News

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

INDIAN WELLS – The obesity epidemic takes a heavy toll on our children, setting them up for an unhealthy, inactive future. Now, one program is getting kids moving, teaching them to turn fun into fitness. Many schools around the nation are throwing competition to the wind, focusing instead on individual effort. This is the goal

LA QUINTA – Chrysler says its needs to be “reduced and reconfigured” in order to be more competitive. Chrysler filed a motion in U.S. bankruptcy court Thursday morning to eliminate 789 of its 3,200 dealerships across the country by June 9th. The automaker sent ups notices to dealers. Dodge City Chrysler-Jeep in La Quinta did

OASIS- Fifty-six stolen date palm trees worth more than $8,400 were recovered at a ranch in Oasis, a sheriff’s sergeant said Thursday. The trees were recovered Wednesday at the ranch in the 8600 block of Avenue 72 when a search warrant was executed by the Southern Coachella Valley Community Services District Team, said sheriff’s Sgt.

BERMUDA DUNES – Some families are forced to choose between their children’s education and money during these tough times. At Christian Schools of the Desert (CSOD), 20% of the families may have to pull their kids, according to the school’s admissions director. But the school is hoping a golf tournament on Friday morning at Mission

Our local school districts made some tough decisions Tuesday night. Palm Springs and Desert Sands Unified School Districts both voted on how many teachers will get final notices, saying they will not have a job next school year. The decisions made don’t only affect the teachers and other staff who get laid off. They will

The Church of Scientology purchased a multi-million dollar estate in the La Quinta Cove. They reportedly plan to use it as a museum and spiritual retreat center. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard once lived at that estate in the 1970s. Now, former Scientologists are coming forward to say they were abused there by the church

LA QUINTA – “It’s always easier to get voters to say ‘no’ than to say ‘yes’,” said Tom Burbank, President of the Desert Sands Teachers Association. Burbank and other Valley educators attempted to spark support Wednesday for Propositions 1A through 1F, the emergency measures being voted on next week. Supporters, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, say

ORANGE COUNTY – More than 100 employees at Petronella Roofing in Cathedral City are now out of work. The state shut down the business Tuesday after arresting the business owner for insurance fraud. Dozens of those workers took to the streets of Santa Ana Wednesday morning demanding weeks of back pay. The target of their

The electronic billboard is law enforcement’s latest effort to generate some new information to findthree-year-old Briant Rodriguez. New leads have thinned out since two suspects took the boy during a home invasion robbery. Law enforcement is using this billboard off of I-215 in San Bernardino they also have two billboards in Mexico in hopes that

NEW YORK – Donald Trump says Carrie Prejean can retain crown as Miss California USA.

There is no better time to buy a home than now. In the Coachella Valley, prices have dropped nearly 50% while home sales have gone up 71%. It is allowing some Valley residents to be able to buy their first home. Linda Johns and Shaun Johnson’s new home is located in the outskirts of Desert

THERMAL – There are going to be some big cuts at Valley schools. The Coachella Valley Unified School District announced it will layoff 114 teaching positions at the end of the 2009 school year. According to the district, it was a tough decision, but it was fiscally responsible. “It’s not realistic to have a pay

SANTA BARBARA – A wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes is 70 percent contained and firefighters are mopping up hot spots before nightfall when moderate winds are predicted. Fire officials released updated figures early Monday, saying the 13-square-mile blaze had destroyed 77 homes, damaged 22 others and cost $10.8 million to fight. Twenty-eight firefighters have

PALM SPRINGS – Unemployed union electrician Trenalee Pieper walks with her son at what she hopes will be her next job site. “It’d be great. I’d get off the county (welfare), get back to work, be successful and provide medical insurance for my children and be productive,” said Pieper. Dozens of other union workers watched

MECCA – Every teacher works hard, dedicating themselves to their students; and every month, we honor a teacher with our Golden Apple Award. The May winner is Bianca Gonzalez from Mecca Elementary School. Gonzalez has a special connection with her students. They share similar backgrounds with similar struggles and the same big dreams. The comparisons