The Desert Trumpet

11/05/2025

Government Shutdown: Day 36.
Desert Trumpet took a deep-dive at how the federal shutdown is impacting Twentynine Palms residents over one month in, from military families to seniors.

With SNAP and CalFresh benefits in limbo, local organizations are stepping up to the plate.

See what food pantry operators and local businesses are doing to help out amidst the chaos, and see what locals had to say in our latest article, out now. Also, catch a list of local food distribution programs we compiled.

Morongo Basin residents see SNAP benefits impacted, local organizations and businesses step up

11/03/2025

On October 29 California State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh hosted a town hall in Twentynine Palms in order to introduce herself to Morongo Basin residents, discuss her role in Sacramento, encourage local involvement and connection to elected officials, and familiarize herself with residents’ concerns. Read more:

The California State Senator discussed her role in Sacramento, encouraged local involvement, and listened to residents’ concerns.

11/02/2025

If the City wants to encourage a tourist friendly, walkable downtown, is a smog check facility really a good fit? How many horses on the parcel next door is too many? What’s the definition of a public event and how many should be allowed in commercial and residential zoning per year? Should greenhouses for cooperative gardens be permitted?

Temporary Use Permits, Animal Regulations, Smog Checks and Cooperative Gardens all reappear on the Planning Commission agenda, some for final discussion prior to writing code. These are all STUDY SESSIONS which are not always videotaped or live streamed so if you want to weigh in be at Twentynine Palms City Hall at 5pm on Tuesday, November 4.

Temporary Use Permits, Smog Checks, Animal Regulations and Community Gardens return for a final discussion

11/01/2025

November skies are all about quiet brilliance. Chilly air, clear views, and a new cast of constellations. The Leonids peak under a New Moon. Saturn rules the early sky. Jupiter arrives late—but worth the wait. Get your layers on, plan your night and let the sky surprise you.

Meteor Magic, Giant Planets, and Autumn Stars

10/29/2025

A tribute to our favorite charismatic critters

Originally published October 4, 2023—updated with a tribute to Mika, a wild tortoise who roamed Indian Cove

10/25/2025

3D-Printed Tiny Escapes Resort Approved for Amboy Road

10/25/2025

Check out the latest recap on the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission approving a 30-unit, 3D-printed eco-resort near Amboy Road. 🤖

To quote one of the planning commissioners — could this be the kind of “forward-thinking development the City needs”?
What do you think?

3D-Printed Tiny Escapes Resort Approved for Amboy Road

10/22/2025

The season of the witch is upon us. To celebrate, Hi Desert Times proprietor Liz Lapp shares Halloween history, spooky marathons, great autumn recipes and more. And this month her Sad Trombone off beat arts and culture column — usually a paid subscriber benefit — is free! Enjoy!

Celebrate the darkness

10/20/2025

In the first meeting of the fiscal year, the Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District advisory board members met to hear marketing updates, share celebrations and concerns over the state of tourism development in the city, and select grant review committee members. Read more: https://www.deserttrumpet.org/p/recap-tourism-business-improvement-ab6

10/19/2025

On Tuesday, 29's Planning Commission will consider a conditional use permit for the Amboy Resort--thirty robot-built, 3-D printed cabins on Amboy Road near the Roadrunner Dunes golf course. Is the future finally here?

The Commission considers a CUP for a 3-D printed resort on Amboy Road

10/18/2025

Our first recap of the San Bernardino County East Desert Regional Committee on Homelessness (EDRC). The East Desert Regional Committee is one of five regional committees that are a part of the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership, which itself is a part of a Continuum of Care network.

We decided to cover this group in part due to the involvement of City of Twentynine Palms officials and nonprofits - the Co-Chairs are Stone James and Robin Schlosser, April Ramirez is a committee member and City Exec Assistant Christina Benton provides support.These meetings are attended by a who’s who of Morongo Basin homelessness support and advocacy who meet to share information and manage distribution of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding.

This meeting featured a presentation by Craig Bell, Operations Chief, Morongo Basin Ambulance Association, on medical emergencies within the homeless population and discussion of HHAP funding categories.

Code of conduct deferred, alternate members approved, HHAP 5 funding and ambulance services for the homeless discussed