The Pool will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. through the weekend,as well as June 1-2
The Daily Public Swim schedule will begin on June 8, running every day from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. until August 11. Following this, the Luckie Park Pool will be open for the weekends of August 17, 24, and August 31 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Adult Lap Swim will be available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., starting June 10. Additionally, Adult Swim sessions will take place Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., beginning on the same day.
Remember that Luckie Park pool is a cash-only facility.
Children (aged 2-17) and adults will be charged $4.50 per visit, while seniors (aged 55 and above) can enjoy a discounted rate of $2.75. For regular visitors, a 20 Entry Punch Pass will be available for purchase at $40.25. This pass is exclusively valid for public swim sessions and will be punched per person upon entry.
Additionally, an Adult Lap Swim and Adult Swim Session Pass can be acquired for $34.50 each.
For additional information, please contact the City of Twentynine Palms Parks & Recreation Department at (760) 367-7562 or visit their website.
An update from the Society of the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep. They are going to be doing a water haul to the Kerr Big Game Guzzler in the Mojave National Preserve on Saturday, June 1st. They need as many 4×4 vehicles as possible that can carry a large water cube. They are also in need of volunteers to help lay hose and man the pumps.
Scott Gibson of the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep says that The Kerr Guzzler did collect water this last season, however, a catastrophic failure occurred with the box’s float valve due to corrosion and it had to be replaced. He says the guzzler collected about 800 gallons from a spring rain, however the amount is inadequate to sustain the sheep population over the coming summer season.
Following the water haul to the Kerr Guzzler, volunteers will have the option of making a second water haul to a new guzzler being installed on the “Thomas, Hensen, Rice & Steinmetz” property, located within the Mojave National Preserve. This separate SCBS volunteer crew, led by Steve Marschke, will be installing a new tank on the same day. The new 2300-gallon Raincatcher Tank is to replace aboveground tanks that were lost during the York Fire last year.
And for those interested, on Sunday June 2nd there is a third site in the Sheephole Mountain Wilderness that needs water. The SB68 Bearclaws Temporary Tank. only needs about 1500-gallons to top it off for the summer, so they only need a few vehicles that want to camp out and take another load that Sunday, June 2nd.
If this sounds interesting to you and you have a capable 4×4 – you can text or call Scott Gibson to RSVP – his phone number is 909-210-0548, or email him at scottygibson@gmail.com.
Mosquitos are a relatively “new” issue in southern california, with wetter winters giving the water-borne pests more spots to breed.
Luckily the San Bernardino County Mosquito and Vector Control Program (or MVC) is here to protect the public health by controlling these pests, reducing the risk of diseases like West Nile virus and the plague.
The MVC conducts inspections and treatment of water sources here in San Bernardino County to control mosquito breeding or any other diseases that may become a threat to public health.
If you know of a problem area with mosquitos, ticks, rodents, or other disease spreading animals – you can contact the MVC who will use environmentally sensitive methods to control the pests.
It’s the first holiday weekend of the summer as we celebrate Memorial Day here in the hi-desert. We’ve all worked hard, and deserve a chance to relax and cut loose, but Z107.7 wants to remind you: if you’ve had a few, don’t get behind the wheel.
If you’re imbibing, don’t be driving. Whether you’re sipping fine congnac, a can of beer from a 32-pack, or having a toke of California’s legally available recreational cannabis, if you’re going to a place, we urge you to have a responsible escape plan. Arrange for yourself or one of your pals to be a designated driver, or consider taking Basin Transit or a rideshare option.
The suspect in the murder of Robert McDonald on Monday night (May 20) at Knott’s Sky Park is expected to be arraigned this morning (May 24) in San Bernardino County’s Rancho Cucamonga courthouse on numerous felony charges, including murder, attempted murder, assault, attempted robbery, and attempted carjacking, along with a number of enhancements for discharging a firearm.
Rudy Garcia Jr. – an 18 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms – was arrested for investigation into murder Monday night. The Sheriff’s Department says that Garcia fired a gun into a group of people on a public street in Twentynine Palms, before fleeing to Knott’s Sky Park. They say he attempted to steal a car parked near dog park, shooting and killing the owner of the car who was inside the vehicle with his dog.
Deputies say Garcia then continued on foot, where he was found a short time later near the intersection of Sullivan Ave and Eucalyptus Ave. A gun believed to be involved in the incident was recovered. San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office described Garcia’s alleged actions as a “violent crime spree” through the streets of Twentynine Palms.
UPDATED 4:30 p.m.: Garcia entered pleas of “not guilty” to all charges at his arraignment.
