Month: June 2009

INDIO- Murder, evading arrest and DUI charges were filed today against an alleged drunken driver whose car crashed into a palm tree in Rancho Mirage as he fled from police, killing his passenger. Jason Pappas, 37, of Cathedral City, was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon at the Indio courthouse on the charges stemming from

PALM SPRINGS – The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism are looking to trim $300,000 from next year’s budget. They presented the cuts to the City Council Wednesday, but the council wants to find a way to keep the bureau fully funded. “[We’ll need to] identify what might be a valuable program and bring that back…They

CATHEDRAL CITY – County and valley leaders met with Census workers in Cathedral City Thursday to strategize about how to promote the 2010 U.S. Census and what needs to be done to make sure communities take part and get counted. “The numbers they get in the 2010 Census will stay with them for 10 years”,

PALM DESERT – “We had to face the reality that this is really happening,” says Brian Sakemi, teacher at Ronald Reagan Elementary School. No job, no income, and a baby on the way –this is the future for first grade teacher Brian Sakemi. “We couldn’t quite believe it actually happened,” says Sakemi. Sakemi and his

PALM SPRINGS – Vincent Battaglia of Renova Energy hoists up a large solar panel. These solar systems rely on power company rebates to make green energy cost effective for customers. But no matter how much solar power people pump into the power grid, they will still owe a bill to the power company. Look at

LA QUINTA – “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” That’s what hundreds of school staff members here in the Valley are doing. California’s budget crisis cut $28 million from Desert Sands Unified School District with hundreds of school workers getting pink slips. Thirty-five of those who got laid off are classified employees, which are

CATHEDRAL CITY – Pilots of a CHP helicopter were nearly blinded when somebody pointed a high-powered pen laser at their cockpit. Now, one man is under arrest, facing trouble from the Feds for putting the pilots in danger. The CHP helicopter was assisting Cathedral City police officers on a prowler call in the 68200 block

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – Ken Peary mingled with his family and his new co-workers before getting sworn-in Tuesday as one of the newest members of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. Officer Peary and Officer Dan Bressler are now sergeants. Peary transferred from the San Bernarndio Police Department and will now supervise patrol officers. He’s

RIVERSIDE- Riverside County Supervisors discussed the findings of a grand jury report for the first time. It’s a direct rebuke against District Attorney Rod Pacheco, accusing him of using “fear and intimidation.” The grand jury report also states the D.A. wasted half a million dollars on his Executive Division at a time when the D.A.

May 22, 2009 RE: RESPONSE TO THE GRAND JURY’S REPORT 2008-2009 Addressed toNikki L. Harris, Foreperson2008-2009 Riverside County Grand Jury Dear Ms. Harris, The grand jury’s report dated May 20, 2009 reflects findings and recommendations that have been made without the benefit of significant discussion regarding their merits with District Attorney Rod Pacheco. Had the

CATHEDRAL CITY – Thousands of high school seniors in the Coachella Valley will be graduating this month, but some are leaving their mark. Jay Thetford, a Cathedral City High School senior, will have a street named after him Thursday morning. The street is located at the corner of Date Palm and Ortega Road. Currently, it