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Twentynine Palms City Council to consider excess funds

By
Heather Clisby
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Tonight, the Twentynine Palms City Council faces a money-focused agenda, starting with an audit report on Federal Awards for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. During that time, the city spent over $4.8M in federal funds, so an independent audit is required.


The council will also hear mid-year budget updates on the General Fund, Capital Projects Funds and Special Funds for the same fiscal time period. City staff will recommend that funding leftover from closed projects be reallocated to projects with unfunded balances, such as IT equipment for the Luckie Park Pool, Luckie Park ballfield light poles, and project management costs for the Hatch/Sullivan bike path.


The funding reviews continue as the council will focus on Project Phoenix Funds and the Enterprise Fund. The city has a remaining balance over $354K from Project Phoenix which has not yet been designated for use.


Finally, the council will address Community Events Grants, specifically, requests for $10K for the 29 Palms Art Gallery Gala Dinner and $5K for ongoing programs at Sky’s the Limit Observatory & Nature Center.


The meeting takes place on Tuesday, February 27, 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.

Yucca Valley Planning Commission will talk Starbucks West and 2023 housing developments

By
Adeline J. Wells
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The Yucca Valley Planning Commission will review the landscape and irrigation plans for Starbucks West at tonight’s meeting. The popular coffee house has been looking to expand in Yucca Valley for the last year, planning a second location in addition to the current shop on Warren Vista Avenue.

If approved, the landscape plans will work to beautify the southeast corner of Twentynine Palms Highway and Barberry Avenue. Proposed plants include two Mesquite Trees, Palo Verde Trees, and various colorful desert shrubs.

The planning commission will also review the General Plan Annual Housing Element Report from 2023. This report notes the number and type of dwelling units completed last year, so that evaluation can be made as to whether the town is on track to meet their housing and development goals.

The Yucca Valley Planning Commission meeting is open to the public, and meets tonight at 6 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Community Center.

The meeting can also be attended online here.

Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency to hold director interview

By
Mike Lipsitz
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Directors at the Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency will hold a public interview of Willian Aldridge in hopes of filling the agency’s open board seat. Aldridge brings more than 30 years experience as a plumber and a keen interest in water conservation and irrigation. As the sole applicant for the vacant board position, Aldridge’s selection is fairly certain. Also this evening, the board will adjourn to a closed session to discuss anticipated litigation.


Tonight’s meeting takes place at the agency’s board meeting office under the old water tower on Cherokee Trail in Landers. Remote participation is also an option. See this story at Z1077fm.com for a link (https://bdvwa.org/board-and-governance/agendas-and-packets/) to the complete agenda and instructions on attending via Zoom or telephone.

Tickets available for Gala Dinner to support 29 Palms Art Gallery

By
Z107.7 News
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The 29 Palms Art Gallery is hosting a gala fundraiser event next weekend, but time is running out to buy tickets. The Gallery Gala Dinner will feature incredible food, live music, entertainment, auctions and more at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center on March 8.


Auction items will include hotel retreats, business services, art work, local attraction tickets, and more.


The gallery’s fundraising goal is $10,000, which will be used to help ensure this beautiful space is preserved for the next generations.


Tickets are available right now at the gallery’s website, 29palmsartgallery.com The event kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center on March 8.

Ofland/Yonder resort developers to host second community meeting in Twentynine Palms this week

By
Heather Clisby
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Ofland, resort developers formally known as Yonder, have sent out postcards to residents of Indian Cove inviting them to the second community meeting.

The developers are proposing an all-cabin resort along Highway 62 near Lear Avenue. The invite states that the developers have incorporated some community feedback into their plans. Many residents have publicly expressed their resistance to yet another resort plan in their quiet community.

The project would feature 130 cabins (320 sq. ft. each), a main lodge (3,500 sq. ft.), a secondary lodge (2,000 sq. ft.), food/beverage space (2,000 sq. ft.) and another 18,000 square feet of employee housing and back-of house space. The resort would also feature outdoor music from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and an outdoor movie screen.

The community meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 28, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 6501 Elk Trail in Twentynine Palms. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

For more info, visit https://www.ofland29palmsresort.com/ and
https://www.saveourdeserts.org/yonder-29-palms.

Troy Reynolds of Yucca Valley is primary suspect in hit-and-run that killed YV teenager

By
Z107.7 News
-

The suspect in the alleged hit-and-run collision that killed a Yucca Valley teen is expected to turn himself in at the Joshua Tree Courthouse tomorrow morning.

