News from January 2024


Cathedral City celebrates sister city Tequila this weekend with Taste of Jalisco Festival

The 8th Annual Taste of Jalisco Festival is scheduled for this weekend. The City of Cathedral City has utilized social media to remind Coachella Valley residents about the imminent festival, which celebrates its sister city, Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico.


Palm Springs to recognize Black History Month with several events

The City of Palm Springs has announced that a series of events have been scheduled to commemorate Black History Month in February. These events, ranging from an awards gala to a parade and fair, are open to the entire community.


Riverside County will skip full federal homeless count in 2024 to focus on housing the homeless

Riverside County has made the decision to only conduct a sheltered homeless Point in Time (PIT) count in 2024, thereby enabling it to focus its resources on transitioning those living on the streets into permanent housing. The county will carry out a full PIT count next year.


Indio resident with Imperial County dental practice sentenced to 37 months for Medicare fraud

An Imperial County dentist and Indio resident, Javad Aghaloo, has been sentenced to 37 months in prison by a federal court for defrauding Medicare and concealing his illicit activities. His former billing manager, Melissa Rosas of Calexico, was given three years of probation for impeding a federal audit.


City of Palm Desert receives Certified Autism Center designation

The City of Palm Desert has received the Certified Autism Center designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This makes it the first city in California and the second nationwide to achieve this recognition.


Southwest Arts Festival kicks off in Indio

The Southwest Arts Festival commenced on Thursday at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. The annual event, which features over 200 artists, is projected to attract more than 13,000 attendees this year.


City of Coachella offers pre-approved ADU and JADU floorplans

City of Coachella Councilmember Neftali Galarza has announced that the city council has approved a new initiative aimed at improving housing affordability. In an effort to save home builders both money and time, and to promote home development in Coachella, the city is offering five pre-approved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans along with one junior ADU (JADU) plan.


Riverside County hosts panel discussion to help save homeless cats

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) convened a panel discussion yesterday to address the escalating issue of homeless cat overpopulation. The event was graced by three nationally recognized experts in community and shelter cat and kitten management.


City of Desert Hot Springs launches new development projects web page

The City of Desert Hot Springs has recently introduced a new Desert Hot Springs Community Development web page. The purpose of this initiative is to keep residents informed and updated about the city’s large-scale development projects. As of now, the site provides comprehensive information on nearly two dozen projects that are at various stages of development.


Palm Springs Police Department remembers officer killed in the line of duty 63 years ago

Last week, the Palm Springs Police Department commemorated Officer Gale Gene Eldridge, a member of their force who was tragically killed by an armed robber in 1961. Eldridge is one of four officers from the Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) who have lost their lives in the line of duty.


Alianza Coachella Valley and partners to host Pathways to a Resilient Salton Sea event

Alianza Coachella Valley is preparing to host an event that will showcase a reimagined Salton Sea. The gathering is scheduled to occur at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club on Saturday, January 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.


Palm Springs Unified School District names Dr. Tonatiuh Signoret superintendent

Dr. Tonatiuh 'Tony' Signoret has been appointed as the superintendent of Schools for Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD). Previously serving as the interim superintendent, Signoret's new contract extends until June 30, 2025.


Cathedral City Fire Department to offer CERT training in February

The Cathedral City Fire Department has announced that it is currently accepting participants for its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class, scheduled for next month. The class is a prerequisite for becoming a certified member of Cathedral City’s CERT.


Business First Series returns to Palm Desert

The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce (PDACC), in collaboration with the City of Palm Desert, is set to revive the Business First Series. This initiative offers business professionals an avenue to seek answers to their queries about conducting business in Palm Desert.


City of La Quinta FY 2022-23 revenues beat expectations, but the city remains prudent

The City of La Quinta concluded the fiscal year 2022-23 with a higher revenue than initially projected. The city's earnings exceeded the council's expectations by an additional $5.6 million when it approved the budget in June 2022.


City of Palm Desert secures an $8 million housing infrastructure grant

The City of Palm Desert has announced the acquisition of an $8 million grant from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The funds will be allocated towards building infrastructure to support housing.


Riverside County to host virtual art competition for students

The Riverside County Office of Education has announced an upcoming virtual art competition for elementary and middle school students, titled "Art Connects". The submission window for this contest will close on January 22. The office had previously hosted a similar event during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved to be so successful that they decided to reintroduce it.


Fashion luminary Susan Stein to be honored on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars

The City of Palm Springs is set to install the 465th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. This honor will be bestowed upon Susan Stein, the creative producer and director of Fashion Week El Paseo and Fashion/Scene editor of Palm Springs Life Magazine.


City of Palm Desert is accepting applications for Outside Agency Program grants

The City of Palm Desert has declared its readiness to accept applications for grants through its Outside Agency Program. This program offers funding opportunities to nonprofits, schools, and other community-based organizations.


Desert Hot Springs Historical Society to celebrate its new home at the Pil O Rox Rock House

The Desert Hot Springs Historical Society is set to inaugurate its new premises, the historic "Pil O Rox" Rock House, with a grand opening and dedication ceremony next week.