News

Indio police say three men wearing ski masks forced their way into a home in the 43,000 block of Freesia Place just before 7:30 p.m Saturday. Officers say one of the men was armed and knocked on the door. When the homeowner answered the door, police say the men rushed into the house. Officers say

The Unforgettable Foundation hosted the “Light For Little Lives” event at Civic Center Park Saturday. Year round, the group helps families that have lost a child by taking care of burial expenses. Families took turns sharing stories of their lost loved ones, released doves into the air, and walked around the park carrying signs and

A Cathedral City man celebrated the New Year by firing his gun into the air, and was caught red-handed shortly after midnight today, according to a police spokesman. Officers were called to a residence in the 33600 block of Sky Blue Water Trail on a report of gunshots being fired, said Cathedral City police Sgt.

The 123nd Tournament of Roses Parade will make its way down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on Monday. Actor, war hero and “Dancing with the Stars” champion J.R. Martinez will lead the procession as grand marshal. Themed “Just Imagine …,” the traditional Jan. 1 event is being held on Jan. 2 this year to adhere to

Academy Award nominee BRAD PITT receives the Desert Palm Achievement Actor Award for his lead role in “Moneyball” and his supporting role in “The Tree of Life” at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. William Bradley “Brad” Pitt was born December 18, 1963 in Oklahoma and raised in Springfield, Missouri. The actor and film producer

Actor GARY OLDMAN receives the International Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He was born 21 March 1958 in London. He always loved music, but turned to acting when he won a scholarship to Britain’s Rose Bruford Drama College, where he received a B.A. in theatre arts in 1979. A member of

OCTAVIA SPENCER receives the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. She was born May 25, 1970 in Montgomery, Alabama. She’s the sixth of seven siblings and holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. Spencer got her first real taste of acting in 1995 with a small part

HOWARD SHORE previously received the same honor at the Festival?s Awards Gala in 2005 for composing the score in “The Aviator.” His collaboration with director Martin Scorsese also includes composing the scores for ?Gangs of New York? and ?The Departed.? This year he will be receiving the award for his exceptional work in Martin Scorsese?s

Local law enforcement agencies issued a stiff warning to drivers Friday by adding more patrols onto the roads to ensure a safe New Years. Riverside County sheriff’s deputies held driving under the influence checkpoints in Palm Desert and Coachella at undisclosed locations Friday, which aside from getting drunk drivers off the roads, was used to

Police arrested a Bermuda Dunes man Thursday night on multiple counts of lewd acts with a child. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said 59-year-old Eugene Lee Johnston was also arrested on charges of possession of child pornography. Johnston saved several hundred pornographic images of children on his home computer, the Sheriffs Department said. Deputies arrested

The Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells brought the new year in with a bang. Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald held his traditional New Year’s Eve party. Invited guests enjoyed an evening of jazz, champagne, gourmet food, and a balloon drop at midnight. The leader of the band, Art of Sax- voted best band in the

One Way Free Cab Ride To Local Residences Sponsored by Walter Clark Legal Group. Participating Taxi Companies: Airport Taxi 760-328-CABS(2227) American Cab 760-322-4444 Yellow Cab of the Desert 760-340-TAXI (8294) Program Runs from New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) at 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. New Year’s Day (Jan. 1). Also Jan. 1 at 8:00 p.m.

The Coachella Valley Arabs eeked out a 1-point win the first time they met geographic rival Desert Mirage this season. On Friday, C.V. made it clear they wanted no part of a close game when they met the Rams in a rematch at the Max Preps Holiday Classic. The Arabs opened the game on a

The Rancho Mirage City Council named a new city manager on Thursday night. After a closed session vote, council members emerged naming Randal Bynder, 50, the city’s community development director, as the new leader. His new job will begin after his contract details are finalized and after current City Manager Patrick Pratt retires on Feb.

The 2011 homicide rate in the state of California was down almost 8 percent, according to the California Department of Justice, but locally, the Coachella Valley homicide rate rose, authorities said. Several cases remain unsolved. There is no clear indication as to why there was an increase in homicides, authorities said. This year, the homicide

Coachella Valley business owners love what they see — heavy foot traffic. Snowbirds and tourists are packing hotels, restaurants and shops. “We come down mostly to relax and eat some good food,” said John Friesen, a Canadian visitor spending a couple of weeks in Palm Springs with his wife. The Coachella Valley is definitely a

Ruthie Darling is a local author who is helping pave the road to teaching young children about an important concept. Her book called “The Hole Story” is making it easier for young children to understand the concept of the space around them. Darling volunteers at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage

Las autoridades del Valle de Coachella tendrn en la mira a toda persona que quebrante la ley este fin de semana, durante los festejos para recibir el ao nuevo. El orden empieza en su propio hogar, recurdele a sus nios el no jugar en la calle de noche y si est celebrando con msica y

Existen alternativas si toma y no tiene quien lo lleve a casa, puede aprovechar el servicio de transporte gratuito que estarn brindando varias compaas de taxis locales. Debe llamar para solicitar el servicio y mencionar que se trata del programa “Safe Ride Home”. Estar en marcha maana a partir de las 8 de la noche

Authorities will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers and those shooting off firearms over the New Year’s weekend in the eastern Coachella Valley. The Indio Police Department will have extra officers on duty to enforce laws against drunken driving and illegally discharging firearms, spokesman Benjamin Guitron said. Sheriff’s deputies in Coachella, Thermal, Mecca, Oasis,