News published on Coachella Valley Times in April 2024

News from April 2024


Moore: 'My four decades in the fire service represent a dream come true in terms of public service'

Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore has announced his impending retirement, marking the conclusion of a 42-year career in public service. According to Moore, who has headed the Riverside Fire Department for approximately ten years, his retirement will take effect in September.


Riverside County park district issues new pass to let residents enjoy libraries, outdoors

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District (RivCoParks) has unveiled a new outdoor equity initiative aimed at fostering community engagement, promoting outdoor recreation, and bridging the nature gap. The RivCoParks Library Pass program provides Riverside County residents with an opportunity to explore both the outdoors and their local libraries.


COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER FOR VIGILS HELD DURING NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK

District Attorney Mike Hestrin of Riverside recently hosted two candlelight vigils during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor and remember victims of violent crimes. Speaking at the vigil in front of the Historic Courthouse, Hestrin emphasized the importance of speaking the truth about crime and victims, stating, “We are going to continue to insist that the victim’s voice be heard.”At the vigil in Palm Desert, Sophia Flores, mother of Manual Hernandez, shared her story of loss and resilience after her son was killed by her nephew in 2014. In Riverside, Catherine...


Cedric the Entertainer Reschedules Tour Stop at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Cedric the Entertainer is rescheduling his upcoming show at the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. The show, originally set for Saturday, June 8, 2024, will now take place on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. This change is necessary due to a scheduling conflict and travel logistics.According to the Fantasy Springs Box Office, all tickets purchased for the original date will be honored for the rescheduled performance. For those unable to attend the new date, refunds are available. To request a refund, individuals are advised to contact the...


City of La Quinta Issues Update on Notice of Default for Robert Green Company and SilverRock Development Company

La Quinta, CA: In a recent update, the City of La Quinta provided information regarding the Notice of Default issued to Robert Green Company and SilverRock Development Company. The statement, released on April 25, 2024, highlighted key developments in the ongoing situation.According to the announcement, "Robert Green and the SilverRock Development Co. LLC (collectively SDC) have failed to complete the cure on a Notice of Default on the Talus development issued by the City of La Quinta on April 17, 2024, within the required seven-day window that ended at midnight April 24,...


April 30 Deadline Approaching to Apply for City Boards and Commissions

The Palm Springs City Council is seeking applications from citizens interested in taking on a voluntary leadership role to serve on one of several City Boards and Commissions. The April 30 deadline to apply is fast approaching."We encourage all citizens interested in serving on a Board and Commission to apply now as the City is immediately looking to recruit," said City Clerk Brenda Pree.Applicants must live, work, or go to school within the City of Palm Springs. In addition, applicants under the age of 18 will be considered. The City Council may also consider unique...


City Council Outlook for April 25, 2024

Palm Springs City Council Outlook, April 25, 2024An update from Fire Chief Paul Alvarado on the City’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan, an update on the upcoming renovation of the Palm Springs Public Library, and consideration of three proposed traffic calming requests in local Palm Springs neighborhoods, will be some of the noteworthy items on the agenda at Thursday night’s City Council meeting.Fire Chief Paul Alvarado will provide an "update from Fire Chief Paul Alvarado on the City’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan." This update is crucial in ensuring the city's preparedness and...


Celebrate Cinco De Mayo Weekend With a Fiesta Of Live Music and Feast at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is gearing up for a vibrant Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration, offering a mix of live music and delectable dining options with a Latin twist. According to the announcement, Grammy-nominated group Los Rieleros del Norte will headline the festivities, promising an electric atmosphere of world-class entertainment, dining, and gaming.The article mentions, "An exciting concert by legendary and Grammy-nominated norteño band Los Rieleros del Norte at the Special Events Center on Saturday, May 4 will have everybody on their feet!" The event is...


City of Cathedral City Recognizes Commissioners, Committee Members at Appreciation Dinner

The City of Cathedral City recently hosted an appreciation dinner to recognize all Commission/Committee Members for their dedication and hard work in the community. The event, held at Nick’s Bistro on April 15, 2024, was a gesture of gratitude towards these individuals who play a vital role in shaping the city's future.In a statement, the City Council and the City’s Executive Management Team expressed their appreciation, saying, "We would like to thank all commissioners and committee members for their incredible commitment to this community and everything they do each day...


Renowned Criminal Defense Attorney John Patrick Dolan Receives Prestigious Laurence Tribe Award

Indio, CA - Renowned criminal defense attorney John Patrick Dolan has been awarded the prestigious Laurence Tribe Award for his exceptional contributions to collegiate debate. The award, named after distinguished legal scholar Laurence Tribe, recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding skill, dedication, and integrity in collegiate debate.Dolan, a former standout debater at California State University Fullerton, received the Laurence Tribe Award at the 78th National Debate Tournament hosted by Emory University in Atlanta. During the awards reception, held at the...


