The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument is approximately 660,000 acres of California desert situated between the southern border of Joshua Tree National Park and north of the deliciously named chocolate mountains. While the Morongo Basin sits securely within the warm borders of the Mojave desert – anyone that’s driven south through the national park toward the cottonwood entrance has experienced the gradual change the landscape takes on as the Colorado desert meets the Mojave – creating two unique ecosystems worth exploring for anyone interested in the biodiversity that they provide.
If you’ve never explored that area on foot, you’ll have a great opportunity in couple weeks to explore the proposed monument on a sunset hike put on by the Council of Mexican Federations in North America, the CactusToCloud Institute and the Mojave Desert Land Trust.
The fun and easy hike will follow a trail along the desert wash through the slabs of Box Canyon. While spring isn’t officially here yet, wildflowers are popping up and there is a chance to see the unique flora and fauna of the surrounding Mecca hills.
The hike is taking place on Saturday, March 16th from 6 to 8:30PM. Water, headlamps and blacklights will be provided, and the organizers are asking folks to sign up early.
The proposed monument area is also home to the First-Class Miners – a non-profit mining group based out of Yucca Valley. Reporter Heather Clisby did a report on the legacy organization and some of the concerns that they hold about the proposed Chuckwalla Monument and the impact it could have on their small-scale mining claims.
If you use Burrtec’s curbside trash services you’ve probably received your green waste bin intended for yard waste and food scraps. The idea is that all that kind of natural waste breaks down naturally in the environment – and mixing it in with regular trash means it will take a lot longer to become useful to the ecosystem.
However – food scraps can get nasty quick just sitting around your kitchen, especially with warmer spring weather ahead. The Town of Yucca Valley is partnering with Burrtec to provide a handy complimentary food scraps bucket that you can keep on your kitchen countertop to store and transfer your organic waste to the big bucket outside – keeping it less stinky and easier to use overall.
To get a complimentary pail, simply contact Burrtec Customer Service at (760) 365-2015 or customerservice@burrtecdesert.com with your request. They say you’ll receive a pail on your next service day.
“Man of La Mancha” begins its run on March 1st at Theatre 29.
“Man of La Mancha”, one of the world’s most popular musicals, is now playing at Theatre 29 weekends through March 17. Set in Spain in 1597, “Man of La Mancha” follows the story of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, a prisoner awaiting trial by the infamous Spanish Inquisition. During his imprisonment, Cervantes and his fellow prisoners act out the story he has written about elderly Alonso Quijana, who renames himself “Don Quixote” and goes on a quest to right all wrongs in the world. This Tony Award-Winning musical features classic numbers like “The Impossible Dream,” “I, Don Quixote,” “Little Bird,” and many others. The original 1965 production won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has been revived on Broadway 4 times.
The Theatre 29 production of “Man of La Mancha” features a stunning set designed by architect Andrea Keller, special effects by Clark Hunter and the artistry of Kevin Maddrey. It is helmed by veteran director Gary Daigneault, with music direction by Bianca Stoker and choreography by Lisa Hodgson.
Tickets for “Man of La Mancha” are available now at www.theatre29.org or by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151. Early reservations are encouraged as demand is expected to be high.
The opening night gala is hosted by the 29 Palms Rotary club. After opening night, Tickets are $15.00 for Regular admission, $12.50 for seniors or military, and $10.00 for students with ID (a service fee will be charged). The show contains adult content and is not suitable for children under 13.
A younger Joshua Barreras in a photo shared by his Grandmother Sherry Moreno
A candlelight vigil for Joshua Barreras is planned for this Sunday at 6PM in Yucca Valley, according to friends and family members. Josh was 16 years old when he was struck by a vehicle on the night of Friday January 26th. The driver fled the scene, leaving the teenage victim in the middle of Twentynine Palms Highway near Avalon Ave. Joshua Barreras died later that night at the hospital.
The driver suspected of hitting and leaving the teen for dead is Troy Reynolds, a 57 year old Yucca Valley resident. Reynolds “turned himself in” at an arraignment on Tuesday, February 27th – a full month after the victim was found in the road. His attorney entered a “not guilty” plea and asked for the suspect to be released on his own recognizance without bail, a request that was denied by presiding Judge Sara Oliver.
