Dispatch: Week of July 19
CA-79 Southbound reopens, plus local cooling centers
Hello from California’s high desert. We are still under an excessive heat warning through Sunday, so be sure to hydrate and take lots of breaks in cooler spaces. Sounds like a great weekend to see Barbie or Oppenheimer in a nice cold movie theater, if you ask me.
On to this week’s news:
In local news:
The Rabbit Fire in Moreno Valley has burned 8,283 acres and is 55% contained as of Wednesday morning.
All roads, including CA-79 Southbound, have reopened, but Cal Fire is asking for drivers to slow down and expect delays while crews still work in the area. All evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings, and all existing warnings have been lifted.
Yucca Valley officials are working with residents concerned about planned changes to Essig Dog Park in Yucca Valley.
Residents protested the town’s plan to pour concrete around the dog parks, and have voiced concern over the size of the small dog park.
A compromise has not yet been reached, Z107.7 reports.
A federal bill passed by the US House of Representatives includes funding for King of the Hammers as well as a pay increase for active US military. The bill must also pass the US Senate, as the provisions are part of a larger defense spending bill, where it will likely face an uphill battle.
Looking for a place to cool off this weekend? Z107.7 rounded up some local options:
The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is free and open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Twentynine Palms libraries are open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the weekends, and admission is free.
The Senior Center in Twentynine Palms is an active cooling center for all folks until 5 p.m.
The Community Center and Thrift Store in Landers is open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
In state news:
Death Valley National Park came close to breaking its all-time high temperature record last weekend, but came up short at a cool 128 degrees Fahrenheit. The record is 134 degrees Fahrenheit.
Park officials are warning “heat tourists” to stay away during the ongoing heatwave as resources are stretched thin and visitors put themselves in extreme danger during a short time outside.
A sea otter named 481 is outsmarting most humans along the Santa Cruz coast. The otter has been stealing surfers’ surfboards, and has so far evaded capture by a range of law enforcement and animal experts.
An investigation by the state auditor found that California State University colleges mishandled sexual harassment allegations for years.
For the foodies out there, the state list of this year’s Michelin star recipients is out. Bon appetit!
In other news:
The Screen Actors Guild is officially on strike along with the ongoing strike from the Writers Guild. Some of the demands the groups are making went public, along with the studios’ lackluster responses.
Should the dual strikes continue into the fall, production for both TV shows and movies could be substantially delayed into late 2024.
Airports in Las Vegas and Phoenix are both experiencing flight delays and cancellations due to the extreme heat. Both airports expect delays to continue through the week and into the weekend.
Pupdate of the week: Both dogs have finally accepted that it is too hot to hang out outside during the day. Better late than never.
Trail tip of the week: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is closing for annual maintenance starting August 1. It is expected to reopen on September 1, but delays are expected due to the toll of our active winter and recent heatwave on the machinery. As always, park websites are typically the best source of information for closures, maintenance issues, and trail upkeep that can impact your hiking plans.
Read of the week: If you’re in the mood for a quick summer read, Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian is a great option. It’s a quick-moving thriller that follows a group of students who have been diagnosed with psychopathy and are participating in a long-term study while they attend college. Two students in the study are found dead, and a campus-wide hunt for the killer ensues in a series of alternating first- and third-person chapters to give readers a look inside each character’s mind.
Watch of the week: The FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off tomorrow at midnight. The US Women’s Team takes the field against Vietnam at 6 p.m. Friday.
That’s it for this week! I hope you’re taking advantage of those early mornings and late evenings to get outside.
- Megan
good to know about the tramway being closed...was planning to do San Jacinto (and visit the alpine hut ;) ) this summer