Dispatch: Week of March 22
Wonder Inn hearing set for tomorrow (March 23), Flamingo Heights project appealed
Hello from California’s high desert where we have weathered yet another atmospheric river. It was the 12th such system to hit the state so far this season — so you’d be right if you’ve noticed we’re a bit colder and wetter than usual this winter.
Now, onto this week’s news:
In local news:
The developers for the Flamingo Heights glamping project that was rejected by the county after a successful local campaign filed to appeal the rejection on Monday.
No date has been set for the county to hear the appeal.
Speaking of unpopular proposed developments, the controversial Wonder Inn hotel/resort proposal will be heard by the County Planning Commission on Thursday, March 23, and is open to the public.
Those interested can attend the 9 a.m. meeting in -erson at the County Building in San Bernardino (385 N. Arrowhead Ave., first floor) or can attend virtually via live community feed at the Bob Burke Government Center in Joshua Tree.
Residents who would like to submit a letter to the commission in advance of the meeting can also do so through the county website.
Morongo Valley Fire Department firefighters are stepping in to assist strike teams in Big Bear to help residents dig out from the string of storms that have buried the area.
Joshua Tree National Park Association’s “Love Your Park” food tour raised $10,000 to fund ongoing projects in Joshua Tree National Park.
JTNPA also announced a benefit dinner and auction for May 6 that will benefit the study and tracking of the desert’s bighorn sheep population.
The Healthy Heart Run in Yucca Valley that had been postponed is set for this Saturday, March 25.
Registration is still open for either the Healthy Hearts 5k Run and 2k Community Health Walk.
The Joshua Basin Water District is holding a spring native plant sale this Sunday, March 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the district office next to the demonstration garden on Chollita Road in Joshua Tree.
Seedlings cost $9 each, or three for $25.
President Joe Biden officially designated Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in an area south of Joshua Tree National Park.
In state news:
The ongoing deluge of storms and associated flooding are hurting the state’s agricultural community and could cause the cost of food to rise this spring and summer.
The Los Angeles Times has a great before-and-after photo package comparing areas before and after flooding following the latest set of storms.
The state’s housing market is slowing down thanks to higher mortgage rates.
Add this to the list of TV-becomes reality: a potentially dangerous fungus is spreading in California, and it has so far been resistant to existing treatments.
In other news:
Taylor Swift opened her months-long Eras Tour in Phoenix last weekend with two shows that ran over three hours each. Her setlist included 44 songs.
‘Tis the season for new TV: New seasons of Ted Lasso, Yellowjackets, Succession, and Love is Blind all hit this week and last.
Pupdate of the week: You can really tell Alice has never lived anywhere but Southern California with all this rain because she refuses to go outside when there’s even the tiniest sprinkle. And when she does she looks absolutely miserable. Oliver, on the other hand, has made the rounds between Kentucky, Alabama, Chicago, San Francisco, and now the Morongo Basin so he’s totally cool with it.
Trail tip of the week: If you are going wildflower spotting this season, please stick to maintained trails and roads to protect those blooms. Zoom with your camera, not your feet.
Watch of the week: I’m still reliving opening weekend of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour through my own grainy concert videos along with the thousands of others circulating on Instagram and TikTok. To everyone going to a later show, including this weekend’s in Las Vegas, have the absolute best time!
That’s it for this week! A quick programming note: The Dispatch will be off the next few weeks while a perfect storm of family events and standing travel plans take over our lives a bit. The Dispatch will be back in your inboxes on April 19.
Hope you have a great start to spring and get plenty of time outside enjoying the season!
- Megan