
Welcome to Morongo
Set at the foot of the beautiful San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains, the Morongo Indian Reservation spans more than 35,000 acres and overlooks the vistas of the Banning Pass. Resilient and resourceful, the Morongo tribe has had to overcome many adversities.
Latest News
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Morongo’s Fire Chief Retires After Long, Distinguished Career
Kevin Gaines spent 40 years in fire service, including the last six leading the Morongo Fire Department. Morongo Fire Engineer Jason Carrizosa has been promoted as his replacement. MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION, Calif. – After serving six years with the Morongo Fire Department, Fire Chief Kevin Gaines has hung up his helmet, marking the end of a distinguished career that began 40 years ago in CAL FIRE, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians announced this week.
Morongo Fire Department Engineer / ALS Coordinator Jason Carrizosa has been named the new chief. Carrizosa, an 11-year veteran of the department, is a Morongo Tribal Member and grew up on the Morongo Reservation.
“Working for Morongo has been extremely fulfilling and I’m very proud of the strides that the Morongo Fire Department has made over the past six years with the support of a Tribal Council who is very committed to advancing public safety,” Gaines said. “I will miss the members of my department and the many tribal members I have come to know over the years. I know Jason will do an amazing job as the department continues to move forward.”
“Working for Morongo has been extremely fulfilling and I’m very proud of the strides that the Morongo Fire Department has made over the past six years with the support of a Tribal Council who is very committed to advancing public safety,” Gaines said. “I will miss the members of my department and the many tribal members I have come to know over the years. I know Jason will do an amazing job as the department continues to move forward.”
Gaines spent 34 years with CAL FIRE before joining Morongo Fire in 2015. At Morongo, Gaines helped strengthen the Advanced Life Support (ALS) and paramedic programs, brought on new state-of-the-art firefighting equipment and oversaw the department’s response to major incidents all across the San Gorgonio Pass, including the 33,000-acre Apple Fire in 2020. Under Gaines’ leadership, Morongo firefighters helped battle destructive wildland fires across California, such as the Woolsey Fire, Carr Fire and Camp Fire.
Gaines was integral in cultivating the tribe’s strong mutual aid relationships with surrounding emergency service agencies in addition to directing efforts to protect Morongo residents and the tribe’s environmental, cultural and economic resources during emergency incidents.
“We are truly grateful to Chief Gaines who served Morongo with the highest levels of professionalism and demonstrated extraordinary leadership, expertise and compassion during critical incidents,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “As we wish Chief Gaines the best in his well-earned retirement, we are excited to welcome our new fire chief, Jason Carrizosa, who will continue to grow the department’s legacy for protecting life and property across the region.”
A Banning High School graduate, Carrizosa holds an undergraduate degree in business and marketing from Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, where he played collegiate baseball. He played rookie ball for the Kansas City Royals before returning home and graduating from Moreno Valley College’s fire academy.
“Having grown up on the Morongo reservation, it means the world to me to accept this position, which will allow me to protect the safety of my fellow tribal members and our neighbors in surrounding communities,” Carrizosa said. “I have some big shoes to fill, and I have immense respect for everything Chief Gaines accomplished to strengthen our department. I intend to continue along that path.”
The Morongo Fire Department, which was formed in the 1950s as a team of volunteer firefighters, is now made up of 24 full-time staff. From its inception, the department has responded to emergencies on the reservation, as well as in neighboring cities and across California.
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Morongo Presents Over $128,000 to Support Local Youth
Photographer Casino’s partnership with its patrons transforms a nationwide shortage of coins into an opportunity to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass.
MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA – Thanks to the generosity of its guests, the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa presented a $128,643 check to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass to support the organization’s vital community youth programs.
Due to the nationwide coin shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses across the country – including casinos like Morongo – have had limited access to quarters, nickels, dimes, and even pennies. To help alleviate the national strain, Morongo launched a program in July offering its guests a chance to donate the spare change from their winnings to charity, and thousands did.
“We are simply overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our guests during these challenging times to help local youth through Morongo’s community coin donation program,” said Morongo’s Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “We want to thank all of our guests who participated in this effort to support local families and children who receive services from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass.”
Amy Herr, the executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, said the funds will be used to help operate education support and other programs offered by the organization.
“We are beyond grateful for the generosity of Morongo’s guests, and for the casino’s innovation in turning a nationwide coin shortage into a positive that is benefiting local children during these critical times,” Herr said. “Once again, Morongo has stepped up for local youth, and we are very thankful.”
In October, Morongo raised $60,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs at the 24th Annual Morongo Charity Golf Tournament, held at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon.
Photo Caption: Boys and Girls Clubs Board Chair Phillip Hutchins (left to right), Morongo Tribal Vice Chair James Siva, Boys and Girls Clubs Executive Director Amy Herr and Richard St. Jean, Chief Operating Officer of the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.
