News

A judge is expected to uphold a jury’s recommendation and formally sentence a gang member to death for the execution-style killings of two men in Indio more than a decade ago. Jurors in October recommended capital punishment for Elias Carmona Lopez, 30, who was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the shooting deaths

A parolee accused of gunning down a man after he crashed his car into the defendant’s Porsche SUV in Indio must stand trial on a murder charge, a judge ruled Wednesday. James “Chip” Milton Nathaniel, 30, of Beaumont, was also held to answer to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm,

The Beaumont Police Department is investigating an infant’s death that occurred Wednesday morning. The infant’s family transported the child to the San Gorgonio Medical Center at about 10 a.m., officers said in a news release. The family lives in Beaumont. Officers said the medical staff was unable to save the infant and the child died

A petition urging this year’s Coachella festival headliners to donate festival proceeds to pro-LGBTQ groups was quickly approaching its 7,000-signature goal on Thursday, which petitioners have organized in response to reports that Philip Anschutz, owner of festival parent company AEG Live, donated money to anti-LGBTQ groups. The petition asks headliners Beyonce, Radiohead and Kendrick Lamar

A 22-year-old Palm Desert man was arrested on suspicion of robbing a woman’s purse Wednesday morning. The victim was exiting her vehicle when the suspect, identified as Terence Paul Babauta, allegedly grabbed her purse off her arm at about 7:44 a.m.The supect left the scene in a newer gray vehicle, officers said in a news

Indio police have released a photo of a truck suspected in a deadly hit and run collision on December 29. Sgt. Dan Marshall said the department realizes the photo is of poor quality, but this is the best authorities were able to enhance it, and now they’re hoping the public might be able to help

Federal monitors announced Thursday that 42 percent of California has emerged from a five-year drought after some of the heaviest rain and snow in decades. The finding marks a dramatic turnaround from this time last year when 97 percent of California was locked in drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor says half of the state, all

A documentary at this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival is shining a light on the relationship between Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds. The film “Bright Lights” was screened at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs Wednesday night, drawing more than 300 fans. “It was just so sad. It’s going to be a

The Indio man facing multiple felony charges for crashing into several vehicles while allegedly driving drunk on December 26 is scheduled to appear at the Larson Justice Center Tuesday morning. Video: Cal Fire responds to Indio crash Juan Alvarez Gomez, 48, was driving a Ford Explorer at a high rate of speed southbound on Monroe

A new support group aimed at helping amputees and their caregivers is starting in Palm Springs next week. Organizers say the Desert Amp Crew will help bring a sense of community to people who are sometimes overlooked in society. Tom Horne and Ed Granados swapped stories of serving their country in the military decades ago

The 2017 BNP Paribas Open will showcase major renovations currently underway at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. These renovations are designed to enhance the overall fan experience and substantially upgrade Stadium 1. The renovations include: A massive expansion of the Stadium Plaza, renovation of all the suites and hospitality spaces, adding 21 new restaurants and

Assemblymember Garcia submitted a letter of support in favor of V. Manuel Perez to fill John Benoit’s empty seat. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) joined Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) and Senate President pro Tempore, Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) in submitting a letter of support urging V. Manuel Perez’s appointment to District 4, Riverside County supervisorial

The Department of Public Health says flu activity is on the rise in California. The number of flu-related doctor visits in Riverside County are above average for this time of year, and doctors are urging people to get the flu shot. According to Diandra Ruidera, an infectious diseases pharmacist at Desert Regional Medical Center, it’s

Mary Ann Green, the former Tribal Chairperson of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, passed away Sunday after battling a long illness. Mary Ann was Tribal Chairperson from 1988 until 2016 and was instrumental in protecting, maintaining and expanding the government, culture and traditions of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians on its reservation. According

UPDATE: 6:27 p.m. 18-year-old Cristian Garza has been fighting an inside battle. “I’ve always had to live with it since I was a little kid,” Garza said. “I’d have to use an asthma inhaler pretty much every other day. When I went to school, I had to bring multiple medications just to be stable every

A brand new animal clinic is bringing a lifesaving service to the valley. Paws and Claws Urgent Care has the valley’s first CT scan for dogs and cats. The clinic opened its doors this November, since opening Shakira Jameson does on average 2 CT scans a week. “We’re able to do simple things like if

CHP arrested a North Shore resident who allegedly had $400,000 dollars worth of narcotics in his car in Coachella Tuesday afternoon. 31 year old Ismael Felix was stopped by a CHP officer on Highway 86 and Dillon Road Tuesday afternoon. During the search of Felix’s vehicle approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value

The Palm Springs City Council Subcommittee on vacation rentals held a news conference Wednesday morning. The council announced it’s requesting the city attorney to draft a public safety ballot measure which they will then ask the city council to approve for the ballot at the same time as a potential referendum that is now circulating

Update: The coroner’s office has released the identity of the 14-year-old boy who was recently killed in a suspected DUI hit and run crash on December 26 in Indio. Marco Avila of Coachella died at Loma Linda University Medical Center after being rushed from Desert Regional Medical Center in critical condition. The victim’s brother said

Border Patrol agents arrested a man and a woman accused of trying to smuggle narcotics inside a truck’s spare tire at the Highway 86 checkpoint Tuesday night. The 30-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were stopped at the checkpoint at about 7:15 p.m. in a Chevrolet Silverado. A canine team alerted agents to the car for