Flowers, candles and flags sit at a memorial for Robert McDonald, 35
The man killed by gunfire on Monday night (May 20) Robert McDonald, was a 35 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, and has been identified as an active Marine.
Officials with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center confirmed that McDonald was a Gunnery Sergeant serving as an Operational Contract Support Specialist. He had been serving in the Marine Corps since he enlisted on June 7, 2010.
An official with the base provided a statement about McDonald’s death, saying, “The command is grieving with the family and fellow Marines of the deceased and is working diligently to provide them with much-needed support during this difficult time.”
A Yucca Valley on probation for the sexual abuse of a child was arrested this week for investigation into stalking and contacting a minor with the intention of sexual abuse.
On Monday (May 20) at about 5 p.m., San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies contacted Charles Williams, IV, a 22 year-old resident of Yucca Valley, near the intersection of Aster Ave and Navajo Trail in Yucca Valley.
The Sheriff’s Department declined to provide details regarding the nature of the contact with the minor.
Willams is currently on parole for a 2023 incident in which he entered a guilty plea of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse With a Minor younger than 3 years old. In 2023, he pled guilty to charges related to a separate incident of domestic violence.
Charles Williams, IV was arrested on suspicion of stalking, making threats, and contacting a minor for the purpose of a sexual offense. He is being held at the West Valley Detention Center without bail.
Yucca Valley’s annual Grubstake Days begins today.
This year commemorates the 73rd celebration of Grubstake Days, put on by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. As Director Shaka Gray noted, on a recent (May 10) Up Close Show, the event is a nod to the rich mining history of California.
“Grubstake Days started in 1951 with a three-day event for the mining workers. They held a three-day event to discuss the future of mining, and at the same time they wanted to bring a celebration to the community too.”
The Grubstake Days Kick-Off Mixer takes place tonight at the Elks Lodge. Live music will be performed by country-western band Jan Brown and the Cosmic Barflies. Heavy hors d’oeuvre will be provided, and all attendees will receive a free ticket for the grand prize. Dinner will also be available for purchase at $10 per meal.
The Kick-Off Mixer begins at 5 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge #2314, located at 55946 Yucca Trail in Yucca Valley. A complete list of Grubstake Days events can be viewed on the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce website at yuccavalley.org.
The High Desert Beekeepers Association meets tomorrow (May 25).
The topic for this month’s meeting is managing a hive, preventing swarming, and swarm removal. They’ll also receive an update on the live Landers swarm capture that was viewed at the last meeting, plus a removal from the mesa and the hive that resulted from it.
The meeting begins at 12 Noon on Saturday and will be held at The Nourishing Tree, located at 62057 Twentynine Palms Hwy in Joshua Tree.
Joshua Tree National Park has an internship open for a Visitor Data Analyst. If you get excited by data and stats this sounds like a pretty great opportunity to pair that with the outdoors.
The Visitor Data Analyst intern will review visitor trends to help understand past visitation surges and predict and prepare for future surges. The data collected and analyzed by the volunteer will be used to evaluate variables such as weather and timing with large influxes of visitation. The VDA will collaborate with park staff – specifically the Night Sky Ranger and Physical Scientist – to obtain the data.
Applicants must have a personal laptop they can use at park headquarters in Twentynine Palms and experience with data compilation and analysis.
A man was arrested for suspicion of assault with a firearm after putting a handgun to man’s head and pulling the trigger.
On Sunday (May 19) just before 11 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an incident in the 6000 block of Ocotillo Ave. in Twentynine Palms. A witness told deputies that they saw Alejandro Augustin, 27, walk toward his father, who was sitting inside of a car, remove a handgun from his waistband and point the gun at his father’s head. The witness said that Augustin pulled the trigger and that he heard a click, before lowering it again.
The witness told deputies that Augustin’s wife took the gun away from him, and then that they both returned to their home. The witness told deputies that Augustin may have been drinking.
Sheriff’s Deputies received a search warrant to enter Augustin’s home, where they took him into custody.
Alejandro Augustin was arrested for investigation into assault with a firearm and booked into the Morongo Basin jail.
Tuesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met to clean up confusing and redundant language in the development code and some residents voiced concerns.
With Commissioner Jessica Cure absent, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission met this week to streamline segments of the development code as Community Development Director Keith Gardner emphasized the need for consistent language.
Resident Susan Peplow spoke up regarding the storage of RVs and boats in driveways. “Even though I may not like all my neighbors, and the junk in their yards, I will support their property rights,” said Peplow.
The commission confirmed that those living in Single-Family Residential Districts (RS) could still park their RVs and boats in their driveways within five feet of the street. The ban pertains to those living in Residential Multi-Family (RM), High-Density Residential (HD) and Public (P) zones.