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COVID-19 Notifications Now Available
California has rolled out COVID-19 Exposure Notifications to Android and iOS devices. These notifications are anonymous, and do not track or store your name, contact information, whereabouts, or movements.
When a person tests positive for COVID-19, CA Notify will trigger an alert to the phones of people who may have been in close proximity — within 6 feet of that individual for 15 minutes or more — in the past 14 days.
For the safety of yourself and others, please opt in to the notifications by following the steps below:
iPhone
iPhone users can enable CA Notify in their device’s settings1. Update your iOS to version 13.7 or later
2. Go into Settings
3. Scroll down to Exposure Notifications
4. Turn on Exposure Notifications
5. Select United States> CaliforniaAndroid
CA Notify is available on the Google Play Store:
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New Mega Gas Station Coming to Morongo Indian Reservation
Like the tribe’s existing travel center, the new state-of-the-art location will feature discount fuel and popular amenities.
CABAZON, CA – The ultimate Interstate 10 pit stop is about to get better. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians broke ground last week on a second Morongo Travel Center, complete with a 32-pump discount gas station, dog park, car wash, slot machines, convenience store and other amenities.
Located behind Morongo’s existing travel center off Morongo Trail and Seminole Drive, the 6.7-acre project will also offer multiple electric vehicle charging stations (including eight Tesla superchargers), RV dumping, propane fills, six high-speed diesel truck pumps and diesel exhaust fluid.
“This state-of-the-art center will have everything a weary traveler could ask for – and then some,” said Tribal Chairman Robert Martin of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. “It will complement and ease wait times at our current Morongo Travel Center, which is immensely popular and will remain open.”
Known for low-cost gasoline, sparkling amenities, and nearby restaurants, the 24-hour Morongo Travel Center has been a beacon for freeway motorists and local residents for years. The new center is expected to open next May and is being built Moorefield Construction, Inc.
The project marks the latest addition to Morongo’s master-planned development of retail, hospitality, and service offerings along Interstate 10 in Cabazon. In recent years, Morongo has also welcomed such favorites as In-N-Out Burger, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Cold Stone Creamery, Panda Express and a new flagship store for Hadley Fruit Orchards.
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Apple Fire Update for Morongo Reservation Areas
UPDATE 8/7/2020 12:00 PM:
USFS is performing a controlled burns around the area causing more smoke, there is no need for concern. No evacuation orders are planned at this time.
UPDATE 8/4/2020 4:00 PM:
The Apple Fire evacuation orders have been lifted for both the Morongo Reservation, which includes areas west of Potrero Road and north of Morongo Road, and the City of Banning, which includes the areas north of Wilson between Sunset and Hathaway.
All areas north of Morongo Road east of Potrero Road and west of Whitewater Canyon on the Morongo Reservation remain under an evacuation warning.
The Apple Fire continues to be very active in Millard Canyon and Wood Canyon.
Please be aware that the canyons remain closed to members and residents as heavy equipment is operating in these areas as part of the firefighting effort. You may also notice many fire trucks and other heavy equipment on Morongo, Millard, Potrero and Verdugo as well as firefighters on foot in many of these areas. Please use extreme caution while driving and walking on the Reservation to keep everyone as safe as possible.
The Tribal Administration Building will reopen beginning tomorrow, August 5th at 8:00 am.
Morongo Reservation Updates Provided On:
Morongo Tribal Member One-Call
Morongo Emergency Service Radio Station 89.1 FM
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Coronavirus (COVID‐19) Update
In response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians has taken a number of proactive steps to best protect the health, safety and well‐being of our Tribal Members, employees, guests, and our neighbors in surrounding communities.
We had to temporarily close several Tribal business enterprises, including the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Casino Morongo, Canyon Lanes Bowling Alley and Hadley Fruit Orchards, but have slowly been able to get them back open with all the necessary precautions.
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Casino Morongo, Canyon Lanes Bowling Alley, Tukwet Canyon Golf and Hadley Fruit Orchards are now all back in business as of May 22, 2020.
The Morongo Tribal Council remains fully focused on this issue and is working with federal, state, local and tribal organizations in a unified response to this national public health emergency. We are doing everything we can to address the needs of our tribal community and our region, and we remain in close contact with health and public safety officials.
Below please find links to useful information:
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tips on how to stay healthy, how to the prevent the spread of the Coronavirus and what to what to do if you think you are sick: Click here
- Recommendations for coping with the stress brought on by the outbreak: Click here
- The latest updates from the County of Riverside: Click here
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Morongo Unveils New State-of-the-Art Fire Engine to Protect Public
Members of the Morongo Tribal Council and Morongo Fire Department recently welcomed a new state-of-the-art fire engine to the reservation. The new Morongo Fire Engine, believed to be the first in Riverside County designed to carry two types of firefighting foam, will help firefighters respond to incidents on the reservation and across the region.
MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – TheMorongo Band of Mission Indians recently welcomed a new, custom-built KME fire engine packed with the latest computer and firefighting technology to further the Morongo Fire Department’s ability to protect life and property during emergencies on the reservation, across Riverside County and beyond.
The new Morongo fire engine is believed to be the first in Riverside County with a dual pre-plumbed foam system able to carry 20 gallons of standard Class A foam for fighting ordinary fires as well as another 20 gallons of Class B foam for dousing fires involving gasoline or diesel fuel.
“Protecting public safety is very important to Morongo, both on our reservation and in communities all across Riverside County,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “With its innovative technology and heightened capabilities, our new Morongo fire engine will help ensure our firefighters are best equipped to protect the lives and property of our tribal members, employees, guests and neighbors.”
Morongo Fire Department Chief Kevin Gaines and the new Morongo Fire Engine. The new fire engine is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank, a 1,000-gallons-per minute (GPM) master stream, and a 1,500-GPM two-stage pump capable of propelling water at high pressure or in high volumes. Advanced technology will help protect firefighters and the public, such as automatically applying brakes to specific axles as needed to prevent skidding as the rig responds to emergencies.
The fire engine also features color-coded fire hoses and corresponding colored LED-equipped gauges and controls to help firefighters easily monitor water and foam tank levels from a far greater distance for maximum efficiency.
Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin and Morongo Fire Chief Kevin Gaines hold a plaque before the new Morongo Fire Engine. “Our department is extremely grateful to work with such a forward-thinking Tribal Council that continues to be deeply committed to public safety,” said Morongo Fire Chief Kevin Gaines. “Providing our firefighters with state-of-the-art equipment and training allows us to provide the best possible service to those in need during a crisis.” The Morongo Fire Department responds to emergencies on the Morongo Indian Reservation, in neighboring cities across the San Gorgonio Pass and all across the state. In recent years, Morongo firefighters helped battle dozens of devastating wildfires, from the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, to the 96,000-acre Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles County and the 230,000-acre Carr Fire in Shasta and Trinity counties.
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Morongo Marks $1 Million Milestone with Annual Holiday Shopping Spree
More than 35,000 children have participated in the Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree, sponsored by Morongo for the past 10 years
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019) – Holiday joy and excitement ruled the day as more than 3,000 disadvantaged children from across Southern California took part on Monday in the annual Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree, sponsored by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
Over the past decade Morongo has given $1 million to the nonprofit, resulting in more than 35,000 children in need being treated to a free holiday shopping spree.
“Morongo is excited to be celebrating our 10th year of partnership with Christmas Cheer All Year as we have worked together to bring holiday joy to tens of thousands of children who otherwise might not have received any presents,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “Nothing compares to seeing the smile on a happy child’s face during the holidays.”
Throughout the morning, children from across Southern California emerged from the Target Store in Rancho Cucamonga, CA happily clutching superhero action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, Lego sets, soccer balls, books, board games and other toys that they selected during the three-hour shopping spree.
“This was a wish come true,” said 13-year-old Gabe Silva of Banning as he held a shoe-box sized container of Yu-Gi-Oh cards. “I could come in and shop for the stuff I really wanted.”
His mother, Lisa Silva, said the shopping spree was an amazing experience for all the children, adding “It’s really nice to see them just enjoy the moment.”
Rick Lozano, founder of Christmas Cheer All Year and a longtime Fox 11 News journalist, said Morongo’s ongoing support helps ensure children enjoy the holidays.
“Morongo has been a blessing to us as the title sponsor of Christmas Cheer All Year for the last 10 years, and we can’t thank the tribe enough for providing $1 million to support kids,” Lozano said. “The tribe’s generosity continues to make a huge difference in the lives of underprivileged children and their families.”
Children who took part in the shopping spree were selected by local nonprofit organizations, including 600 children from Banning, Beaumont and across the San Gorgonio Pass.
Over the past five years, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians has contributed more than $5 million to support communities and nonprofit organizations that strengthen lives across Southern California.
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Morongo Golf Tournament Raises $10,000 for Cabazon Public Library
Morongo Golf Tournament Raises $10,000 for Cabazon Public Library
More than 100 golfers participated in the event at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon to help support the valuable community library.
Morongo Tribal Council Vice Chair James Siva (left) and Tribal Councilman Brian Lugo (right) present a $10,000 check to Cabazon Public Library Branch Manager Ted Conable (center). Cabazon, Calif – More than 100golfers took to the fairways to help raise $10,000 to benefit the Cabazon Community Library at a golf tournament held on Monday, December 2 at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon.
