Jul 31
The News isn't ALL Bad: Check the Crop Report and Rivco Exports
If you're looking for some good news amidst all the economic gloom and doom lately, you might want to check out the latest Riverside County Agriculture Report (2008).
News Archive July 2009
2009
Jul 30
Agua Caliente donate $5K to Cathedral City Boys and Girls Club
The before and after school programs of the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, serving some 1,500 kids annually, has received a $5,000 donation from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Jul 29
Cathedral City Teams 'Targets' National Night Out August 4
The City of Cathedral City and Target Stores are bringing "National Night Out" to Town Square, Tuesday, August 4, 6:30-9pm.
Jul 29
The Thousand Palms Fire Station and Training Center project is still on schedule for an October ribbon cutting. In addition to the fire station itself, the facility features the classroom building (top photo), with some 85,000 square feet of concrete poured, and the state-of-the-art training tower in the bottom photo. The facility is operated with the support and cooperation of College of the Desert. In addition to these two structures, the new fire complex on the corner of Ramon and Robert Roads boasts a brand new 3-bay urban fire station as well as smaller, ancillary buildings. For more on these and other Thousand Palms projects, click here. Once you’re on that webpage, you can also click on other 4th District communities to find out about new projects.
Jul 27
Household Hazardous Waste Facility to Open in Palm Springs
County of Riverside and City of Palm Springs officials plan to take the wraps off a new household hazardous waste collection facility in the Resort City on August 5.
Jul 27
If a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a couple thousand words on the new projects in the community of Mesa Verde near Blythe. Both of these photos demonstrate the new pavement that has been laid down throughout the entire community. The upper photo shows a view of the old truck stop on Bellwood Drive, just west of Mesa Drive . . . and the lower photo shows a southerly view of the same piece of property. Also, in the lower photo you can see the trucks of contractors who have showed up for a "job walk" of the parcel in preparation for bids on the proposed Mesa Verde Community Center. The community center will feature a child care facility and a community meeting room comprising, in all, slightly more than 5,000 square feet. In addition, the community has a new water system, a paved parking lot for the community park being constructed by the Desert Alliance for Community Empowerment, and plans to attract some small commercial businesses along the Mesa Drive entryway.
Jul 27
July Heat as Usual, So Desert Cool Centers to Remain Open
A heat warning for the desert areas of Riverside County remains in effect (hey, it’s July!), and cool centers will be open. Temperatures are expected to remain well over 100 degrees for the foreseeable future.
Jul 23
Public Meeting on P.S. International Airport Plan Postponed
The July 28 public meeting regarding a new Master Plan for Palm Springs International Airport has been POSTPONED until a date yet to be determined in the fall.
Jul 23
Struggling Desert Businesses May Benefit from ARC Loan Program
Businesses in the Fourth District who are having a tough time making it through the economic downturn may be able to avail themselves of a federal program tailored for them.
Jul 22
County RDA Projects Lone Bright Light in State Funding Grab
Faced with the most dismal financial prospects in anyone’s memory, the County of Riverside will manage to continue redevelopment projects already in the works . . . but the State of California’s money grab which affects local governments, school districts, universities and special districts is likely to bring redevelopment projects to a screeching halt next fiscal year.
Jul 21
'Leadership Coachella Valley' Opens Up for '09/'10 Class
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2009-10 class of Leadership Coachella Valley (LCV). Up to 40 applicants will be selected to participate in the ten month program designed to identify, motivate and develop future community leaders. The program, known for “Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today”, encourages involvement by providing knowledge and perspective on valley-wide needs and concerns. Participants meet current community leaders and experts in forum and group discussion settings once a month for ten months, from September to June.
Jul 17
CVWD’s Seminar for Pro Landscapers Focuses on Water Use
It may be the hottest week so far this summer, but the timing is right for the Coachella Valley Water District to help local landscape professionals learn to more efficiently irrigate their clients' lawns and gardens in this arid, hot climate.
Jul 15
The new Thermal Sheriff’s Station off Airport Blvd northeast of the Jacqueline Cochran Airport is beginning to take shape. In the foreground is the main sheriff’s office, with the forensic center to the upper left. In the upper right portion of the photo is the Sheriff’s Aviation Division component, which features hangars, office space and aviation refueling facilities. Construction began about 6 months and a ribbon cutting is scheduled for summer 2010. Total cost of the new facility is approximately $40 million. It is being constructed concurrently with the Palm Desert Sheriff Station, which is approximately a $30 million project on Gerald Ford Drive. These projects were funded—and the funds committed—before the current economic downturn.
