The Twentynine Palms High School Boys Varsity Tennis Team hosted the Rajahs of Indio on yesterday (March 26). The Wildcats lost but the team has shown improvement in their skills throughout the season.
In doubles action the team of Michael Acosta and Ryan Hoang won one set.
The Wildcats will host Banning for a doubleheader today (March 27) for their senior night and Cathedral City on Thursday (March 28).
A motorcyle crash left one woman dead and another man injured on Twentynine Palms Highway.
The California Highway Patrol Reports that on Friday (March 22) at approximately 7:30 p.m., Ronald Mitchell, a 62 year-old from Garden Grove, was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on Twentynine Palms Highway, east of Ironage Road, near Sheephole Valley Wilderness.
The CHP says that Mitchell was traveling at a high speed when the road curved. They say the motorcycle went into the right shoulder of the road, when Mitchell lost control of the vehicle, and overturned. Mitchell and his passenger, identified as Terry Houlston-Reid, a 51 year-old from Westminster, were ejected.
Houlston-Reid and the Mitchell were taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center. Houlston-Reid was pronounced dead at the hospital. Mitchell suffered only minor injuries.
The CHP is continuing their investigation into the crash, and say that neither drugs nor alcohol were a factor. Both riders were wearing helmets.
A man was caught in the act of allegedly stealing shipping containers, and arrested on suspicion of grand theft in Joshua Tree
At 11:15 a.m. Saturday morning, Sheriff’s Deputies with the Morongo Basin Station responded to a report of a theft in the 63000 Sunny Sands Dr. The reporting party was a neighbor out for a run, who saw what he described as suspicious activity.
Deputies arrived at the property and say they found Eduardo Valseca, 49, loading one of the property’s shipping containers onto a large flatbed trailer. Valseca told deputies he had been hired by the property owner to transport the containers, but the property owner said that he did not hire Valseca. The property owner said he has been the victim of several burglaries over the last several months.
Eduardo Valseca was arrested on suspicion of grand theft of property, and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail. He has been released on bail.
The Twentynine Palms City Council will gather this evening to tackle several agenda items, including the likely hire of a new City Manager.
Tonight, the Twentynine Palms City Council will discuss improvements to the Project Phoenix treatment system, staffing costs for an upcoming Sanctuary Church Event, and a status update on the Business Loan Improvement Program.
The council will then ponder the $8,865 increase in membership dues with San Bernardino Council of Governments (SCBOG) and decide if the investment is worth it to remain.
And after months of searching, the council will discuss the appointment of H. Stone James to the role of City Manager to replace Larry Bowden who has been serving as Interim City Manager. James is currently the Economic Development Director for Cathedral City in Riverside County.
The meeting takes place on Tuesday, March 26, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road. It can be livestreamed or viewed on-demand via the city’s website, www.29palms.org.
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission meets tonight, with new business The Star Cafe on the docket.
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will review an Environmental Assessment and Site Plan Review for the Star Cafe at tonight’s meeting. The new business will be an approximately 2,700-square-foot restaurant, retail space, coffee shop, and bar, located at 55761 Twentynine Palms Highway. Town Staff recommends the Commission remove the previous conditions of approval for the site plan, which include in-lieu fees totaling nearly $50,000 for future Highway 62 widening, sidewalk, and alleyway improvements.
The Planning Commission will also move to nominate and elect a new Chair and Vice Chair to serve for the next year. Chairman Clint Stoker and Vice Chairman Gerard Noonan will step down from their respective roles.
Tonight’s meeting is open to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Community Center.
Easter is this Sunday – and while candy and easter eggs can be in abundance this time of year, for some families an extra holiday dinner can be hard to fit into their budget.
The Way Station in Joshua Tree is holding a food giveaway on Friday to provide for the upcoming Easter holiday. Starting at 8AM on Friday the 29th – they will be giving away hams, turkeys, fresh and canned produce as well as Easter baskets for the kids. No ID or proof of residency is needed to pick up the food, and a continental breakfast will be served.