Resident Mary Jane Binge was concerned about height limits on art installations on a property setback – for example, a sculpture higher than six feet in a front yard. “I just think it’s a shame that you start limiting art in how tall or whatever,” said Binge. “I think each one should be individually looked at.”
Binge’s concerns were echoed by Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) Chair Anna Stump. “We do not believe that limiting art, new art, is a good thing for Twentynine Palms when Twentynine Palms is an art town.” She referenced the tall steel sculptures of Simi Dabah before concluding: “We do not believe that new art should be punished.”
The commission discussed and determined that the six-foot high limitation on front yard art should remain due to traffic safety but emphasized that residents could install large art in the side and backyard areas up to 35 feet. Moreover, a resident could also apply for a variance and the commission may rule for an exception.
The next meeting of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will be Tuesday, July 16.
Last night the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors held a special meeting in Covington Park’s multipurpose room.
For the first action items, the Board discussed overdue maintenance for the Fire Department’s Medic Engine 461, currently stalling from a malfunctioning EGR sensor. With the district in the middle of a spending freeze and $31,000 over budget for vehicle maintenance, a quote was approved 5/0 for repair with the cushion of a 30-day net to pay. Another related action item was discussed and approved for annual pre-emptive fire apparatus maintenance to occur every June. General Manager Brittany Chavez agreed to update the public with ongoing maintenance costs on the MVCSD website for transparency.
The Board engaged in an open discussion with attendees, including the whole MV Firefighters Union, regarding the 2024-25 Preliminary Budget they passed last week. Firefighters voiced unanimous concern with cuts to shifts for captains, urging the Board to staff a captain, engineer, and a paramedic for every shift and call at minimum, even willing to sacrifice their recent raises to make it happen. Since the budget had already been passed and posted, this led to further discussion with no immediate solutions for amendment, leading to an abrupt end to the meeting with the suggestion of holding another special meeting with these items on the agenda.
To kick off Memorial Day weekend, Reach out Morongo Basin is holding a special Memorial Day BBQ event tomorrow morning (May 24) in honor of all those who have served.
This community event is free for all seniors over the age of 60, and will feature cookout classics like burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, and more. The event will also include music, prizes, and drawings for all attendees.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center, located at 6539 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms.
Our desert is attracting more and more interesting people with its stark beauty and quirky residents.
On the Z107.7 “Up Close” tomorrow (5/24) we will meet the owner of “Very Very” in Twentynine Palms, business owner Rich Good‚ graphic designer, entrepreneur, and guitarist for The Psychedelic Furs.
Good will talk to host Gary Daigneault about what brought him here and his 15 years touring with the Iconic band.
The Z107.7 “Up Close” show Friday from 10-11 am, here on Z107.7
You have probably seen them around town or in your neighborhood: little free libraries have been popping up in the last few years offering free books and other fun items to neighbors and passerbyers. Having a little library filled with books in your neighborhood can help give kids and adults access to reading material they may not normally find. You can make them out of a lot of different things – some are charmingly cute custom built enclosures, while others have repurposed things like old newspapers boxes or cabinets to make a wind and water-tight way to share books and other stuff.
If you are interested in creating your own little free library – the friends of the Yucca Valley Library are going to be holding a free info session this Saturday, May 25th from 10 to 11 AM. Along with info on how to create a little library, they will also have books for you to start your library, and there will be door prizes including vouchers for little library building materials, courtesy of Builder’s Supply in Yucca Valley.
No reservations are needed – but please RSVP so the friends of the library can order refreshments.
A Twentynine Palms man was arrested for investigation into the murder of a man with his dog at Knott’s Sky Park.
The Sheriff’s Department says that at 7:49 p.m. Monday (May 21), deputies from the Morongo Basin Station responded to a report of four or five men drinking alcohol and causing a disturbance in the area of Alpine Road and Old Dale Road in Twentynine Palms.
Deputies say the person who called 911 went out to speak with the men, and they became confrontational. One of the men, identified by the Sheriff’s Department as Rudy Garcia, an 18 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, fired a gun towards the reporting party. No one was hit, and deputies say Garcia fled a few blocks south towards Knott’s Sky Park, on El Sol Avenue near Sullivan Road. The other men fled in a different direction.
Deputies say Garcia approached a parked vehicle near Knott’s Sky dog park. Inside the vehicle was Robert McDonald, a 35-year-old resident of Twentynine Palms and his dog. The Sheriff’s Department says that McDonald and Garcia did not know each other, and without provocation, Garcia fired a gun into the vehicle.
