Z107.7 FM Up Close Show hosted by Gary Daigneault

Open Phone Topics: Pioneertown finally getting a pipeline to bring water from Hi Desert Water District well to the population of Pioneertown. Four miles of pipeline are needed to bring water from the well to the Pioneertown area. After 10 years of fighting, the community of Joshua Tree has prevailed against the threat of the Altamira Gated Community housing project. The Board of Supervisors voted to rescind all approvals for the project. San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved Morongo Basin homeless facility for day use only at former Panorama Heights County fire station in Joshua Tree.

Open Phone Topics: The Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce failed to draw San Bernardino County funding from their account. Last years funds have not been applied for and therefore have been lost. The Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce has not completed appropriate paperwork and basic business practices needed to remain operational. Individuals being informed not to climb on Joshua Trees or other trees in the Joshua Tree National Park at the risk of damaging the local flora. Local restaurant fundraising for the critically ill wife of an employee. Individual using their cell phone while driving involved in a fatal crash involving a semi-truck. Safety risks and legal ramifications of using cell phones will driving.

Open Phone Topics: Graffiti and vandalism in the Giant Rock campground area of Joshua Tree National Park. Vandalism occurring in the Morongo Basin. Limited Park Rangers covering thousands of square miles of the Park. The Bureau of Land Management is understaffed. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has no jurisdiction over BLM land. Proposing local Chambers of Commerce direct tourists to other attractions to reduce the population of Joshua Tree National Park. Lack of functioning Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce. Morongo Valley Fire Department entering into mutual aid agreement with Calimesa, a city at least 90 minutes away.

Open Phone Topics: Hi Desert Water District has finalized State financing for residents who need help funding sewer hook-ups. 45.2-million-dollar low interest loan and 16 million dollars in grants have been secured to help with the cost. Your cost is put on your property tax bill and spread out over 30 years with a 1.8 percent interest rate. Hi Desert Water District will send out several notices to give residents time to prepare for the hook-ups. Property values will improve from both sewer system and newly paved roads. Town of Yucca Valley Planning Commission changing permit requirements for Marijuana cultivation. Concerns over the government interfering in citizens personal lives. Town of Yucca Valley has revised their ordinance concerning marijuana so that it complies with state law. Stolen raven sculpture in Twentynine Palms was replaced by local neighbors who created a new one. Concerns with parents not vaccinating their children. Outbreaks of disease due to lack of vaccination.

In Studio Guests: Sheriff McMahon, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Captain Travis Newport, Morongo Basin Sheriff Station. Topics Discussed: San Bernardino County is the largest county in the world. The changing technology at the Sheriff's Department. No cell phones or computers were in the deputy vehicles 30 years ago. Using real maps versus GPS. Criminal justice reform. Efforts to control and reduce populations in jails and prisons. Legalizing marijuana. Reducing possession of narcotics to misdemeanor removes the incentive to attend a drug rehab program. Opioids and synthetic heroin are deadly, addictive and cheap, creating a huge crisis in our country.

Open Phone Topics: New construction costs in Yucca Valley. The cost of a new home in Yucca Valley goes up 10,000 dollars due to the hookup to the new sewer system. First sewer hookups will begin this summer. Hi Desert Water District will send notices six months prior to required connections. Old Woman Springs Road will be closed for two days for repairs. Voters in the state of California want the death penalty, but the governor is opposed to it and has imposed a moratorium. Metal raven sculpture heirloom stolen from Twentynine Palms family yard.

Open Phone Topics: Death penalty in the state of California. Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions of death row inmates. His executive action is opposed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney, Jason Anderson. Proposed banning of cell phones in schools. School districts may soon be required to restrict or ban smartphones under a new bill making its way through the California State Assembly. New vaccination requirements for California schools. The State of California has introduced a new set of vaccination requirements for all California students returning to school in July.

Open Phone Topics: Road maintenance in the Morongo Basin. Town of Yucca Valley has to fix maintained roads before addressing unmaintained roads. Pedestrian fatality on the highway in Joshua Tree. Pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when hit. Jaywalking and safety issues in the Morongo Basin. Superbloom of desert wildflowers due to rains and temperatures in the Morongo Basin. Common IRS phone scam during tax season especially. The IRS does not call directly or send officers to arrest individuals.

Open Phone Topics: San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors County General Plan prohibiting commercial alternative energy development from areas zoned as rural living. Rooftop solar private renewable energy is not counted by the state. Virulant Newcastle Disease affecting bird populations in the Morongo Basin. No danger to people, but the disease is fatal to birds and affects the commercial chicken farms. Federal government Public Lands bill increase size of Joshua Tree National Park and created new areas for off road riding. Desert Protection and Recreation bill approved by Democrats and Republicans alike.

Open Phone Topics: FCC Lifeline discount phone service for low income individuals. Phone scams circulating around the Morongo Basin. Social security scam. IRS phone scam claiming to arrest victims that owe money to the IRS. Listener in Joshua Tree scammed out of thousands of dollars. Rare snow day in the Morongo Basin for the first time in 10 years. Snow closed the schools and several roads in the area. Vacation home rentals and new regulations in the area. Grubstake days honors the pioneering spirit of the Morongo Basin. Rich mining and ranching history of Yucca Valley.

Open Phone Topics: Fatality due to victims driving into a flooded wash. Joshua Tree Elementary School had to rebuild school in a new location due to old school located on earthquake fault line. Putting a food bank in the old school location. President declaring state of emergency in order to fund the building of a wall at the Mexican border for security and illegal immigration prevention. Flooding damage and drainage issues in the Morongo Basin. Social and unmaintained roads are not able to be repaired by San Bernardino County. Marine Base and Twentynine Palms working on sewer system for the city.

Open Phone Topics: Joshua Tree National Park reopened after Government shutdown. Park open but unprotected during part of the shutdown. Damage to park trails from offroad vehicles. Human waste clean up a major issue. Loss of income from being unable to collect Park entrance fees. Fear of another Government shutdown in the future. The need for immigration reform before border security is reevaluated. The impact of a Government shutdown on the residents of the United States versus the cost of a wall at the Mexican border. King of the Hammers offroad event in Johnson Valley.

Open Phone Topics: Dollar General in Joshua Tree will finally break ground next month. Joshua Basin Water District had to receive a water plan from Dollar General. Title transfer had to be complete before the water plan could be submitted. Group in Joshua Tree having a citizen's rally protesting the partial Government Shutdown. Concerned about protecting Joshua Tree National Park during the partial shutdown. Government employees furloughed during partial government shutdown.

In-Studio Guest: 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. Topics Discussed: Dawn Rowe discussing renewable energy policies. San Bernardino County General Plan for policy for location of Renewable Energy Projects. Policy would prohibit development of large scale renewable energy projects in rural living areas. The quest to accomodate both developers and residents rights. Open Phone Topics: Grubstake Days Rodeo grounds deemed too expensive for the Town of Yucca Valley. Town and media sponsors have donated to Rodeo. John Cole has joined the Morongo Unified School District board. Misty Buchanan speaks about development of fair grounds to be used for rodeo and rented for other events. Her willingness to try to raise funds to have a rodeo this year. Inclement weather causing a number of traffic collisions on the Morongo grade. Proposal of Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians operated gas station at the Highway and Utah Trail in 29 Palms.

Volunteers going into Joshua Tree National Park to clean the mess left by visitors during the government shutdown. The need to teach individuals respect for national parks. Yucca Valley sewer project hook ups beginning for businesses in Phase 1. Security at United States and Mexico border. Immigration system needing reform. Reallocating Joshua Tree National Park infrastructure funds to pay some employees and keep Park running during government shutdown.