News on Coachella Valley Times

News from 2024


Sen. Padilla on passing of bills: ‘We are fed up with corporations poisoning Californians all to make a quick buck’

Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) stated that Californians are "fed up" with corporations polluting the state’s water sources for profit. Padilla made his statement in a May 21 press release announcing the passing of two bills he authored that will address large businesses using California’s southern coastline to dump waste.


Cooling centers available in Palm Springs during summer heat

As temperatures rise in the Coachella Valley, the City of Palm Springs has announced that three cooling centers will be available to residents when temperatures reach 100 degrees. These centers will operate through the end of September.


Palm Springs to host Juneteenth celebrations with pageant and cultural activities

The City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Black History Committee will host a Juneteenth Royal Pageant and Celebration Freedom Day on June 14-15 to mark the upcoming Juneteenth holiday weekend.


Palm Springs Public Library announces summer reading program starting June 10

PALM SPRINGS, CA – Thursday, June 6, 2024 – The Palm Springs Public Library will commence its 2024 Summer Reading program on Monday, June 10. This initiative is open to all age groups with tailored programs for children, teens, and adults. Registration can be completed online, and the six-week program includes weekly in-person events focusing on sustainability and resource stewardship under the theme "Read, Renew, Repeat." Additional activities include Preschool and Baby Story Times and Youth DIY crafts. A detailed schedule is available on the library’s calendar at...


GCVCC announces key executive promotions

The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) has announced the promotions of Barb Chodos to Vice President of Sales and Operations and Tina Rodriguez to Director of Events and Marketing.



Coachella Valley seeks business partners for student internship program

The Coachella Valley Unified School District, in collaboration with the City of Coachella, is seeking business partners to mentor student interns this summer. The initiative aims to provide students aged 16 to 18 with valuable work experience and development opportunities.


Rep. Calvert supports full funding for veterans' health care

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted with a majority of the House of Representatives (209 to 197) to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction and Veteran Affairs Appropriations Bill.


Fantasy Springs Resort Casino holds job fair for concert and event ushers

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is set to host a job fair on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will take place at the Special Events Center located at 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway in Indio, California.


Jonathan Hoy appointed to Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has announced the appointment of Jonathan Hoy to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, the governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.


Majority of Californians favor reforms in lawsuit-first labor law system

Seventy-two percent of California voters support reforming the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to provide California regulators with increased authority to enforce employee labor complaints, while still allowing workers to bring claims through litigation if regulators cannot resolve them satisfactorily, according to a new study.


Perez allocates $30k for next series of mobile animal services clinics

Over the past 12 months, with funding support from Supervisor Perez, Riverside County has been able to bring spay and neuter clinics to Indio Hills, North Shore, and the Oasis Mobile Home Park Community. Additionally, wellness clinics have been held in Sky Valley, Blythe, Carver Tract, North Shore, and Thousand Palms. These eight events assisted an estimated 80 dogs and cats with spay and neuter procedures and another 1,000 pets with vaccines and microchips. All services were provided free of charge for residents.


The Living Desert mourns beloved giraffe Dadisi

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has announced the passing of Dadisi, a 23-year-old giraffe. On June 3, Dadisi was euthanized peacefully on a bed of sand, surrounded by her caretakers. During her final days, team members from various departments visited to bid farewell.


House releases FY25 defense appropriations bill prioritizing innovation and counter-China efforts

Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-41), alongside colleagues from the House Appropriations Committee, has released the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Bill. The bill is scheduled for markup by the Defense Subcommittee on June 5.


CSUSB alumni find success at The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage

Four recent alumni from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) have found their professional paths at The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage. David Pacheco, Baldomero Felix, Cristian Cabrera, and Sofia Torres-Crespo are bringing a blend of education and dedication to the luxury resort.


West Nile Virus activity increases in Eastern Coachella Valley

The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District has detected additional West Nile Virus (WNV) positive samples in the eastern Coachella Valley. Samples from routine collection sites in Thermal and Oasis tested positive for WNV for the first time this year. Samples in Mecca also returned positive results. This week's findings bring the total number of WNV positive samples to eighteen for 2024, a significant increase compared to last year when no virus activity was detected at this time.


Padilla on national monument resolution: 'We must act as stewards of the unique natural beauty that can be found here’

California Senator Steve Padilla, representing District 18, has emphasized the need for Californians to "act as stewards" of the 660,000 acres of public land that stretch from the Coachella Valley to the Colorado River. The statement was made in a press release on May 17, following his introduction of a resolution to designate this expanse as the Chuckwalla National Monument.


Palm Springs invites proposals for $6 million in community project funding

The City of Palm Springs Measure J Commission is inviting residents, neighborhood organizations, businesses, and non-profits to submit proposals for a share of $6 million allocated for community-initiated projects. The funding comes from the City’s Measure J tax dollars. Projects can be either City-funded and managed or managed by non-profits.


Chairman John A. James Lifetime Achievement Award presented to David Brinkman

On May 29, 2024, the Chairman John A. James Lifetime Achievement Award and President’s Award were announced.


Palm Springs Public Library launches new mobile app

The Palm Springs Public Library has launched a new mobile app, now available for both Android and Apple devices. Users can find the app by searching for 'Palm Springs Public Library' in their respective app stores and downloading it for free.