iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Protest organized by Democrats of the Morongo Basin, February 7, 2026, on Highway 62 in Yucca Valley

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Morongo Basin residents gather at the intersection of Hwy 62 and Park in Joshua Tree for the No Kings protest on June 14, 2025. The crowd, estimated at exceeding 300 at 9:30am, covered all four corners and extended to the east and west along the highway.

182

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

We continue our long-running recap of last month’s strategic planning meeting. Old news? Maybe. But the April 4 meeting has been an important way to find out what the city of Twentynine Palms does—and what it aspires to do. In this post, we look at the finance and fire departments.

deserttrumpet.org

RECAP: Twentynine Palms' Strategic Planning: Many Needs, Little Revenue, Part 3

City departments outline wish lists—Finance Director promptly squashes them

010

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

The CVHC has been constructing affordable & self-build housing for more years then 29 Palms has been a City. Yet a few Councilmembers led by the City Attorney and City Manager spent the April 22 Council meeting publicly nitpicking a potential partner.

open.substack.com

Self-Build Housing Initiative Comes to a Boil

And CVHC responds — the final installment of our April 22, 2025, Twentynine Palms City Council meeting recap

000

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputies respond to a reported masked subject with a knife at a park in 29 Palms which turned out to be a 13-year-old autistic boy. It could have ended tragically, but didn’t. We cover accounts of witnesses, review the call and bodycam video. @jonathan6.bsky.social

open.substack.com

Three Minutes That Could Have Led to Tragedy, Averted

Part 2 of our April 22, 2025 City Council meeting recap

000

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

We are delighted to present you with Flora Fridays, a new monthly column about the California high desert's wonderful desert plant life! Enjoy garden designer Miriam Seger's deep dive into the mysteries of Joshua tree blooms. You'll have a new appreciation for our local icon!

deserttrumpet.org

Flora Fridays: Mast Blast

Musings on the covert operations of Joshua trees

010

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

In moving and emotional testimony at 29 Palms' City Hall, nearly 50 local constituents told Rep. Obernolte’s aide they worry about veterans benefits, social security, immigration challenges, and DOGE tearing apart the federal government. No one mentioned the price of eggs.

deserttrumpet.org

Voices of Concern, Calls for Action

Representative Obernolte's Mobile Office Hours in Twentynine Palms, March 20, 2025

061

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Deep dive into the 17 nonprofit organizations that have interacted with the City of Twentynine Palms in the last two years. These nonprofits are valued for the services they provide! However should the City consider a transparent selection process and consistent vetting as proposed at City Council?

open.substack.com

Twentynine Palms' Nonprofit Partners

Should there be a standardized proposal and vetting process for the City's nonprofit relationships?

010

Reposted by The Desert Trumpet

90 Miles from Needles @90milesfromneedles.com · 04/03/2025

In our latest episode, we visit a public meeting in Amargosa Valley, NV and a demonstration in Joshua Tree, CA. Desert protectors in both towns are sending the administration a strong message. www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e6-the-des... Podcast episode photo courtesy @deserttrumpet.bsky.social

90milesfromneedles.com

S4E6: The Desert Speaks Out

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke delves into two pivotal events illuminating the current challenges and triumphs in de…

022

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Chris Clarke @90mfn.bsky.social and Letters From the Desert substack supporting Joshua Tree National Park at Hwy 62 and Park Blvd, March 1, 2025

153

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

The flag of distress unfurled today at Joshua Tree National Park, part of nationwide protests organized by @resistancerangers.bsky.social

0176

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Q. …How do you feel about an unconfirmed billionaire…you’re one of the checks and balances? A. I’m very glad that someone is looking at all the waste… Morongo Basin residents tell District 23 Rep. Jay Obernolte to “Do your job.”

0115

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

The Morongo Basin joined the nationwide wave of raucous town hall meetings on Saturday. Residents let Rep. Obernolte know their feelings about federal funding cuts breaking into chants such as “Do Your Job” and “No Kings.” We have details including photos and video.

open.substack.com

Town Holler: Rep. Obernolte Meets Resistance

In a fractious community meeting, more than 200 Morongo Basin residents insist that their representative tell the truth and do his job

0106

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

We’re thrilled to share that Desert Trumpet has passed 1,000 subscribers!  That said, we’ve clearly hit a nerve. Photo: The press table at the January 28, 2025 Twentynine Palms City Council meeting. (Photo by Natalie Zuk)

Paper signs reserving chairs for z107.7 and the Desert Trail at 29 Palms City Council meeting

010

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Will the Morongo Basin suffer when Trump's administration slashes jobs and services at Joshua Tree National Park? We dig into the "Fork in the Road" email demanding "deferred resignation" of federal employees and what it means for our community. www.deserttrumpet.org/p/fed-worker...

deserttrumpet.org

Fed Workers Say: Fork Off

Will the Morongo Basin Suffer When Trump’s Administration Slashes Jobs and Services at Joshua Tree National Park?

011

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Good presentations and discussion on rooftop solar, energy storage, wildlife crossings and advocacy at the Morongo Basin Conservation Association annual meeting. We have the details!

open.substack.com

RECAP: Morongo Basin Conservation Association Annual Meeting 2025

Rooftop solar, storage batteries, and wildlife advocacy among the topics discussed

000

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Update 12:20 PST 2/2 In other words, the immediate freeze is lifted, but the intent behind the freeze remains and will still be implemented as agencies are reviewed.

010

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Update 12:20 PST 1/2 : The OMB memo is rescinded but the executive orders regarding DEI, “woke” ideology, transgender people and green energy remain in place. What that means is that funding will continue to flow while the different agencies are reviewed for compliance with the executive orders.

010

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

How did local city and county officials and non profit representatives respond to the sudden freeze on federal grants and assistance? Was the chaos reported in the national press happening on the ground in the Morongo Basin? We made a few calls to find out…

open.substack.com

Will Trump's Spending Freeze Affect the Morongo Basin?

Court places a hold on the order until February 3

021

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

The deadline has passed, the apps are in, the subcommittee selected. But selection by district was blasted by our Mayor on Tuesday. Should Planning Commissioners be selected by district?

deserttrumpet.org

Two New Planning Commissioners Wanted—Apply by January 6

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

000

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

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!

open.substack.com

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

000

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Should the Reset Hotel be obligated to bury its power lines? Is that 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.

open.substack.com

AGENDA PREVIEW: Twentynine Palms Planning Commission, December 17, 2024

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

010

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

A rare popcorn 29 Palms City Council meeting on 12/10 as a new member prompts a change in how the Mayor is selected, and the City considers FLOCK surveillance. @jonathan6.bsky.social

open.substack.com

ON THE AGENDA: Twentynine Palms City Council, December 10, 2024

City surveillance and who wants to be Mayor?

000

The Desert Trumpet @deserttrumpet.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Our year-end Development Recap updates reporting on five projects receiving resident pushback: 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.

open.substack.com

2024 Development Recap

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

010