Robert Haydon

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

February 8, 2023

Knife-Wielding Woman Suspected of Armed Robbery, Attempting to Hijack Two Trucks in Downtown Joshua Tree

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

by Robert Haydon

February 7, 2023

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

by Robert Haydon

February 3, 2023

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

by Robert Haydon

February 2, 2023

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

by Robert Haydon

January 29, 2023

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

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

by Robert Haydon

January 28, 2023

Operation: Dust Devil Week 1 results – citations, arrests, and OHV education

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

by Robert Haydon

January 28, 2023

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…

Tortoise Rescue & Drop-Off planned for 29 Palms

by Robert Haydon

January 27, 2023

Tortoise Rescue & Drop-Off planned for 29 Palms

Listen here: If you are relatively new to the Morongo Basin you are probably familiar with our Desert Tortoise, a native species here in the Mojave Desert. What you may not know is that there are many residents here that have and care for tortoises at their homes. These tortoises are usually rescues or perhaps wanderers that ventured into a homestead built near their habitat. There are hundreds of these houses around the Hi Desert - many located near the northern border of the National Park. The…

Basic Auto Care Workshop preps you for safer desert driving in Joshua Tree – Saturday Jan. 28

by Robert Haydon

January 27, 2023

Basic Auto Care Workshop preps you for safer desert driving in Joshua Tree – Saturday Jan. 28

Listen to this story here: At Sarah Lyon’s auto care class - her focus is on the basics. That’s because she likes teaching to beginners... "Personally that's my favorite thing to teach - the most basic stuff because its empowering to learn and it's just so fulfilling when people look like a light bulb goes off - and its like 'oh it's not rocket science!'" Basic Auto Care 101 is a 3 hour hands-on workshop where you’ll get plenty of opportunities for those…

Covid Vaccination and information event tomorrow (Jan. 27) in 29 Palms

by Robert Haydon

January 26, 2023

A free public talk on the subject of Covid 19, along with a vaccination event, will be held tomorrow (January 27) at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center. The event, offered by the Morongo Basin Healthcare District, will feature Michelle Zaccaria, RN, who will debunk myths about the virus, explain the importance of getting vaccinated, and administer the latest in Covid 19 vaccines. The event beings at 10 a.m. and will run until 12:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Those wanting a booster should…

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