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Who is behind the camera in this 33 year-old Landers Earthquake VHS?

By
Robert Haydon
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Listen to a longer version of Sunday’s radio story here:

Unknown voice: “June 28th, 4:55 in the morning in 1992. Turned the radio on to hear a noise, it shook the trailer off the jacks. Everything in the house is upset down. The ground is still trembling as I’m speaking. Early in the morning… just as the moon is there and the sun isn’t up yet… I guess this will cancel our trip to Big Bear.”

Robert Haydon: What you’re hearing is the voice of a man shaken awake by a series of earthquakes 33 years ago, culminating in the magnitude 7.3 Landers earthquake which shook the hi-desert, injuring hundreds, killing three, and damaging or destroying homes and businesses all across the basin.

The Landers quake is still discussed by longtime residents who experienced it, especially as we approach the anniversary each June. There are a lot of locals and historical organizations with photos and other ephemera from the earthquake, but video footage from the event while it was happening is hard to find… a common problem for something that occurred back in 1992.

That’s what makes the tape you’re hearing so incredible, it’s a visual document of the Landers earthquake playing out in real time.

The tape was rescued from its fate in the Landers Landfill by a local Landroid, Colin Maccubbin and his partner Aimee used to volunteer at Belfield Hall and the Landers thrift store when he found the tape in a box of other Kodak-brand self-tapes.

Colin: “Oh, that’s probably five years ago, maybe six years ago. Yeah, probably 2019. I think there was a box of VHS tapes that were most likely on its way to the dump, not something you can really sell at the thrift store. So I was looking through them and saw this one that said ‘Landers Earthquake’ and I thought, well, that’s interesting.

“We popped it in and we’re just kind of astounded by all this footage from that time period of this big event in our town. It was really cool… it was just all this footage from 30 years ago. Interviews with locals. I had been interested when we first moved to Landers about the earthquake and I’d looked into it a little bit but there’s not a ton of material out there… reporting on it and stuff like that.” 

Unknown voice from VHS: “That’s up towards our store over in that direction by Hondo Trail, I think. By Hondo Trail and Old Woman Springs Road .But we got a cloud of fire smoke above town and the whole desert has a layer of dust between here and the monument from this thing shaking.”

Colin:”We had a big screen in our yard and a projector and so we projected it and played it for a bunch of people. And since then, you know, we’ve showed it a few more times with people. A friend of mine used it for an art project up at the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center. But other than that, it’s just kind of sat on the shelf.

Unknown voice: “I got up this morning, run into the back house, jumped the refrigerator, got my camera and a pair of shoes and went out the front door before everything was done falling and had this camera working. So I’m going to have to charge my battery up again here real quick. I got a generator at the house.”

Colin: “Now that everyone has cameras all the time and is ready to start filming all the time… in ’92, that’s a pretty special thing that somebody was ready to go and to document that.”

Unknown voice: “We’re looking at Terry’s place now where this mobile home with a double slide-outs on it has slid and fell clear off its foundation, breaking everything all to hell. I come around looking at these places here and I realized that my place wasn’t as bad hit as I thought it was.”

Colin: “It would be really exciting to see if anybody knows where this tape came from, who shot it… just to know. But then also, you know, it’d be kind of cool to see if it itself maybe dislodges some other stuck pieces of history. Are there other tapes out there? Not even just earthquake material, but just historic material in general?”

Robert: There are a lot of clues to who the identity of the man behind the camera is. There are parts in the video where he turns the camera around and films his wife, Barbara. They own a store in Landers and they also seem to own a small Cessna airplane. The two-hour tape ends with a Cessna tour of the Landers area, surveying the damage later that week from the air. The video is a goldmine of local residents and businesses as the cameraman goes from home to home interviewing neighbors.

We’ve digitized the tape, but we’re not releasing the full version until we can make an attempt to ID the original owner.

There are plans for full screening and public release of the two-hour long tape in partnership with the Morongo Basin Historical Museum. We’ll have those details as we get closer to the anniversary on June 28th.

