Donna Rolando News


Thermal school teacher accused of instructing students while 'under the influence of alcohol'

A Palm Desert man was taken into custody Friday after an investigation kicked off by a Thermal school student 's call to their parents saying they believed their teacher was intoxicated and that his behavior frightened the class.


Deceased Coachella pedestrian found to be victim of double hit-and-run

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is investigating a double hit-and-run in the City of Coachella that resulted in the death of a 50-year-old male pedestrian.


The Living Desert is 'so excited' to welcome two young rescue mountain lions to the Palm Desert zoo

The Living Desert, a Palm Desert zoo, is celebrating the arrival of two rescue mountain lions transferred from the Oakland Zoo.


Hours-long standoff in La Quinta ends with suspect dead from 'self-inflicted gunshot wound'

After an hours-long standoff with law enforcement at a La Quinta home on Sept. 26, a suspect turned his gun upon himself and died.


Coachella Valley Firebirds sign 4 new players

The Coachella Valley Firebirds have signed four new players, all with impressive track records, the team's website said.


PSPD awarded grant to combat alcohol-related crime, 'improve the quality of life in neighborhoods'

Palm Springs Police Department will be working to fight alcohol-related crimes with a $55,000 grant recently awarded by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).


Alleged purse thief 'linked to multiple purse thefts' in custody

An investigation into multiple purse thefts in the Coachella Valley has led to the arrest of a 40-year-old Thousand Palms man, Corporal Phillip Lorton said in a release from Riverside County Sheriff's Department.


Man accused of ramming Riverside County Sheriff's vehicles during pursuit caught, booked on felony charges

A man wanted on multiple felony charges was the subject of a pursuit early Sunday morning by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.


City of Palm Springs sues College of the Desert over West Valley campus dispute: 'legacy of support' lost

A backfired deal between Palm Springs and the College of the Desert over the city's donation of land has turned rocky enough to end up in court.


Ramirez: Coachella women 'arrested for child abuse resulting in great bodily injury and death'

Investigators looking into the death of a 5-year-old child from Coachella have arrested his mother and maternal grandmother on suspicion of child abuse.


Riverside County public health officer: 'MPX can impact anyone'

The first pediatric case of monkeypox (MPX) in Riverside County was confirmed Friday in a news release from the Riverside University Health System — Public Health.


Missing Arizona woman may be in Indio area; police ask community to be on the watch

Indio and Palm Springs residents are asked to assist in locating a missing Arizona woman whom police say may be in the area.


Thermal educator charged with teaching 'under the influence of alcohol' posts bail

A teacher from a Thermal, California, school was arrested after deputies determined he was under the influence of alcohol, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.


Mejia to speak on ranked-choice voting Tuesday; 'all residents of Palm Desert Green Country Club' invited

The Republican and Democrat clubs in Palm Desert will host a meeting for residents on Tuesday to discuss the system of ranked-choice voting now active in the city.


Baeza: 'Investigators identified and arrested the suspect' in a Sept. 2 shooting

An investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department into a fatal shooting at a Coachella party this month has led to the arrest of a 17-year-old male from Cathedral City.


Cois Byrd Detention Center inmate accused of murdering fellow inmate in 'altercation'

Homicide investigators have identified a suspect in the death of an inmate at Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.


Suspect arrested in connection with summer burglary spree in Palm Desert Country Club community

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department not only arrested a Palm Desert man for a string of residential burglaries, they also recovered stolen property belonging to the victims, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's website.


Century Park in Cathedral City to be refurbished after extensive vandalism: 'Our kids really need it.'

Children will have the opportunity to play in Cathedral City's Century Park once more without the harmful effects of vandalism, now that the city council is proceeding with a $300,000 renovation plan.


Riverside County Sheriff's Department: Rancho Mirage man dies of fentanyl poisoning, dealer charged with murder

Riverside County Sheriff's Department reports that a Cathedral City man was charged with murder Wednesday for dealing fentanyl that led to the death of a 22-year-old man in January.


Riverside County health officer says 'take this heat seriously' as Coachella Valley opens cooling centers to handle extreme scorcher

Cooling centers will be open throughout the Coachella Valley this week as National Weather Service warns of an extreme heat wave now in effect and extending through Labor Day.