May 14
Math Field Day Celebrates Smarts
Palm Desert Charter Middle School students were among the winners today at the 17th annual Rotary Math Field Day, held in Indio.
In the News
2011
Apr 25
Press-Enterprise: Changes to freeway medians aimed to ease gridlock
Caltrans has removed two sections of center dividers along Interstate 10 in the Whitewater area, a region prone to major backups when crashes block lanes.
Jan 29
Desert Sun: Editorial: Redevelopment at risk
Redevelopment has been responsible for vast improvements in the Coachella Valley.
Jan 26
Desert Sun: County and CVA partner on new Whitewater jail study
Will the proposed Riverside County Regional Detention Center have an impact on Palm Springs tourism? That's one of the questions that will be answered as part of destination impact study being commissioned by Riverside County and Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention and Visitors Authority.
Jan 26
Press-Enterprise: MECCA: Noxious odor prompts EPA probe
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is trying to determine the source of a noxious odor that has sickened teachers and students at a Mecca elementary school and forced the closure of a 3-mile stretch of Highway 111 for a little more than an hour Jan. 21.
Jan 13
Desert Sun: Valley students shadow Supervisor John Benoit
High school students from around the Coachella Valley today were given the opportunity to shadow a county supervisor and staff from his office and other county departments.
2010
Dec 11
Press-Enterprise: PASS: Whitewater crash raises questions about freeway bypass
After thousands of commuters were stranded recently on Interstate 10 behind a fatal collision in Whitewater, Inland leaders are seeking alternatives and solutions for gridlock on the freeway.
Dec 09
Police in Palm Springs will offer $50 and $100 giftcards today in exchange for firearms and ammunition turned in by city residents — but be sure to leave your weapons inside your vehicle until an officer arrives to escort you to the redemption area.
Dec 05
Desert Sun: Valley Voice: Riverside County residents have many reasons for optimism
Reflecting on my first year as a member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, I find many things for which to be thankful and reason to be optimistic about the coming year.
Dec 05
Desert Sun: Special delivery: Medical marijuana
During the past four years, the Coachella Valley's elected leaders have limited and even banned medical marijuana dispensaries.
Dec 01
Press-Enterprise: RIVERSIDE CO. Pot dispensary ban sought
Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit called Tuesday for a ban on medical-marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas.
Nov 30
Bakersfield Californian: Lobbying for supervisor post heats up, but is Arnold listening?
The quasi-campaigning for a governor's appointment to the Kern County Board of Supervisors continued Tuesday with a rally and press conference for applicant Wendy Wayne.
Nov 29
Desert Sun: Benoit to give "state of the county" remarks Dec. 10 in Palm Desert
Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit will give “State of the County” remarks to members of the American Council of Engineering Companies, Riverside-San Bernardino chapter, during a breakfast starting 8 a.m. Dec. 10 at Desert Willow Golf Resort, 38-995 Desert Willow Drive.
Oct 14
Desert Sun: Efficiency among new sheriff's station's benefits
About 200 law enforcement officials and city, county and state dignitaries welcomed Tuesday the opening of the new sheriff's station on Gerald Ford Drive west of Portola Avenue.
Oct 12
Desert Sun: Help save the Salton Sea over breakfast today
Ideas to help restore the Salton Sea will be discussed at a breakfast event today.
Oct 07
LA Weekly: Cell Phones Flooding to Mexican Mafia Prisoners
When Los Angeles–based state Sen. Alex Padilla read Vanity Fair's 2007 tale of the criminal takeover of the streets of São Paulo, Brazil, by imprisoned murderers, who managed the coordinated feat for several days using cell phones, he went to work finding out if California prisoners were directing crimes from cell phones smuggled into prisons.
Oct 05
Desert Sun: Mecca post office to stay put for now
Though out of place among new streets and lots, Mecca's lone post office will stay where it is until it can be situated in a more appropriate area, under an agreement approved today by county supervisors.
Sep 25
Desert Sun: Officials: Clean air regulations good for business
Officials from the South Coast Air Quality Management District came to the Coachella Valley on Friday with a message for the region's business community: reducing air pollution is good for business.
Sep 20
Desert Sun: Benoit announces air quality update
Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit will partner with the South Coast Air Quality Management District on an air quality briefing for Coachella Valley businesses and community members from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive.