Here are the first 10 minutes from the “Landers Earthquake VHS”:

In the meantime, we will continue to update this story right here on our website with captures and screengrabs and information that we are gathering on the VHS. Follow Z107.7 on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and email me if you recognize any of the folks on the tape: [email protected]

Eureka Fire reaches 85% containment in Covington Flats area of Joshua Tree National Park

By
Robert Haydon
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It’s been just over a week since the Eureka Fire ignited in Joshua Tree National Park. Last Friday at around noon a column of smoke could be seen coming from behind the ridge that defines the northern border to the National Park. The fire was initially reported to be around 20 acres but quickly grew to over 200 acres, where it has remained as containment continues to tick up. As of Friday it was at 85%, and the National Park says that all outside crews were released earlier in the week. The Black Rock Interagency Fire Crew – which is made up of National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management firefighters – is currently managing operations.

A representative from Joshua Tree National Park says it appears that the fire started adjacent to Lower Covington Flats Road in the Covington Flats area of the park. The area is known for containing some of the oldest trees in the park, including Western Joshua Trees. The area is also of interest to many locals for a development on private inholdings in the Covington Flats area, named Whispering Pines. There is currently a single prefabricated home on the private inholding. When asked about the proximity of the fire to the Whispering Pines development, Joshua Tree National Park says that the fire is still under investigation, and that no structures have been harmed in the fire.

While containment is still at 85%, firefighting operations have mostly turned to mop-up operations, making sure that there aren’t hidden hotspots that could reignite. 

Joshua Tree National Park says they are evaluating the impact of the fire onthe Joshua trees, wildlife, and other resources in the area. They have assigned resource advisors to work alongside the fire crews while they finish containment and begin to prep for restoration efforts.

Always check the Joshua Tree National Park’s website for alerts and closures, or you can download the NPS app.

The temporary closures within the affected areas of the park are now open:

  • Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.
  • Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.
  • California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock
  • Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the park. 

Related:

Fire Restrictions begin on BLM land in Desert District this Wednesday (5/21)

Local shelters offer free adoptions on Saturday for statewide “Adopt-a-Pet” day (6/7)

By
Jef Harmatz
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Saturday is California Adopt-a-Pet Day, and more than 150 shelters across the state are holding adoption events, including a few right here in the Morongo Basin.

Palms N Paws Animal shelter in Twentynine Palms is hosting an adoption event with all fees waived on eligible pets that have already been spayed or neutered. They’ll be hosting the event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the shelter located at 7086 Buillion Ave.

The Yucca Valley Animal Shelter will waive fees for all adoptions at an adoption event. You can meet the shelter’s dogs and cats, who have all been spayed or neutered, are up to date on their vaccines and have been microchipped. The shelter is at capacity with 101 dogs, though not all of them are dalmatians.

The event runs from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter, located at 4755 Malin Way.

If you miss either of these events, there are so many needy dogs, cats, and sometimes even tortoises at our local shelters. You can find information about these shelter’s regular hours below. It’s always a great time to meet some new little critters, so let’s help find these abandoned animals some forever homes.

Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter
7086 Bullion Avenue, Twentynine Palms
(760) 367-0157 | (760) 367-6799 ext. 1018
Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Yucca Valley Animal Shelter
4755 Malin Way, Yucca Valley
Tel: (760) 365-3111
Visiting Hours
Tues – Sat 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Animal Action League – Low Cost Spay and Neuter Servces
Open Booking for July will begin on June 16th at 8:00 am sharp.

FREE “Punk, Country and Pizza” show tonight at Giant Rock Meeting Room featuring The Hot Patooties

By
Robert Haydon
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There is a FREE all-ages show tonight at the Giant Rock Meeting Room, and it’s featuring a hi-desert favorites The Hot Patooties. On bass guitar is Z107.7’s own DJ Kim, and she talked with me about how the punk trio (now foursome) began and what you can expect out at the show tonight.

Kim: “The Hot Patooties is me, Beth, and Shonzie. Beth and I actually had played a show a very long time ago together in San Francisco in two separate bands that we were in. She was in the Loudmouths, and I was in a band called the Distillers. And then cut to many, many years later. I came out here to live, and everyone said: have you met Beth? Have you met Beth? Do you know Beth? And so I met Beth, and I met Shonzi. Their bass player had just moved out of town, and they were looking for a bass player. And so it just kind of like – boom – it just kind of happened. We’re all very silly and have a lot of fun.

