Z107.7 FM Up Close Show hosted by Gary Daigneault

In Studio Guests Corwin Porter, the assistant director for Public Health with San Bernardino County, and County Supervisor Dawn Rowe. Topics Discussed: The COVID-19 pandemic, and the county’s response and regulations. Questions about COVID-19 testing. The fluid situation regarding the daily Coronavirus guidelines and infections changing rapidly. The departments of public health were monitoring the situation in China closely and making plans should the virus reach the United States. Planning for the pandemic started over from scratch as this pandemic did not mirror others from the past. Attempts to flatten the curve as to not overwhelm the healthcare system.

In Studio Guest Tom Murphy of the Red Brennan Group. Topics Discussed: Fire Protection Zone 5 special fire tax. Red Brennan Group is a non-profit organization supporting big communities and small government. Their goal is to constrain the government's reach for resources. Residents unhappy about gas tax issue. Because FP-5 is a Special Tax, the government can make decisions about it without a vote from the people. The San Bernardino County residents of Helendale voted for fire tax. The city of San Bernardino offloaded their fire services to get out of bankruptcy. Citizens did not get to vote. Red Brennan Group believes this tax needs to go to Prop 218 vote so voters can decide rather than it being approved through LAFCO. Caller speculates firefighter wage increases caused need for increased fire taxes. The controversy over whether special taxes can be imposed by government without a vote from the people. A protest vote assumes voters said yes and only actual no votes are counted.

Up Close Show with In-Studio Guests Twentynine Palms Mayor Pro Tem Dan Mintz and City Manager Frank Luckino. Discussed: New developments in the City of 29 Palms. Downtown revitalization project. Challenges of the city economy during a pandemic. Sales and travel taxes are affected by lack of travel and lack of populations in stores. The benefits of telecommuting. The impact of unemployment in the Morongo Basin. How the local Marine Base is impacted differently from the rest of the Twentynine Palms community.

Open Phone Topics: State of California residency restrictions for sex offenders were found to be unconstitutional. Town of Yucca Valley was required to change their restrictions to match those of the State. Fire Protection Zone 5 fire taxes. If you were not able to make a protest vote, Tom Murphy from the Red Brennan Group is working on a lawsuit to force repeal measure on ballot. Coronavirus shelter at home orders. Economics versus health concerns. Impact of closures on small businesses. Feeding America Radiothon. Combating hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic. $0 bail in San Bernardino County during COVID-19 crisis for non-violent crimes in spite of having space to house inmates within COVID-19 safety guidelines. Local Sheriff's public safety concerns. Troubled Morongo Valley Community Service District.

Up Close Show with In-Studio Guest native plant expert Madena Asbell from the Mojave Desert Land Trust. Discussed: Native Desert plants. Since the stay-at-home order, individuals are getting more involved in gardening. Keeping desert wildlife out of your garden. Madena’s interest in plants began when she bought a home and became responsible for the landscape. She was fascinated by how healthy the native plants in other yards looked and struggled to achieve the same success in her own yard. Madena gives listeners advice on caring for both native plants and other plants in local gardens and yards.

Up Close Show: Tips and tricks to keep children engaged during online learning and homeschooling. The struggles of high school seniors being unable to participate in prom and high school sports. The Morongo Unified School District is surveying parents and children on alternative graduation celebration ideas. Free meals for school aged children continuing both weekly and daily during the pandemic.

Up Close Show: The Coronavirus pandemic. San Bernardino County department of public health mask recommendations. Local school closures. California offering loans to waive sales tax for businesses temporarily. Marine Base cancelling trainings due to COVID safety concerns. The importance of social distancing. City has ordered parks closed to discourage large gatherings.

Up Close Show with In-Studio Guest California State Assemblyman Chad Mayes. Topics Discussed: Governor Gavin Newsom handling the Coronavirus state of emergency. Local and State Government officials are sheltering at home. Chad Mayes was the Republican Minority Leader years ago. Discourse in the country due to partisan politics. The goal of politicians to make the lives of the people better, not debate party politics. Proposed bills dying without merits being considered due to party politics. Issues with independent contractors being able to work in California. Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to flatten the curve and be able to care for the sick individuals. The end of the Coronavirus pandemic is uncertain. The State budget is unknown during this crisis.

