Dispatch: Week of December 4
Mountain lion success story, plus Twentynine Palms food drive
Hello from California’s high desert, and welcome to the final month of 2024.
Now for this week’s news:
In local news:
A female mountain lion found in Yucca Valley on May 30 was successfully rehabilitated in San Diego and released into the wild, the San Diego Humane Society announced Monday.
The mountain lion was found in Yucca Valley with soft tissue wounds consistent with an animal attack and was severely emaciated. She responded well to antibiotics and gained enough weight for release after months of care.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released a 294-page draft plan for protecting Joshua trees from imminent threats such as pesticides, climate change, cattle grazing, and wildfires.
You can read the full plan here. The plan was developed as part of the newly passed law to protect Joshua trees in California.
Postal workers in Twentynine Palms are holding a mailbox food drive on Saturday, December 7. Residents served by USPS in Twentynine Palms can place nonperishable items in their mailboxes prior to Saturday, December 7, when postal workers will collect them.
Reach Out Morongo Basin is hosting its annual holiday brunch potluck on Saturday, December 7, at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center. The brunch will begin at 11 a.m. and all attendees are asked to RSVP to let organizers know what dish they will be bringing. You can RSVP by calling 760-361-1410.
Desert Region Fire Safe is currently offering free home and property assessments for Morongo Basin homeowners. The assessment will gauge homeowners’ fire risk, and can suggest improvements that could help lower folks’ insurance premiums.
The Town of Yucca Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony is Wednesday, December 4, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Library Plaza.
Yucca Valley Holiday Cash Mob begins Thursday, December 5, and runs through Tuesday, December 10. Interested folks can spend at least $25 at any participating Yucca Valley business for a raffle ticket to win gift baskets from local businesses.
You can see the full list of participating businesses here. Happy shopping!
Tickets are still available for the 29 Palms Rock Rumble Royale, a bouldering competition and conservation event hosted by Cliffhanger Guides. The weekend kicks off on Friday, December 13, and concludes with a suite of events and talks on Saturday, December 14.
You can purchase tickets here.
In state news:
State lawmakers are working in a special session over the holidays as they prepare for the incoming Trump administration. Lawmakers have proposed a $25 million fund to help litigate some of the incoming administration’s proposed policies and help protect vulnerable populations.
Some moves include solidifying statewide support for abortion services and making funds to access abortion available to more residents in the state.
Leah Seneng, a 60-year-old art teacher in Merced County, has died roughly one month after she was bitten by a bat in her classroom. Seneng was presumed to have had rabies from the bite.
Cal State Channel Islands will receive roughly $400,000 annually to help students experiencing houselessness thanks to a state grant.
In other news:
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday and was met with widespread protests and demonstrations from pro-democracy residents. Lawmakers unanimously voted against the martial law declaration, ending the attempted coup.
This is a developing situation. Here are the most up-to-date reports.
Shoppers were expected to spend $13.2 billion on Cyber Monday, a 6% increase from spending in 2023.
Pupdate of the week: Alice and Oliver are both soaking in the calm and quiet after having guests in the house last week, and they’re both thoroughly enjoying the full spread of the bed while Andrew is traveling.
Trail tip of the week: Food is fuel! Always be sure to pack a snack or two for hikes — I made the rookie mistake of packing light last week and couldn’t figure out why I was so exhausted the rest of the day. Turns out hiking on an empty stomach will derail the rest of your day. So unless you have the ability for daytime naps, fuel up!
Read of the week: I’m currently slogging through a book I’ve already recommended, but my to-be-read pile has crested the ceiling ahead of the holidays. Some of my most anticipated reads are: Outlawed by Anna North, Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez, and Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.
Watch of the week: I finally hit play on Netflix’s Derry Girls, and not a moment too soon. The show is pure perfection — a short-form comedy following a band of high school students in Ireland in the 1990s. It is full of classic dry humor, unimpeachable timing, a classic 90s soundtrack, and some of the best written characters I’ve recently had the pleasure of watching. The only downside is that each season is extremely short, and Netflix cancelled the show after only three seasons. I’m attempting to savor the handful of episodes I have left, but it’s only a matter of time.
That’s it for this week! I hope you have a lovely weekend with plenty of time outside.
- Megan
A good read as always.