Judge Oliver also denied the recommended bail of $75,000, citing the suspect’s lack of action in taking potential life-saving measures by stopping and checking on the child after he was allegedly struck by Reynolds’ truck, alongside suspected efforts by Reynolds to conceal his involvement in the hit and run by taking his truck to a body shop outside the county. Bail was set at $500,000 which was met later that evening on Reynolds’ release.
If you’d like to participate in the candlelight vigil for the Yucca Valley teenager, a memorial cross has been erected near the site where Joshua was struck. Organizers of the vigil say to turn north onto Avalon Ave. off Highway 62 and then onto Paxton near the dirt lot and behind Josh’s cross.
Sherry Moreno holds a photo of her Grandson Joshua BarrerasFriends and family gathered outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 27 2024
The Way Station Annual Easter Food Giveaway – 3/29 at 8 AM
Come for Hams, turkeys, fresh produce, canned goods, Easter baskets for the kids.
No ID or proof of residency needed.
Continental breakfast served!
Hours of Operation Tuesday-Friday 9:00-12:00pm
The Way Station PO Box 613 Joshua Tree, CA 9252 (760) 366-8088
The Joshua Tree Community Center is holding its 55th Annual Egg Hunt & 60th Anniversary Spring Celebration on Saturday, March 30th starting PROMPTLY at 9 AM.
The egg hunt is held in Sunburst Park in 6 age-appropriate zones. Each age category will have PRIZE EGGS with the opportunity to exchange them for a variety of indoor and outdoor games or toys, generously provided by the local Sportsman’s Club.
Alongside the egg-hunt is pictures with the Easter Bunny and an indoor carnival with Jr. Rangers activities from the National Park, Animal Action League will have their pet-tag engraving machine on site there will be a live mural painting and dino dig, talent show, and a square dance.
Grab your basket and join us for a festive egg hunt! The Easter Bunny will be dropping by to share the fun!
9:30 A.M. March 30th – Ages 10 & Under
At the Yucca Valley Community Center Soccer Field
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 30th from 9AM to 11AM at the Yucca Valley Elks Lodge
Come join the Easter Bunny for breakfast and color and egg to take home! Bring your camera!
Ages 11 and under $5.00 – Bunny pancake, scrambled egg, sausage, and juice Ages 12 and up $12.00 – Two pancakes, two scrambled eggs and two sausages
For more information, contact Lozetta at 530-718-6240 or email elks2314hc@gmail.com
Twentynine Palms
An Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Sunday, March 31 at 6 a.m. at Freedom Plaza (Stage Area) located at 6547 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms.
The city of Twentynine Palms celebrates 89 years in observing the Easter Sunrise Service which began on April 21, 1935 at Trigg Hill. Ministers participating in this year’s service are: Pastor McArthur Wright, President of the 29 Palms Ministerial Association, Youth Leader Kole Green from First Assembly of God Church; Deacon Nathan Foley from Set Free Church – Wonder Valley and Pastor Jauron James from The Sanctuary Church. Worship will be provided by the First Baptist Church Praise Team. Light refreshments will be served and the offering recipient will be local non-profit Set Free Ranch.
Both services are open to the public. For more information, email: 29palmsma@gmail.com.
A Twentynine Palms man was sentenced to three years in prison for an incident in which he strangled his wife with a belt.
Yesterday (February 29), Michael Champagne, a 33 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, was sentenced in San Bernardino County’s Joshua Tree Court to three years in state prison, with consideration of 212 days already served in the sentence. A jury found Champagne guilty on 5 felony counts, including false imprisonment, three charges related to violent assault, and making criminal threats.
Champagne’s charges were related to a November 16 arrest for suspected attempted murder. At the time Sheriff’s deputies said they responded to the 6500 block of Mariposa Avenue in Twentynine Palms, and said he had strangled the victim with a belt until she was unconscious.
The Tourism Business Improvement District discusses application presentations.