The Way Station is a religious organization and one of the only soup kitchens here in the Morongo Basin – they’ve been doing it for 38 years and have been at the same location for around 20 years.
Swing by that location on Friday for that easter food giveaway this Friday at the Way Station in Joshua Tree starting at 8AM. They are located at 61722 Commercial St in beautiful and bustling downtown Joshua Tree.
Tomorrow, Mayor Robert Lombardo invites residents to the Yucca Valley Senior Center for an “Ice Cream Social with the Mayor.” The community is encouraged to bring their questions, comments, and new ideas to the event, which aims to promote meaningful discussion between residents and local government.
In addition to ice cream and positive conversation, the event will feature a performance by local musician Tommy Dodson.
The ice cream social will be held tomorrow, March 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Senior Center, located at 57088 Twentynine Palms Highway in the Community Center Complex.
The Town of Yucca Valley has announced the top finishers of this year’s Healthy Hearts Run, now in its 32nd year. The 5k run and 2k walk is conducted in the spirit of health and fitness in the community.
17 year-old Owen Sandquist-Sherman was the fastest male runner, with a final time of 18:23.88. He was followed across the finish line by David Young with a time of 20:18.71 and
Garrett Christensen with a time of 21:22.29.
In the women’s category, Janice Tharp came in first with a time of 23:49.63, followed by Ana DiGiallonardo at 24:04.06 and Heather Sandquist with a time of 24:07.78
Z107.7 joins the Town of Yucca Valley in congratulating these runners and everyone who participated in the Healthy Hearts Run.
Yucca Valley High School’s Trojan track team hosted a track meet Thursday (March 21) against Indio high School.
Coach Patrick Francis described it as the best meet of the season so far.
Girls won their first meet of the season with a final score of 45 Indio to 62 Yucca Valley, led by Eva Musch taking first in the 400m and Long Jump.
The boys lost by only few points, with a final score was 65 Indio to 45 Yucca Valley. Boys were led by Aiden Solis taking first in the discus and shotput with Bryan Ouk-Gutierrez taking first in the 100m and 200m as well as second in the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles.
On Saturday (March 23) 20 athletes braved the rain at the Yorba Linda High school track invitational.
After a woman was severely injured in a home in Twentynine Palms, a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and kidnapping.
Just after 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night (March 20), the Sheriff’s Morongo Basin Station received a report from a woman saying her daughter had been “beaten up” by her boyfriend.
Deputies say that the victim contacted her mother by phone, telling her that she had been severely injured, and that her boyfriend had been possibly using drugs.
Deputies say they arrived at a residence in the 7000 block of Maude Adams Ave in Twentynine Palms, where they report finding the victim and her boyfriend, identified as Randy Slaven, 44.
The victim told deputies that Slaven assaulted her and threatened to retrieve a gun during the incident.
UPDATED, 1:45 p.m. The Sheriff’s Department provided additional details regarding the incident, saying the victim and Slaven were involved in an argument regarding his infidelity during their relationship. During the argument, the victim walked away from the residence and Slaven drove around the area until he located her. They say Slaven forced the victim into his vehicle and drove her back to their residence. While at the residence, Slaven violently assaulted the victim and attempted to suffocate her. The victim believed Slaven was going to kill her and went in and out of consciousness, however, she was able to bite Slaven’s hand to stop his assault.
The Sheriff’s Deparmtent said that the victim sustained a fractured arm, a broken jaw, the loss of vision in both of her eyes, and other injuries.
Deputies say that Slaven was detained, and the victim was transported to Hi-Desert Medical Center for treatment for her injuries.
Randy Slaven was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping, and domestic violence, and booked into the West Valley Detention Center on $1,000,000 bail.
Among the many agenda items to be considered at tomorrow’s (March 26, 2024) 10 o’clock meeting of county supervisors in San Bernardino, several items are of special relevance to our Morongo Basin.
Supervisors are expected to approve $175,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funding for remodel of the Wonder Valley Community Center kitchen and bathrooms. The Community Center is operated and maintained by the County Department of Public Works – Special Districts. The department says the facility has become outdated and deteriorated due to severe weather and extensive use.