Last week, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department identified Troy Reynolds, a 57 year-old Yucca Valley resident, as the primary suspect in what is alleged to be a hit-and-run that occurred on January 26. The victim, Joshua Barreras, a 16 year-old Yucca Valley teen, was found unresponsive in the center median of Twentynine Palms Highway near Avalon Ave. Barreras was pronounced dead at a hospital later that night.

The Sheriff’s Department’s said that the conditions of Reynolds’ surrender is “through agreement with his defense counsel and the District Attorney.”

The San Bernardino County District Attorney declined to share the specifics of Reynolds’ agreement, saying only that “Arrangements between counsel regarding surrenders and set arraignments do happen and are done so on a case by case basis.”

The arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. at San Bernardino’s Joshua Tree Courthouse.

Spring is coming: Joshua Tree National Park is best on weekdays during busiest seasons

By
Gary Daigneault
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Joshua Tree National Park is crowded, but those in the know can get into the park during off-hours for a better experience. The Park’s Chief Ranger Eric Linares was on the Z107.7 Up Close Show where he spoke with Gary Daigneault about crowds at the park and the best times to visit. 

“The first thing is, if you can make a mid-week trip, you’re going to be a lot better off. You’ll be able to see a lot more of the park, and you’ll be able to park your car at a lot more places, have better access to trails, and enjoy a lot more of what the park has to offer.

“Unfortunately, if you’re here on the weekend, you should plan for crowds. There is going to be a lot of people here. People come from all over to see this amazing place. You can just show up here and see that it’s an amazing place and its beautiful. If the best you can get from it on a busy weekend is just driving through and looking at the landscape… I think it’s still worth it. The ideal scenario is that you are coming mid-week. We’re a weekend park, we are slammed on the weekends.”

On the weekend, because of the high number of visitors, parking in designated areas at the National Park can become difficult and even impossible. The term “drive-thru” park has been used to describe Joshua Tree on it’s busiest days, leading to frustration among visitors who did not plan ahead.

“It can be super frustrating. I can see why; people come from all over to see this amazing place. You can just show up here and see how beautiful it is. And if the best that you can get from it on a busy weekend is just driving through and looking at the landscape, well I think that’s still worth it.”

“Again, we’re a weekend park, we are slammed on the weekends. But if you come on the weekdays you are going so if you can come on the weekdays you are going to have better luck finding something.” 

You can listen to Gary Daigneault’s full conversation with Ranger Linares by downloading the Z1077 Up Close Show as podcast.

Dawn Rowe holding public safety forum with Sheriff Dicus Wednesday, 2/28

By
Z107.7 News
-

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe is hosting a public safety forum with San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus in Joshua Tree this week.

The event will be held on Wednesday (February 28) and at the Joshua Tree Community Center at 4:30 p.m., and Supervisor Rowe and Sheriff Dicus will be discussing their work in the hi-desert and throughout the county answering questions from the public.

The Joshua Tree Community Center is located at 6171 Sunburst St. 

BallotMobile touring San Bernardino County with voter education and outreach programs

By
Z107.7 News
-

In November, the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters launched its first-ever traveling voter education pop-up, the BallotMobile, in advance of this current election year.

In the new year, the BallotMobile will visit all 24 San Bernardino County cities and several unincorporated communities. The BallotMobile: Traveling Voter Education tour began last week in Needles and will conclude the 2024 Presidential Primary Election tour at the Registrar of Voters headquarters on Election Day, March 5.

The two-month journey will deliver voter education resources to the furthest reaches of the county. Each pop-up will offer voter education materials, resources and outreach items. Plus, a ceremonial “golden ballot” will be on display, along with a San Bernardino County-inspired, Instagram-worthy backdrop for photo opportunities.

The BallotMobile is expected to visit Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms on Leap Day, February 29. Keep an eye out for the vehicle or visit Elections.SBCounty.gov/Community-Outreach/BallotMobile to find out more about the BallotMobile: Traveling Voter Education tour

Yucca Valley offering grants to non-profits and community groups through Measure Y

By
Z107.7 News
-

If you are a non-profit group doing work in Yucca Valley, the town’s government is offering grants to support non-profit and community group work. 

The Measure Y Partnership Funding Program provides supplemental funding opportunities for non-profit community groups that enhance the quality of life in Yucca Valley through programs and services. 

More than $100,000 total is available to be distributed in 2024, and any group working within the town is welcome to submit an application by April 15. Final approval of the Partnership funding will be awarded by the Town Council at a public meeting after the deadline.