“I kind of joked around calling it punk rock meets truck stop. Garagey, kind of loose and fun. We say to shake your booties to the Hot Patooties!”

Kim: “The last couple shows we played at Giant Rock Meeting Room, there’s been a little pit for us, so it’s usually about fun and dancing. We have a dance contest where the best dancer gets a pair of our Hot Patooties underpants, because we sell underpants as well. We’ve sold out of them several times. There’s a small suitcase full of them.

“There’ll be music from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There’s two bands, and then there is going to be someone playing acoustically in between. You’ve got to get your pizza, you can get some beverages. It’ll be a really nice night.”

The show is at Giant Rock Meeting Room located at 1131 Old Woman Springs Road.

Don’t miss the opening band “The Smokey Lonesome” – a duo out of Los Angeles that bills itself as a little country and a little rock and roll:

29 Palms Art Gallery opens June Exhibition tonight featuring work by Reeyna Daniel, Ruben Rodriguez, and Edward Montgomery

By
Gabriel Hart
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The 29 Palms Art Gallery celebrates their June exhibition opening on Saturday, June 7 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. featuring Reeyna Daniel and Ruben Rodriguez in the gallery’s West Wing, and Edward Montgomery in the East Wing.

29 Palms ceramicist Reeyna Daniel’s “Fractured Oasis” collection explores the beauty and tension in brokenness: cracked, fissured and repaired surfaces that mirror crumbling systems, fragmented architecture and the quiet resilience of nature. Daniel’s work challenges the notion all fractures must be repaired or that broken equals discarded.

Ruben Rodriguez’s “My American Review” collects album covers from the 50s-80s on which Rodriguez has painted around the figures to redefine the context. The collection is supplemented by hand-tinted postcards, black-and-white photos, and smaller historical canvases. 

From Victorville, Edward Montgomery’s Kinetic Ambiguity Project features his signature post-production formula, using camera movement with long exposures to create the illusion of accelerated reality. Joshua Trees, power lines, and mountain ranges are principal characters in this story about the south-western edge of the Mojave Desert.

The exhibition will be on display June 6-29, open Friday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The historic 29 Palms Art Gallery is located at 74055 Cottonwood Drive at the corner of National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms. For more information, visit www.29palmsartgallery.com.

“Hologram Teen” record release party tonight at White Label Vinyl in Twentynine Palms

By
Z107.7 News
-

Hologram Teen is the solo project from former Stereolab Keyboardist Morgan Lhote, and her new album is called “Captain Fluo.” She describes it as a disco and new wave influenced love letter to the underground nightlife of Paris. 

The album is being released today with a party at White Label Vinyl in Twentynine Palms. The record will be for sale in a limited edition yellow-colored vinyl, and they’ll play it in full at the event, followed by a DJ set from Softcuss. There will also be food from Galaxy Pies JT and drinks from Scorpion Lollipop. 

Come hear the new record, dance, and imbibe with Hologram Teen at White Label Vinyl, located at Corner 62 at 73552 Twentynine Palms Highway in Twentynine Palms from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Twentynine Palms garage fire spreads into home and displaces family of four

By
Z107.7 News
-

A fire at a residence in the 6700 block of Manzanita Avenue in Twentynine Palms burned an attached garage and displaced a family of four.

According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department on Wednesday (June 4) two teenagers were at their home when they reported hearing a loud “pop” or “explosive sound” in an adjacent garage and discovered the structure was on fire.

When firefighters arrived they found the fire had extended from the attached garage into the home, but a quick response by both San Bernardino County Fire and an engine from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center kept the flames contained mostly to the attached garage. Firefighters ran hose from a nearby hydrant and knocked down the blaze with no reported injuries to the residents or responding firefighters.

San Bernardino County Fire says that the initial report was that the loud “pop” sound came from an air conditioner in the garage area, but the cause of the fire is still under active investigation. Because of the fire’s spread into the adjacent home, the family of four that lived in the residence were displaced but San Bernardino County Fire says that the residents will be staying with family locally.

