Desert Messenger News

14/12/2025

From the big man himself: "Shop Local, Dine Local, Spend Local, Enjoy Local!" 🎅

This holiday season, let’s take Santa’s advice and make a big impact on our community by choosing local. Every dollar spent close to home helps keep our neighborhoods vibrant and full of holiday cheer! 🎄❤️

Who’s on your local shopping list? Let’s make it a season to remember for our small businesses!

Every purchase has a purpose. Shop local.

14/12/2025

Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! Wishing you eight nights filled with meaningful moments. May your home be filled with peace, love, joy and light.

14/12/2025

Short Video: includes Quartzsite Town Council members float at Christmas Light Parade last night.

14/12/2025

Video: just a few of the amazing OHVs all lit up for Quartzsite Christmas Light Parade last night.

14/12/2025

Short video. Arizona Sun RV Park was shining bright at Quartzsite Christmas Light Parade last night!

14/12/2025

QIA Quartzsite Improvement Association was rocking it at the Christmas Light Parade last night!

14/12/2025

PHOTOS from the Quartzsite Christmas Parade party at the Community Center.

14/12/2025

Mr. and Mrs. Santa closed out the Quartzsite Christmas Light Parade tonight. More photos will be posted soon.

14/12/2025

PARADE TONIGHT! 7PM

The Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Christmas Light Parade on SATURDAY, December 13th at 7pm. Line-up begins at 6:00PM near the Fire Station on E. Tyson Street. The parade will travel east on Tyson St., south on Plymouth Ave., and west on Quail Trail before concluding at the Community Center.
The judges' stand is located at the corner of Quail Trail and Plymouth streets, and Sonny Beltran will be the announcer.

After the parade, come to the Community Center, where Santa will be available for pictures with the kids, and his helpers will hand out gifts bags. There will be cookies, apple cider, hot chocolate, and two tables of kids' crafts with DIY Snowman and Ugly Christmas Sweater stickers. The Tree lighting will take place outside the Community Center and the parade winners will be announced. Mayor Norm Simpson will announce the Mayor's Choice winner.

Awards will be presented in six categories: Desert Spirit, Most Creative Lights, Community Pride, Most Festive Music, Mayor’s Choice, and Best Junior Float.
For more information contact the Chamber at 928-927-5200.

14/12/2025

It is with heavy heart to announce Matt Bremen (Mert Turkoglu) has passed away in southern California after a long struggle with illness. He was a very good friend to the community of Quartzsite for years. He will be remembered with love and respect by his family and all who knew him.
Bremen was an independent filmmaker, storyteller and producer working in the field of creative documentary and cultural audiovisual projects. Bremen produced the beautiful 2018 Documentary, Hi Jolly "Haci Ali" The Legendary Camel Driver featuring many Quartzsite residents.
The film debuted at the QIA Quartzsite Improvement Association on February 21, 2018 to a packed house. The Red Carpet Special Event was organized with help from the Town of Quartzsite and the Quartzsite Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. It was a big moment for the community, bringing everyone together to enjoy a movie and celebrate our history. The film was also screened at the Smithsonian May 8, 2018 as well as in Turkey and Los Angeles, Ca. Bremen attended many Quartzsite events over the years and was also appeared in the 2022 PBS series, "The Great Muslim American Road Trip" when filmed at the Hi Jolly Cemetery.
The second showing in Quartzsite of "Hi Jolly, The Legendary Camel Driver" was held January 11, 2024 at the QIA.

13/12/2025

Vandenberg Space Force Base Guardians and Airmen are scheduled to support the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, between Saturday, December 13th at 9:20 p.m. and Sunday, December 14th at 4:54 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4).

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff. Link is in the comments.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

This launch supports Department of War communications through advanced low-Earth orbit technology.

There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.

Areas local to Vandenberg SFB will hear the initial low rumble of take-off.

Vandenberg SFB continues to provide safe and reliable access to space in support of national security and homeland defense.

13/12/2025

EDITORIAL: Wow! Thank you so much to all 9,000 Followers! I could not have reached this milestone without you! Who knew I would be able to continue this adventure when those strokes turned my world upside down almost 5 years ago? But I'm still here, even with those lingering invisible after-effects.
I love living in Quirky Quartzsite and sharing news to help our residents and visitors. Being a journalist nowadays is challenging, but there is always something to be grateful for. Today I am grateful for all your likes, comments, and shares. I REALLY appreciate when folks are kind and compassionate towards each other. Accept my sincere gratitude for each of you.
When life gets you down, Remember to Breathe... deep from the belly... and REPEAT! You've got this! ~Rain