The Project proposes general repairs, improvements to equipment, bathroom fixture replacement, kitchen improvements, replacement of flooring, installation of lighting for energy efficiency and safety, and the installation of a commercial-grade reverse osmosis water filtration system. The Community Center offers many programs by local non-profits and private parties for meetings, celebrations, and classes.
In other business, the board is expected to increase by two years and add $150,000 to a special districts service contract with Twentynine Palms for continued preventative maintenance and other services at the newly constructed sewer collection system.
Twentynine Palms is responsible for the operation, maintenance, emergency response, and support service at the facility. This responsibility includes ensuring that maintenance is conducted monthly, quarterly, and annually according to local, state, and federal regulatory requirements. Since the City does not have staff with the requisite certifications and experience necessary to perform these services, the City contracts with County Special District’s CSA 70.
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 which may be accessed from this link: https://sanbernardino.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1183736&GUID=381E0ED2-5657-417F-8A73-643DCE210F38
If you live in Yucca Valley and are keen to be involved with Town business, they want you!
The Town of Yucca Valley is currently seeking applicants for an open seat on the Revenue Measure Oversight Commission.
The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Town Council on the use of funds generated by the implementation of Measure Y and Measure Z. Members of the Revenue Measure Oversight Commission serve without compensation and must be a resident within the Town’s jurisdiction. The Revenue Measure Oversight Commission typically meets a few times per year.
If you’re interested in being appointed tot the commission, submit an application along with a cover letter describing in detail the motivation behind the desire to serve the community on this Oversight Commission.
The commission application, guidelines and revenue measure information can be found at yucca-valley.org.
The deadline for the submission of applications is Thursday, April 18, 2023.
With the critically acclaimed run of “Man of La Mancha” having ridden into the sunset and their upcoming “Daddy Longlegs” musical opening April 5th, Theatre 29 is already hard at work on their next project.
Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. Who needs ’em?! Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in a new hilarious hit musical, “Disenchanted”, which proves their stories are anything but Grimm.
Theatre 29 will be holding auditions for this adult Off-Broadway comedy on Sunday, April 7th beginning at 6pm at Theatre 29. Director Charles Harvey is seeking 10 singing & dancing ladies to inhabit the storybook Princesses you only thought you knew.
This is a unique opportunity for women of all body types, ethnicities, age ranges and backgrounds to get their moment in the spotlight, as there are no male roles and no roles for children under 18 in this story.
All roles are open.
Improvisational skills are an added plus. Inclusive and diverse casting encouraged. All roles MUST sing.
A complete breakdown of the characters can be found on the Theatre 29 website at theatre29.org/auditions
Joshua Tree’s Harrison House Arts, Music, and Ecology Center will host an intensive three-day course on permaculture from May 24 to 26. Permaculture is a design process that promotes ecologically sustainable living systems between humans and nature. Topics covered will include organic gardening, natural building, composting, water harvesting, and more.
Last held in 2021, the recurring course will be taught by Warren Brush, a renowned permaculture consultant and educator with over 30 years of experience in the field. The weekend will kick off with an introductory lecture on the evening of Friday, May 24, with the course to follow over the next two days.
Early-bird registration is now open; to attend the course at a discounted rate, be sure to register before April 1. For more information about this year’s Intro to Permaculture course, call the Harrison House at 760-366-4712, or visit the event’s page at louharrisonhouse.org.
Robin Kobaly has been named 2024’s selection for the Yucca Valley High School Hall of Fame.
Kobaly graduated from Yucca Valley High School in 1970, and has since worked as biologist and educator throughout the Morongo Basin and Southern California.
Kobaly worked with The U.S. Bureau of Land Management for twenty years, serving as the California Desert District Botanist and as Preserve Manager of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. She co-founded the Wildlands Conservancy, and instituted the Sand to Snow Wilderness Project, a 21-year effort which eventually led to the federal campaign responsible for the Sand to Snow National Monument.
Kobaly was the first preserve manager of the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. In 2018, Kobaly received the Minerva Hoyt award which recognizes individuals that have made notable achievements and contributions on behalf of the deserts of California.
