News from May 2024
West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes in North Shore
By Coachella Valley Times | May 22, 2024
Mosquitoes from a routine collection site have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in North Shore near Vander Veer Rd and Avenue 73, marking the first WNV positive sample in North Shore this year and the sixth in the Coachella Valley in 2024.
Palm Springs City Council to discuss housing, airport upgrades, and mural repairs
By Coachella Valley Times | May 22, 2024
The Palm Springs City Council will address several significant items at its meeting on Thursday night. The agenda includes discussions on the development of new residential housing in Desert Highland Gateway Estates and a new Homeowner Opportunity Program. Additionally, the council will consider a consultant services agreement for designing an inline baggage handling system at Palm Springs International Airport.
CSUSB Palm Desert holds pinning ceremony for graduating nurses
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus recently held a pinning ceremony for its graduating nursing students. The event also recognized one Master in Science in Nursing (MSN) student and five RN to BSN students. Faculty from the Department of Nursing presented the graduates with nursing pins, while family, friends, and various CSUSB faculty, staff, and administrators attended.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers special menu for restaurant week
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
Enjoy panoramic views of the Coachella Valley from Peaks Restaurant
IID launches grant program for tree planting in public spaces
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has announced the launch of a grant program aimed at funding tree-planting projects in public spaces. The Public Green Space Grant Program is open to cities, counties, special districts, nonprofits, and community-based organizations. This initiative seeks to mitigate urban heat, reduce temperatures, and enhance local communities.
Living Desert welcomes spur-winged lapwing chicks
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
The Living Desert has introduced four new members to its African aviary—spur-winged lapwing chicks. Hatched during the week of April 29 to first-time parents, Peeper Parker and MJ, these young birds are already exploring their habitat.
United launches nonstop flights between Palm Springs International Airport and Washington Dulles
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
United Airlines will launch new nonstop flights this winter between Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, California, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. United will operate one daily flight starting December 19, running through April 30, 2025.
Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival announces cast for upcoming performances
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
Palm Springs, CA – May 21, 2024: The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF) has announced the selection of cast members for the three plays to be presented at the upcoming festival. The event will take place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on June 9, 2024, at 12 PM. This annual festival will feature original plays by three local students performed as staged readings with professional actors and directors. Attendance is free, but reservations are required. More information can be found at psypf.org.
Groundbreaking set for $25M mixed-use complex in downtown Indio
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
Statewide Services to Break Ground On $25,000,000 Mixed-Use Apartment Complex In Downtown Indio On Thursday, May 30th
Deadline nears for Morongo Band nonprofits seeking SBA disaster loans
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration (SBA), has reminded private nonprofit organizations within the Morongo Band of Mission Indians that the deadline to apply for SBA federal disaster loans is June 18. These loans are intended to address property damage resulting from severe storms and flooding that occurred between January 31 and February 9.
Rep. Calvert on ballot delivery delays: ‘it is imperative that the USPS meet the modern electoral needs of the American public’
By Coachella Valley Times | May 21, 2024
U.S. Rep Ken Calvert (CA-41) said it is “imperative” that the U.S. Postal Service meets the needs of American voters by ensuring all mail-in ballots are delivered on time. This statement was made in a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on May 6 after more than 100 ballots were not counted for California’s March Primary Election due to USPS mailing delays.
SBA to close disaster loan outreach centers in San Diego County
By Coachella Valley Times | May 17, 2024
Francisco Sánchez Jr., the associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration (SBA), announced that the SBA will close its San Diego and Spring Valley Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in San Diego County at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.
Aerial mosquito control treatments planned following West Nile Virus detections in East Valley
By Coachella Valley Times | May 17, 2024
Continued detections of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in and around Mecca have led to the scheduling of aerial mosquito control treatments in the area. To date, five positive samples of WNV have been detected in the valley by the District, although no human cases have been reported in either Coachella Valley or across the state this year.
Palm Springs Film Society secures $25k grant from National Endowment for the Arts
By Coachella Valley Times | May 17, 2024
The Palm Springs International Film Society has announced its approval for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $25,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This grant will be used to support the ongoing Palm Springs International Film Festival and Palm Springs International ShortFest. The funds will aid in their mission to serve venues in Palm Springs and reach larger audiences in the Coachella Valley. The NEA is set to award 1,135 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling over $37 million as part of its second round of fiscal year 2024 grants.
Riverside County advances unique Rancho event venue ordinance
By Coachella Valley Times | May 17, 2024
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, the community, and county staff have been working towards a new ordinance for three years that would create a path for Ranchos to become permitted event venues in the county. The Planning Commissioners have recommended the ordinance for approval, setting it up for a hearing by the Riverside County Supervisors in either June or July.
New Photo Exhibition Opens at Coachella Library This Saturday
By Coachella Valley Times | May 17, 2024
A new photo exhibition, "Working Coachella: Images of the farmworker community in the Coachella Valley," is set to open at the Coachella Library on Saturday, May 18th at 10am. The exhibition will showcase a collection of images captured over three decades by former United Farm Workers (UFW) organizer David Bacon. The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California originated this project.
House passes act mandating delivery of defense weapons for Israeli security
By Coachella Valley Times | May 16, 2024
The House of Representatives has approved the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, H.R. 8369, with a vote of 224 to 187. The bill was introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41), Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and cosponsored by Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce (R-OH). The legislation mandates the delivery of defense weapons to Israel.
Palm Springs invites residents to explore history of Section 14 online
By Coachella Valley Times | May 16, 2024
The City of Palm Springs is encouraging residents and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the events of Section 14 by exploring a wide range of informative materials and historical documents. These resources are now accessible online at EngagePalmSprings.com.
West Nile virus detected in mosquito samples in Indio and Mecca
By Coachella Valley Times | May 16, 2024
Samples of mosquitoes from routine collection sites have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in two new areas of Coachella Valley, California. This year, four mosquito samples have been found to carry the virus, whereas no detections were reported at this time last year.
California's tourism spending hits record high in 2023
By Coachella Valley Times | May 15, 2024
Travel spending in California reached an unprecedented high in 2023, attracting visitors from across the globe to the Golden State. A new report released by Visit California revealed that the state's tourism economy generated $150.4 billion in travel spending last year, outpacing the previous record of $144.9 billion spent in 2019 before the pandemic brought travel to a standstill. The surge in tourism created 64,900 new jobs in California in 2023, raising total industry employment to 1.15 million, which is 98% of pre-pandemic employment levels.