Twentynine Palms man enters “not guilty” plea for attempted murder charge after getting cut off at bar

By
Z107.7 News
-

The Twentynine Palms man accused of trying to stab the bartender who stopped serving him was arraigned in court for attempted murder on Thursday (June 5).

On Tuesday (June 3), the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department said that Michael Zoppy, a 43 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, was at the Virginian on Twentynine Palms Highway near the corner of Cholla Avenue in Twentynine Palms.

The Sheriff’s Department said that at around 11:45 p.m. the bartender refused to serve Zoppy any more alcohol, and asked Zoppy to leave several times, but Zoppy refused. The Sheriff’s Department said that Zoppy attempted to stab the bartender with a knife. The bartender was not injured. Zoppy was taken into custody.

On Thursday, Zoppy was arraigned in San Bernardino County Superior Court on felony charges of attempted murder and making criminal threats which will result in death, with enhancements for using a deadly weapon. He entered a plea of “not guilty” to both charges. He was also arraigned on charges related to a 2016 incident in which he is alleged to have been driving under the influence.

Previously Reported:

Man arrested for suspected attempted murder after being cut off at Twentynine Palms bar

Construction picks up on Old Woman Springs Road starting on Sunday (6/8)

By
Z107.7 News
-

Construction on Old Woman Springs Road will become busier starting this Sunday (June 8).

CalTrans has issued an advisory that crews are scheduled to hold continuous, 24-hour flagging operations on the road at Aberdeen Drive and in the wash south of Reche Road. Caltrans says that these continuous flagging operations will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday and continue through Friday June 13, with similar days and hours the following week. 

Caltrans says that wait times on each side of the flagging operationare expected to be 20 minutes, and they ask that you plan ahead. The construction project is part of an extensive road rehabilitation program that involves repaving and widening the roads shoulders for signage and bike lanes.

MUSD announces 2025 Summer Meal Program for June and July

By
Gabriel Hart
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As part of their ongoing commitment to ensure the well-being of students during the summer months, Morongo Unified School District invites all children up to age 18 to participate in their Summer Meals Program, sponsored in conjunction with the USDA and the National School Lunch Program.

With a focus on accessibility and nutrition, the Summer Meals program is designed to provide children with wholesome meals throughout the summer break, without the burden of paperwork or cost to parents/guardians. The program offers two convenient options to suit varying needs.

Families are invited to enjoy daily meals or the Weekly Meal Pick-Up for families whose children are not enrolled in a summer program where meals are already provided. Meals for the entire week can be collected and taken home. Families can participate in this option by either completing our online form weekly to indicate their meal preferences or by simply showing up at a participating site.

The Nutritional Services department will be offering daily breakfast and lunch to the general public ages 0-18, June 12-July 31.

Yucca Valley Elementary – June 12 to July 11, Monday – Friday
Breakfast– 9:15 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. & Lunch– 12:30 P.M. to 12:45 P.M.

Joshua Tree Elementary – June 12 to July 11, Monday – Friday
Breakfast– 9:15 A.M. to 9:30 A.M & Lunch– 12:30 P.M. to 12:45 P.M

La Contenta Middle School – June 12 to July 11, Monday – Friday
Breakfast– 8:15 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. & Lunch– 11:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

Knotts Sky Park – June 12 to July 31, Monday – Friday
Breakfast– 9:00 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. & Lunch– 1:00 P.M. to 1:15 P.M.

Palm Vista Elementary – June 12 to July 11, Monday – Friday
Breakfast– 9:15 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. & Lunch– 1:15 P.M. to 1:30 P.M.

Twentynine Palms High – June 12 to July 11, Monday – Friday
Breakfast– 8:15 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. & Lunch– 11:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

Luckie Park Patriotic Hall – June 10 to July 31, Monday – Friday
Breakfast– 8:15 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. & Lunch– 12:15 P.M. to 12:30 P.M.

The Nutritional Services Department will be offering weekly meals on Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. starting June 12th through July 31st at the following site and schools: MUSD Professional Development Center (Joshua Tree), Landers Elementary, Morongo Valley Elementary, Yucca Valley High School & Twentynine Palms Elementary.