The proceeds will be used to support the library’s operations, including new weekend and afterschool programming, updating the patio area and securing new books and materials.
“We are proud to support the Cabazon Library and all of the great programs and services it provides to children and adults in the surrounding community,” said Morongo Tribal Council Vice Chair James Siva. “The library is a vital asset to our region, and we want to thank all the golfers who took part in the tournament to help ensure this facility continues to thrive.”
Vice Chair Siva presented a check for $10,000 to Ted Conable, branch manager of the Cabazon Library, at a luncheon following the golf tournament.
Opened in 2013 as part of the Riverside County Library System, the 7,000-square-foot Cabazon Library offers a spacious multi-purpose room for library programs and community events, a children’s corner, teen area, adult reading area, free Wi-Fi, and public internet computers.
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Morongo Turkey Giveaway Helps Provide Over 225,000 Thanksgiving Meals
Volunteer Jason McFadden of Fountain of Life Temple Church in Banning helps package turkeys being donated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The tribe increased the number of turkeys being given out to 12,500 for the 34th Annual Morongo Thanksgiving Outreach Program.
MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians distributed 12,500 free turkeys this week to help provide holiday meals to families, seniors and veterans in need as part of the tribe’s 34th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Program.
This year’s program will once again help nonprofit groups, churches and charities provide more than 225,000 holiday meals across Southern California. Recognizing the growing need across the region, the tribe increased the number of turkeys it donated this year by 25 percent over past years.
Since the program’s creation, Morongo has given away nearly 145,000 turkeys, which in turn have provided an estimated 2.75 million holiday meals.
“The roots of Morongo’s Thanksgiving Outreach program stretch back decades to a time when our tribe sought to help others even as we ourselves faced adversity,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “This year, we continue our legacy of giving by providing tens of thousands of holiday meals to those in need across the region.”
Volunteers Isabella Schieffer, Curtis Gardner and Jackie Rankin of VFW Post 1508 in Wildomar help package some of the 12,500 turkey donated by Morongo. On Nov. 18 and Nov. 19, dozens of tribal members and volunteers gathered at the Morongo Community Center to distribute the Thanksgiving turkeys to 114 nonprofit organizations such as churches, food pantries, schools, veteran groups and homeless shelters from across Southern California. Groups receiving turkeys hailed from Banning, Beaumont, Riverside, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Redlands, Los Angeles, and other communities.
The groups will use the turkeys to provide hot holiday meals to those in need or will distribute the birds in holiday food baskets with all the fixings to help feed thousands of people who would otherwise not be able to afford and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner.
Non-profit groups receiving turkeys ranged from the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio to the Los Angeles Rescue Mission, the Galilee Center in Mecca, the Western Eagle Foundation in Temecula, Victory Outreach Church in Banning, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Riverside, and many others.
Wendell Crawford, outreach pastor at Hope Unlimited Church in Banning, loads turkeys donated by Morongo. “For years, our rescue mission has relied on the generosity of the Morongo tribe to help provide hope and hot meals to thousands in the Coachella Valley at Thanksgiving,” said Darla Burkett, executive director of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, which received 400 turkeys from the tribe.
Pastor Victor Archuleta of Victory Outreach Church in Banning said the 200 turkeys being provided by Morongo will help struggling families who might not otherwise be able to share a Thanksgiving dinner.
“What a tremendous blessing it has been to have turkeys donated by Morongo every year. Having a reliable partner during the holidays gives our church and members hope as we serve families in our San Gorgonio Pass communities,” Archuleta said.
Hundreds of veterans and military families benefitted from the tribe’s Thanksgiving Outreach program, which provided more than 300 turkeys this year to local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other military support groups.
The Los Angeles Mission received 250 birds to help feed the homeless this holiday. Herb Smith, president of the Los Angeles Mission, said the Morongo donation will help feed those on Skid Row in Los Angeles.
Brian and Caryn Chambers load 60 turkeys donated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to the First Missionary Baptist Church in Banning. “Morongo has always stood by our community’s veterans and their families who have served our nation and sacrificed so much. Through our partnership, the Western Eagle Foundation will be to help military families share and enjoy holiday meals with their loved ones,” said Todd Sieja, president of the Western Eagle Foundation in Temecula.
“The Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ ongoing support of our programs have been critical in achieving our shared mission to provide comfort and dignity to homeless populations those in the greatest need. Because of the tribe’s continued giving, we can serve and bless thousands of homeless families and individuals again this year,” Smith said.
To receive turkeys, participating groups submitted applications to the tribe and were notified over the summer that they had been selected. For organizations interested in receiving turkeys next thanksgiving, applications for next year are due May 7th, 2020.
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