Sep 05
Desert Sun: Palm Desert post office to be named after Roy Wilson
U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, and other local leaders on Wednesday will officially dedicate the Palm Desert post office in memory of the late Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson.
Sep 05
Desert Sun: Family, friends say goodbye to late Palm Desert Councilman Dick Kelly
Palm Desert City Councilman Dick Kelly's religious faith, community service and sly, dry sense of humor were celebrated Saturday in a memorial service at Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church.
Sep 05
Desert Sun: Yes: Save California's economy, delay AB 32
Unemployment in Riverside County is at a record high of 15.3 percent. Hardworking residents are losing their homes, and businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Clearly, now is not the time to toughen regulations for business owners and threaten California's economic recovery.
Sep 01
KESQ-3: District Attorney-Elect Claims Pacheco Spending Out Of Control (video)
RIVERSIDE -- The transition of power in the Riverside County District Attorney's office is not going smoothly. Current District Attorney Rod Pacheco who lost his re-election bid in June faces allegations of excessive and careless spending while failing to cooperate with the transition.
Aug 31
Desert Sun: Tribal nations to meet on Foreign Trade Zone
Tribal leaders plan to meet on the Torres Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians Reservation on Friday to discuss the feasibility of filing a joint application with Riverside County for federal designation of a Foreign Trade Zone in and around the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport.
Aug 31
A bill to create a governing body for Salton Sea restoration is putting at odds one of the sea's longtime legislative champions and the leading local advocacy group for California's largest lake.
Aug 29
Desert Sun: Prop. 23: Will it save or eliminate state jobs?
Supporters and opponents of Proposition 23 agree on one thing — it's all about jobs and whether California's aggressive policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will create or kill them.
Aug 28
Desert Sun: Business briefs for Saturday, August 28
The La Quinta Chamber of Commerce, along with partner chambers in Palm Desert and Indio, have teamed up to host a Legislative Summit on Sept. 15 to delve into the economic realities affecting business.
Aug 22
Desert Sun: Statehouse Insider: County, state leaders sit down to talk trade
If you thought the 45th congressional debate was long overdue, consider this: Until last week, it had been 16 years since the Riverside County Economic Agency provided a briefing to the Capitol's Inland Empire Caucus.
Aug 20
Valley News: Riverside County loan program aimed at boosting jobs growth
Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit has spotlighted a new county program that is aimed at creating new jobs by providing loans to businesses seeking to expand or improve their facilities.
Aug 18
KESQ-3: New County Loan Program Offered To Promote Business Investment (video)
The county business assistance program currently has a pool of $8 million available for potential borrowers. An area of Thousand Palms is one of 11 locations in eastern Riverside County where businesses involved in general manufacturing or the innovation and technology and renewable energy sectors could qualify for up to a $2 million loan through the county's redevelopment agency.
Aug 15
Desert Sun: Your business, your news for Sunday, Aug. 15
… Supervisor John J. Benoit was recently appointed to the South Coast Air Quality Management District's governing board by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Benoit also will serve on SCAQMD's administrative, legislative, Mobile source, and technology committees…
Aug 15
Desert Sun: Spirit of '45 honored at Rancho Mirage ceremony
World War II veterans were recognized Saturday during a ceremony in Rancho Mirage commemorating the end of World War II. Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit spoke during the “Spirit of '45 Day'' at Mission Hills Senior Living at 34-560 Bob Hope Drive. ‘‘The Coachella Valley is home to many veterans who served in World War II,'' Benoit said before the event.
Aug 14
Desert Sun: Spirit of '45 celebrates valley's WWII veterans
Today a Rancho Mirage assisted living facility is turning itself over to the commemoration of the end of World War II with, in the words of one organizer, “the old guard and the new guard.” Mission Hills Senior Living, 34-560 Bob Hope Drive, has invited 142 World War II vets from across the Coachella Valley to join the eight who live there in marking “Spirit of '45 Day.”
Aug 14
Desert Sun: WWII veterans deserve a day of remembrance
Editorial Board: Today is Aug. 14 — 65 years exactly since World War II came to a close upon Japan's surrender. It's best known as Victory over Japan Day, or V-J Day. Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive — a nonprofit, nonpartisan group based in New York — succeeded in getting Congress to recognize the second Sunday of every August a permanent national day of remembrance commemorating the end of World War II.