Up Close Show with In-Studio Guest David Cooke, Desert Care Network's Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Pandemic Response Coordinator. Topics Discussed: Every hospital and health care system has a pandemic response plan and infection control process. The Coronavirus is highly contagious and easily transmitted through touch. Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your nose or mouth can cause the virus to enter your body. The virus is easily mistaken for the common cold in the beginning. A swab test to diagnose the virus is used. Currently residents are only being tested if they have specific symptoms. Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 should quarantine at home, disinfect surfaces in your home, and avoid contact with others. There is not a medication to treat the Coronavirus itself, only symptoms can be treated.

Open Phone Topics: People of the County of San Bernardino voted against Measure C for the Morongo Unified School District due to the overtaxing of the area from Fire Protection Zone 5. Concerns over the development of the Coronavirus pandemic. San Bernardino county has declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19. Efforts to stop the spread of the virus via social distancing, sheltering at home, not attending large public gatherings, washing hands, not touching your face, and wearing face coverings in public. Focus on the health of the country versus focus on politics.

Open Phone Topics: Upcoming Primary Elections in California. If you do not declare a political party, you are not allowed to vote for Republican candidates. Cities suing the county of San Bernardino County due to the fire special tax. 52 candidates on the primary election ballot for the President of the United States. Congressional and State Assembly nominations. Z107.7 News Director gives his endorsements for the primary election and encourages listeners to do the same. Three candidates for 3rd District Board of Supervisors for San Bernardino County. Measure on the ballot to allow Morongo Unified School District to borrow more money for school improvements.

Open Phone Topics: San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors passed the Fire Protection Zone 5 special tax with a protest vote only. San Bernardino County gave bad information to the Red Brennan group when they attempted to protest the tax. A measure will be placed on the November ballot to repeal Fire Protection Zone 5 special tax. Morongo Valley Community Service District discussing fire tax for Morongo Valley residents. The proposal of audits of San Bernardino County fire departments to find out where funding is going. Endorsement of Dawn Rowe for San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Chad Mayes for State Assembly.

In Studio Guests Retired Black Rock High School Principal Vonda Viland, Yucca Valley High School Principal Justin Monical, And Twentynine Palms High School Principal Michael Ruggiero. Topics Discussed: Measure C School Bond proposed to voters. Bond can be used only to improve and modernize local schools within the Morongo Unified School District. Bond cannot be used for staff or salaries. Bond includes plans for repairs for aging facilities at all local schools. Building a proper athletic facility at Twentynine Palms High School. Unforeseen funding needs due to Joshua Tree Elementary School had to be rebuilt due to the old school located on a major Earthquake fault line. New classrooms would be added. Electrical and plumbing would be updated. Technology would be upgraded.

In Studio Guest San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey. Topics Discussed: The newly elected San Bernardino County Fire Chief lives in Yucca Valley. San Bernardino County uses paid call firefighters. An 18-week firefighter academy training is required to become a full-time firefighter. Fire departments were divided for years into different zones and firefighters could not work in zones outside of their own. The modern-day San Bernardino County Fire Department is the largest municipal fire department. County Fire serves 66 communities. Fontana has become a very sophisticated city with a premiere fire service. The controversary over Fire Protection Zone 5 taxes implemented after only a protest vote was allowed from the public.

In Studio Guest Pat Michaels. Topics Discussed: Long time co-host of the Z107.7 Morning Show, Pat Michaels, is retiring. Pat was involved in broadcasting since high school. Pat got his first job in radio in Palm Springs. He would call in live to do a Junior High news report from his bus stop in the morning. Pat worked for an AM radio station in Needles and ended up with an afternoon shift at 16-years-old after another employee was fired. Pat is a successful voiceover artist all over the world. Pat is looking forward to a lifestyle change to spend more time with his family and travel. Pat says the most important thing about radio is remembering to be yourself and be real.