LISTEN TO THIS STORY HERE: Renters make up almost 40% of County residents and a statewide bill passed in January has been giving protection against unregulated rent increases and unjust evictions. Assembly Bill 1482 caps rent increases statewide at 5%, with an added percentage based on inflation - for a maximum increase of 10% per year. With inflation in California nearly double what it was last year - that means as of August 1st - all regions in the state now qualify for the maximum increase.…

The county is looking for YOUR opinion regarding short term rentals and the deadline is August 19th. LINK: San Bernardino Land Use Services STR Survey Some residents are receiving a postcard from the San Bernardino Land Use Services office, with a survey asking for their feedback regarding short term rentals and their impact on the neighborhoods they live in. The online survey specifically asks about resident’s level of concern over the noise, traffic and trash in neighborhoods with STR’s, - as…

The Morongo Valley Community Service District Board of Directors meets tonight in regular session. At the meeting, Fire Chief James Brakebill will recognize the exemplary work of a few Morongo Valley Fire Fighters. The board will also receive reports from the Community Relations Committee, the General Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee, the Morongo Valley Sports League and more. Tonight's meeting begins at 6 p.m. and will be held in person at Covington Park, 11207 Ocotillo St in Morongo…

The Living Desert in Palm Springs has 70 job openings and is hosting a job fair this Saturday (August 20th) to try and fill them. The non-profit zoo and garden is looking for full-time, part-time and seasonal positions - and the positions range from animal care to retail and food service roles. The Job Fair will run from 3PM to 7PM, and applicants are encouraged to arrive interview ready, with a resume and photo ID. Candidates must provide proof of their COVID vaccination and booster, as well as…

A San Bernardino County Fire Strike Team has returned home after a 14-day assignment working the Oak and McKinney fires. “Brush Patrol 6606” is housed out of Station 44 here in Joshua Tree. They are commonly deployed when there is a declared “state of extreme emergency” - using a mutual aid agreement with the California Office of Emergency Services enacted back in 1950. The crew worked 24-hour shifts on the northern California fires - working the perimeters and performing mop-up operations. The…

The Perseid meteors are at their peak this weekend here in the high desert. Despite this year’s meteor shower occurring during a full-moon, you should still be able to catch some of the spectacular show as our earth passes through the densest and dustiest debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle Comet all the way back in 1992. You may recall the meteor showers from previous years - in 2016 it was particularly heavy with some people seeing up to 200 meteors an hour. It probably won’t be as…

Summer time can tend to slow things down here in the high desert - but that’s definitely not he case this weekend when it comes to art. There are a few free shows taking place in different galleries around Joshua Tree - here’s a quick rundown for your saturday: Hey There Projects Gallery will have a group exhibition of folk-art inspired kinetic sculptures called Whirligigs and Weathervanes - that will be going from 6 to 9PM. https://www.instagram.com/p/ChKl_QhA_r7/ During the same 6 to 9 PM time…