Aug 13
Riverside County supervisors on Tuesday approved a $4.71 billion budget for the new fiscal year that incorporates across-the-board spending cuts to close a $133 million deficit.
Aug 13
KPSP Local-2: New Riverside County Loan Program
Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit said Friday a new county program to provide loans to businesses seeking to expand or improve their facilities could help create jobs.
Aug 13
Desert Sun: Benoit to speak at World War II ceremony
Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit will speak at a ceremony honoring “Spirit of '45 Day” and the end of World War II at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mission Hills Senior Living, 34-560 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage.
Aug 13
Desert Sun: Riverside County supervisors OK business loan program
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a program to provide loans of up to $2 million for businesses involved in commercial development or rehabilitation projects within redevelopment project areas.
Aug 12
Desert Sun Editorial Board: State lawmakers should follow county's example
While California lawmakers continue to haggle over how to pass their budget as they face a $19 billion budget gap, Riverside County leaders have approved a $4.7 billion budget that calls for across-the-board spending cuts. The county had a responsibility and took care of it while making tough decisions that will not please everyone.
Aug 12
KPSP-2: Benoit to speak at ‘Spirit Of '45’ Day Ceremony Saturday
Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit is one of many scheduled to speak at a ceremony commemorating “Spirit of ’45 Day” Saturday. “The Coachella Valley is home to many veterans who served in World War II,” said Supervisor John J. Benoit. “I am proud to recognize their accomplishments as the nation celebrates the 65th anniversary of the end of the war,” added Benoit.
Aug 12
Desert Sun: Benoit to speak at 'Spirit of '45' event Saturday in Rancho Mirage
Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit will speak at a ceremony honoring “Spirit of ‘45 Day” and the end of World War II at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mission Hills Senior Living, 34-560 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage.
Aug 11
Press-Enterprise: Riverside supervisors send three measures to voters
Political Empire Blog: Voters will decide Nov. 2 if Riverside County transportation officials get a credit increase. The county board of supervisors on Tuesday approved placing Measure K on the general election ballot. The Riverside County Transportation Commission is asking that the amount it can borrow against future sales tax revenue be increased from $525 million to $975 million.
Aug 11
Desert Sun: County supervisors delay vote on fate of 500-member firefighter association
Riverside County supervisors postponed action Tuesday on a Cal Fire proposal to fold the county's 500-member volunteer firefighter force into a new reserve firefighter program with stricter standards.
Aug 11
Desert Sun: Supervisors OK budget brimming with cuts
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $4.71 billion budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year that incorporates across-the-board spending cuts to close a $133 million deficit. Cuts in general fund support will average 19 percent for most county departments, with the exception of public safety agencies.
Aug 11
Desert Sun: Tri Palms Estates residents pleaded for new turn lane after fatality
The expedited roadwork on Varner Road — where an 84-year-old woman was killed last week — is much appreciated but too late, the victim's cousin and neighbors said Tuesday during an emotional meeting with county leaders. The Riverside County Department of Transportation added new right-turn lanes Monday onto and off of Varner Road at Boca Chica Trail in Thousand Palms.
Aug 10
Supervisor John Benoit and other Riverside County leaders met Tuesday afternoon with Thousand Palms residents to discuss construction on Varner Road.
Aug 10
Desert Sun: Supervisors to consider 2010-11 budget today
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors today approved a $4.71 billion budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year that incorporates across-the-board spending cuts to close a $133 million deficit. "We're showing the shareholders of this county, the residents, that we're using their money wisely,'' Supervisor Jeff Stone said before the 5-0 vote to put the budget in place.
Aug 10
Desert Sun: Supervisors to consider disbanding volunteer firefighter force
Riverside County supervisors postponed action today on a Cal Fire proposal to fold the county's 500-member volunteer firefighter force into a new reserve firefighter program with stricter standards. "There are more steps that need to be taken before we (proceed with) this,'' said Supervisor John Benoit, a volunteer fireman. "There have been concerns raised by a number of people.''
Aug 10
KPSP-2: County to Hold Special Meeting on Intersection
Supervisor John Benoit will hold a special community meeting Tuesday to discuss changes being made at a dangerous intersection in Thousand Palms. The Riverside County Transportation Department is fixing the intersection of Boca Chica Trail and Varner Road to make it safer.