For additional information please contact the MUSD Nutritional Services office at (760)367-9191, ext. 4263.

Soul Skin Dance brings a ‘visceral’ experience to ballet this Friday and Saturday at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center

By
Gabriel Hart
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Alchemy Arts Collective presents Soul Skin Dance for a show entitled “Beauty” at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center this Friday and Saturday (June 6 and 7) at 7:00 p.m. After the show’s recent sold-out success in New York City, dancer Barbara Koch and her crew have re-staged this 45-minute ballet for the contrasted expanse of Joshua Tree.

With emphasis on warmth, power, and a “very human” experience, Barbara Koch lends the intensity of Soul Skin Dance show to her and her eight co-dancers “willingness to go there.”

“We push ourselves to go inside ourselves to pull out what is real and what is human.”

Koch cites German choreographer Pina Bausch as a personal inspiration for her role in the show and sees a similar approach from the show’s choreographer Adriana Thompson.

“She would hire dancers who had the ability to delve into themselves and pull that and magic out whatever that magic would be: if it’s dark, if it’s light, if it’s beautiful, if it’s painful––I think all of that is within this piece.”

Koch says the show’s grand theme of “Beauty” might be a luxury concept given the “chaotic” state of our current world, but she reminds us that is part of the point.

“We are all human and we are searching for something that is silent in us, something that’s real in us, something that’s human in us, and I think that is the experience that you will be pulled into because the sound score, the visuals, the dancers… it will pull you into a visceral experience.”

Soul Skin Dance’s “Beauty” will show Friday and Saturday night at Joshua Tree Retreat Center’s Sanctuary. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 7:00. For more information, including ticket link, visit www.soulskindance.org

Community Pancake Breakfast this Saturday (6/7) at Copper Mountain Mesa Community Association

By
Annelies Kuiper
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On the first Saturday of every month, Copper Mountain Mesa holds the Community Pancake Breakfast at the Center from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Serving the best breakfast around, Copper Mountain Mesa Volunteers make it happen every month. All the chefs, wait-staff and clean up crew donate their time to serve you the most delicious breakfast. Kip slow cooks the gluten-free oatmeal, and fresh-squeezes the oranges for your morning shot of Vitamin C. Desert Rat Roasters provide the delicious coffee that’s going to get your day started right.

For only $12 or $6 for a senior half-portion or kid’s meal, you get juice, coffee or tea, eggs cooked your way, served with bacon or sausage, pancakes, hash browns and toast or biscuit and gravy. A vegan scramble is also served if you prefer. Enjoy your meal surrounded by all your favorite neighbors from far and wide!

The breakfast is located at the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center, 65336 Winters Road in North Joshua Tree.

Twentynine Palms Rotary honors Michael Schneider as Rotary Teacher of the Month

By
Z107.7 News
-
Michael Schneider accepts the award from Rotarian Gary Daigneault (Photo: MUSD)

The Twentynine Palms Rotary Club continued its tradition of celebrating educational excellence by honoring Twentynine Palms Elementary School teacher Michael Schneider as Rotary Teacher of the Month. 

Noted for his creativity, dedication and deep ties to the community, Mr. Schneider was recognized by Rotary representative Gary Daigneault during the Fourth Grade Awards Ceremony at Twentynine Palms Elementary School on Tuesday (June 3). The club celebrated him for his outstanding teaching and the many ways he enriches student life beyond the classroom. He serves on the school’s Site Leadership Team, regularly volunteers to teach Saturday School and actively coaches basketball during both the school year and summer. 

Principal Nicole Trejo said “Mr. Schneider is a highly effective and creative teacher and a long-time member of our community who has built strong, lasting relationships with students and families. He advocates for students and teachers and leads by example — teaching students how to advocate for themselves. It is my pleasure to select Mr. Schneider as Rotary Teacher of the Month.”

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mr. Schneider received a certificate of achievement and a gift card, presented by the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club as part of its ongoing commitment to honoring those who make a meaningful impact in local education.Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service organization in the Morongo Basin and a proud member of Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.2 million members dedicated to community service and leadership. The Club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. To learn more, visit www.rotary29.org.

