Dispatch: Week of December 13
State awards $50 million for Indian Canyon improvements, plus 2024's new laws
Hello from California’s high desert. The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak tonight and early tomorrow morning. With clear skies forecasted and a new moon, we should be treated to quite the show.
Onto this week’s news:
In local news:
The California Transportation Commission has allocated $50 million for improvements on Indian Canyon Drive that aim to reduce flooding- and wind-related closures. The project was among the state’s highest priority.
Local authorities are searching for Jacqualine Murray, 38, after she was reported missing in Twentynine Palms. Murray was last seen leaving a relative’s house on Raymond Way on November 25. If you see her or have any information on her whereabouts, please contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at (760) 366-4175.
Yucca Valley Town Council member Robert Lombardo was nominated and selected to serve as Mayor. Council member Jeff Drozd will serve as Mayor Pro Tem.
The Town of Yucca Valley officially adopted Ordinance No. 307, which allows non-storefront, delivery-only medicinal marijuana dispensaries and marijuana delivery within town boundaries.
The Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District is delaying its application process for businesses seeking funding to host or sponsor community events for 2024 after some residents said the December 31 deadline was too short.
The board has already allocated roughly $20,000 of its $200,000 budget for 2024, and those who have already been approved can move forward as planned.
San Bernardino County Fire Department firefighters are now accepting toy drive donations at the Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley fire stations through Friday, December 15.
Yucca Valley Town Council denied a motion that would open Gates of Spain Mobile Home Park to residents of all ages in a meeting last week. Gates of Spain is currently only available to residents age 55 and up.
White Rock Ranch Horse Rescue is hosting a bake sale and holiday fundraiser this weekend with funds benefiting their rescue operations. The event will run from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, at 733 Geronimo Trail in Yucca Valley.
Attendees can take pictures with Santa and the Grinch along with White Rock Ranch’s rescue horses.
There is still time to order a Christmas pie from Boo’s Organic Bakery! Boo is accepting orders now until her roster is full. Pick-up is either December 22 or December 23, and she will be closed from December 24 through December 28. You can call to place your order at 760-974-9777
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is hosting a family-friendly bird walk on December 19 at 8 a.m. Space is limited, so registration is recommended: MyRecreationDistrict.com/Outoor
Pappy + Harriet’s is hosting a holiday donation drive for the Joshua Tree No-Kill Animal Shelter. You can bring donations to Pappy’s or donate directly via their Instagram page.
The Toys for 29 Giveaway is tomorrow, December 14, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. inside the gym at Freedom Plaza. Attendees must provide proof of Twentynine Palms residency to participate.
San Bernardino County is providing residents with vouchers for spay or neuter procedures for pets. Residents in unincorporated San Bernardino County are eligible for a $150 voucher for dogs or $75 voucher for cats.
To request a voucher, please call Pet Over Population Coalition at 888-767-2550 or email info@popco-inc.org
In state news:
There is a slate of new state laws taking effect in 2024. Here’s a quick overview of what’s to come:
SB 616: Increases an employee's entitled paid sick leave from three days to five.
SB 673: Creates the emergency Ebony Alert system to help find missing Black women and youth, who make up a disproportionate share of all missing people.
AB 12: Limits security deposits for a new apartment to just one month of rent starting in July.
SB 407: Directs the California Department of Social Services to ensure LGBTQ youth are placed with supportive and gender-affirming foster parents.
AB 663: Allows mobile pharmacies to provide treatment for opioid use.
AB 1084: Requires department stores with at least 500 employees in California to maintain a gender-neutral section of children's toys.
AB 261: Establishes the California golden chanterelle as the official state mushroom.
Minimum wage increase: The statewide minimum wage will rise to $16 on January 1, up from $15.50. Minimum wage for fast food workers will increase to $20 an hour in April.
In other news:
André Braugher, one of the stars of 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and 'Homicide,' died on Tuesday. He was 61.
Golden Globe nominations came out this week. How are you feeling about the selection? The awards ceremony will air January 7, but a host has yet to be named.
Tesla recalled more than 2 million vehicles — nearly all of its vehicles currently on the road — due to its autopilot software. The recall comes after a two-year-long investigation into the software’s role in Tesla accidents.
Pupdate of the week: I’ve been using this dog vision filter when shopping for new toys for the pups, and many of my usual picks were duds! I had no idea! Turns out, blue toys are almost always a winner, and it explains why Alice will only chase blue balls in the yard. Alice’s birthday and Oliver’s gotcha day are both coming up, and I can’t wait to see their reactions.
Trail tip of the week: Another reminder for pet parents — dogs are only allowed in certain areas of Joshua Tree National Park. They can go within 100 feet of the road, in campgrounds, and on dirt roads (but not trails) within the park’s boundaries and must be leashed. The rules are to protect them as well as the local wildlife, so please keep them in mind next time you venture out.
Read of the week: I’ve only just started Wintering by Katherine May, but it’s been recommended to me multiple times by people whose reading taste I trust. It’s a look at how we can better navigate hard times, times of disruption, or times of stillness. It’s the perfect way to change how we think about winter hibernation, the shorter but colder days, and how some rest can set us up for great things to come.
Watch of the week: I’m turning away from the TV this week and instead watching the flock of birds that has moved into our yard. I love this time of year when all the migratory species make their way through our area and mingle with the year-round residents. The days are short but the birds are active — our resident owl has been hanging out on a power pole most evenings, the neighborhood juvenile hawk is making his rounds all day, and the sparrows are out every morning pecking around the yard.
That’s it for this week! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and are able to get outside.
- Megan
Great issue 👍 as always. Blue, Who Knew?!