Listen here:
If you were wondering what there is to do in Twentynine Palms this spring, stand by! Presenting before the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), five teams pitched five wildly different visions to win their slice of Event Grant Funds at last night’s four-hour meeting.
The Twentynine Palms Historical Society pitched a return of the Desert Rat Convention, initially held in 1940. Steve Reyes, vice president of the group, explained that the original event celebrated “the pioneers and ‘Desert Rats’ who fell in love with the desert” and was held for ten years before it became overshadowed by Pioneer Days. They are aiming for May 4 event, noon-7:00 p.m., that includes historical presentations, a BBQ dinner, and live entertainment. Funding was approved for $3K.
Mike Usher, owner of Grnd Sqrl and a leader of Rediscover 29, pitches an idea for a mural festival, Area 29 Art Invasion. Councilmember Octavious Scott took a turn on the other side of the dais at the TBID meeting.
Grnd Sqrl owner Mike Usher, representing Rediscover 29, pitched Art Invasion, an interactive mural event for April 12-14. Held mostly at Freedom Plaza, the weekend would feature real-time mural paintings, mural tours, live music, food trucks, DJs, pop-up vendors, and late-night events. Funding was approved for $15K.
Karyl “Kaz” Newman pitched Conjuring Cathy Allen, a multi-week event honoring her friend who passed in 2022. Allen was an assemblage artist who worked alongside the late creator Noah Purifoy. Planned for May 10-June 2, attendees would experience her photographs from her Dwellings exhibit (Twentynine Palms), a tour of her studio (Wonder Valley), a tour of her surviving Non-Urban Renewal Projects installations (Wonder Valley), and a personalized audio account and tour of the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum (Joshua Tree) in Allen’s own words. Funding was approved for $15K.
Standing in for Emmy-award winning choreographer and Indian Cove resident Ryan Heffington, a man named Zach pitched the Sand to Sky Series, a multi-weekend event in May. Location will be Desertrade, a former ranch currently being transformed to host events such as this. Sand to Sky will include crafting, dance, art, live music, film screenings, workshops, lectures, nature talks and sound baths. Funding was approved for $15K.
Matt Kirshen, Caitlin Gill and Andy Wood pitch “To 29 and Beyond” – a comedy/science event.
And then, three comedians walked up to the podium and pitched “To 29 and Beyond”, a unique event that mixes comedy and science. Astronomy guide Caitlin Gill and her buddies, Andy Wood and Matt Kirshen, plan to host the event at White Label Vinyl on May 4. (Wood and Kirshen co-host a podcast with the same theme, “It Could Only Happen Here.”) The event will feature four telescopes and two astronomy guides, plus beer. Funding was approved ($9,100) with the agreement that the event should be moved to possibly May or June.
But the best quote of the evening came from local hotelier, Veno Nethraj, an outspoken critic of the TBID. “Previously, I was the most upset guy in the room, but not tonight,” he said. “Tonight, I’ve been offered hope.”
Joshua Corrado, a senior at Twenty-Nine Palms High School has earned the highest composite ACT score of 36.
The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures what students have learned in school. Regarding Corrado’s high score, ACT CEO Janet Godwin said, “Earning a top scoreon the ACT is a remarkable achievement. A student’s exceptional score of 36 will provide any college or university withample evidenceof their readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.
For perspective, only about one-quarter of 1% of students who take the ACT earn the top score. In all the U.S. High School graduating class of 2022, only 3376 of the 1.34 million students earned Corrado’s score.
The Twentynine Palms animal shelter is offering a special “29” themed dog adoption event. Any dog who has been in the shelter for more than 29 days can be adopted for the discounted fee of $29.
All month long, the city-run Palms ‘n Paws Animal Shelter will be offering this promotion, in the spirit of finding every single dog a home. The shelter hopes that this reduced fee will make adoption more accessible to community members while also giving so man deserving pets a second chance at finding a loving companion or family.
Visit Palms ‘n Paws Animal Shelter today to meet your new best friend!
For more information, please call Palms n Paws Animal Shelter at (760) 367-6799 ext. #3.
