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.…

Johnson Valley Shared Use Area closed August 15 – 26

If the heat has you itching to tear it up on 2 or 4 wheels on the Johnson Valley dry lake areas this month, there is an upcoming closure to the shared-use area from August 15th to August 26th. The scheduled 11-day closure is so the neighboring Marine Corps can conduct critical military training in the area.  The closure period includes the time required to ensure that the Johnson Valley Shared Use Area is clear of recreation activity prior to the training, as well as confirming that the land is…

A wet winter brings more plants, but a dry summer means they need a little help

How are your plants doing? Save for some serious flash floods and downpours in Twentynine Palms - this summer has been relatively rain free for the rest of the Morongo Basin. Small showers and periodic precipitation are no replacement for monthly monsoons and sustained storms that give the desert a drink and refreshes the aquifer that our trees and other ancient natives tap into. I’ve stepped up my watering of my outdoor plants to try and keep pace with relentless heat. Certain natives I put in…

The Perseid Meteor Shower is a dark-sky privilege that few get to witness

You’ve been hearing a lot about the meteor shower that's peaking tonight and tomorrow - and if you have been outside this week at night you’ve probably seen some Perseids action already. The warm nights and the slight sliver of a moon has already created a great viewing experience that feels like an extra privilege of living here in the hi-desert - casually catching a meteor shower in our backyards that some can only catch on Instagram. Will we see the thousands of visitors we saw last…

Yucca Valley Summer Concert has Cassie B bringing high-energy to the hi-desert tonight

If you are going to be outside tonight - might as well spend it under the stars and on the plush grass of the Yucca Valley Community Center for their Summer Concert Series and the high-energy music of Cassie B! The San Diego singer will be belting out covers and originals starting at 7:00 tonight, but gates open at 6:30 so come out and grab a spot, hit up some local food vendors and swing by the Z107.7 booth to say hello! That’s the Yucca Valley Summer Concert Series with Cassie B - gates open…

San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs in Joshua Tree this Wednesday (8/14)

The San Bernardino County Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to supporting veterans and their families by ensuring they receive the benefits they've earned through their service. Coming up Next Wednesday, August 14, Morongo Basin veterans can access VA resources directly at the San Bernardino Public Defender's Office at 6527 White Feather Road in Joshua Tree. As part of the department's effort to help veterans access their entitled benefits, Veteran Service Officers…

Operation Recognition aims to honor veterans and internees who had High School interrupted

San Bernardino County veterans who had their high school interrupted by their service in the armed forces are eligible to receive recognition and a diploma in the 16th Annual Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project. The ceremony awards diplomas to military veterans with an honorable discharge whose high school education was interrupted due to military service in World War 2, the Korean or Vietnam wars. It also is eligible to those who were forcibly relocated and incarcerated in Japanese…

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…