An arrest was made as part of a murder investigation that began yesterday morning (January 5) in Joshua Tree.
According to San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department records, deputies responded to a call in the 6600 block of White Feather Road in Joshua Tree at approximately 1:32 a.m. The call was not initially reported as a homicide, but upon arrival, deputies investigated it as such.
The specific location of the arrest was not reported, but the area of the report includes Hi-Desert Medical Center, the San Bernardino County Government Building, which includes the Sheriff’s Morongo Basin Station, and some residences.
Records show that an arrest was not initially made at the scene, but by 4:00 p.m. yesterday, a suspect in the investigation was taken into custody.
A representative from the Sheriff’s Department confirmed that there is an investigation into the incident, and said that further details about the investigation will be released today. Stay tuned to Z107.7 for updates on this story.
Image Credit: Protect Chuckwalla National Monument
U.S. President Joe Biden will be in the California Desert tomorrow, in what is expected to be an official announcement regarding the Chuckwalla National Monument.
A press release from the White House indicates that he and First Lady Jill Biden have a visit scheduled for “Eastern Coachella” some time Tuesday. Additional details about the visit are not known as of this morning. There has been no official statement regarding the purpose of his visit to Coachella, however reports say that the visit is related to a proposed monument for the Chuckwalla area connected to Joshua Tree National Park.
The “Monument” designation for the area is a relatively recent movement, championed by local Native American Tribal organizations and elected officials at the state level. It would be within the President’s power to designate such a monument, but no official statement has been made by the White House.
The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument is 660,000 acres south of Interstate 10 and north of the Chocolate Mountains, butting up against Joshua Tree National Park and stretching east almost to the Colorado River.
On a recent Z107.7 Up Close Show, host Gary Daigneault was joined by Clayton Rardon and Jakub Kusmieruk from the Yucca Valley Parks and Recreation Department. Rardon discussed the Town’s recent reinvigoration of their public art program, accompanied by a funding initiative. Daigneuat asked about the art work adorning electrical boxes at commercial properties throughout town. Gary asked about them, and Rardon said:
“And they, I mean, they last a long time. As far as public art goes it’s something that people really get behind.. it does a lot for the area. We have a lot of good ones. So we’ve done six so far. The next round will be at six or eight more at high-visibility, high-traffic locations in town, and that will be launching later in 2025”
You can hear their full conversation by listening to the Up Close Show as a podcast or listen below:
Starting this Wednesday, the City of Twentynine Palms kicks off their new session of yoga classes. Designed for all ages and skill levels, every Wednesday at the Luckie Park Activity Center promises a full day of yoga sessions. Doula Supinda Siri leads classes for seniors, teens, parents, pregnant women and everyone in between. Most classes are drop-in and cost about $15, though senior yoga is free.
If you miss yoga this Wednesday, classes are set to continue four Wednesdays a month for the foreseeable future.
For the full schedule, and information about signing up for classes in bulk you can call 760-206-6467
CHP Senior Volunteer Mel Pickens, CHP Officer Mike Radford, and CHP Senior Volunteer Dian McCullough collecting toys at the “CHiPs for Kids” kickoff event in Yucca Valley. Photo: Jef Harmatz
The California Highway Patrol once again conducted their annual “CHiPs for Kids” toy drive this holiday season. Officer Michael Radford from the CHP’s Morongo Basin Station said that they received over 2300 donated toys and gifts from local residents.
Eight CHP officers, along with four senior volunteers and a member of the CHPs clerical staff distributed the toys to approximately 1000 children between December 17th and December 24th.
Officer Radford said that the drive was, “a great success due to the hard work and generosity of many people of the Morongo Basin. We are very thankful to all involved.”
As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, distinguishing between human-created and AI-generated content becomes more challenging. The CA Transparency Act aims to provide clarity for consumers, protect against misinformation, and ensure accountability in the use of AI technology. The law will affect industries ranging from media and entertainment to healthcare and education.