Kobaly will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at ceremonies in conjunction with the YVHS Renaissance Awards ceremonies on Wednesday May 22 at 6:00 pm in the YVHS gymnasium. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.
Twentynine Palms High School’s track team sent six Wildcats to Azusa Pacific University to compete in the Meet of Champions.
Four students earned personal records and two earned season records in the 1200 meters, there were 3 standout performances:
Ava Aja and William Sumption were chosen as Wildcats of the Week for their efforts.
On Thursday the Wildcats will travel to Desert Mirage for a DVL dual.
Last Tuesday at Copper Mountain College, educators from Fire Technology and Criminal Justice, EMT students, and CMC faculty hosted the President’s Circle BBQ, a complimentary dinner open to the public to discuss how CMC is strengthening public safety and to raise awareness on scholarship fundraising for students pursuing public safety careers.
Predating the college itself, The President’s Circle is a continuum of the group who established CMC, and currently includes CMC Foundation Executive Director Sandy Smith, CMC Foundation President Ron Sears, CMC President/Superintendent Dr. Darren Otten. Donors to the Presidents Circle were also present, many who are CMC alumni whose donations are $1000 or more per year.
The sprawling cookout took over the parking lot in front of CMC’s Bell Center, complete with a large BBQ smoker and make-shift cafeteria-style layout where brisket, baked potatoes, salad, fresh fruit, and an extensive array of desserts were served to around 100 hungry attendees supporting CMC’s public safety program.
CMC’s Fire Technology, Criminal Justice, and EMT instructor James Brakebill gave a heartfelt speech:
“Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate but to reinforce our commitment to the future of public safety. We are here to honor our public safety students both past and present whose dedication and courage inspire us all. Their journey towards becoming the next generation of heroes is one that deserves our full support and admiration. Our goal tonight is ambitious yet vital—we aim to raise funds to award scholarships to those exceptional students pursuing careers in public safety. These scholarships are more than just financial aid—they are tokens of our belief in their potential to make a difference to save lives and to uphold the security of our community.”
Brakebill emphasized their commitment to “train local people and hire local people to work and protect their community they grew up in.”
CMC President/Superintendent Dr. Darren Otten added further gratitude to the students in training and first responders present:
“As a community, we depend on you all—that’s the reality. You guys are the ones who are there on the worst days for all of our friends and neighbors. That’s a huge deal.”
Brakebill announced the four memorial scholarships available from past public safety leaders in the names of Sergeant Vaca, Sergeant Teel, EMT Jeff Tabor, and Judge Bert Swift.
To donate to the CMC Foundation towards public safety scholarships please visit:
The Copper Mountain College Foundation has announced S.E. Davis of Yucca Valley as the 2024 Greenleaf Scholarship winner.
Davis was chosen from seven other finalists who showed their stellar character in written and oral interviews. A celebratory ceremony will take place on April 18, 2024 for all scholarship awardees.
S.E. Davis attends Yucca Valley High School and was chosen out of a highly competitive field to receive this year’s Greenleaf Scholarship. The scholarship pays tuition, books and fees plus living expenses while attending Copper Mountain College. In addition, those same expenses will be paid while Davis attends a university to complete a baccalaureate degree.
Davis said, “I am learning that I have the strength to fight every day to stay alive and achieve my dreams of becoming a pediatrician to help with the epidemic of anxiety and depression among children and youth in the Morongo Basin.”
Davis added that “inclusivity and love as the only way to treat people.”
Endowed by local banker F. Roy Greenleaf Jr., the scholarship is awarded each year to a promising student that is interested in learning, is success oriented, has performed well in school and shows a desire to return to the Morongo Basin upon completion of their education. Davis calls this place home stating it is, “my family, my people, my community.”
According to CMC Foundation Executive Director Sandy Smith, “Davis’s conviction that everyone should be treated with kindness and respect regardless of their differences came through strongly in the interview. The optimism of someone who has not always been valued was truly inspirational and I look forward to welcoming Davis to the Greenleaf family.”
