New signs in the area.

The County of San Bernardino installed eight of these signs yesterday, in response to an increase in illegal shooting.

"There are no designated off highway vehicle riding areas or trails in the Morongo Basin. Persons found operating off highway vehicles on any road including unpaved roads could be issued a citation per County Code Sec. 28.0403. Off highway vehicles traveling through the Morongo Basin must be towed.

"SBCC 22.0101 open shooting of rifles or handguns is prohibited within the Morongo Basin. For more information call the Morongo Basin Sheriff's station at (760) 366-4175."

Exemptions for FP-5 proposal

On proposed County Fire parcel tax, there are exemptions

Exemptions from the proposed expansion of FP-5 (fire protection district 5) are for those areas covered by a CSD - Community Service District. (We are a CSA - Community Service Area). These include Yermo, Newberry Springs, Baker and Daggett community services districts, and the city of Hesperia. Other areas are exempt, too. For a full list, refer to the article. Wonder Valley is not exempt.

Mark Lundquist, field aide for Third District Supervisor James Ramos, assured me there will be a presentation for Wonder Valley, and we'll be notified when the presentation schedule is released.

Consultants are crafting a special tax which would be an alternative to the proposed FP-5 expansion. A 3-month analysis is underway.

Crime Stats for May 2018

Arrests were for weapons; violation of a restraining order; and possession of methamphetamine.

Salvation Army Food Distribution - Wednesday, June 27

Salvation Army Food Distribution - this coming Wednesday, June 27

Please tell your friends and neighbors.

The Salvation Army will be here from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27. Low-income Wonder Valley residents self-certify on site.

Come pick up a box of food. One box per household. No picking up for anyone else.

This is a "use it or lose it" type of service. The more boxes we need/use, the more successful the program is, and the more likely it will continue.

Chill at the WVCC

Check weather.com in Twentynine Palms. If the posted temperature for the day is above 110° then we will open the Wonder Valley Community Center. We have water, books, WIFI, and some games. Bring snacks and something to occupy your time.

The WVCC is located at 80526-1/2 Amboy Road between the Fire Station and the fake palm tree. WVCC regular hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

We expect temperatures to rise above 110° on Friday, and maybe on Thursday. Come get out of the heat, at least for awhile.

Fire deficits possible resolution

To rectify County Fire budget, supervisors eye parcel tax in unincorporated communities
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted Jun 18, 2018 at 5:18 PM
VV News (Victor Valley)

County Fire and the Supervisors have been busy, and quite tight-lipped, about this possible solution to deficits.

"County Supervisors voted 3-2 last week to initiate proceedings to expand the boundaries of the FP-5 Service Zone, with notices set to be delivered to affected parties in August, the same month the first of two public hearings will occur."

Read: 
Resolution #2018
Board Copy of Fire Budget
From the Agenda of the June 12, 2018 Board of Supervisors Meeting

"Inclusion in the service zone means a $157.26 yearly parcel tax for property owners, which can rise up to 3 percent annually."

Other fire protection districts, like FP-4 in Wonder Valley, would be dissolved along with their assessments. There is no guarantee that County Fire would return to Wonder Valley.

"For those who already pay a parcel tax, the expansion won’t act as an additional cost, but as a replacement, according to County Fire spokeswoman Tracey Martinez."

In the meantime we should research both County and State property tax deferments for seniors who will not be able to pay the additional tax.

CA Property Tax Postponement
SBC Tax Collector -- Frequently Asked Questions

Desert Quackers Comedy and Music Series

Kevin Bone is really excited about this Saturday (6/16)!!!
"Come to the Palms in Wonder Valley for a night of comedy and music, as I launch my new 'Desert Quackers Comedy and Music Series'!!
This show will feature not one but TWO comedy acts, as well as a very funny music act:

7 PM- the hi-desert's own "Curtain's Up!" Improv Troupe,
8 PM- From LA, music by the "Dick and Jane Family Orchestra",
9 PM- from Hollywood, the all-female improv team "Pearl"

$7. Food and full bar available.

The Palms Restaurant: 83131 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277

USDA Food Distribution : Monday, June 18

The USDA Food Distribution will begin sometime after 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 18th at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526-½ Amboy Road, Wonder Valley CA 92277. The Community Center is next to the Fire Station.

Low income Wonder Valley residents self-certify on site. No ID or other documentation is required. You may pick up a box for a neighbor, or they may pick up a box for you, IF you present a signed pick up form. Pick up forms are available online at http://tinyurl.com/wv-pickup-form. They are also available at the WVCC on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and on the door of the WVCC the week before the event.

For more information, call Teresa Sitz at (760) 367-9880.

The text below is required.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

About that drone you have...

Please review.

 

You can't fly your drone within 5 miles of any airport. There's a mobile phone app created by the Federal Aviation Administration -- B4UFLY -- you can download to see if it's legal to fly your drone in different parts of Wonder Valley.

Crisis Hotlines and help

If you need help, please ask. Please.

NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE: 800-273-8255

VETERANS CRISIS LINE: 800-273-8255, press 1

NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: 800-656-4673

LOCAL CRISIS WALK IN CENTEROpen 24/7 - (760) 365-6558
7293 Dumosa Avenue, Suite 2, Yucca Valley 92284
No appointment necessary

LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE
Crisis counseling, information, referrals and access to the
immediate safety of emergency domestic violence shelter.
(760) 366-9663 x1

Big footprint in the desert.

There's a big footprint over by the Dale Dry Lake. It's 700' long and it says, "Born in the Desert," and "Cairo 1949."

The copy under the video reads,

"1950. One year after its debut at the Chicago Shoe Fair, the Clarks Desert Boot went on sale.  Designed in 1949 by Nathan Clark and modeled on a crepe-soled boot made from rough suede made in the bazaars of Cairo, it was different. It was unexpected. It was original."

The artist that made the footprint is Jim Denevan and he raked out the world's biggest footprint.

The video was made two years ago.

I hope no one else gets any bright ideas.