The CA Transparency Act mandates that any business operating in California that uses AI-generated content must label it as such to help consumers make informed decisions. The legislation could have far-reaching implications on media and news, where AI is increasingly used to write articles and produce visuals. This law will ensure that readers know when content is AI-generated.
This law will ensure transparency in content creation in education, including learning materials and tools such as ChatGPT.
Businesses using AI-generated advertisements or customer service tools must disclose their use.
This law represents a step toward increased trust in online and digital interactions. Knowing whether an article, image, or video is AI-generated empowers people to critically evaluate content critically, reducing the risk of deception or manipulation.
While the law doesn’t take effect until 2026, experts say it’s vital in preparing California for AI’s evolving role in everyday life. Critics argue that implementation could be challenging, especially for small businesses. Supporters counter that transparency is crucial in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
California is a leader in regulating AI, and the CA Transparency Act could set a national precedent for ethical AI use.
Image Credit: Protect Chuckwalla National Monument
On August 10, Joshua Tree National Park celebrated a birthday – 83 years ago the area was designated a national monument by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. That original effort was almost single handedly championed by the original desert defender – Minerva Hoyt, who used her generational wealth and passion for the desert to have the 825,000 acres protected as a monument in 1936. It took her over 20 years, and there was talk about naming the park after her. Instead, she has the Miernva Hoyt trail right by the Hidden Valley picnic area, a short 4 mile loop that explores a fraction of the land she loved.
Then, on October 31st, 1994 – Joshua Tree National Monument was elevated to National Park status when the Desert Protection Act was signed in by then President Bill Clinton. The change was slightly semantic in nature – monuments tend to be land reserved by the Department of the Interior because they contain objects of historic, prehistoric, or scientific interest – whereas a National Park probably contains those things but also has a large amount of recreational and educational value. With Joshua Tree National Park topping over 3 million visitors a year, the park has become one of the most popular out of the 63 total national parks.
Chuckwalla National Monument (maybe)
Now – a similar swath of land adjacent to the park is hoping for the same treatment. The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument is 660,000 acres south of Interstate 10 and north of the Chocolate Mountains, butting up against Joshua Tree National Park and stretching east almost to the Colorado River.
The proposed national monument is relying on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the new National Monument. That law grants US Presidents the power to use a presidential proclamation to designate federal lands as protected. It was originally used by Roosevelt to designate Grand Canyon National Park amongst 16 others back at the turn of the century.
Senators, conservationists, scientists and nature loving citizens have urged the President to designate the monument, and time is running out. President-elect Donald Trump’s policies in his first term were notoriously unfriendly to public lands and the federal policies protecting them. During his first term, one of President Trump’s first actions in public land policy was to reduce Bears Ears and Grand Staircase National Monuments in Utah – largely seen as a retaliatory measure since Barack Obama had proclaimed Bears Ears a National Monument in 2016.
If Chuckwalla National Monument were established by President Biden, it would then take an action from Congress to move it from “Monument” to “National Park” status.
While the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument doesn’t appear to have natural resources that would be of interest to the gas, oil or energy industries, the monument could still be in the crosshairs of the new administration if President Biden declares it a monument. Those are two big “ifs” – and supporters of the nascent national monument can only wait and see if President Biden will designate the land for protection, only to see it undone in the first few weeks of President Trump’s second term.
Among the many new California laws going into effect as of January 1st, the horizons of community college students are being streamlined with Assemblyman McCarty’s AB1291, or the University of California Associate Degree for Transfer Pilot Program, which will guarantee them transfer to a UC campus and save students money by offering the chance to earn two degrees in four years.
Beginning with UCLA, the program will prioritize admission of students earning an associate degree for transfer, or ADT, from selected community colleges and redirect those students who meet those requirements despite their denied admission to the applicable campus, offering admission to at least one other campus. In other words, a student may not get their first choice of UC school but will be guaranteed enrollment in another UC school if they meet general criteria.
