Copper Mountain College’s Commencement Week 2024 has arrived with several ways to usher in the end of the college school year this week.
Starting tonight, Wednesday, May 22nd, Registered Nursing and Vocational Nursing programs have their Pinning Ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Bell Center Gymnasium on CMC campus. This is an event where CMC’s Nursing students celebrate their accomplishments, being “pinned” by family and friends.
The main Copper Mountain College Commencement Ceremony will be held Thursday, May 23, at 5:45 p.m. in the Bell Center Gymnasium. Additional Commencement-related activities that day include:
9 a.m. – Rehearsal for Graduates in Bell Center Gymnasium
10 a.m. – John White Memorial Breakfast for Graduates After Rehearsal in the Bell Center Community Room
Then on Friday, May 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bell Center Gymnasium, CMC’s Adult Education Program (AEP) celebrates Adult Education graduates with their own AEP Graduation Ceremony.
Local father and son artists David and Christopher Falossi won First Place in sculpture at the 51st annual Beverly Hills Art Show held over the weekend (May 18).
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.
One person is dead at Knott’s Sky Park in Twentynine Palms.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Investigation Team, which oversees major crime cases, is currently conducting an investigation at the park, as of 11 a.m. today (May 21).
Neighbors in the area report hearing gun shots at around 8 p.m. last night (May 20)
Sgt Justin Giles of the Specialized Investigation Team confirmed that there is one person deceased. There will be no further information released until the deceased’s next of kin is notified.
The San Bernardino County Coroner’s van is on the scene and neighbors say that they have seen a body on a stretcher.
A Twentynine Palms man on probation for domestic violence was arrested again for investigation of domestic violence.
Ricky Parnell was arrested on Sunday (May 19) in the 74000 block of Pinon Drive in Twentynine Palms for charges related to inflicting injury on a domestic partner and violating a court order related to domestic violence.
Parnell entered a guilty plea to charges related to domestic violence in May of 2023, and was on probation at the time of this weekend’s arrest.
Ricky Parnell was arrested on investigation into charges related to domestic violence and parole violations, and is being held at the West Valley Detention Center without bail.
In 2017, Parnell entered a guilty plea of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.
A Twentynine Palms man on parole was arrested on suspicion of selling methamphetamine.
On Thursday (May 16) just before 2 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a car that they say failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Mesquite Road and Raymond Drive in Twentynine Palms. Deputies identified the driver as Gary Ogdahl, 60, of Twentynine Palms, and say that he had a bag of 2.19 ounces of methamphetamine, which they estimate has a street value of $400.
Ogdahl was found to be on probation for being in possession of a controlled substance while armed in 2021, and deputies conducted a probation check at his house in Twentynine Palms. They report $59.00 in small denominations.
Gary Ogdahl was arrested for investigation into transportation of controlled substances, and violating parole, and is being held at the West Valley Detention Center without bail.
Ogdahl was arrested on suspicion of charges related to methamphetamine in 2016 and 2021.
Housekeeping is on the docket for the Yucca Valley Town Council.
The Yucca Valley Town Council will hold a public hearing regarding the placement of solid waste handling service charges on the property tax roll for the upcoming fiscal year. In accordance with California State Senate Bill 1383 which mandates the recycling of organic matter, the Town of Yucca Valley had been working with Burrtec to phase in cost increases over several years. However, Burrtec’s tax roll billing rate for the first year of services is at a lower percentage increase than anticipated. Residents are invited to provide public comment on the issue before a Council vote to incorporate the charges on the tax roll.
The Town Council will also hear a report on commercial special events, swap meets, and parking lot sales. The Town has existing regulations that specify the length, type, and location of commercial special events; the Council will review these and provide the necessary direction as to whether they require additional specification.
Tonight’s meeting is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Community Center.
This week, the Twentynine Palms Water District Board of Directors will gather for their monthly meeting.
On Wednesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Water District (TPWD) Board of Directors will meet to discuss water-related issues.
The agenda includes the presentation of a draft budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
The remainder of the public meeting will consist of management reports on maintenance, water quality, and finance. The meeting will also include a closed session performance review for General Manager Matthew Shragge.
