New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found drug overdose deaths in the United States fell 17% between July 2023 and July 2024. While the exact number of overdose deaths for 2024 has not yet been calculated, the trend shows a consistent drop throughout the year. Here in the Coachella Valley,
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A judge ordered the assets of Jacob Rostovsky, the CEO of the local non-profit Queer Works, to be frozen as his fraud case continues to move ahead. Rostovsky, 33, was indicted in October on 53 felony counts in a fraud scheme surrounding a universal basic income pilot program in Palm Springs. Charges including fraudulent claims, grand
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A 42-year-old Palm Springs resident accused of stabbing a man and threatening to stab an am/pm convenience store clerk was awaiting sentencing today after pleading guilty to attempted murder and other charges. Christopher William Freitas also entered guilty pleas Monday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio to two felony counts of criminal threats and
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The holidays are the busiest season of the year for the United States Postal Office. Since Thanksgiving, they’ve shipped out 5.5 billion letters and packages. To prepare for this time, they’ve hired 7,500 seasonal workers, and they’ve revamped the postal delivery and processing network. Plus, they’ve added new smart lockers to some of the post
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Fireworks lit up the sky above the 27-story Morongo tower tonight. A red carpet welcomed guests inside to enjoy special performances, entertainment, and fun surprises. As part of the celebration, Morongo has commissioned three beautiful commemorative chips recognizing the casino’s 20th anniversary milestone. Set in denominations of $5, $25, and $100, the collector chips are emblazoned
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One person was left displaced after a fire destroyed a home in Palm Desert Tuesday afternoon. The fire is at a home on the 43000 block of Virginia Avenue near California Drive in the Palm Desert Country Club area. Heavy smoke was visible in the area. There were no injuries were reported. Firefighters said the
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Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park in La Quinta will remain operational for the next 30 years, thanks to new agreements approved at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. “When the continued operation of Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park was in jeopardy, our partners truly stepped up to support the county as we sought solutions. The City of La Quinta, Desert
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Continuing coverage on an investigation into Coachella Valley Unified School District teacher, Carissa Carrera. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department had announced its investigation discovered allegations of misuse of funds to be “unfounded,” but Carrera remains on leave Dr. Frances Esparza, CVUSD superintendent, says Carrera will remain on administrative leave “until the case is closed and
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Today officials with Desert Healthcare District, Desert Care Network, and Tenet Healthcare held a celebration as they signed the 30 year lease purchase agreement for Desert Regional Medical Center. Measure AA was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November by a margin of 72%. The agreement would cover $220 million dollars in state mandated seismic upgrades
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The United States Postal Service says it’s that time of the year again: a rise in mail thefts as the holidays get closer. The United States Postal Inspection Service, which handles mail security, says that it arrests thousands each year for mail theft. “November, December, are the busier months for the postal service. So you
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Los Angeles-based Formica Law Group announced it is officially representing multiple victims in the police motorcycle crash at the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade. 12 people, including a police officer, were injured when a PSPD motorcycle officer lost control and crashed into the crowd at the holiday parade over the weekend. PSPD Chief Andy
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College of the Desert has stopped its Superintendent/President search process due to a “reported breach of confidentiality by one or more members of the Presidential Search Committee.” School officials said this breach has “compromised the fairness and trust that are fundamental to this process.” There were no details on what the breach was, but it
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College of the Desert announced the launch of its upcoming paramedic certificate program today. Aimed at addressing a positional shortage in the Coachella Valley, the EMS Paramedic Academy will launch during the spring semester, according to a statement from the institution. “It is our goal, at College of the Desert, to provide programs that benefit
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A year after forming a new effort to generate funding for infrastructure improvements in eastern Coachella Valley communities, Riverside County will update the public on how the initiative is going. The Public Financing Authority for the Eastern Coachella Valley Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) will meet today following the Board of Supervisors meeting, at 2 p.m. or
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The Board of Supervisors today approved a cost-sharing agreement between the Riverside County Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service and Orange County Fire Authority to mitigate expenses tied to the 23,526-acre Airport Fire, which was contained in October. In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on the agreement, under which Riverside County will
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By Robert Shackelford, Chris Boyette, Lauren Mascarenhas, Mary Gilbert and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN (CNN) — The beaches are empty in Malibu as a wildfire tears through swaths of the iconic Southern California coastline, consuming homes and vehicles and forcing residents – including legendary actor Dick Van Dyke – to flee their coveted hillside properties. The
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Southern California Edison temporarily shut off electrical service to customers in the Banning Pass, Morongo Reservation, and Cabazon area due to our Santa Ana wind conditions on Tuesday morning. The powerful dry winds have created dangerous wildfire conditions and prompted concerns that downed power lines could spark a wildfire. Take a look at this map of preventative Public Safety Power Shutoffs. The gray
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The Board of Supervisors today approved a new three-year contract with the union representing Riverside County sheriff’s deputies and District Attorney’s Office investigators, guaranteeing pay increases to members totaling 19% over the duration of the compact.  In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board authorized implementation of the $164 million collective bargaining agreement between the
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Firefighters contained a structural fire in Coachella today. The flames were first reported shortly before 7 a.m. in an empty one-story building in the 52000 block of Calle Camacho, according to a Riverside County Fire Department statement. After containing the blaze, officials expected to remain on scene for an addition 40 minutes, according to the
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Speculation continues to swirl about the circumstances leading up to the motorcycle crash at the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade that injured 12. Many – including experienced motorcycle riders here in the desert – agree that there’s not yet enough information to come to any conclusions about how the crash happened. Before the crash,
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