Man arrested for suspected attempted murder after being cut off at Twentynine Palms bar

By
Z107.7 News
-

A man was arrested for investigation into attempted murder after allegedly attempting to stab a bartender in Twentynine Palms.

On Tuesday (June 3), the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department said that Michael Zoppy, a 43 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, was at The Virginian on Twentynine Palms Highway near the corner of Cholla Avenue in Twentynine Palms.

The Sheriff’s Department said that the bartender refused to serve Zoppy any more alcohol, and asked Zoppy to leave several times, but Zoppy refused. The Sheriff’s Department said that Zoppy attempted to stab the bartender with a knife. The bartender was not injured.

An employee at The Virginian called 911, and deputies arrived and arrested Zoppy at The Virginian. Zoppy was found to have an existing warrant for driving under the influence.

Michael Zoppy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and outstanding warrants, and is being held at the West Valley Detention Center on $1,750,000 bail.

Suspected Big Bear fuel thief arrested for allegedly drilling into gas tank in Yucca Valley

By
Z107.7 News
-

A Big Bear man was arrested for investigation into felony vandalism after allegedly drilling into a car’s fuel tank and stealing gas in Yucca Valley.

On May 27, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a trespasser at a home in the 7600 block of Pinon Drive in Yucca Valley. Deputies say that the homeowner saw the suspect on video surveillance, and provided live updates about the incident to 911. Deputies arrived and say they found that the suspect had drilled a hole through the bottom of the victim’s car’s fuel tank in order to steal gasoline. The suspect fled the scene, and deputies estimated the damage to the vehicle at $1200.

Detectives identified the suspect as Dustin Schneider, a 32 year-old resident of Big Bear, who is on post-release supervision. Deputies say he was contacted during a vehicle check in Apple Valley on May 29 and taken into custody. 

Dustin Schneider was arrested for suspicion of felony vandalism and is being held without bail.

Town Council receives completed Operational Review for Yucca Valley Animal Shelter

By
Adeline J. Wells
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Tuesday night’s meeting of the Yucca Valley Town Council included a presentation of the completed Operational Review of the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter. The review was announced at a Council meeting in March, following an increase in public concern about practices and policies administered by the shelter. Town Staff presented interim reports at meetings on April 1 and May 6.

Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle presented the majority of the report along with Town Manager Curtis Yakimow. Stueckle began the presentation with data taken that day: the shelter currently has 101 dogs spread between 33 kennels in the impound building and 26 in the Adoptable Building. He noted that this was the shelter’s highest number of dogs as of yet.

The report then highlighted actions the Town has initiated to improve operations, many of which have already begun implementation. These include reaching out to rescue groups, scheduling low-cost spay/neuter clinics, biweekly updates of animals on Petfinder, utilizing local and social media, hosting special adoption events, and coordinating with County resources. Yakimow emphasized the importance of data collection and new software for improving operations. Staff initiated the creation of a Council subcommittee to meet quarterly on Animal Care and Control issues; Council Member Jim Schooler and Mayor Jeff Drozd both volunteered to serve on the board. The meetings will be open to public participation and begin in August or September of this year.

As has been the trend with recent Town Council meetings, the item garnered much public interest and comment. Several attendees questioned the fact that the report contained little new information since the update on May 6. Others called for a change in shelter management and emphasized the need for continued accountability, as expressed by Pioneertown resident Susan Herring.

“We appreciate your input and your feedback. As Curtis indicated, this is the start of the review. I can assure you that for many people in the community, even though we will not necessarily be in the audience here, we will be watching. If we don’t see things happening, we will be back.”

Human Resources and Risk Manager Debra Breidenbach-Sterling then presented the Council with a review of the Town’s Administrative Volunteer Policy, as it would apply to a volunteer program at the shelter. Breidenbach-Sterling explained that Town Staff had surveyed over ten shelters in the Inland Empire region, the vast majority of which conduct background checks for volunteers; the two that did not were the Palms N Paws Shelter in Twentynine Palms and the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter. Town Staff recommended that the Council implement the policy with background checks and a minimum age of 18 for volunteers.