Aug 10
The Public Record p. 9-10
Aug 10
The Public Record p. 9-10
Aug 09
KPSP-2: Supervisor Benoit to hold community meeting
Supervisor John J. Benoit will brief community residents about Riverside County Transportation Department road improvements to the Boca Chica Trail/Varner Road intersection at a special meeting to be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Tri-Palms/Shenandoah Clubhouse (32-700 Desert Moon Drive).
Aug 09
Press-Enterprise: Benoit to feds: Let clean-energy program go forward
Political Empire Blog: Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit wants congressional action to allow local governments to continue providing clean-energy loans repaid through property assessments. Benoit has a resolution before his colleagues Tuesday that urges the Inland region's delegation to take action.
Aug 09
Desert Sun (AP): Calif. lawmakers attempt to delay $11B water bond
Supporters of California’s $11.1 billion water bond are scrambling to pull it from the November ballot and shelve it until 2012, when they hope the state’s fiscal climate will have improved. At the urging of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state Senate is scheduled to take up two bills on Monday that would delay the water bond vote as well as the terms of the nine members of the California Water Commission, which is tasked with allocating some of the bond funds…
Aug 08
Desert Independent: Mays Sworn In
An uncharacteristically reticent and soft-spoken Beverly Mays was officially sworn into office as the replacement for Dr. Tejeda on the Palo Verde Healthcare District Board of Directors last Wednesday. A Notary Public, David Kehl, administered the oath and verified her signature prior to the commencement of the call to order.
Aug 06
Valley News: Competing measures to determine deputies’ retirement to go on ballot
After some hesitation, Riverside County supervisors have agreed to place two competing measures on the Nov. 2 election ballot that could determine how much sheriff’s deputies receive in retirement pay. The Riverside Sheriffs’ Association supports a measure that would bar the Board of Supervisors from making any adjustments to deputies’ retirement benefits without a majority of county voters’ approval.
Aug 06
Desert Sun, Reader-Submitted: 7th Annual Commercial Real Estate Investor Forum To Be Held Oct. 1
The 7th Annual Commercial Real Estate Investor Forum Oct. 1 sets the stage for “incredible opportunities in interesting times,” organizers announced today. Sponsored by the California Desert Association of REALTORS and Desert Area Commercial Information Exchange of the Coachella Valley, the forum will feature panels of local experts and a nationally recognized guest speaker…
Aug 05
Palo Verde Valley Times Changing Times Blog: Banned from Palo Verde Hospital
Today was a sad day for all members of the Palo Verde Valley Times family. Just around noon, an assistant to Palo Verde Hospital CEO Peter Klune called the office to demand that we remove our news rack located outside the doors of the hospital; a news rack that has sat outside those doors for generations, enduring high heat, monsoon storms and maybe even the occasional kick from a disgruntled board member.
Aug 05
Palo Verde Valley Times: LETTER: Mays explains why she accepted post
Friday I visited the Palo Verde Valley Times and commended them on today's (July 30) article regarding the appointment of myself to the Palo Verde Hospital District Board. I stated it was a bad choice of a photo, but it's me. I informed the Times that two facts in the article were not true
Aug 05
Desert Sun: Roy's Desert Resource Center has aided hundreds
Roy's Desert Resource Center in Palm Springs provided a bed and social services to 413 people from its opening in late December through the end of June, according to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments. The 90-bed center was named after late Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson, who died last August shortly after resigning from his post.
Aug 04
Press-Enterprise: Riverside County's 4th District supervisor race topped $1 million
Political Empire Blog: The race to succeed the late-Supervisor Roy Wilson on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors topped $1 million, newly released campaign finance documents show. Supervisor John Benoit, appointed to the seat last year, won a full four-year term to the 4th District seat and spent $633,128.71.
Aug 03
Desert Sun: Roy's Desert Resource Center homeless shelter serves 413 in first six months
Roy’s Desert Resource Center in Palm Springs served 413 homeless people in its first fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments. The center, which has 90 shelter beds and also provides case management and other services, was named after late Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson, who died in August shortly after resigning from his post.
Aug 01
Press-Enterprise: Political Notebook 8/1
Last week, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors announced that Supervisor John Benoit will represent the county on the South Coast Air Quality Management District. It will be new ground for Benoit, who rarely saw eye to eye with district leaders during his more than six years in the Assembly and state Senate representing places with some of the worst air in the state.