over those years there have been significant changes to the Morongo Basin and the amount of people who visit it. During a recent conversation with Gary Daigneault, Smith reflected on those changes and talked about upcoming plans to address some of the most pressing issues that come from the National Park’s explosion in popularity. “I…

Operation Dust Devil: Week 5 OHV Enforcement Update

The fifth week of Operation Dust Devil saw enforcement all over the county, with the majority of patrols happening in Apple Valley, El Mirage, Juniper Flats and Big Bear. There were 28 code citations, 13 county code enforcement citations, six vehicles towed and one arrest. Deputies also say they made an additional 760 educational contacts with OHV enthusiasts, and they assisted in one case with medical aid. Last Saturday during a large off-road club meet, five vehicles were towed for operating…

Green Comet closest to earth on Feb. 1st, here’s how to spot it

Listen here: Head outside before the sun comes up and look to the Northwest for a faint green glow on the horizon - that’s the memorably named new Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) - and dark desert skies along with an orbit that brings it close to earth means you’ll be able to spot it with the naked eye. The comet may be visible now - but astronomers at NASA say that on February 1st its expected to reach its closest proximity to earth, a mere 26.4 millions miles away - giving you the best chance to spot…