Expanding these ADTs to the UC system will allow qualified community college transfer students to fulfil the requirements of an ADT as well as meeting criteria for participating UC and CSU campuses, which will streamline the transfer process and save students money and time with the chance to earn two degrees in four years.
However, all the specific majors have yet to be determined, and under the Donahoe Higher Education Act, The University of California will have to declare at least eight majors by the 2026-27 school year, and at least twelve by 2028-29. At least four of the majors will be in science, technology, engineering, or math fields. It should be noted that though this is going into effect as of January 1st, the transfers won’t be applicable until the 2026-27 school year.
The 29 Palms Art Gallery will host an art reception on Saturday, January 4th to celebrate the January exhibition. The gallery will be open all day, and reception hospitality will be served on the gallery patio from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
The public is invited to attend and meet the artists. Admission is free.
Featured in the West Wing in January is “JTNP Dramatic Light Series” by Craig Barnes of Yucca Valley. Using oil paint and impasto medium, brushes, palette knives and his fingers, he produces art with varied layers, textures, and thickness.
The East Gallery features a show titled “Abstract landscapes” by Jyll Ethier-Mullen of Glendale. Jyll draws from the organic colors, lines, and shapes of homestead landscapes, embracing the essence of both East and West coasts.
The exhibition will be on display at the gallery January 3-26, open Friday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Joshua Tree Highlands Artists Residency (JTHAR) was founded nearly two decades ago. It continues to provide opportunities for artists to immerse themselves in their work and experience the Morongo Basin’s unique desert beauty. Artists apply through cafe.org once a year, and the board reviews the applications to select approximately 10 artists annually. Now, it’s two to three artists at a time for a seven-week residency three times a year in the spring, fall, and winter. The artists receive housing, studio space, a small stipend, and the chance to connect with the local community, an essential part of the experience. Other resident opportunities are provided as funding allows. Some past residents return when space is available to continue their work.
Frederick Fulmer, a painter and an art teacher, and James Berg, an accomplished screen and television writer, are the Residency’s founding fathers and board members.
Berg said, “Our mission is simple: give artists uninterrupted time and space to focus on their creativity. Many have told us their time here has been life-changing.”
During their Residency, the artists create new works and participate in an open studio event where they showcase their art to the local community.
As a nonprofit organization, JTHAR continually raises funds to provide artists with opportunities. However, it is essential to raise funds for next year’s residents by the end of this year. Contributions are tax-deductible, and support is greatly appreciated and directly benefits the artists.
The Residency hosts emerging and established artists, and its alumni have shown their work in New York, Europe, and beyond. Notable past resident Sandy Rodriguez received the Alma Ruiz Fellowship, underscoring the Residency’s global reach and impact.
Berg explains the rigorous selection process: “We have seven-week sessions throughout the year, but applications close on December 15. They just closed in 2024, and we’ll pick the artists for the 2025 and 26 seasons. Every year, we have a call that ends on December 15.”
The board members then meet at the end of January to review all the applications, discuss them, and announce the artists in mid-February.
“We take great care in choosing the artists. It’s a democratic process involving all board members, and we deeply respect the journey of every applicant.”
The Residency thrives on community support, and Fulmer emphasizes the importance of donations. There are also incentives to donate. “From January to March,” Fulmer said,” we have an artist from Canada, Edward Wan Fu Chen, a paper maker and a printmaker.” He’s offering paper-making workshops during his January to March stay in Joshua Tree. Funds received will go directly to him. Chen graciously is also providing Homemade silk-screened tea towels from his California imaged art to donors of $250 or more. Sandy Rodriguez, from Los Angeles, now at LACMA, the Hammer, and the Huntington, is offering a print of a Joshua Tree on a mate paper for donors of $1,000 or More. But any amount is appreciated, and you can meet the artists, spend time with them, and become part of the JTHAR family.
