Welcome to another fiery edition of The Roggin Report, presented by The Living Desert, where Fred Roggin doesn’t hold back on the Valley’s hottest stories—literally and figuratively.
We begin with the scorching temperatures in Thousand Palms, where residents of Parkview Mobile Estates have now endured nine days without electricity. In triple-digit heat, that means no air conditioning, no refrigeration, and no answers. As Fred put it, "The management company has some explaining to do."
Then, we turn to Riverside County Animal Services, where new Director Mary Martin is under fire. Following a tragic incident involving a puppy placed in a kennel with adult dogs, which resulted in the puppy’s death and the euthanization of the adult dogs, community trust has been shaken. Despite repeated interview requests, Martin has only been made available for a 15-minute time-limited Q&A, which Roggin and his team say is not nearly enough to address public concerns.
With Director Martin silent, the report turned to Lorena Bader, who worked with her in Maricopa County, Arizona. Bader described “chaotic leadership, unethical behavior, and toxic workplace culture.” According to Bader, Martin allegedly hired unqualified friends and fired staff who challenged her. Her claims were backed by previous reports and community concerns raised during her earlier tenures in Santa Fe and Phoenix.
"Transparency is the only way to restore public trust," said Fred. "But since Mary Martin won’t speak, we’ll speak to those who worked with her."
Also on the program, contributors Doug and Jamie Baker shared their takes on why county officials might be shielding Martin from open interviews. "They’re in a FUBAR situation," Jamie said, pointing to years of mismanagement at the shelter.
And finally—because it wouldn’t be a Roggin Report without a twist—Fred explored a new study suggesting that couples who sleep in separate rooms actually enjoy better sex lives. While Jamie and Doug disagreed with the idea, Fred joked, “Sleeping apart could reignite the spark—just don’t bring someone else into the separate room!”
From Coachella's rising temps to controversial county leadership, the Roggin Report always brings the heat—and the humor.
Watch more from Fred Roggin nightly and share your hot take. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @FredRoggin. You can also email him at thedesertdean@gmail.com.
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By: Fred Roggin
April 11, 2025