The meeting begins at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at 72401 Hatch Road in Twentynine Palms and may be viewed on the district’s website at 29palmswater.net
On a recent (May 10) Up Close Show, host Gary Daigneault sat down to discuss Grubstake Days with Wanda Stadum, Tonya Chiu, and Shaka Gray of the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The annual Grubstake Days will be held in Yucca Valley this upcoming weekend. This year commemorates the 73rd celebration of the event, which is a nod to the mining history of California. Put on by the Chamber of Commerce, the weekend is full of celebratory events including a Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, a Kick-Off Mixer at the Elks Lodge, an all-day family fun event at Brehm Park, the “Go for the Gold” Run, live music, food trucks, and more. As Wanda Stadum noted, the Little Miss and Mr. Miner Personality contest will also take place on Saturday. The winners of the contest will lead Grubstake Days’ first Little Wagon Parade at Brehm Park, for which residents are encouraged to decorate a wagon.
“All ages are invited to be in the parade; all businesses are invited to be in the parade. All you have to do is decorate the wagon, pull it, push it, or walk it; no motorized vehicles. It can be decorated in one of five categories: Best Western, Best Patriotic, Best Colors, Most Creative, and Open Category for those who want to get really wild. They will all be displayed on the field there by the information booth by the Boys & Girls Club.”
The contest will also feature a People’s Choice award, for which attendees are encouraged to place a vote for their favorite wagon.
A complete list of Grubstake Days events can be viewed on the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce website at yuccavalley.org.
You can listen to Gary’s full conversation with Wanda Stadum, Tonya Chiu, and Shaka Gray by downloading the Up Close Show as a podcast.
UPDATED May 17, 2024: The deceased was identified as Jonathon Tucker, a 22 year-old from Twentynine Palms, by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
The Hyundai was driven by a Yucca Valley man who suffered from minor injuries.
The CHP says that neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision.
A two-vehicle crash that closed traffic on Hwy. 62 near North Indian Canyon Drive in Desert Hot Springs has left a Twentynine Palms man dead and a Yucca Valley man injured.
The California Highway Patrol’s Indio office released a statement about the collision that occurred this morning (May 16) at 2:26 a.m.
The CHP reports that a Hyundai was in the process of making a left turn onto North Indian Canyon Drive from State Route 62 westbound, when it collided with a Dodge traveling eastbound on State Route 62. After the initial crash, the Dodge continued in a north eastly direction and collided into a streetlight on the northeast corner of the intersection.
The Dodge was driven by a Twentynine Palms man who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A man opened a box he received at the Twentynine Palms post office and found a live rattlesnake inside.
According to the Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to Twentynine Palms, a man is reported to have picked up a package at the post office and when he opened the package he found a live rattlesnake.
The reporting party told deputies that the package had a return address from Florida, and that the snake was left on the side of the road near the post office. Responding deputies identified the rattlesnake as a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.
The intent of the sender remains unknown. The investigation into the matter is being handled by the Federal Postal Inspector. No arrests have been made.
Among the many agenda items to be considered at tomorrow’s (May 21, 2024) 10 o’clock meeting of county supervisors in San Bernardino, a handful of programs in our Morongo Basin will receive funding.
Reach Out Morongo Basin will get a $250,000 increase in their contact amount for a total of $635,000.
The Morongo Unified School District will receive $34,000 to pay for a full-time school-based Probation Officer for one year starting July.
The Morongo Basin Sheriff Station is among six that will receive approval to apply for an Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant for $800,000 for off-road law enforcement.
And finally, County Service Area 70 F Morongo Valley is expected to receive approval for plans and specs and to advertise for bids for a Water Tank Replacement Project. More details on these items and information on how you can participate in tomorrow’s meeting can be found on the board of supervisors’ agenda.
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission gathers this Tuesday evening for a brief agenda that includes development code amendments and an introduction of the new city manager.
On Tuesday evening, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission meets for a public hearing on proposed amendments to Article 4 of the development code, as pre-discussed in mid-April. Some of the proposed changes include the allowance of storage for boats, RVs and trailers in the front and street side yard setbacks of RS and RL zoning districts.