Berg said, “Every dollar goes directly to the artists—covering their supplies, living space, and expenses. It’s a tangible way to support the arts and the creative spirit that thrives here in Joshua Tree.”
Theatre 29 will hold auditions for their Spring show, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 6:00pm.
“A Streetcar Named Desire” dramatizes the experiences of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle who, after encountering a series of personal losses, leaves her once-prosperous situation to move into a shabby apartment in New Orleans rented by her younger sister Stella and brother-in-law Stanley.
If you are interested in auditioning, bring your resume or a list of your acting experience and be prepared to read from the script alongside fellow auditionees. Some familiarity with the script would be ideal, and no prepared monologue is necessary.
“A Streetcar Named Desire” will run for nine performances from February 28 – March 16, 2025, with an opening night hosted by the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club.
The roles of Stanley and Blanch have been cast – but all other roles are available:
STELLA—25–35. WIFE to STANLEY. Stella is much warmer than the world in which she lives. She is a newlywed and expecting her first child.
EUNICE—40’S–60’S. WIFE/PARTNERED to STEVE. EUNICE is humorous, kind-natured, and strong. She is that salt-of-the-earth woman who has lived EVERYTHING by the time we meet her.
MITCH—Mid 30’s to late 40’s. A Tall and Large man. MITCH is one of the more kind and decent people in this play.
STEVE—50’s–60’s. HUSBAND to EUNICE. A bit worn. Steve is a relic of a rabble-rouser who raised plenty of hell in his day. He is constantly making inappropriate jokes
PABLO—20’s–40’s. Mexican American. Joyful, friendly, one of the Poker Pack. Pablo’s contributions to the conversation often bring a fair degree of common sense.
GEE – A BLACK WOMAN—30’s–50’s. A staple-figure of the neighborhood. A deep friend to EUNICE.
A MEXICAN WOMAN—30’s–50’s. sells flowers in the neighborhood. Her presence is mournful and haunting.
A TAMALE VENDOR—20’s–50’s. Mexican-American.
A YOUNG COLLECTOR—18–20. – Young, ambitious, sweet-natured, and attractive. This person is a student, studying medicine to become a Doctor.
A DOCTOR—30’s–50’s. Not without kindness. The Doctor is the iconic figure to whom Blanche says, “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
A NURSE—20’s–50’s. The NURSE— A peculiarly sinister figure in her severe dress. Her voice is bold and toneless as a fireball.” The NURSE will likely be doubled with another character for a single performer.
A SAILOR—30’s. Attractive, sparky. We encounter THE SAILOR at the beginning of the play, headed toward a date. The SAILOR will likely be doubled with another character for a single performer.
After opening night, Tickets are $20.00 for General Admission, Seniors and Military $17.50, and $15.00 for Students with ID, service fee is included. Because of mature themes the show is not recommended for children under 16. Tickets are available at theatre29.org or by calling the Theater 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151
Theatre 29 was founded in 1999 and is an all-volunteer, non-profit Community Theatre organization. Donations are being actively sought and will be greatly appreciated.
To help ensure Californians can take the time they need to care for themselves and their families when they’ve fallen ill or for medical emergencies, SB 616 entitles an employee five paid sick days if the employee works in California for the same employer for 30 or more days within a year from the commencement of employment.
The law requires the leave to be accrued at a rate of no less than one hour for every 30 hours worked, and to be available for use beginning on the 90th day of employment.
SB 616 additionally requires an employee will have no less than 40 hours of accrued sick leave or paid time off by the 200th calendar day of employment or each calendar year, or in each 12-month period.
Employers will have procedural requirements regarding the use of their employees paid sick days, including prohibiting retaliation for using paid sick days, prohibiting the imposition of certain conditions on the use of paid sick days, and requiring the use of paid sick days for specified health care and situations.