Deputies say McDonald was hit by the gunfire, at which point he attempted to drive away from the area, but lost control of his vehicle and collided into another occupied vehicle. Deputies arrived at the scene and attempted life saving measures, but McDonald was pronounced dead at the scene.
The occupants of the parked car, a family of seven, including five children, sustained minor injuries. They told Z107.7 that the mother and four of the children sustained concussions.
Deputies say that Garcia fled the scene on foot, and was located later near the intersection of Sullivan Road and Eucalyptus Avenue by deputies and taken into custody. A handgun believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered.
Rudy Garcia was arrested for investigation into murder and booked at the Morongo Basin jail where he is being held without bail.
The Yucca Valley Town Council decided on art for this year’s Summer Music Festival. Here is reporter Adeline J. Wells with that and more from last night’s meeting.
The Yucca Valley Town Council kicked off its meeting with a public hearing regarding placing solid waste handling fees on the property tax roll. The Town has been working with Burrtec to gradually phase in cost increases associated with organics recycling, per California State Senate Bill 1383. As the charges for the first year of services were less than anticipated, the Council voted without issue to place the fees on the tax roll for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Town Council also voted on artwork to advertise Yucca Valley’s Summer Music Festival. As part of its Public Art Program, the Town put out a Call for Artists to create a logo for this year’s festival in March. Clayton Rardon represented the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Commission by presenting their selection, a submission by local artist Sherri Scott, which the Council approved with a vote. Scott’s artwork will be featured on two banners on either side of the stage, t-shirts, social media posts, and other promotional and marketing materials for the music festival.
Lastly, the Town Council reviewed a presentation by Town Staff on commercial special events, swap meets, and parking lot sales. The Town has regulations in place that provide the scope for such permitted events; examples include that farmers’ markets need to maintain a business ratio of 80% produce and 20% other goods, or that any sales adjacent to Highway 62 need to be set back at least 400 feet from the highway. The Council agreed with the need to preserve the appearance of Highway 62 and provided feedback as to potential revisions.
As Council Member Merl Abel noted, certain events along Highway 62 seem to be more appealing to residents than others.
“The feedback I receive from residents is that they don’t want swap meets, rummage sales, or thrift stores displaying goods outside on the main highway. They want galleries and things like holiday craft fairs or festivals and farmers’ markets; they want more places to gather and have events. So I’m very much open to hearing ideas as to whatever the Planning Commission can do to help us move in those directions.”
The presentation was one of several related to regulating pop-ups on Highway 62; sidewalk sales, street vendors, and food trucks have been on the agendas at both recent and upcoming Yucca Valley Planning Commission meetings.
The Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors will be holding a special 6 PM meeting tonight in Covington Park’s multipurpose room.
For the meeting’s agenda, the Board of Directors will review, discuss, and approve the quote from H&S Mobile to service the Medic Engine 461 which is two months past due for its annual maintenance, causing the EGR sensor to malfunction, potentially causing additional issues.
Another action item will be for the same vehicle’s preventative maintenance. On advice from the mechanic, long distance trips are recommended to ensure proper functioning of the unit, as well as creating a maintenance schedule to have the apparatus serviced June of each year. It is recommended that the Board of Directors review, discuss and approve a preventative maintenance plan for the apparatus.
Lastly, the Board will review and discuss the 2024-25 Preliminary Budget passed last week.
Sheriff’s Deputies used a beanbag round to detain a man having what deputies described as a “manic episode” in a vacation home rental.
Early Sunday morning (May 19) just after 1 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a naked man acting incoherent, smashing glass, and possibly harming himself at a vacation rental in the 6000 block of San Angelo Ave in Joshua Tree.
Witnesses who were inside the house told deputies that they were friends with the incoherent man, and that they were all staying together at the vacation rental. The witnesses said that they had seen the man drinking, that there were pills on the ground and that the man had a history of mental illness.
Deputies found the man with burns on his back, and requested assistance from San Bernardino County Fire.
Deputies report that while they were in the house the man ran toward them at which point they fired a beanbag round which hit the man’s back.
The man was detained and transferred to Desert Regional for treatment for his burns.
Local artists and father and son team David and Christopher Falossi won First Place in Sculpture at the 51st annual Beverly Hills Art Show held on Saturday, May 18.
Christopher Falossi and his wife Grace next to a marble carving of the hand of Jesus with the stigmata.Beverly Hills Police Officer Adam Falossi, a graduate of CMC and USC
The duo known for their sculptures carved from stone that utilize glass and water received the award at the prestigious Los Angeles Area art show.
As they do most years, they will be opening their home studio in Yucca Valley during the HWY 62 Art Tours which happen annually in October.
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