Blood supplies are low in the Morongo Basin, and lifestream will be holding a blood drive tomorrow (March 2) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vons in Yucca Valley, located at 57590 Twentynine Palms Highway.
Healthy individuals at least 15 years of age may donate blood. (Everyone under 17 years of age must provide LifeStream with written parental consent.)
Donors receive a free mini-physical (including readings for blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol levels, iron level and temperature with results being posted on the donor’s private online portal.) Please set an appointment by calling LifeStream at 800-879-4484 or visiting LStream.org.
The Twentynine Palms High School Boys Varsity Wildcats Tennis Team traveled to Indio High School to face the Rajahs on Tuesday (February 27). The Wildcats lost 3 to 15. In singles action, Jeremy Burks won two sets.
In doubles action, the team of Brayden Chambers/Luke Bowers won one set. The Wildcats are 2-2.
The Wildcats travel to Cathedral City on Tuesday and Banning on Thursday.
A hi-desert man was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges of burglary and indecent exposure in several cities, dating back to April.
On Monday (February 26), Anthony Grigley, 66, was contacted by Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the Morongo Basin Station near Border Ave. and Golden St. in Joshua Tree. The Sheriff’s office declined to specify the nature of the contact, but Grigley was arrested at around 9:30 p.m.
Grigley was arrested on suspicion of several counts of burglary, car theft, vandalism, trespassing, shoplifting, being under the influence of a controlled substance and indecent exposure. Court documents show that many of the criminal acts are alleged to have occurred on April 19th and 20th of 2023 in Yucca Valley, leading to three charges of burglary, three charges of vandalism, and one charge of indecent exposure all stemming from that two-day period.
Grigley is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center on $120,000 bail.
In 2018, Grigley was arrested for investigation into a burglary at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center’s bookstore.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus spoke about Project Hammerstrike in Joshua Tree yesterday (February 28). His appearance was part of San Bernardino Board of Supervisor Chair and local Third District Representative Dawn Rowe monthly open house meeting series at the Joshua Tree Community Center.
Dicus discussed a wide-range of topics, including growing up in Morongo Basin. But of particular note to our area was his thoughts on the effectiveness of Operation: Hammerstrike, an initiative that sought to dismantle illegal marijuana grows throughout the county, with many of them in Landers and Wonder Valley.
Sheriff Dicus: “We got completely inundated with illegal marijuana grows. Especially in this community, right? The board funded me for Hammerstrike and a number of things, we were able to knock it down. I can safely say that we actually had it knocked down to zero not too long ago, and it hasn’t gotten above double digits or anything like that. We’re mostly in the single digits because the board funded me for two other marijuana teams. It’s not perfect and I still play ‘whack-a-mole’ about knocking down some of these big grows, but it is not nearly as much proliferation of those grows that we were experiencing not long ago.”
The Elks Lodge in Twentynine Palms was the setting of last night’s community meeting between concerned Indian Cove residents and developers of a proposed resort in their neighborhood.
Things got heated at last night’s community meeting where approximately 40 residents of Indian Cove met with Ofland/Yonder developers looking to build a 130-cabin resort in the neighborhood. This was the second time that developers met with the community and Luke Searcy, director of acquisitions and asset management, assured attendees that they took the feedback received from the initial November meeting and have made plan adjustments.
Luke Searcy, director of acquisitions and asset management for Ofland/Yonder, answers questions.
A wise change was to offer a Q&A session with a microphone for those with questions and comments, a big improvement from the last meeting. But despite the spread of cookies and snacks, residents like John Vigar were not shy in stating their opposition to the project.
“I believe this is all for money. This ain’t to help Twentynine Palms. This is for somebody pocketing it or they wouldn’t be out here. I’m sorry, but I’m gonna fight this and I’ll guarantee it, we will stop this from going on.”
The 152-acre parcel is located south of Highway 62 with Sullivan Road to the south, Shoshone Valley Drive to the east and an extension of Lear Avenue to the west. The project would require that Lear Avenue be paved up to Sullivan.
One resident pointed out that because crossing the highway can be hazardous, many will use that lighted Lear Avenue intersection to access Two Mile Road or the Marine base, creating an inevitable congestion spot.