On Monday, December 30th deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 73000 block of Sunnyslope Drive in Twentynine Palms to investigate a 911 call reporting a woman stealing mail from multiple mailboxes. Deputies say that during a search for the suspect, they identified Lisa Alanis near the intersection of Sunnyslope Drive and Bagley Avenue. Deputies detained the suspect and say they found a box in her possession containing several pieces of mail.
In the press release about the arrest, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said Proposition 36 titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act” was applied in this instance. In that same press release, the Sheriff’s Department says that that Prop 36 includes several new Penal And Health and Safety Codes that deputies were able to apply during arrests, which they say will carry enhanced sentencing and prevent offenders from being cited and released prior to a court appearance.
Lisa Alanis was arrested for suspicion of petty theft with priors and was transported to the Morongo Basin jail for booking.
The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review and filing.
The Town of Yucca Valley was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting in October, 2024. This marks the 19th consecutive year the Town has received this prestigious award.
In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, the Town must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. The report is reviewed by an impartial panel of judges who affirm the high standards of the program, including the Town’s efforts to clearly communicate its financial story and encourage residents and other groups to engage with the report.
The Town says their continued designation would not be possible without the efforts of the Town’s Finance Department under the leadership of Finance Manager Jordan Gumbish. The department is dedicated to maintaining the Town’s financial and accounting systems and ensuring accurate and timely financial information is available to the Town Council and other departments.
The Red Falcon Yucca Valley Dispensary opened for regular business on December 7, making it the first legal marijuana dispensary in the town. The dispensary is at the southeast corner of Highway 62 and Camino Del Cielo, on 30 acres of sovereign land belonging to the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. The Tribe has plans to expand its developments at the site, eventually adding a travel center, convenience store, and gas station. Yucca Valley is the Red Falcon Dispensary in operation; locations in Coachella and Twentynine Palms opened earlier this year.
On December 7, the Red Falcon Yucca Valley Dispensary saw 50 patrons in the first hour of opening, significantly increased from the opening day of the Twentynine Palms location. The building is currently a pre-fabricated metal unit; Mark Malatesta, a representative for the Red Falcon project, explained that this building is a temporary structure intended to gauge space and concept designs that fit the community’s needs. The Tribe plans to open a brick-and-mortar dispensary eventually, with a lounge attached. All marijuana products sold in the Red Falcon Dispensaries are produced at their 50,000-square-foot cultivation facility in Coachella.
Daniel Salgado, the Vice President of Business Development for the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, believes that the two-stage format will work in the favor of both the Town and the Tribe.
“We think that it’s going to have a very positive impact on the community. We’re going to have the ability to analyze and figure out exactly what offering this community really wants and supports.”
Red Falcon has been in development for approximately five years, with the first planting taking place in November of 2023. Looking forward, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians intends to expand the business by collaborating with other tribal nations across Southern California, namely those with operating casinos.
The Red Falcon Yucca Valley Dispensary is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 pm.
Reach Out Morongo Basin has released a series of events at the senior center in Twentynine Palms for 2025.
On Wednesdays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., enjoy Chair Yoga where you can improve your flexibility, balance, strength, and overall health and wellness.
Starting on January 14th, you can BINGOcize which is a fun way to be more active. The 10-week health promotion program combines gentle exercises for everyone alongside BINGO. The exercises are for everyone – sitting or standing. That will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
On the second Monday of each month, an Art Socialization Program sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association will be taking place.
And a free intergenerational art activity called “Transitions thru time: Art and Aging” will take place on Sunday, January 29th.
All of these activities will be taking place at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center at 6539 Adobe Road in 29 Palms. For more information – see this link on our website or call the senior center at 760-361-1410
Lawyer Zulu Ali and Arthur Davies during Davies' first trial
Arthur Davies – the man found guilty on charges related to the death of one year-old Parker Schumacher has been sentenced to 25 years to life.
Arthur Davies, 41, was found guilty on counts of involuntary manslaughter and assault on a child causing death on November 20. It was the second trial for Davies after a 2023 trial ended in a not-guilty verdict for the charge of murder, and a mistrial on the felony assault on a child causing death.
