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.…

Joshua Tree National Park adds audio-descriptive brochure for visually impaired visitors

Listen to this story here: In a move to provide more equitable access to National Park material, Joshua Tree National Park has made its park brochure available in audio form. If you are visually impaired and visiting Joshua Tree National Park, you would probably want to get the same opportunity to read the park’s brochure as everybody else. The National Park Service has worked with the non-profit university-based research initiative “The UniDescription Project” to create audio-descriptive…

A look back at how early desert residents kept cool in the hot months

Featured Photo: Provided by Les Snodgrass from the Twentynine Palms Historical Society.From Les: "Blowing up the picture below I see the house number is 6471 and the building next to it is 6473. So that would make it on the east side of Cholla. That means it must be Ted Holderman's 2nd ice plant. Built in Oct/Sep 1948." Welcome to August - typically considered the peak of summer and those hot temps we've all been feeling. July’s early heatwaves may have taken a few of us by…

All San Bernardino County Libraries go Fee-Free

Maybe you’ve spotted the notices when you visited one of the three county libraries we have in the hi-desert: tHe San Bernardino County Library has eliminated late fees on almost all library items. This follows the successful elimination of late fees on youth and children’s items implemented in July 2020. This change applies to almost all items in the County Library’s collection including books, featured DVDs and CDs. Items with a checkout fee, such as fee-DVDs, are excluded. County…

Work remotely? Retired? Volunteer as a County Campground Host

San Bernardino County Regional Parks has announced they are bringing back their Recreation Campground Host Program at Calico Ghost Town, Mojave Narrows, Mojave River and Prado and Yucaipa regional park campgrounds. The program lets volunteers live and work at those campsites for up to 6 months - providing they are willing to work a loose 5-day schedule that's roughly 30 hours a week - supervising the campgrounds and maintaining a presence in order to observe and report incidents and ensure…

Free Locals Night at “Sky’s the Limit” Observatory on Saturday (7/2)

The hi-desert’s lessened light pollution means that our night skies have more stars visible to the naked eye than cities or even other rural areas that don’t limit outdoor lights. Tomorrow's moon will be a waxing crescent with just under 1/3rd of it lit. It's also the Saturday closest to the new moon and Sky’s the Limit Observatory will be holding their popular monthly Night Sky Program. However - August’s event is for locals only - hopefully giving residents who haven’t had a chance…

BLM seeking board members for California Desert District Advisory Council

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public nominations for positions on three of its advisory councils - one of those directly affecting hi-desert residents. The California Desert District Advisory Council (DAC) consists of members who represent stakeholder interests in public land management - such as conservations, ranchers, industry officials, tribal leaders, state and local government officers, academics, and outdoor enthusiasts. The council then provides advice to the BLM on…

BLM Desert Advisory Council to meet in Las Vegas Aug. 10

The Bureau of Land Management will host an in-person public meeting of the BLM California Desert District Advisory Council from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, in Las Vegas. The meeting is open to the public and there will also be a remote attendance option. The meeting will include a presentation from the U.S. Forest Service on the Cleveland National Forest’s fee proposal and a DAC vote, and ethics and Federal Advisory Committee Act training for DAC members. The 5 field offices and fire…

Earthquakes above 5.0 can go from slight shaking to devastating damage quickly

On Monday, July 29th at 1:00 PM thousands of people felt the 4.9 earthquake that originated roughly 16 miles northeast of Barstow - shaking was reportedly felt from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with reports here in the hi-desert as well. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake makes news because you can actually feel it - it’s big enough to swing lamps and knock over books and vases, but only the weakest structures would receive damage from a quake of that magnitude. According to the Southern California…

Joshua Tree National Park preparing for popular Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseids meteor shower is an annual celestial show that can be best way for casual stargazers to witness a meteor shower, as the frequency of the Perseids can be as many as a meteor every few minutes during its busiest time. That’s what happened on August 12th, 2023. It was a Saturday and a new moon, and media outlets like Z107.7 and some slightly larger ones like the LA Times created a media storm, informing folks that the hi-desert and Joshua Tree National Park as is one of the best…

How do you keep cool on the hot and humid days? Share your tips!

My swamp cooler is struggling. Hot humid days have arrived and its not even August yet... giant cantankerous clouds rolling in over the Sheephole mountains tearing up streets and flooding homes in Twentynine Palms, but losing most of its fury by the time the damp warm air reaches Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley. When it’s over 100 and low humidity, clicking on that swamp cooler is one of the best feelings in the world. But on days when the humidity is already hanging on you as you walk to your car…