The Copper Mountain College Foundation would like to thank all applicants for this year’s Greenleaf Scholarship and reminds high school seniors that a wide range of CMC scholarships begin accepting applications as of April 1.
For more information on how Copper Mountain College Foundation uses legacy gifts, visit www.cmccd.edu/Foundation.
A proposed 184-acre solar array in Twentynine Palms was the sole and hot topic at an early public meeting last Thursday in Luckie Park. It was led by City of Twentynine Palms Community Development Director Keith Gardner and Nicole Criste – a representative from the consultancy group Terra Nova.
They presented some findings from their initial study:
No Impacts:
Potentially Significant Impacts:
Less than significant impacts or mitigation required:
Although the project is in early planning – around 50 people showed up to Patriotic Hall at Luckie Park to share their public comments on the project.
Resident Peter Lang lives near the proposed project, and talked about the beauty he finds on Samarkand DR. near his home which sits adjacent to the acreage that will have the solar panels installed on it – an activity that he says goes directly against town code: “The city’s development code 19.18.030 bans utility-scale solar facilities.”
Lang read from the town code which mentions the potential negative effects of solar facilities. Mainly to the tourist industry, aesthetics of the desert vistas along with a potentially adverse effect to property values and the overall quality of life for those like Lang who may have to live next to one – an evaluation he agrees with:
“No way could I have written that better. They nailed it.”
One of the main areas of concern is the extensive grading which would be needed to install the 160,000 solar panels – potentially destroying habitat for endangered natives like the Mojave Tortoise, or nests for ground-dwellers like burrow owls.
Alongside the animals who could be displaced, extensive grading and native plant removal destroys the topsoil and the mycological networks that exist just below it. Native plants like creosote have large root systems they have hold down the topsoil and store carbon in the networks below the soil. Many residents expressed concern about the dust that can result in these types of developments.
Other meeting participants said that they felt that the developer was threatening the residents with bypassing the city and partnering with the state to get the development done Robert Smith from K&L Gates was there representing the solar array applicants and clarified:
Robert Smith: “There is a process by which applicants that are proposing renewable energy projects can go to Sacramento. We’re here because we don’t want to do that. That is an option, certainly, but that’s not option A, B, C or probably D. We’re hoping that e-group can work with the city to develop a project that the city can be proud of, and that e-group can be proud of and that’s why we are going with the process through the city instead of going with the process through Sacramento.”
Although the majority of public comment was against the development of the solar array there were some comments of support: mainly that solar energy in the state of California is an inevitability, and it has to be built somewhere. So why not somewhere that we can see and visualize where we get the energy to power our lifestyles?
Whether it’s opposition or support – the public is open to make their comments about the upcoming development and Nicole Criste from the Terra Nova group summed it up:
“We are going to have multiple opportunities to comment in writing after the EIR (Environmental Initial Report) is finished. There will be public hearings for both the Planning Commission and the City Council. I encourage everybody here to participate in that process and the city will have multiple opportunities for you to keep making your opinions known.”
The public review period ends on March 29th – you can get more information here on Twentynine Palms’ website.
Previously Reported:
What’s being described as a lunar celebration and collaborative public art project – Desert Moon is a free event happening tomorrow at Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Park in Twentynine Palms.
Join artist Ben Allanoff in the creation of a monumental sculpture. Participants will use their hands to weave hundreds of sticks into a frame and eventually a giant sculpture. The Desert Moon sculpture will align with the path of the full moon when it rises in the east at 7pm.
When the weaving is done it will be time to enjoy the simultaneous sunset and moonrise, an improvised performance from virtuoso double bassist Janie Cowan, full moon poems, telescope views, and a Q&A with astronomer John Watkins.
Sky’s the Limit also features a Zen garden, a walkable scale model of the solar system, a nature trail, and a collection of monumental steel sculptures by SImi Dabah.
You are invited to bring your own picnic dinner and chairs and blankets.
That’s the Desert Moon collaborative art event on Sunday from 4PM to 8PM at Sky’s the Limit Observatory at 9697 Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms.