The application deadline is Monday, April 15th at 5:00 p.m. All applications must be returned to Town Hall at the address listed in the guidelines and instructions. Application forms and instructions can be accessed on the Town’s website at https://www.yucca-valley.org/our-town/measures-y-and-z, in the Spotlight on the main page or can be requested via e-mail by contacting Bree Francis at [email protected]. 

For any questions, contact Iryna Hess, Accounting Technician by email at [email protected] or by calling 760-369-7207.

Measure W info and background

By
Z107.7 News
-

The following is a brief timeline of Measure W – the controversial fire fee that makes up a large portion of the San Bernardino County Fire Department’s annual budget.

For a more comprehensive background and discussion of the measure, you can listen to an interview with County Fire Chief Dan Munsey and 3rd District Representative Dawn Rowe on the “Up Close Show with Gary Daigneault” below:

  • June 2018 – The County Board of Supervisors clears the way for a “protest vote” to expand FP-5 to include all of the county’s unincorporated areas. Property owners in the affected areas would have be charged a $157 assessment with an annual 3% increase and no cap. 
  • Aug. 2018 – Then San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mike Hartwig tells affected communities the expansion and assessment will help SB County Fire close a $29 million budget shortfall.
  • Sept. 2018 – A 30-day protest vote among property owners begins. Those opposed were required to procure a protest form, fill it in, provide an envelope and stamp, and mail to the Registrar of Voters (ROV). 50% of property owners are needed to stop the tax, but fewer than 3% protest votes received which county views as 97% voter approval.
  • Nov. 2018 – Two lawsuits were filed seeking preliminary injunctions to stop the fire fee. The lawsuits argued it’s a tax and should require 2/3rd majority of voter approval. The Plaintiffs are Red Brennan Group and community groups from Homestead, Lucerne, and Johnson Valleys. The lawsuits fail.
  • Jan. 2019 – Chief Hartwig leaves the county to serve as Chief in Santa Barbara County.  James Ramos, who supported the expansion and fee, moves to State Assembly.  
  • Dan Munsey is named new SB County Fire Chief. Dawn Rowe appointed as new 3rd District Supervisor.
  • April 2019 – Judge denies Brennan Group’s request for injunction on three grounds. Plaintiffs did not “adequately explain why” the county could not annex 19,000 square miles; the state constitution has a “pay now, litigate later” clause. Third point based on a technicality.
  • June 2019 – Supervisors temporarily suspend FP-5’s  3% increase. Property owners still pay the $157. County BOS gives staff 90 days to come up with funding plan for county fire, and promises a sunset date for the 3% annual increase.
  • Sept. 2019 – 90 days pass, but county CEO fails to bring viable funding alternative.  No sunset date on the 3% increases ever mentioned again.
  • Nov. 2020 – Voters narrowly defeat Measure U, which would have repealed FP-5 fee.
  • July 2021 – Supervisors approve another 3% increase bringing total to $162. The tax generates $43 million that County Fire says is necessary for service. 
  • Jan. 2022 – Red Brennan gathers enough signatures to obligate Supervisors to repeal FP-5 tax or submit initiative to voters on the June ballot.
  • June 2022 – Repeal of FP-5 tax placed on ballot as Measure Z and overwhelmingly passed, but Judge rules Red Brennan’s characterization of tax as “unconstitutional” was incorrect, therefore falsely presented and thus overturns Measure Z results.
  • Oct. 2023 – ROV certifies signatures once again forcing BOS to repeal special tax or send to voters. They put it on March 2024 ballot.  
  • March 2024 – FP-5 tax generates $47.5 million, or 19% of County Fire budget.  Measure W represents 3rd chance for voters to repeal the tax.  

A “NO” vote keeps tax in place; a :”YES” repeals the tax.

Previously Reported:

Yucca Valley Town Council packs meeting with FP-5, STR, Aquatic Center and budget updates
CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS FIGHTS REPEAL OF FP-5 FIRE TAX
RED BRENNAN GROUP REUNITES THE FIGHT AGAINST FP-5
COUNTY FIRE CHIEF DISCUSSED THE REPEAL OF FP-5 ON Z107-7 FRIDAY

Get that 90’s Blockbuster feeling for free right here in the hi-dez

By
Robert Haydon
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90’s nostalgia is pretty popular right now – most weekends you can spot toddlers wearing Nirvana shirts and online there is plenty of pining for a time when video rental chains like Blockbuster held all your evening’s entertainment within their walls – a curated but limited selection of movies that forced you to finish what you were watching no matter what the quality of the flick was. In a world of unlimited streaming where you can ostensibly watch anything you want – this old model of movie delivery feels like a throwback that most people want to leave in the past. However, there is an advantage to heading to a physical location for your movie procurement, and if you find yourself endlessly scrolling streaming services just to find something to watch – there is a great and FREE alternative that can add that “browsing blockbuster” feeling to your movie nights.

