News

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

COACHELLA – The Coachella City Council are looking to trim their $3 million deficit by the 2009-2010 fiscal year. They presented ideas to save during a budget study session Thursday. One item they left off the budget was $32,000 for a consultant to help iron-out the differences between council members. Absent from the meeting was

CATHEDRAL CITY – Two valley teens are behind bars for allegedly breaking into a home and robbing a disabled man at gunpoint in Cathedral City Thursday night. Darius Cabudol, 18, of Palm Springs and a 16-year old juvenile from Cathedral City are accused of a home invasion robbery around 10:30 p.m. on the 33300 block

PALM SPRINGS- The Palm Springs Power will open its sixth Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association season tonight by playing host to the Casa Grande Cotton Kings at Palm Springs Stadium to start a three-game series. Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet will throw the ceremonial first pitch around 7 p.m. A mix of Division I and

SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger and Democratic lawmakers are hoping the Obama administration and members of Congress will lend some help in getting California out of its financial problems. State leaders are not asking for a cash bailout, but are asking the federal government for loan guarantees. The proposal would have Washington act as a sort

PALM DESERT – Students from Ronald Reagan Elementary School are going to explore the ocean, tide pools, and marine life. but instead of getting onto a bus, they gather in the media center. By using a video conference system, the students take a virtual field trip to Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach. “They

PALM SPRINGS – Maria Quintero is a popular girl. The 23-year-old has gone to at least four proms. Four of them. “We go eat first. Then, we sit around until everybody gets there,” she says. “Then, we dance together.” But these are no ordinary proms. These proms are for a very special group: residents of

INDIO – It’s supposed to bea short wait to see immigration attorney Karen Kler. But for 200 of his clients, the wait to find out if they’ll be deported is way too long. “I go to court, the judge says we’ll see you back June 2010. I’m writing down, the brain is not registering. He

Say “cheese”…at least for now, because a state D.M.V.office near you could start saying “no” to wide-mouthed grins on driver’s licenses. It’s all in the name of security. Arkansas, Indiana, Virginia and Nevada invested in software designed to match pictures of applicantsto help prevent identity theft. But there’s a problem. The technology is not well-versed

PALM SPRINGS – Thomas and Robert Van Ettan are approaching their 1 year anniversary after being together over 40 years. They were involved in the case brought before the State Supreme Court regarding the legality of Proposition 8. They were hoping to celebrate their anniversary with a different decision. “My heart went into my stomach

INDIO – News of Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court quickly spread through the Coachella Valley’s Latino community Tuesday. The reaction was largely positive. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Indio resident Delila Cardona. “I think it’s a good idea for everybody else and the Latino ‘gente’,” said Indio resident Fred Orosco.