Month: May 2009

PALM DESERT – The economy is taking money from schools and opportunities from students. “My friends at other colleges complain, because they can’t take summer school classes,” said student Neil Holtzhausen. Colleges around the country are offering fewer or no summer courses to save money, but, at College of the Desert, it’s a priority to

PALM SPRINGS – An apartment fire in Palm Springs has some people wanting to move out because of poor electrical wiring. The fire broke out Thursday morning at the Continental Garden Apartments on Sunrise Way and Amado Road. One apartment was destroyed, and a family of four lost their home and their dog in the

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – Soccer moms in Desert Hot Springs cheer for their kids Wednesday afternoon at Mission Springs Park. But sometimes, the park itself located off Palm Drive can feel like playing on a landmine. “I feel like I might get hurt,” says Gabriela Parra, who, in fact, has been injured on the field

People riding their ATV’s found human remains Monday night about a mile-and-a-half up Whitewater Caynon. The decomposing body was found partially buried in a shallow grave. Homicide detectives with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department haven’t identified the remains because it’s too decomposed to determine the age, sex or cause of death. It’s a problem the

JOSHUA TREE – Packing heat in National Parks: Congress passed a bill allowing concealed weapons inside Joshua Tree and all other National Parks. Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma attached the bill to the massive credit card overhaul going through Washington. Gun store owner Steve Donnell fires a few rounds outside Donnell’s Shooting Supplies in

Leaders in Sacramento say this is an important election, but do Coachella Valley voters agree? Judging by Tuesday’s precinct turnout observations, not much. Lisa Beardeaux of Desert Hot Springs wanted to be first in line to vote in this special election Tuesday. “I’m a teacher here in California, so the measures on the ballot are

If you buy a new car this year, there could be a tax deduction down the road for you. “You have the opportunity to offset some of the cost of buying a new car by deducting the sales tax you pay for buying the new vehicle,” according to Raphael Tulino with the Internal Revenue Service.

Desert Hot Springs residents, like Robert Thompson, support police efforts like Operational Falling Sun and hope police will do more to cut down on crime. “I like the fact that they had that parole sweep. And I did see a difference downtown. Not a lot of guys walking up and down the streets,” says Thompson.

The Coachella Valley road system is a mess, according to a report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials. Valley roads were ranked 10th in the nation for worst urban-area roads. Indio city leaders say they’re already doing something about it. Over the last four years, the city has spent $45 million

DESERT HOT SPRINGS- A man struck by a vehicle while crossing Hacienda Avenue in Desert Hot Springs suffered a broken leg, and the driver was cited for having a suspended license, police said. The injured man, whose name was withheld, was crossing Hacienda near Tamar Drive when a vehicle crossed over the double yellow lines

PALM DESERT – The economic downturn is dipping into donation baskets at churches around the nation. “I’m giving about $10 less a week,” says church member Roger Haarmeyer. At the Church of St. Paul in the Desert, pledge money is down about 20 percent. With fewer dollars coming in, the church was forced to make

PALM DESERT – The month of May often brings the year’s highest Edison electricity bills. It all comes down to what’s called a “shoulder month.” Kathy DeRosa with Southern California Edison explains, “A shoulder month is when the weather turns hot but we still have an identical baseline mode. Edison’s rates change on thefirst Sunday

There may be a little extra money in your pocket every month, thanks to the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. The new program is part of the Recovery Act passed earlier this year. “It’s a tax credit,” according to Raphael Tulino with the Internal Revenue Service. “Up to $400 for singles, and 800 joint in

COACHELLA – The City of Coachella held a special study session to review possible sources of generating more revenue and balance a $3 million budget deficit. “How do we create alternative sources of revenue as we face this deficit and with the economic problems we’re facing across the country?” Mayor of Coachella, Eduardo Garcia, asked

LA QUINTA – As Jim Stenson lowers the flag to half-staff, his neighbors and invited guests stand solemnly. But there was a time when Stenson was the only one in front of his La Quinta condominium complex who was paying tribute to fallen soldiers and peace officers. “I’d spend a few minutes out there contemplating

THOUSAND PALMS – One local student’s hard work and good grades are sending him around the world, but the weak economy is threatening to shortchange his trip. Jerred Montgomery, a fifth grader at Della Lindley Elementary School in Thousand Palms was chosen as one of a handfull of student ambassadors from Riverside County to travel

LA QUINTA – As the adopted son of the International Peace Movement’s late founder, Tommy Garcia of La Quinta says he wants to re-start the charities the movement was once famous for. Evangelical leader Father Divine led a movement to feed and shelter thousands in the 1930s and 40s. Many of his followers thought of

A La Quinta man is launching a legal campaign for control of a religious movement worth millions of dollars. As the adopted son of the International Peace Movement’s late founder, Tommy Garcia of La Quinta says he wants to re-start the charities the movement was once famous for. Little is known about the personal life

The weather is heating up and that means more time by the pool and out in the sun! The sunny days of May, which is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, are servinga good reminder to protect yourself from the sun. Jerry Van Horn, 63, says he wishes he’d known the danger of skin cancer years ago.

The city of Palm Springs has a decision to make, one that could change the look of downtown Palm Springs. It’sa decision that’s seven years in the making between the city council and Wessman Development. Called the Specific Plan, it’s a list of building guidelines for potential condominums and hotel rooms. But Wessman wants to