News on Coachella Valley Times

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

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

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

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

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.

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Rep. Calvert on ballot delivery delays: ‘it is imperative that the USPS meet the modern electoral needs of the American public’

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

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

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.

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Palm Springs Film Society secures $25k grant from National Endowment for the Arts

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.

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Riverside County advances unique Rancho event venue ordinance

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

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

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.

Geoffrey Demke named Cal State San Bernardino's Outstanding Graduate 2024

Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus has announced Geoffrey Demke as its Outstanding Graduate for 2024. A resident of Indio, Demke will receive a bachelor of arts degree in history at the CSUSB College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, at the Toyota Arena in Ontario.

Life Line Screening announces preventive health event at Miracle Springs Resort

Each month, the Chamber organizes a variety of events that include business mixers and ribbon cuttings. However, the organization emphasizes that nothing surpasses the importance of health. Therefore, it is pleased to announce that Life Line Screening will conduct a day of preventive health screenings at Miracle Springs Resort on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway hosts special event for Restaurant Week