Documentaries, family films and TV are all available for free from your local libraries

That’s your local library. I was at the Yucca Valley branch this week and while perusing periodicals I was drawn to the DVD wall that was filled with movies and TV shows. Your library card is for much more than just books, and spending a few minutes browsing the wide selection of movies reminded me what is so great about physical media and finding a flick in a physical location.

First off – steaming is getting more expensive with some services adding commercials even if you pay for the service. Then, there is the selection. The promise of endless movies and TV is only as good as the services that provide the content – with plenty of examples of movies that are inexplicably pulled from apps without any way of accessing them. It feels like I’m served the same ten movies on each streaming service – the algorithm endlessly trying to weasel entertainment it thinks I will like rather than what i’m really looking for.

I left the library with a couple great movies that hadn’t shown up on my radar for years. Most DVDs are free to borrow for 7 days with your San Bernardino Library Card – and DVD players are still plentiful in retail stores and thrift shops. The next time you find yourself endlessly scrolling through the same apps – do a little time traveling and cruise to your closest library for a throwback experience that scores you some free entertainment.

RustFest II at Simi Dabah Sculpture Park this weekend

By
Heather Clisby
-

Listen here:

One of the joys of desert living is the seemingly endless space to create without boundaries. ‘RustFest II’, an art event held in Joshua Tree this weekend, celebrates this freedom and the large-scale art that enables it.

Drive in any direction here in the Morongo Basin, and you will likely spot the large iron sculptures of Simi Dabah. Whether it’s alongside Highway 62, at Copper Mountain College, at the Park & Ride in Yucca Valley, at Sky’s The Limit or Theatre 29 in Twentynine Palms, you likely have passed Dabah’s work without realizing – it’s all from one guy.

To see many of these sculptures in one place, consider ‘RustFest II’, a Sunday afternoon celebration of rusty art being held at the Simi Dabah Sculpture Park. Now 96, Dabah has retired, but his remaining sculptures are spread out over the park’s nine acres.

Ben Allanoff, an accomplished metal sculptor in his own right and a caretaker of the property, created RustFest last year to celebrate rust-ic art and the built-in evolution that comes with it.

“So, the sculpture that’s rusting to me it’s a kind of ‘alive-ness’ because it’s changing over time, as opposed to something that’s perfect and static,” said Allanoff. “And the landscape here is colored by oxidation of iron in the soil. So, we’re basically surrounded by it.”

In addition to the works of Dabah and Allanoff, RustFest II will also feature fellow metal sculptor Bobby Furst, and textile artist, Suzan Friedland, among others. There will be interactive installations and visitors are encouraged to bring their own strips of material for the wood-and-fiber creations.

Local musician Robbi Robb and his jam band will provide the musical background while the Wurst Wagen will be serving up “brats & dogs” to hungry visitors.

Simi Dabah Sculpture Park is located at 5255 Sunfair Road in Joshua Tree. RustFest II is on Sunday, February 25, and kicks off at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free.

BoxoPROJECTS features open studio exhibition of Alex Tedlie-Stursberg works on 2/25

By
Charlie Thomas
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BoxoPROJECTS will host an open studio exhibition featuring Artist-in-Residence Alex Tedlie-Stursberg on Saturday February 25. 

Alex Tedlie-Stursberg is a multidisciplinary artist and educator working across various mediums with a key focus on sculpture and installation. On Sunday, February 24, BoxoPROJECTS will host an exhibition of his work at their gallery at 62732 Sullivan Road in Joshua Tree. While in residence at BoxoPROJECTS, British Columbia native Tedlie-Stursberg is conducting research to investigate the history and socioeconomics of local places through objects and materials, while reflecting on the formal qualities of the region’s landscape, straddling a blurry line somewhere between folk art and contemporary art. The exhibition will run from 2PM – 5PM.