Regarding fence heights, the commission agreed that six foot in the front yard and street side yard setback is appropriate in residential, public and commercial zoning districts and that eight foot in the front yard and street side yard setback is appropriate in the industrial zoning district.
Other primary changes include:
Height limitations for water elements/art pieces in setback areas.
Established setbacks for pools/spas.
Removing requirements for roof pitch and 24-inch eaves on manufactured homes.
Removing the requirement for multi-family development to be open communities.
Removing the requirement for the development of design guidelines.
No longer allowing cargo containers on vacant lots.
Limiting the construction of guest houses to one per lot.
Simplified language on architectural compatibility.
Limit of two cargo containers per residential lot.
Modified square footage limit for development standard compliance.
No requirement for the development of design guidelines.
Modified language regarding barbed wire fencing.
No requirement for graffiti resistant treatment as it is not enforceable.
The meeting will conclude with the introduction of newly-hired City Manager H. Stone James who began his new position on April 29. James was most recently the Economic Development Director for Cathedral City in Riverside County.
The meeting takes place on Tuesday, May 21, at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road. It can be livestreamed or viewed on-demand via the city’s website, 29palms.org.
The Twentynine Palms Cemetery District Board of Trustees meets in regular session tomorrow (May 20) where they will discuss policies for the upcoming fiscal year and receive a presentation on the preliminary budget. The board will also go into closed session to review the district general manager’s contract.
The board’s meeting is open to the public and begins tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at 5350 Encelia Ave. in Twentynine Palms.
Road closures are happening in Yucca Valley this week as the town conducts its annual street maintenance.
The Town-Wide Crack, Slurry and Cape Seal Project continues this week and for the next several weeks. Road closures for this week have been announced.
During construction operations, detours will be provided for alternative routes. Residents and businesses who may be affected by the work will be notified in advance.
Monday, May 20: Paxton Rd from Avalon Ave to Balsa Ave Paxton Ct from Paxton Rd to end Hermosa Ave from Barron Rd to Outer Hwy 62 Fortuna Ave from Barron Rd to Outer Hwy 62 Del Monte from Barron Rd to Outer Hwy 62 Balboa Ave from Barron Rd to Outer Hwy 62 Richard Dr from Barron Rd to David Ave Ronald Dr from Barron Rd to David Ave Linda Lee Dr from David Ave to north of Hwy 62 Emerson Ave from Balsa Ave to Diadem Rd
Tuesday, May 21: Lennox Ave from Sunnyslope Dr to Avalon Ave Lennox Ct from Lennox Ave to end Hanford Ave from Sunnyslope Dr to Yucca Tr Balsa Ave (O/S Lanes) from Sunnyslope Dr to Hwy 62 Natoma Tr from Indio Ave to Chippewa Tr Chippewa Tr from Natoma Tr to end Hermosa Ave from Yucca Tr to Delano Tr La Mirada Tr from Del Monte Ave to end Lennox Ave / Palisade Dr from Sunnyslope Dr to Palisade Way Natoma Tr from Del Monte Ave to end Del Monte Ave from Yucca Tr to Arcadia Tr
Wednesday, May 22: Alaba Ave from Pueblo Tr to Yucca Tr Frontera Ave from Pueblo Tr to Onaga Tr Hanford Ave from Pueblo Tr to Onaga Tr Balsa / Arcadia Tr from Pueblo Tr to Rubidoux Ave Balsa Ave (I/S Lanes) from Sunnyslope to Hwy 62
Thursday, May 23: Delano Tr from Chippewa Tr to end Chippewa Tr from Pueblo Tr to Natoma Tr Palomar Ave from Yucca Tr to Ute Tr Ute Tr from Palomar Ave to end Balsa Ave from Pueblo Tr to Onaga Tr Rubidoux Ave from La Habra Ave to Alta Mesa Dr Gila Ct from Rubidoux Ave to end Neva Ct from Rubidoux to end Delano Tr from Indio Ave to Del Monte Ave
Friday, May 24: Avalon Ave from Yucca Tr to Palisade Dr Avalon Ave (O/S Lanes) from Hwy 62 to Palisade Dr Alta Mesa from Balsa Ave to Rubidoux Ave Prescott Ave from Lennox Ave to Sunnyslope Dr Prescott Ave from Palisade Dr to Sunnyslope Dr Pueblo Tr from Indio Ave to Chippewa Tr
Lane closures are scheduled for the week of May 20 – May 24, 2024. During construction operations, traffic will be allowed in one direction at a time and will be performed by the contractor with flaggers for the following streets:
Wednesday, May 22: Yucca Tr from Camarilla Ave to Indio Ave
Thursday, May 23: Yucca Tr from Camarilla Ave to Avalon Ave
The contractor will provide notice to residences and businesses that are likely to be affected by the maintenance project. Please slowdown in the work zone for the safety of all.
