The Desert Trumpet

01/04/2025

Applications for the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission are due on Monday, January 6. Note - applications must arrive at City Hall by this Monday to be considered.

In our second editorial on the topic of representation on the Planning Commission we discussion the appointments made in 2023 and advocate for by-district representation on the Planning Commission. Every district is represented except District 1 - the location of the potential Ofland Resort and 29 Palms Solar Farm developments. Given the scale and impact of the proposed projects shouldn’t District 1 be granted representation on the Planning Commission?

That said we encourage applications from all residents wishing to serve their City. The link to the application is at the top of our editorial.

Change is needed — we update our February 2023 editorial with a fresh opinion

12/31/2024

We’re winding up our countdown of the top 5 stories of 2024 with number 1. With 4,360 views, our top story of 2024 was Natalie Zuk’s analysis of Measure W and the battle over repealing the “fire tax.”

Reporting on Morongo Basin-wide elections was new for the Desert Trumpet in 2024. We hoped to help amplify local positions like those at the health and water districts seeking engaged residents willing to run and serve their communities. Our local election coverage will return in 2026 ….it’s sooner than you think. When national politics are so fraught, local is everything!!

Our number one story - Local Elections!

12/30/2024

We're counting down our top 5 stories of 2024 - and adding updates! Part Two incudes #2 and #3 on our list: the unexpected storm that caused flooding in July and resort and solar farm development — we run some stats on the changes that were recently announced to the original Ofland resort plan.

Also we link to our survey for our subscribers. Let us know how we're doing!

#3 Resort and Solar Farms and #2 Storms as we count down to our number one story of the year

12/30/2024

Much respect to a good man. May he rest in peace.

Rising from Georgia farmland to the White House, he oversaw the historic Camp David peace accords, but his one-term presidency was waylaid by troubles at home and abroad.

12/30/2024

We're counting down our top 5 stories of 2024 - and adding updates! Part One incudes #4 and #5 on our list: Twentynine Palms' Mixing of Religion with City Business and Our Disappearing Tortoises. Also we link to our survey for our subscribers. Let us know how we're doing!

Updates on stories #5 - endangered tortoises and #4 - mixing church and state, as we count down to our #1 story of the year

12/28/2024

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12/27/2024

The Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District met on Wednesday, December 18th, where they awarded over $70,000 in events grants and sponsorships to Theater 29, Desert Trade, Dance Mojave LLC, the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, Project Sheba, Friends of the Historic Plaza, Giant Sandbox Productions, and Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center for upcoming events we can look forward to in the first half of 2025. Read about it in our latest TBID meeting recap.

The Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Events Grants and Sponsorships Program continues

12/21/2024

On a brisk Tuesday evening, it appeared the Planning Commission might wrap up 2024 in time to pack in some late holiday shopping. After quickly sending three buildings to demolition, the meeting slowed considerably as Chair Max Walker and Commissioners Leslie Paahana, Jessica Cure and Alexander Garcia strained to understand the details (and politics) of recycling locations and the implications of deferring utility undergrounding. The recycling location was continued to the January 21 meeting and deferring the burying of utilities was approved.
Read our story for details.

Note: Two Planning Commission seats are open for applications. The Desert Trumpet encourages residents to apply for these important City positions. With major development projects like the solar farm and Ofland planned for District 1, your voice is crucial—especially if you live in that district. District 1 is not currently represented on the Planning Commission. Applications are due on January 6, 2025. Also note that City offices are closed beginning December 23 and will reopen on January 6. To find the application on the City website, enter the word “application” in the search bar. We also link to it in our article.

No surprises as Planning closes out 2024

12/15/2024

This Tuesday at the final 29 Palms Planning Commission meeting of 2024!

Should the Reset Hotel be obligated to underground its power lines as required by City ordinances or can they defer it? Is undergrounding just about aesthetics or should the impact on the endangered desert tortoise also be a consideration? Ravens roosting on power poles target young desert tortoises and the Reset property holdings extend to the National Park border - see accompanying image.

Also three more derelict properties are up for demolition and 29 Palms might get a new recycling center near Stater Brothers.

Three more derelict properties face demolition, a new recycling center on the horizon and Reset Hotel utilities undergrounding redux

12/14/2024

RECAP: Twentynine Palms City Council, December 10, 2024 - Council picks Bilderain to continue as Mayor; Klink sent off with fanfare after 20 years of service

Council picks Bilderain to continue as Mayor; Klink sent off with fanfare after 20 years of service

12/08/2024

Twentynine Palms City Council, December 10, 2024 | City surveillance and who wants to be Mayor?

City surveillance and who wants to be Mayor?

12/07/2024

Applications for the Planning Commission seats currently held by Jim Krushat and Leslie Paahana are due on Monday, January 6!

With major development projects like the solar farm and Ofland planned for the City, both in District 1, your voice is crucial - especially if you live in that district. District 1 is not currently represented on the Planning Commission.

If residents are not selected first round, City Council went back to those applications to fill vacated seats later! So it's crucial to put your name in the hat by January 6 if you want to serve your City.

And yes, this ad was posted in the classifieds of the The Desert Trail but is still MIA on City of Twentynine Palms social media.

12/07/2024

Our year-end Development Recap updates reporting on five projects receiving resident pushback –– some due to zoning changes needed to move forward, others despite being located in appropriate zoning: the Ofland resort and 29Palms Solar project in Twentynine Palms, LoveMore Ranch in Joshua Tree, Flamingo Blossom in Flamingo Heights and The Landing in Landers.

Residents push back against resort, residential and solar projects in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Flamingo Heights and Landers

11/27/2024

Volunteers Audrey Philpot, Karen Ickes, and Scott Clinkscales picked to serve on Event Grant Review Committee.

Volunteers Audrey Philpot, Karen Ickes, and Scott Clinkscales picked to serve on Event Grant Review Committee

11/23/2024

On Tuesday the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting where they declared a derelict property on Homestead Road a public nuisance, discussed a request from the developers of the Reset Hotel, known as the ‘Container Hotel’, regarding modifications to their utility requirements, and held a study session on entertainment permits. Read all about it in our latest meeting recap.

A derelict property gets earmarked, Reset Hotel developers no-show, and yet another Entertainment Permit study session.

11/19/2024

Last week, the Twentynine Palms City Council held a lengthy three hour meeting where they approved a proposal from Molding Hearts to address the local unhoused population, discuss the City’s two year strategic planning initiative, opting to hire a consulting firm to assist in the process, said farewell to outgoing Council member Joel Klink, and so much more. Catch it all here in our latest City Council Recap.

A marathon meeting tackles contentious issues including funding for homeless programs and approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Community Learning Equipping Project Inc.

11/17/2024

This upcoming Tuesday, November 19th, the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission will meet at 5PM 6136 Adobe Road for their second to last meeting of the year, where they are set to declare an abandoned property north of Two Mile Road as a public nuisance, discuss development updates on the Reset Hotel, which includes a request from the developer to modify the original terms agreed upon in their conditional use permit approved by the City, and entertainment permits. Catch agenda highlights in our Agenda Preview, out now.

Abandoned properties, Reset Hotel updates, and Entertainment Permit discussions continue...