A Yucca Valley man was arrested Saturday, accused of stealing a pick-up truck. According to a Sheriff's report, the owner of the truck reported it had been stolen sometime between Thursday night and Friday afternoon from the parking lot in front of a bar in the 57500 block of 29 Palms Highway. During the investigation, a deputy located the stolen truck behind a vacant house in the 56800 block of Little League Drive. Christopher Kimmel, 30, was at the home and evidence linked him to the…

A traffic stop in Joshua Tree Saturday night resulted in the arrest of one man, not for speeding, but for selling speed. According to a Sheriff's report, Robert Williams, 39, was stopped near the intersection of Hallee and Verbena Roads about 9:30 Saturday for having an expired license tag and no rear tail lights. The deputy determined that Williams was a felon on parole. During a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine, a scale, and cash were found with Williams. Robert Williams was booked…

The Hi-Desert Medical Board meets tonight. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says strategic and CEO goals will be highlighted... The Hi-Desert Memorial Healthcare District Board of Directors meets in regular session at 6:00 tonight in the Helen Gray Education Center on the hospital campus. At tonight's meeting, directors will look back with a summary of the 2009 – 2012 Strategic Plan and look ahead with a presentation of the 2012 – 2015 Strategic Plan. The action agenda's single item is a vote on…

Yucca Valley firefighters responded to two fires early Monday morning. About 2 a.m. a California Highway Patrol officer reported three small spot fires between the highway and the outer highway at Pinon Avenue. Each fire was about 5 by 5 feet. Four firefighters had the fires out within minutes. The cause of the fires is undetermined, but Battalion Chief Mike Snow said a discarded cigarette or sparks from a passing vehicle could have caused the fires. Then, at 3:30 a.m., seven firefighters…

A joint workshop between four involved agencies will meet Thursday to discuss the future of fire services in the Twentynine Palms area. Reporter Dan Stork has details... In the wake of the failure of the ballot measure to extend and increase the tax that supports the Twentynine Palms Fire Department, there will be a joint workshop to discuss the future of fire services in the City and environs. The meeting will be held at the Community Services Building, 74325 Joe Davis Drive on Thursday July 12…

The County has issued an extreme heat advisory due to high temperatures. Residents should take precautions to prevent heat-related illness. Most vulnerable are the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, the homeless or poor, and people with a chronic medical condition. Locally, air-conditioned Cooling Centers are the Twentynine Palms Senior Center, the Hi-Desert Medical Center cafeteria, the Joshua Tree Community Center, Bellfield Hall in Landers, and the Yucca…

The summer program at the Twentynine Palms Youth Club is keeping kids safe and entertained throughout the summer. There are still openings for the program, which offers breakfast, lunch, snack, swimming, arts, nature trips, science, picnics and lots more. The Club has daily and weekly rates. You can sign up at Twentynine Palms Youth Club in Luckie Park on the corner of Joe Davis and Luckie Avenue. They are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or you can call 760-367-5776.

The local real estate community is giving back to the Morongo Basin. Reporter Lenore Roberts says their Hawaiian Hoedown dinner later this month will benefit the local Humane Society... Come join the Desert Communities Association of Realtors at their Hawaiian Hoedown dinner fundraiser on July 28. This event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Helen Gray Center in Joshua Tree. All proceeds will benefit the Morongo Basin Humane Society, the only no-kill shelter in the Hi-Desert. Tickets are…

The Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce invites you to submit ideas for this year's Pioneer Days theme. Theme ideas can be submitted in person at the Chamber of Commerce office, 73484 Twentynine Palms Highway or by emailing [email protected]. Past themes have been "Pioneering Spirit," "Pioneers of the Future," "Celebrate 29!" and "Rooted in the Past, Growing in the Future." Submissions must be received by July 27 to be considered for this…

Lifestream will conduct a community blood drive in Twentynine Palms tomorrow. Blood donations will be taken at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center on Adobe Road from 9 to 1. Donors will receive incentives including Gift of Life Donor Loyalty points. Healthy individuals at least 15 years old may donate blood. All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors receive a free mini-physical as part of the…