As with any project, changes in schedules may be necessary due to equipment failures, weather, and many other factors. The Town will provide updated project schedule information as the project moves forward.
The Multi-Sport Court at Luckie Park opens to the public today (May 20).
The new courts feature both pickleball and tennis configurations for players on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Pickleball nets, balls, and paddles can be obtained for use at the Parks & Recreation Department office during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, with a refundable deposit of $50.00.
The courts will be open until 10 p.m. most nights. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new courts will be scheduled for a later date.
The volunteers at Theatre 29 have been hard at work in preparation of their Spring presentation of the musical “Nunsense”.
Opening night tickets are available for the gala opening night performance of the nun-ny funny musical “Nunsense” at Theatre 29 Friday, May 24th at 7:00PM. Benefitting the Twentynine Palms Kiwanis, this evening will feature heavy hors d’eouvres, drinks, dessert, and a silent auction beginning at 6:00 PM at 73637 Sullivan Road in Twentynine Palms. The show is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser.
Featuring Laura Harwood, Lisa Hodgson, Kimberly Sonntag, Tiffany Crocker and Melissa McNiel, “Nunsense” is sure to keep audiences rolling with laughter.
Opening Night tickets are $30 and are available by calling 760-972-7205 or by a limited number on the theatre’s website.
The remaining run May 25- June 9 is available now at theatre29.org.
Equitable access to justice is a concept San Bernardino County Public Defender Thomas Sone brought up a few times when we were talking about the upcoming “Mobile Defense” RV that will be parked in Landers this Tuesday.
The program is the first of its kind in San Bernardino County, which is the largest county in the nation covering just over 20,000 square miles. A large percentage of that is the Mojave and the unincorporated settlements with dozens or even hundreds of miles of open desert between them, an easy place to keep to yourself in relative isolation. However, that also means that some residents of the County may be hours away from the closest courthouse, adding an extra layer of complexity to taking care of legal issues.
Public Defender Thomas Sone: “We talk about access and equitable access. There isn’t a whole lot in some of these remote areas, so our thought was how can we better our service and how can we better serve our communities by going to them? The majority of our clients don’t have reliable transportation so what happens is if they get cited for something – even something minor – they might not make it to court. They might not be able to make that 2-3 hour trek and if they don’t make that drive and a warrant is issued all of the sudden you have a downward spiral of negative consequences.”
That spiral of consequences can be really difficult to get out of, especially when things like having a valid driver’s license and a clear record are important steps in getting a job or renting a home.
It’s those types of situations that the public defender’s office wants to help clear up on Tuesday in Landers. They are bringing a team of lawyers, social workers, legal aid along with a judge who will be able to remotely clear bench warrants and help settle long outstanding fines or classes that might be troublesome for some out on summary probation:
Assistant Public Defender Kellie Byward: “That fine payment gets a lot of people because if you miss one it goes to warrant and they put a hold on your driver’s license so then your driver’s license is suspended.”
Public Defender Thomas SoneAssistant Public Defender Kellie Byward
Byward says that in many cases, the laws have changed on how the court would even address some crimes now and there are probably folks out there with a record that could be cleared up simply by having a lawyer look over it.