Latin Grammy Award-Winning Group Los Tucanes De Tijuana Are Bringing Norteño Sounds To Fantasy Springs

INDIO, CA - Latin Grammy Award-winning norteño group Los Tucanes de Tijuana are set to perform at the Special Events Center stage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Sunday, Oct. 13. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $49 and will go on sale on Friday, April 12.Formed in Tijuana, Baja California in 1987, the band, led by Mario Quintero Lara, is known for their unique approach to norteño music. They were pioneers in playing music in a rougher manner, which influenced many other norteño artists and gave a signature sound to Mexico's Pacific states.Over the years, Los...


Lunch & Learn: I Need Capital for My Business

Small business owners seeking capital for their ventures can now benefit from a series of informative sessions aimed at providing the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the funding landscape.The upcoming sessions will cover various crucial aspects of securing capital, with topics including understanding and preparing for capital, the forms and documents needed for a successful loan package, as well as equity capital options such as angel investors and crowdfunding. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to hear directly from underwriters at Lendistry...


Miramonte Resort & Spa Welcomes Ajit Acharya as New General Manager

Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells has recently announced the appointment of Ajit Acharya as its new General Manager. This addition to the leadership team comes as the resort continues to expand its executive lineup with industry veterans.Acharya, a seasoned hospitality professional with over 20 years of management experience at luxury properties, joins Miramonte Resort & Spa following his role as Club Manager at the esteemed Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, California. His focus at the resort will be on enhancing the leadership and operations team, overseeing a...


CalChamber-Opposed Bill Raising Internet Costs Stalls

A bill in California that faced opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce, intended to increase internet service costs, has hit a roadblock in the state legislature, likely bringing it to a standstill for the year.The bill in question, SB 1179 (Durazo; D-Los Angeles), aimed to impose price controls on broadband services and slow down the deployment of broadband services across the state. The California Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about the bill's provisions, particularly regarding affordability and federal preemption.According to the California Chamber...


Recap: Indian Wells State of the City

Indian Wells, California - The Indian Wells State of the City event took place recently, with a lineup of prestigious sponsors supporting the occasion. Among the sponsors were Banc of California, Desert Care Network, Palm Springs International Film Society, FirstBank, Southern California Edison, and many others.During the event, several individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions. Among the winners were Irma Leon from Indian Wells Golf Resort, Jonathan Roberson from Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, Vicky Rangel from Tommy Bahama...


Workshop assesses community support for rhino conservation initiative near Hwange National Park

The Living Desert, in collaboration with Imvelo Safari Lodges, recently conducted a Building Community Conservation Success workshop with students from Lupane State University and the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. The event focused on imparting both theoretical and practical skills to the students, including foundational social science principles, interview script creation, and knowledge of local culture and conservation projects.


Living Desert prioritizes collaboration with local communities for conservation success

Respect makes everything possible. If someone were to come to our home and dictate, “This is what you must do with your home. Trust us, we know what we are talking about,” most of us would tell them to get lost! Each of us must retain the ability to determine how we manage our land, our actions, and our community. Outsiders lecturing on conservation without respect are similarly unlikely to succeed. That’s why, at The Living Desert, we prioritize serving, learning from, and collaborating with local communities. This commitment was underscored by a recent experience in...


The Living Desert enhances conservation efforts with expanded social science workshops

Ensuring that Indigenous People and local communities (IPLC) not only participate in conservation but also lead or co-lead these efforts is crucial for ensuring that these projects are desired by local communities and thus more likely to be sustainable. One of the most effective approaches to achieving this is by enabling outside conservationists to engage with, learn from, and understand the needs and desires of these communities through basic training in social science.


NEWLY CONSTRUCTED DUNE PALMS ROAD NORTHBOUND BRIDGE IN LA QUINTA OPENS TO THROUGH TRAFFIC APRIL 29, 2024

The Dune Palms Road northbound bridge in La Quinta, which has been closed since being washed out during intense storms in September 2023, is set to open to through traffic on Mon., April 29, 2024. According to the press release, "This milestone marks a significant advancement in the ongoing bridge infrastructure project and re-opens Dune Palms Road."The newly constructed bridge will provide one northbound traffic lane, one southbound traffic lane, and a new sidewalk for pedestrians, making Dune Palms Road accessible to both motorists and pedestrians between Highway 111...


Calvert: 'The world is in chaos'

U.S. Representative Ken Calvert (R-Corona) has expressed his support for national security supplemental bills, asserting that "the world is in chaos." These bills are intended to bolster the defense of U.S.'s allies and partners globally. Calvert was among the numerous lawmakers who voted for nearly $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on April 20.