This item also had over ten public comments, the majority of which were critical of background checks and the minimum age requirement of 18. Attendees noted children as young as seventh grade can volunteer in other Town areas such as on the Youth Commission, and that educating the youth earlier about the importance of spay/neuter programs and microchipping will help foster responsible future pet owners.

The Council voted to approve the requirement of background checks but reduced the age requirement to 16 with parental or guardian consent; all members seemed open to allowing younger volunteers with adult supervision in the future. The program is expected to roll out in mid-July or August.

Previously Reported:

Yucca Valley Town Council: Western Joshua Tree take permits, animal shelter, new plaza
Former employees speak out against Yucca Valley Animal Shelter manager’s euthanasia protocols

Morongo Basin Healthcare District BoD meets today (6/5)

By
Z107.7 News
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The Morongo Basin Healthcare District Board of Directors meets in regular session Thursday (June 5), during which they will receive presentations on the Desert Care Network and the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budgets. 

The board will also discuss filling the vacant board seat for voting zone 3. The window to make an appointment for the seat has expired, and no candidate has come forward to be considered. The directors will receive information from the District staff to determine how best to proceed.

The Morongo Basin Healthcare District Board of Directors meets Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at their district offices at 6530 La Contenta Road, Suite 400 in Yucca Valley.

Tickets now available for CMC’s Spring Dinner Celebration on 6/14

By
Z107.7 News
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Copper Mountain College is holding a Spring Dinner Celebration next Saturday (June 14) and tickets are available now.

Called “Shining Through: Reflections of Success,” the event will honor the legacy, growth and future of Copper Mountain College. It will feature live music by the Smokey Quartz Quartet, specialty cocktails crafted by Juni’s Gin, fabulous dinner and the warm hospitality of emcee and event chair Diane Durden, Copper Mountain College Foundation Board Member and proud CMC alumna.

The event will also highlight the achievements of featured alumnae Krystal Avila (Class of 2006) and Gloria Vasquez (Class of 2015). 

Tickets are available right now and on sale until Monday.

Apply for all of CMC’s Scholarships with one application; deadline is June 30

By
Z107.7 News
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Are you attending Copper Mountain Community College in the Fall 2025 semester? Scholarship applications are still being accepted but you only have until the end of the month to see if you qualify.

Over 25 individual scholarships can be applied to using a single application. There are scholarships available in social sciences, business and accounting, EMT, STEM criminal justice, and general studies just to name a few. A college-wide committee reviews the applications and announces scholarship recipients by August 31st.

Potential scholarship recipients must be enrolled in classes at CMC by the fall of the upcoming school year. The scholarship is only applied to the academic year it is awarded. If you do not attend in the fall or spring, that portion of your scholarship is forfeited. If you do not attend in the fall and spring, your entire scholarship is forfeited. Should you receive an award letter, there will be directions on how the scholarship award is disbursed.

Copper Mountain Community College has created an incredibly easy webpage to see what scholarships are available and the requirements for each. The page also includes tips for applying, such as the type of references you should seek out and some things NOT to do.

The application is available online and the deadline to apply for any of the scholarships is June 30th.

Links:

CMC Scholarships

Application at Kaleidoscope: https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/CMCfoundation2025

County-wide Reach Out on the Up Close Show this Friday (6/6)

By
Z107.7 News
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There are two similarly named non-profits in the Morongo Basin.

“Reach Out Morongo Basin” runs the Senior Center in Twentynine Palms and has provided services to the elderly and disabled in the Morongo Basin communities for two decades. “Reach Out,” with offices in Yucca Valley, has operated county-wide for 60 years with community health initiatives, education, and creating safe, and innovative communities.

The county-wide Reach Out will be featured on this week’s Z107.7 “Up Close Show.” Program Manager Carrie Kish, Community Health and Policy Director Daniel Castillo, and Outreach Specialist Victoria Bourdon will talk with Host Gary Daigneault about the organization and its work. 

All about the “other” Reach Out this Friday (6/6) at 10:00 am on Z107.7 FM and available as a podcast. 

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