Kellie Byward: There has been recognition by the legislature that these low-level crimes and things are hindering people’s ability to get good jobs, or (to do things like) volunteer to coach their kids’ soccer team. Even if somebody had something 15 years ago, what their experience was may not be how it would be addressed now. There’s a lot of automatic sealing for old cases that have been dismissed or even cases that weren’t dismissed. After a certain period it’s supposed to come off your rap sheet, and you should be able to answer questions via a potential employer differently than before as if the offense never happened.”
Social workers will also be present if someone needs help with something like jobs or housing – two things that can be difficult to acquire these days even if you don’t have a record. But alongside the lawyers, judges and legal aid there at the event – one group that won’t be present is law enforcement.
Thomas Sone: “I think it’s important for everybody that if they have a record or if they have anything in the past, to try and clear that record. If you’re trying to get employment or whatever it might be… I want people to know that they can trust us that we’re here to help.”
Kellie Byward: “I want people to understand that if they come they’re not required to use our services. If they come and talk to us and we say ‘look this is what we’d be able to offer you’ – we are not going to keep them there. If we can help them, we will.”
You don’t have to register ahead of time, but the Public Defender’s office says that signing up early helps them prepare any records they need ahead of the event and can help speed up any of the legal processes like clearing a bench warrant, or converting fines into community service.
The Public Defender’s office says they hope to spread the word to get as many folks as they can out to the Landers event, and visibly building trust with the community is one of their most important goals.
Thomas Sone: “Just if the community sees us there as a first step and that we’re making an effort to build that relationship… that’s a success to me. If we even help one person out with a warrant – anything – I think that’s a success for what we’re trying to accomplish right now.”
The Yucca Valley Art Walk features the many galleries of Yucca Valley and Pioneer Town opening their doors to the public, with many debuting new work or new shows.
Goat Mountain Co. is celebrating their third anniversary with a group show featuring luchadors, the famous masked wrestlers from Mexico. The show is called “Lucha” and will have an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Joshua Tree National Park Association’s West Art Gallery will debut a new show called “Desert Flora: The Beauty of Adaptive Biodiversity” tonight at 5 p.m.
Space Truckin’ Gallery is brings back their popular group show theme, “Put a Joshua Tree On It” with a reception from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m
And the latest addition to the art walk line up, Milk Thistle, will debut a show of surreal photography from Alia Rafiq, called “Curiouser + Curiouser.” The reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. will feature music from Jhameel.
A number of other Yucca Valley-based artists and stores will be showing their work throughout the town today.
All Roads 55879 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Compound YV Noon to 5 p.m. 55379 Twentynine Palms Highway
Two small fires within a few miles of each other but 24 hours apart sent black smoke billowing into the sky in Yucca Valley.
On Friday (May 17) at around 10:15 a.m., a small fire broke out in the wash between the Center for Healthy Generations and the flea market, just off of Sunnyslope Dr. Officials from San Bernardino County Fire and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were at the scene, and were able to extinguish the fire. County Fire officials said that the small fire came from what appeared to be an encampment of unhoused people near the wash.
On Saturday morning (May 18), a structure fire occurred at aroun 9 a.m. at the corner of Inca Trail and Sante Fe. County Fire officials say that a medical engine arrived to find a well-established fire at a vacant building. The fire was extinguished shortly after the engine arrived. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
County fire officials say that there were no injuries at either of the fires.
Most known for being part of Powell-Peralta’s Bones Brigade, a gang of young influential skaters who changed the skateboard industry in the 1980s, then starting his own skate company, Real, Tommy Guerrero would pursue music in tandem with skating for the following decades.
His latest project Los Days is a collaboration between Guerrero and Sacramento born multi-instrumentalist Josh Lippi.
The duo retreats to the House of The Rising Sun, a solar-powered single room house deep in the heart of Wonder Valley, armed only with a basic recording setup, an intentionally limited collection of instruments and zero previously prepared material. Over the course of five days, they tuned out the noise of 21st century life and keyed into the rhythms of the high desert, writing, arranging, and recording a body of work inspired by and channeling the austere beauty of the surrounding landscape.
This event will feature a performance by Los Days to commemorate the release of the new album, a record signing and listening from 2 – 6 PM, with after party across the street at Out There Bar.
