Stories by Donna Rolando on Coachella Valley Times

Donna Rolando News


Mark the calendar for the Budweiser Clydesdales, disco tours, a talented tenor and more

Banish the blahs with a week of diverse activity that ranges from rockabilly to opera, and will take you back to vintage collectibles and disco too!


TikTok stars report repeated vandalism at Cathedral City home: Shots sounded like 'a hail storm'

Repeated incidents in which windows were shattered at their Cathedral City home have members of the Palm Springs TikTok group called "The Old Gays" wondering if they are the victims of targeted attacks and whether it will happen again.


State Water Resources Control Board to 'continue curtailments adopted last year to preserve water' in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed

As three consecutive years of drought take a severe toll on water levels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed, the State Water Resources Control Board drafted an emergency drought regulation that was released on Tuesday.


Thousand Palms fire forces evacuations, affects 20 acres, cause 'under investigation'

Residents were forced to evacuate as a fire broke out and spread to 20 acres of land on Monday in a Thousand Palms neighborhood.


SoCal Coyotes founder: 'In many areas we are already leading the way'

On a mission to educate and inspire at-risk youths with athletes and positive role models, J. David "Coach" Miller founded the SoCal Coyotes in 2012. The faith-based organization has supported more than 500,000 Coachella Valley youths in their clinics over the years and continues to grow.


Kidnapped Temecula child returned safely home: Investigations are ongoing

The alleged kidnapping of a 3-year-old Temecula child reported missing on April 14 was solved in a single day and the child returned safely home, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a press release. A 52-year-old woman has been charged with kidnapping and her bail set at $100,000.


Cathedral City COVID vaccine clinic set in advance of the BA.2 variant: 'it is only a matter of time before it reaches Southern California'

With a new coronavirus subvariant on the rise in other parts of the nation, Riverside University Health System and Cathedral City are teaming up to offer COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday, May 5.


Coachella Valley SCORE chairman: Mentorship is like 'one-stop shopping' for business help

Retirement left Coachella Valley SCORE Chairman Liz Hauer missing the world of business that had been a huge part of her life for so long.


Cathedral City rewards Enriquez for heroism, honors anniversary committee members

Risking one's own safety to rescue a driver from a burning car is Cathedral City's definition of a true hero and the reason they bestowed a Certificate of Recognition on Francisco Enriquez recently.


Food Now director Johnson: 'We are the boots-on-the-ground people providing for specific needs in our communities'

With food insecurity a growing problem across the nation, Food Now continues to expand and is now serving the entire western Coachella Valley.


Desert Theatreworks co-founder: 'I invite everyone to come out and participate.'

The founders of Desert Theatreworks are reaching out to the community to get involved, whether on stage or off, in bringing creativity to life in the Indio area.


Winning Palm Springs entrepreneur about CVEP: 'We can't thank them enough for their continuing support.'

Palm Springs entrepreneur Marcus Motamedi has taken grand prize at a Shark Tank-like competition in Coachella Valley with his creation, LifeID, a product that makes life-saving information instantly available in an emergency.


College of the Desert: 'Women's tennis continues their magic touch.'

The women's tennis team, comprised of entirely freshmen, at College of the Desert (COD) is advancing to the finals after beating the No. 2 seeded Riverside City Tigers 5-3 on Tuesday.


Lakers GM Pelinka fires Vogel: 'An incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary'

After a season of disappointment, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel has been fired with one more year remaining on his contract.


Temple City Councilmember Chavez: 'What we’re trying to do here is to mitigate the impact of what we believe is a ridiculous state law.'

Cities around California are resisting a new housing law, Senate Bill 9, which allows duplexes to be built on properties previously zoned as single family.


Mayor Lisa Middleton: 'We are lowering speed limits in Palm Springs'

Speed limits are being lowered around Palm Springs, California, thanks to the support of Assembly Bill 43, which took effect Jan. 1.


Councilmember Nuñez: 'We're really moving really fast,' opposing Desert Hot Springs City Council's four district map

The Desert Hot Springs City Council has approved Draft Map #1.1, which would divide the region into four election districts to vote on council seats.


CDAR: 'This bill taxes homeownership and offers the wrong solution for California's housing crisis'

The California Desert Association of Realtors (CDAR) has taken a stand against AB 1771, also known as the California Housing Speculation Act, finding the additional tax detrimental during "California's housing crisis."


COD men's tennis 'rolls in playoffs' with dominating first-round win over SBCC, 9-0

The College of the Desert men's tennis team got off to a strong start in the CCCAA Southern California Regional playoffs with a first-round win, defeating 7th-seed Santa Barbara City College 9-0 on April 5.


Palm Springs Plaza Theatre gets new $2 million boost for restoration

An anonymous donor who gave $2 million to Palm Springs Plaza Theatre's restoration fundraising project is challenging another benefactor to match that donation.