Coachella Valley Times News


Palm Desert commercial burglary suspects apprehended by local law enforcement

On May 9, 2024, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a commercial burglary report at the 74000 block of Highway 111. The victim reported that a motorcycle and firearm had been stolen from the premises. The investigation was subsequently taken over by members of the Palm Desert Burglar Suppression Unit.


Riverside County Sheriff's Office announces planned DUI checkpoint for May 24

On May 24, 2024, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is set to conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint. The operation will take place from 7pm to 1am at an undisclosed location in the city of Temecula. The selection of DUI checkpoint locations is data-driven, based on areas with a high incidence of impaired driving-related crashes.


Sam Karagavoorian passes away in Palm Desert: Coroner's report

Sam Karagavoorian, an 80-year-old male resident of Palm Desert, CA, tragically passed away on May 9, 2024. According to the Coroner's File #2024-03593, the time of death was recorded as 1513 hours.


Click It or Ticket" campaign encourages Californians to buckle up

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Perris Station, is reminding Californians to always buckle up and ensure children are secured in the appropriate car seats during their Memorial Day travels. The reminder comes as part of this year's "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which runs from May 20 to June 2.


First detection of West Nile Virus in Coachella Valley for 2024

Mosquitoes collected from a routine site in the City of Coachella have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), marking the first detection of the virus in the Coachella Valley for 2024. The infected mosquitoes were found near Genoa St. and Avenue 53.


Riverside County promotes safety during National Bicycle Safety Month

May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office – San Jacinto Station is encouraging everyone to be active and safely enjoy bike rides. At the same time, they are reminding drivers to be vigilant for increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians.


Coachella awarded $10 million grant for Community Resilience Center

The California Strategic Growth Council has awarded the City of Coachella a Community Resilience Center (CRC) Implementation Grant Award of $10 million to help further the City’s goal of making Coachella a more climate-resilient community. Funding will be utilized to retrofit an existing facility previously known as Hidden Harvest on Peter Rabbit Lane into the new Coachella Community Resilience Center, which will function as an emergency shelter, food and business incubator hub, garden space, resource center, and workforce training and development center. Partners that will...


Rep. Calvert urges Biden administration to resume weapon transfers to Israel

Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) has issued a statement in response to the Biden Administration's decision to halt weapons transfers to Israel. He has called on the President to release the weapons as Israel initiates a ground offensive in Rafah.


Riverside County Sheriff’s Office promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

San Jacinto, Calif. — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office – San Jacinto Station is taking the opportunity during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May to remind drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. The aim is to encourage safe driving habits and shared responsibility on our roads, thereby ensuring everyone reaches their destination safely.


Suspects arrested for organized retail theft in Lake Elsinore

On May 7, 2024, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to a theft at a retail store located in the 18000 block of Collier Avenue, Lake Elsinore. The suspects reportedly entered the store with large bags and began stealing high-end merchandise before fleeing in a red Hyundai Elantra.


Community Bingo Event to Support Palm Springs Animal Shelter

"A Night of Bingo Under The Stars for Paws & Claws benefiting the Palm Springs Animal Shelter" is set to take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at The Sonoran in Palm Springs. The event will start with doors opening at 5:00PM and the program beginning at 6:45PM.


10 million grant awarded for Community Resilience Center in Coachella

The California Strategic Growth Council has granted the City of Coachella a $10 million Community Resilience Center (CRC) Implementation Grant. The funds will be used to convert an existing facility, previously known as Hidden Harvest on Peter Rabbit Lane, into the new Coachella Community Resilience Center. The CRC is envisioned as a multi-purpose hub that will serve as an emergency shelter, food and business incubator, garden space, resource center, and workforce training and development center.


CalChamber Raises Concerns with Anti-Business Legislation; Proposals Stall for the Year

The California Chamber of Commerce has expressed its concerns with several bills, which have now stalled for the year. Additionally, one bill that was under the Chamber's scrutiny will not progress further.


Cinco de Mayo Holiday Enforcement Results

On May 5, 2024, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office took action during ABC’s statewide Cinco De Mayo Holiday Enforcement operation in Lake Elsinore. The enforcement led to the citation of 20 individuals for municipal code violations at various locations within the city.Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Captain J. Rayls emphasized the significance of the operation, stating, "This operation is important to the city of Lake Elsinore to increase protection for youth and to hold accountable problem locations that contribute to an increase in crime."The primary goal of such...


Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation in Riverside County to Target Violations, with Funding from Traffic Safety Grant

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Jurupa Valley Station, has announced that they will be conducting a Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on May 7th. The operation will see additional deputies on patrol, specifically targeting violations made by drivers and motorcycle riders.According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office, the top primary crash factors for motorcycles include unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence, and unsafe lane changes. It was highlighted that speeding is the most common factor, accounting for...


Riverside County Sheriff's Office Launches "Click It or Ticket" Campaign to Promote Seat Belt Safety

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office has launched its annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign to remind Californians about the importance of seat belt safety. The campaign, running from May 20 to June 2, aims to encourage drivers and passengers to always buckle up and secure children in the appropriate car seats.Sergeant Ignacio Robles emphasized the significance of seat belt usage, stating, “Wearing a seat belt should be automatic for all drivers and passengers every trip." He further added, "Seat belts save lives, and everyone – front seat and back, child and adult –...


DUI Checkpoint Scheduled in Eastvale, Calif. by Riverside County Sheriff's Office

City of Eastvale, Calif. – On May 10, 2024, The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Jurupa Valley Station will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM at an undisclosed location.The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints, as stated by Sergeant Ignacio Robles, is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road. Robles emphasized, "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," and added, "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic...


Riverside County Sheriff's Office to Conduct DUI Checkpoint in Moreno Valley

May 6, 2024The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in Moreno Valley has announced that they will be conducting a DUI checkpoint on May 10, 2024, from 8:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. at an undisclosed location.Deputy Julian Antonissen emphasized the importance of such checkpoints by stating, “Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk. Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”The department also highlighted that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol, as some...


Cat Burglar Arrested

Rancho Mirage, CA - The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a cat burglar in the community. Michael Zibell, a 47-year-old resident of Thousand Palms, was apprehended for his involvement in a residential burglary in the Escala gated community.According to Michael Zibell, the suspect gained entry by first burglarizing the victim’s vehicle and then using the garage door opener to access the garage. The stolen items included possessions from both the vehicle and the garage.The Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team (SET) deputies were able to gather...


Area high students join aspiring artists program

Six high schools students from the Desert Sands school district joined the inaugural art mentorship program, Aspiring Artists, created by Old Town Artisan Studios (OTAS).