A sentencing hearing scheduled for Friday (December 20) was delayed over juror conduct.
For the charge of involuntary manslaughter the court imposed the upper term sentence of 4 years. For the second count of Assault of a Child Casuing Death, Davies is sentenced to 25 years to life, with parole eligibility. He also received credit for time served plus an additional credit for conduct, reducing his sentence by 2893 days, or a little over 8 years. Davies has been in custody since February of 2018 when he was arrested as the primary suspect in the toddler’s death.
Arthur Davies has been remanded to the custody of the Sheriff’s department to be delivered to the California Department of Corrections for Men in Chino, California.
California implemented the CARE Act in 2024. This legislation provides individuals struggling with severe mental health challenges, such as untreated schizophrenia, access to court-ordered care plans that prioritize support over punishment.
Under Senate Bill 42, beginning July 1, 2025, courts must notify original petitioners about ongoing CARE Act proceedings. Petitioners are those who brought the petition to the court, such as a family member, guardian, healthcare provider, or another party directly involved in advocating for the person in need of care. The added measure ensures transparency and keeps involved parties informed about the progress of care plans.
AB 170 is designed to improve access to justice by expanding remote technology in juvenile and civil court cases. This change ensures that courtrooms meet minimum technological standards while requiring regular reporting to maintain accountability.
Supporters of AB 170 believe remote proceedings offer more equitable access to justice for Californians who face barriers such as transportation challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or disabilities.
The benefits of Remote technology:
It allows people who cannot travel to court—due to distance, disability, or financial constraints—to participate in proceedings from their homes or nearby facilities.
It makes the judicial process more accessible for individuals living in rural areas or those with limited transportation options, directly affecting Morongo Basin residents.
Judges, attorneys, and litigants can communicate more effectively without the logistical delays of in-person meetings.
Remote technology reduces hearing wait times and speeds up case resolutions.
Individuals save money on travel, lodging, and time away from work.
Courts can manage resources more efficiently, potentially reducing overall costs.
Remote technology ensures that more parties, especially in juvenile and civil cases, can attend hearings or depositions, making it less likely for important stakeholders to miss proceedings due to scheduling conflicts.
The state says that AB 170 ensures that all participants have access to reliable and fair systems.
Copper Mountain College’s long-running literary journal HOWL is taking submissions for its 2025 issue and is also looking for donations to see the quality of its anthology continue.
CMC’s HOWL journal has been publishing student and community member written work and visual art since CMC Trustee Greg Gilbert founded the project in 1996. While students get priority to be published, HOWL accepts submissions from all community members from the Morongo Basin to condense the wide range of our area’s literary radiance. Whether you’re a writer, poet, or visual artist, the students and professors behind HOWL would love to see your creativity come to life within its pages, and for 2025, the project is offering cash awards. Submissions are now open with the deadline of March 11th, 2025. Send your work to Professor Robert Wanless at [email protected]
While the Copper Mountain College Foundation is proud to help fund the printing of HOWL, the Foundation is also asking for the public’s support for the project. Donations to help fund the publication are also accepted and greatly appreciated: Donate at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/cmchowl
The Bureau of Land Management will implement a temporary closure of public lands from Jan. 30 – Feb. 8, 2025, in the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area during the annual 2025 King of the Hammers.
The race is authorized by a BLM Special Recreation Permit and the BLM says that the temporary closure is necessary to facilitate public safety and provide an enhanced recreation experience for event participants and spectators.
The BLM approved a five-year public land closure for 10 days a year through 2027. Registered race spectators, participants, and race officials are exempt from the closure. Approximately 81,000 acres of the Johnson Valley Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area will be temporarily closed to public use and approximately 46,000 acres will be available for public use during the event.
The temporary closure complies with the management plan for the area, according to the BLM. Recreation areas nearby will remain open to the public including Stoddard Valley OHV Area.
