Members of the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council (the MAC) gathered via Zoom last night to discuss matters concerning the nine unincorporated areas of the Morongo Basin. Reporter Heather Clisby has the details …
With a sparse agenda and several members of the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) absent, much of the monthly meeting was focused on updates from fire and law enforcement.
Morongo Basin Sheriff Captain Luke Niles confirmed that Shannon Dicus would replace retiring Sheriff John McMahon when he retires on July 16. Addressing the sore topic of illegal marijuana grows in the region, Niles stated that in working with their narcotics division, the department has busted over 160 pot farms since mid-March although over 1,000 of these illegal operations still exist county-wide.
Niles also mentioned an uptick in illegal off-road vehicle calls, increased burglaries, and an increased partnership with Joshua Tree National Park in search-and-rescue operations due to the extreme heat.
Gayle Swarat, representative from Morongo Valley, mentioned that Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is now open but a mama bear and cubs have been sighted so she advises visitors to take home all their trash.
The MAC council will go dark in August. During their next Zoom meeting on September 13, the council will discuss returning to in-person meetings, which could happen as soon as October 11.
