News

PALM DESERT – The Reason Foundation came out with its list of the worst roadways, ranked by state, today, and California ranked in the three worst in the nation. Only Alaska and Rhode Island fared worse. The Reason Foundation study examines state highway systems in 11 categories, including congestion, pavement condition, fatalities, deficient bridges and

RIVERSIDE – Numbers released by the Riverside County Health Department show more people are contracting Swine Flu (H1N1), but not at the rapid rate they saw previously. New numbers released Thursday show 88 more confirmed cases in the county, with a total so far of 2,478. Three more people have died in the last week,

PALM SPRINGS – The Palm Springs City Council met to decide which two collectives would be permitted to sell medicinal marijuana under the City new Medicinal Cannabis ordinance. After over 45 minutes,theCouncil voted to rewrite theordinance. It began as a discussion over where the co-ops could be located. It then turned into whether or not

PORTLAND – An Oregon company is recalling nearly 30,000 pounds of shelled hazelnuts over concerns that they may be contaminated with salmonella. The Willamette Filbert Growers or Meridian Organic shelled hazelnuts were processed from Oct. 12 through Nov. 25. The hazelnuts were distributed in Oregon and California. No illness have been reported. But salmonella infection

PALM SPRINGS -Crews say they’ll be working until Fridayto re-open Vista Chinoafter weekend flooding. Vista Chino is closed at the washbetween Palm Springs and Cathedral City. You’ll need to head northto the freewayor south to Ramon to get around it. OffOfficialsy the floodwaters from Saturday’s levee break caused structural damage to the road itself, so

PALM SPRINGS – Richard Dreyfuss, Blythe Danner, and James McAvoy are among the stars set to attend galas scheduled during the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival. McAvoy will attend the opening night presentation of The Last Station, followed by a reception at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Michael Hoffman’s explosive overview of the later

DESERT HOT SPRINGS -Two Riverside County District Attorney’s Office investigators will working with Desert Hot Springs police to help solve violent crimes, under an agreement approved today by the Board of Supervisors. The law enforcement services agreement between the county and city will run through June 30, 2012, and involve the deployment of two senior

PALM SPRINGS -The Palm Springs City Council is set to decide tonight which local marijuana dispensaries can stay open legally. The city’s medical cannabis ordinance allows for two non-profit pot shops. Last week, city council members narrowed the applicants to six. Today’s decision will be based on quality of service, thenumber of people served, pricing,quality

INDIO – Jolly ol’ Saint Nick rode in style down to the California Highway Patrol office in Indio to deliver Christmas gifts. “There’s a lot of children this year that don’t have Santa Claus in their life,” says Diana Marlo with Desert European Motorcars in Rancho Mirage. More than 275 local businesses owners and guests,

PALM DESERT – If you’re in the market for a golf cart,that’s street legal,you might want to start shoppingto take advantage of a federal tax credit. Thetax credit can range from 42-hundred to 55-hundred dollars. The key is buying a golf cart that’s a certified Low Speed Vehicleor Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. The tax credit is

INDIO – So many teachers work hard and dedicate themselves to their students here in the desert. Every month we honor a teacher making a difference with the KESQ “Golden Apple” award. For some students, sitting in her classroom is a family tradition. “I have kids tell my that their mom was in my class,”

THERMAL – A Sacramento judge meets with local water districts Thursday and Imperial County farmers fighting over the water supply for the Coachella Valley. He’s expecting to make a final ruling soon. Some of the Coachella Valley’s water comes from the Colorado River. A 2003 agreement between water companies called for water to be transferred

INDIO – It’s been a few months since we last saw Miguel Diaz. He recently graduated from the California Highway Patrol training academy. It’s his third day on the job and he’s enjoying the freedom. “I can start growing my hair back,” says Diaz. “Nothing to crazy but it’s nice to have hair back.” Diaz

LA QUINTA – Riverside County fire investigators say someone smoking caused Tuesday’s fire at a duplex in La Quinta Cove. The fire broke out around noon at the intersection of Avenida Montezuma and Eisenhower, and caused seven people to lose their home. No one was injured.

PALM SPRINGS – WestJet announced today that it will expand to year-round service at Palm Springs International Airport, beginning in June. The airline will fly two weekly round trips on Thursday and Sunday from its hub in Calgary. the airline already offers daily flights from Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. “It’s simply great that our Canadian

OASIS -A big rig with an empty trailer burned to the frame near Oasis today, prompting the California Highway Patrol to temporarily close a road near the 86 Expressway. The tractor-trailer caught fire around 10:40 a.m. on 81st Avenue at the 86 Expressway, the CHP reported. A CHP officer reported that the big rig would

PALM SPRINGS -The White Party — billed as the biggest spring break event for gay men in America — will return to Palm Springs in April, it was announced today. The event, put on by Los Angeles promoter Jeffrey Sanker, is set for April 9-12 at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, 888 E. Tahquitz Canyon

CATHEDRAL CITY – Kenia Castro knocks on the door. “Hi, we’re from Adopt-a-Family!” Christmas came early truly for Noemi Elizalde, who woke up Wednesday morning with three big boxes waiting for her to open. “Oh, she’s gonna love this!,” exclaimed Noemi, as she held up a doll intended for her daughter. The mother of five