While the developers touted the economic benefits to the community (jobs, tourism), the residents were notably unconvinced. Instead, they pointed to noise, light pollution, increased traffic, and disturbance of the landscape and wildlife. Residents were not impressed with a tortoise study that was conducted during hibernation months that predictably found no animals. An additional survey would be required before construction could begin.
And don’t get them started on the outdoor movie screen. Despite a relatively small screen size (16’x 22’), resort guests would each be given a small radio that would broadcast sound for the film. This concept baffled many attendees in the room, including resident Mara Moon.
“I don’t want to have a movie theater outside of the national park. But once this is built and it’s failed, it can’t go back. We can’t put the desert back. Once we rape it, it’s dead. If you wanna go somewhere, go somewhere that’s not in the middle of our neighborhood. All these people live here for a reason.”
Proposed zoning changes. Resident Dana Longuevan asks a question of the development team. Residents line up to pose questions to the developers.Yucca Valley resident and NV5 Engineering Manager Vickie Bridenstine answers a question.
Ofland/Yonder does not yet own the land as it is currently in escrow. Because the land is currently zoned for single-family homes, they would apply for a rezoning to a mix of Tourist Commercial and Open Space Residential.
Twentynine Palms City Councilmember Octavious Scott was also in attendance. “What I’m hearing right now is that there’s changes that need to be made to the project and people don’t want it in this specific neighborhood. I think that those change should be addressed, and if the project could be relocated to the eastern side of town, that’s certainly something that could be looked into.”
Twentynine Palms City Councilmember Octavious Scott was in attendance.
The idea of moving the project to the eastern side of town, specifically along Utah Trail, came up repeatedly and though it was not realistically addressed in the meeting, Engineering Manager Vickie Bridenstine with NV5, a consultant to the project, explained that the area is in an active flood plain and that water access is problematic, hence the desolation.
One resident asked the developers, “What happened to the plan for the earth bag design?” Attendees informed the man he was referencing a totally different resort proposal for the same neighborhood, one that has been successfully stalled by the community. The exchange demonstrated just how weary the residents have become of having their neighborhood seen by outsiders only as a revenue prospect.
Resident Melissa Grisi struggled to get to the root of the issue.
“Like you’re hearing people don’t want this here in the middle of a neighborhood. People don’t want this precious desert landscape completely destroyed. It will forever alter this place. I’m just so curious to the why because I don’t get it. It doesn’t make sense to me.”
Fellow neighbor Rich Good offered a theory. “I think it will make a lot of money.” The room collectively agreed.
At present, the UFO sign remains at Landers’ Belfield Hall for safekeeping.
Sometime shortly after sunset last night (Feb. 28, 2024) a flying saucer-like object eight feet wide and four feet tall miraculously returned to the demonstration garden outside the Landers Post Office. The iconic UFO sign vanished from the same location eight months ago to the day.
Landers resident Jody Barnes did a double take last night when he spotted the sign outside the post office. He immediately recognized it as Landers artist Randy Brill’s whimsical creation that first appeared there in 2018. The sign presented a natural photo opportunity capturing the attention of passersby until it mysteriously disappeared at the end of last June.
Noting the sign was in good shape but unsecured, Barnes phoned his friend Ken Ballou at the Landers Homestead Valley Association. The two of them carefully transported the sign a few blocks east to Belfield Hall for safekeeping.
Preliminary plans call for some touch-up paint before it is re-erected at the post office demonstration garden.
Did you know our local Morongo Basin Ambulance is a non-profit, founded in 1948 by a group of seven resident volunteers in the small community of Joshua Tree?
Find out about the rich history and depth of services from MBA On the Z107.7 “Up Close” Show this Friday (3/1).
Morongo Basin Ambulance Operations Chief Craig Bell will join host Gary Daigneault and take calls live from 10 – 11AM to talk about providing Paramedic level service within our desert communities.
The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is teaming up with the Friends of the Twentynine Palms Library to bring you a book sale that will have you jumping at literary steals and deals all weekend.
