In a story from the Los Angeles Times yesterday, the Mojave Desert groundwater that Cadiz Incorporated wants to sell to Southland suburbs contains hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen, in amounts that are hundreds of times greater than the state's public health goal for drinking water. The presence of the toxic heavy metal, which occurs naturally in the aquifer Cadiz proposes to tap, could force the company to undertake expensive treatment, driving up the cost of the project and ultimately the…

The State Attorney General honored local law enforcement agencies and residents for their service last week. Attorney General Kamala D. Harris presented awards on Thursday at Auto Club Speedway during a regional meeting with law enforcement leaders. Recipients of the awards were nominated by law enforcement agencies. Three Morongo Basin Station San Bernardino County sheriff's employees—Sergeant Trevis Newport, Deputy Bandon Abell, and Deputy Kristi Dougan—were awarded for their work when…

Did you feel it? Only 27 people in the Morongo Basin reported feeling Saturday's 3.2-magnitude earthquake on the U.S. Geological Survey's website. The shaker was centered in the Sky Harbor area of Yucca Valley and shook up residents with a loud rumble and then a brief back-and-forth jolt at 8 p.m. Saturday night. The USGS says the shallow earthquake was about 5.7 miles deep. If you felt the earthquake, follow this link to record your impressions.

A huge event that brings literally thousands of people and their dollars to our Morongo Basin is coming back for its fourth year in September. Managing editor Tami Roleff has more on the Joshua Retreat Center's Bhakti Fest... Bhakti Fest is returning for its fourth season to the Joshua Tree Retreat Center September 6 through 9. Music provides the core of the Bhakti Fest. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience continuous devotional chanting, called kirtan, and 12 hours of daily…

A Yucca Valley woman was left homeless after the RV she was living in caught fire Saturday night. According to County Fire Captain Freeman, firefighters from Yucca Valley and Yucca Mesa were called to an RV fire in the 7200 block of Grand Avenue. The RV was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Freeman said it took the nine firefighters about 10 minutes to extinguish the fire, which also damaged two cars parked nearby and burned a shed and some vegetation. The cause of the fire is under…

Twentynine Palms firefighters were called out to a fire Saturday night at a house that served the homeless food and distributed clothing. Shortly after 10 p.m. a neighbor in the 5200 block of Adobe Road saw heavy smoke and flames pouring out of the front windows of the Palms Baptist Mission House and called 911. Firefighters had the blaze under control in 5 to 10 minutes, but were at the residence for some time pulling down ceilings and punching through walls looking for hot spots. Although the…

Next up, tonight at the Yucca Valley Summer Music Festival, is the Orange County-based group Blue Daddy. Reporter Lenore Roberts previews the show... The next band to play at the Town of Yucca Valley's Summer Music Festival is Blue Daddy, who will be performing on July 21. Blue Daddy will perform music styles ranging from blues to R & B and jazz. They represent a lot of varied influence including Delta blues, Chicago blues, gospel, and Motown. Don't miss their performance from 7 to…

When you're out hiking or climbing, in your yard or out in the desert, Managing Editor Tami Roleff says, "Watch your step!"... California has eight different species of rattlesnakes, seven of which are found in southern California. Rattlesnakes strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands,…

Local environmentalists and concerned citizens have been planning to attend a meeting on the Cadiz water project this week in Orange County. But in a nod to the desert communities closer to the source of the water, the Governing Board of the Santa Margarita Water District has arranged to teleconference the public hearing of the final environmental impact report and approval of the Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery, and Storage Project to Joshua Tree. On Wednesday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m.,…