Twentynine Palms resident Jeff Ohlfs was elected as the 2024 Chairperson of the governing body for the Palms Springs Aerial Tramway.

The tramway is overseen by the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, and Ohlfs will continue serving as chairperson for the organization. Ohlfs was originally appointed to the Authority by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2018 and reappointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023.

Ohlfs has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, San Bernardino County Sheriff Morongo Basin Search and Rescue Team, and served as a ranger at Joshua Tree National Park, Hot Springs National Park, and C&O Canal National Historical Park.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car. Opened in 1963, the Tram’s 80-passenger cars travel along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 ft.) to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 ft.) in approximately 10 minutes.

The Flying Doctors are preparing to land in the Morongo Basin once again.

The Morongo Basin will receive their annual visit from the Flying Doctors on Saturday, March 9. Community members can receive free dental and vision care at the Bell Center at Copper Mountain College.

All visiting doctors are volunteers. Hygienists and dentists will provide cleanings, fillings, and extractions, while optometrists will provide eye exams. New prescription eyeglasses will be available for patients, and anyone with prescriptions less than one year old may bring in their eyeglasses to receive a new pair.

A free event, no documentation is needed to receive health services. This clinic is open to all ages, though children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 760-820-2614.

The Flying Doctors event is sponsored by the Morongo Basin Healthcare District, in collaboration with Los Medicos Voladores, Healing California, Copper Mountain College, and the Joshua Tree VFW Post 7264. For more information, visit MorongoBasinHealth.org

Incumbent County Supervisor of our local District 3 Dawn Rowe has been re-elected. In yesterday’s primary, she won 58% of the votes, easily clearing the 50% threshold required for re-election. She bested three challengers for the seat, Chris Carrillo, Robert W. Block, and Graham M. Smith.

Measure W, which would have repealed the controversial FP-5 fire tax, was defeated, with more than 55% of voters choosing to keep the tax in place. As of this morning’s latest count, more than 44,000 people weighed in on the issue, which has been the subject of several ballot initiatives over the last several years. 

For Judge of the Superior Court Office and Michelle Lauron won 74% of the votes during yesterday’s primary, clearing the 50% threshold for a win, and besting  Dieter Dammeier.

As of early this morning the County Registrar says that 100% of precincts have reported their results.

In yesterday’s primaries for state elected officials, the top two vote-getters for each seat will advance the November Election. For US Congress, in District 23,  Democrat Derek Marshall and Republican Jay Obernolte will move ahead.

For State Senate (District 19) Democrat Lisa Middleton and Republican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh will move ahead.

For State Assembly District 47, the West end of the Morongo Basin, Democrats Christy Holstege and Republican Greg Wallis will move ahead, with Democrat Jamie Swain facing defeat in the primaries. At the east end of the Morongo Basin, the election for State Assembly District 34, will be between Republican Tom Lackey and Democrat Ricardo Ortega.

In wider California state elections, Senate candidates Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey will advance in both races, first to serve a short Senate term from November to January, and then for the full six-year Senate term starting in January.

California State Proposition 1, which would provide Bonds for Mental Health Treatment Facilities, is currently leaning toward approval, though the very narrow margin of 50.2% of yes votes may change as votes continue to be counted.

Two arrests were made in Joshua Tree last week by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Gang/Narcotics Division.

Between February 21 and March 1, the Sheriff’s Department served 14 search warrants related to gang members and felons believed to be in possession of weapons or narcotics as part of Operation: Consequences. One of those warrants was served in 61800 Block of El Reposo Circle in Joshua Tree, and another was served in the 6300 Block of Olympic Rd. of Joshua Tree. Additional warranted were served in San Bernardino, Yucaipa, Hesperia, and Banning.

A representative of the Sheriff’s Department said that more specific information about arrests made as part of Operation: Consequences could not be shared due to possible connections to gangs, narcotics, and future investigations. In the last week, Operation: Consequences led to 14 felony arrests, and the seizure of 14 firearms, including one ghost gun, along with 1.75 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and one-quarter pound of suspected cocaine across the search warrants countywide.

Today (March 5) is election day. If you haven’t mailed in or dropped off your ballot today, polling places throughout the Morongo Basin will open today at 7 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m.

Though national outlets are focusing on today’s presidential primary vote, a number of local candidates and initiatives will be on the ballot today.

Check out our website Z1077fm.com for our comprehensive coverage of the issues being decided in today’s election, including Gary Daigneault’s guide to candidates, and extensive looks at Measure W from Mike Lipsitz. 

To find your local polling place, and to learn more about voting today, visit the San Bernardino County Registrar’s website at San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters – Elections (sbcounty.gov)

PublicNotice_PollingPlaceCentralCount.pdf (sbcounty.gov)

A convicted sexually violent offender was arrested in Yucca Valley for investigation into possession of child pornography.

On Wednesday (February 28), officers with the San Bernardino County Parole Department contacted Thomas Cole, 50, in the 7300 block of Warren Vista Ave for a parole check.

As part of the parole check, Thomas Cole was arrested for two counts of possession of obscene materials featuring minors in sexual situations, and violating post release supervision. Cole is being held at West Valley Detention Center without bail, and is being charged with two felony counts related to child pornography, along with four enhancements for being a convicted violent offender.

Cole was arrested in Joshua Tree in 2013 on suspicion of raping four women.

Morongo Basin voters who did not vote early or mail-in will go to the polls for Primary elections Tuesday (3/5).

For Party-nominated Offices, President and County Central Committee, voters with a party preference vote for candidates in the November General Election. The American Independent, Democratic and Libertarian Parties allow voters with no party preference to vote in their presidential primaries, just request a party ballot.

For Voter-nominated Offices the top two vote-getters advance to the November Election.

For U.S. Senate there are 7 Short term candidates and 27 long term candidates, Short term fills the term vacated by the death of Diane Feinstein, long term is for the next 6-years. For US Congress (District 23) choose Democrat Derek Marshall or Republican Jay Obernolte.

For State Senator (District 19) it is Democrat Lisa Middleton against Republican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh.

For State Assembly District 47, the West end of the Morongo Basin, it is Democrats Christy Holstege and Jamie Swain against Republican Greg Wallis. The East end of the Morongo Basin, District 34, is Republican Tom Lackey and Democrat Ricardo Ortega.

For Nonpartisan Offices, the top two proceed to the November Election. If a candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, that candidate is elected. For County Supervisor our District 3 has four candidates, Robert Block, Chris Carillo, Dawn Rowe, and Graham M. Smith. For Judge of the Superior Court Office Dieter Dammeier and Michelle Lauron are on our ballot.

Voters will also choose yes or no for State Proposition 1, a $6.38 billion Bond for Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Homeless Housing and County Measure W: To repeal the FP-5 Fire Tax, a Yes repeals the tax, No keeps the tax.