Starting Thursday from 4PM to 7PM with an additional day on Saturday – Founders Hall at the Old Schoolhouse Museum will be filled with donated books with no prices set. Grab as much or as little as you’d like and donate what you can and the 29 Palms historical society will split the proceeds with the Friends of the Twentynine Palms Library.
It all starts today from 4PM to 7PM – if you can’t make it on leap day come out on Saturday from 9AM to 2PM.
It’s at the Old Schoolhouse Museum at 6760 National Park drive in Twentynine Palms.
Friends and family of Joshua Barreras gathered outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 27 2024
Sherry Moreno holds a photo of her grandson Joshua Barreras at Tuesday’s arraignment of Troy Reynolds (Photo Credit: Robert Haydon)
Troy Reynolds entered a “Not Guilty” plea in the suspected hit-and-run case that resulted in the death of Yucca Valley teenager Joshua Barreras. At 7:15PM last night, Reynolds was released on $500,000 bail – a sharp increase from the $75,000 bail that was suggested by prosecution.
Reynolds is the primary suspect in the hit-and-run that occurred on January 26 on Twentynine Palms Highway near Avalon Avenue. The 16 year-old Yucca Valley teen was found unresponsive in the center median of highway and was pronounced dead at Hi-Desert Medical Center later that night.
During Tuesday morning’s arraignment – Judge Sara E.Oliver addressed the packed courtroom – acknowledging that the case had drawn extra attention as friends and family members of both parties were in attendance. She asked everyone to not interrupt the proceedings and protect the rights of the victim and the suspect.
The courtroom remained calm as Judge Oliver described the suspect’s behavior following the alleged hit-and-run. She cited the fact that Reynolds allegedly left the scene where Joshua Barreras was struck, leaving the teen in the road. The Judge also says that Reynolds did not call 911 or any emergency services, and that the truck that Reynolds was driving when he allegedly struck the victim was found at a body shop an hour away in another county.
She also stated that Reynolds did not come forward until the Sheriff’s office approached him with evidence. Judge Oliver called his behavior a concern for the court and described Reynolds as a flight risk. Along with the half-million dollar bail, Reynolds is also required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and will not be allowed to operate any motorized vehicles.
Reynolds was cuffed by the court bailiffs, and did not speak to the judge or court before being booked into custody.
Troy Reynolds is booked into custody after bail is set at $500,000
Immediately following the arraignment, a disruption occurred outside the courtroom between the family and friends of both the victim and the suspect. Heated words turned to a brief physical altercation that eventually moved to outside of the building, where law enforcement spoke with both parties for nearly an hour.
As tempers cooled, family and friends of Josh remained outside holding photos and sharing stories about the beloved and missed 16 year-old.
Joshua Barreras childhood friend Levi showed up to show his support and share storiesJoshua Barreras in a photo shared by his Grandmother Sherry MorenoFamily friends Aubrey Kohler and Mark Preston puts signs on their truck calling for “Justice 4 Josh”
Autumn, Joshua Barreras Mother: “He was the best kid in the whole wide world, happy, you know.. he didn’t deserve that. He didn’t.”
She said that the arraignment yesterday morning has brought some small comfort to the family.
Autumn, Joshua Barreras Mother: “A little bit of relief.. a little bit.. that he’s in jail. Because he (Reynolds) didn’t need to get away with that. That’s not right. If he would have stopped, he might have been alive.”
Family and friends of Joshua say they will be holding a vigil for the Yucca Valley teen, possible as early as this weekend. Z107.7 will share the details as soon as we receive them.
Troy Reynolds was arrested for felony hit and run resulting in permanent injury or death. He’s currently out on 500,000 dollars bail, and the next scheduled court date is on April 16th.
The Johnson Valley Shared Use Area is now open to the public. The Marine Corps has concluded training and the land has been thoroughly inspected and returned to the Bureau of Land Management for public use and recreation.
The Marine Corps issued a statement thanking the community for their support. Military training in Johnson Valley is a critical element in maintaining national defense through progressive service-level training.
The Marine Corps will continue to conduct outreach and inform the public of any temporary changes in land use for the Johnson Valley Shared Use Area.
The area will be closed again this year for training from August 15 through August 26.