Artist website: alextedliestursberg.com

BoxoPROJECTS is located at 62732 Sullivan Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252. Highway 62 to White Feather, south on White Feather to Sullivan, west on Sullivan). Please do not use GPS though Google Maps and Waze directions are correct.

Save the date for Twentynine Palms Carnival in March

By
Z107.7 News
-

Save the date – the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club carnival is returning next month. Currently scheduled for March 21st to the 24th – the carnival is always a great spot for family-friendly fun with members of your community.

The carnival will transform Luckie Park, a bustling boardwalk of thrill rides, delicious food stands, and of course – those tenaciously tempting carnival games where you can try and win a spongebob that will barely fit in your backseat.

Twentynine Palms Rotary president Daniel Mintz says that the club is grateful for the support of all the volunteers and city staff that makes events like the rotary carnival possible. Save the date for next month’s event on the 21st – and Z107.7 will have updates on ticket prices, carnival hours and vendor opportunities when we get them.

Twentynine Palms man in court on suspected domestic assault, possession of tear gas

By
Z107.7 News
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A convicted felon is facing charges of domestic assault and possession of tear gas.

Steve Harwood, a 52 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, was in San Bernardino County Court this week where he entered a “not guilty” plea on several felony charges including inflicting injury on a spouse/cohabitant, assault with a deadly weapon, and a misdemeanor charge of being a convicted felon in possession of tear gas.

The charges are related to an October 6 incident, but Harwood was arrested on Friday, February 16 in Palm Springs, and Harwood was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on $125,000 bail.

Harwood was arrested in March of 2019 on suspicion of attempting to murder his then-girlfriend. In 2015, Harwood was arrested for investigation into felony child abuse and domestic assault. 

“Leap Year” a popular date for those looking for a unique anniversay

By
Z107.7 News
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One wedding was licensed in Joshua Tree on Valentine’s Day at The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s mobile unit, which pulled into Joshua Tree on the romantic holiday, and the county is again preparing for more hi-desert of weddings on Leap Day next week.

The unique, once-in-every-4-years holiday is another popular day for weddings, and the County office is ready for wedding needs. As the county reminds you, anyone married on leap day only needs to remember their anniversary once every four years.

Though the County’s mobile unit won’t be present in Joshua Tree on Leap Day, the mobile unit will be present on Wednesday, February 28, and the government building always offers marriage services, in addition to Document Recording, Fictitious Business Name Statement Filings, and Official Record (Deed) copies at the Bob Burke Government building in Joshua Tree, located at 63665 29 Palms Hwy.  

Adobe Mara Art walk in Twentynine Palms tonight (2/23)

By
Heather Clisby
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Art lovers take note. Tonight, Black Cactus, a community work space in Twentynine Palms, is hosting the Adobe Mara Arts Walk, a cultural event that begins at 6:00 p.m.

Highlights of the event include live music, art, and a photography exhibit featuring the creations of the late artist, Noah Purifoy. The event will be book-ended at two locations: Black Cactus Co-Working at 6259 Adobe Rd, and Jeanine Beauty Supply at 73666 Joshua Dr. – both in Twentynine Palms. The ‘walk’ portion of the event covers the .2 miles between the locations. Attendees will have an opportunity to buy art, meet the artists, and attend art-discussion panels.

Kicking off a new initiative in Twentynine Palms, Black Cactus aims to host a similar event on the last Friday of every month; the February event will be tonight, February 23, in celebration of Black History Month.

For more info, visit https://bccw.space/bhm.

Morongo Basin Unity Home holding fundraiser next weekend for Teen Dating Violence awareness

By
Z107.7 News
-

The Morongo Basin Unity Home, which provides assistance to victims of domestic violence, is holding a fundraiser next weekend, and they want the community to go “all in” on ending teen dating violence. 

Unity Home’s fundraiser will feature casino games, jazz music, silent and dessert auctions along with a photobooth. The event is being held in conjunction with National Teen Dating Violence Awareness month, all funds raised from this event will be directly applied to assisting victims of domestic Violence in their day to day activities. This is one of the Unity Home’s biggest fundraisers of the year. 

The event is tomorrow, February 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here: ‘ALL IN’ TO END TEEN DATING VIOLENCE Tickets, Sat, Feb 24, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Joshua Tree VFW serving up Fish and Chips tonight

By
Z107.7 News
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The Joshua Tree VFW is hosting a Fish and Chips Dinner tonight.

Come on down and get some fish, french fries, coleslaw and onion rings.

The dinner is happening tonight at the Joshua Tree VFW, located at 6402 Veterans Way, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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