Jul 14
Public Meeting on P.S. International Airport Slated for July 28
A second public meeting that will allow Coachella Valley residents the opportunity to comment on a new Master Plan for Palm Springs International Airport will be held July 28 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
Jul 14
Desert Pair to compete in the All American Soap Box Derby
A fundraising event that will honor the many years of volunteer service of Lucia Moran to the La Quintal soap box derby, as well as a send-off celebration for local competition winners as they embark on their journey to the All American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio next week.
Jul 14
Artist’s rendering of the new Mesa Verde Community-Child Care Center, shows the type of structure which will be built on Mesa Drive, on the entryway to the community. The project is currently out to bid; the project consists of a 5,915 square foot, single story, wood frame and stucco building with ancillary parking lot, curb, gutter, sidewalk and desert landscaping. The architects cost estimate for the construction is $2,000,000 with a starting date of September 2, 2009 and completion date of February 24, 2010
Progress Coming to Mesa Verde Community Near Blythe
A new water system. New pavement. And now a new community center. These are a few of the big improvements that have recently come to Mesa Verde, a community of about 1,200 residents on “the mesa” just west of Blythe.
Jul 13
Safe Haven for Kids and Teens Receives Agua Caliente Grant
A Rancho Mirage counseling center for abused children is the recent recipient of a $10,000 grant by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Jul 13
Free Information Meeting Slated for New EMBA Program
Coachella Valley working professionals with at least seven to 10 years work experience who want to earn their MBA are invited to attend a free information meeting about the new UC Riverside Executive MBA, which is now accepting applications for fall 2009.
Jul 13
Here’s an artist’s rendering of what the newly-refurbished North Shore Yacht Club will look like when its renovation is completed in the late Spring of 2010. The $2,147,000 upgrade will have the venerable Albert Frey-designed community centerpiece looking as close to the original as is possible, after studying old photographs and plans . . . as well as taking into account modern-day considerations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project is slated for a formal groundbreaking in September
Jul 08
CSUSB’s Palm Desert Campus Sets Enrollment Deadlines
With continued cuts to the state budget and stricter enrollment limits at all California State University campuses, Cal State San Bernardino will enact application for admission deadlines for transfer, graduate, post-baccalaureate and teaching credential students for fall 2009.
Jul 08
Supervisor Wilson (left) is presented Norton Younglove Air Quality Award from Riverside County Board Chairman Jeff Stone
Board Chairman Stone presents resolution from State Legislature applauding Supervisor Wilson’s outstanding public service career
Supervisor Wilson's Work on Air Quality Issues Recognized
The Western Riverside Council of Governments has awarded Supervisor Roy Wilson the Norton Younglove Air Quality Award, recognizing his achievements in improving air quality in our region. Additionally, Wilson was presented with a formal resolution from Riverside County's representatives in the California State Legislature, applauding his career in public service.
Jul 08
Rivco Fire Chief John Hawkins Suspends Burning Permits
Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins of CalFire has proclaimed a need for suspension of burning permits and other uses of open fire effective Wednesday, July 8, with some notable exceptions to the agricultural industry.
Jul 07
Dorian Cooley Replaces Dennis Dawson as Division Chief
Dorian Cooley, a Bermuda Dunes resident whose face is familiar to many Fourth District residents, has assumed duties as the West Desert Division Chief for the Riverside County Fire Department, taking over for the recently-retired Dennis Dawson.
Jul 07
The three red doors on the fire station itself give a good idea of how the new Thousand Palms Fire Station will look. A peek around the corner shows part of the Fire Training complex, but the Training Tower itself—a vital component which makes this a state-of-the-art training facility—is not in the picture. Official ribbon cutting ceremonies are due this fall.
Jul 06
Shelter Hours Reduced at Coachella Valley Animal Campus
The hours of operation are changing at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, Animal Services Director Robert Miller announced Wednesday.
Jul 06
Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Springs Receives Wal-Mart Grant
It’s estimated that more than 12 million children who qualify to receive a free or reduced-price lunch during the academic year may be deprived of this vital meal during the summer months when school is out.
Jul 06
Agua Caliente Tribe Gives $5,000 To Martha's Village and Kitchen
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has given Martha's Village and Kitchen a $5,000 donation to help pay for medical services and operating expenses at its clinic in Indio.
Jul 02
Supervisors Set Hearing to Assume Palo Verde Cemetery Operations
In accordance with the wishes of the Palo Verde Cemetery District and the public present at the last public meeting of the District, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday agreed to assume operation of the Cemetery.
Jul 02
Community Action Partnership Announces Cool Centers
It may have arrived a bit late, but summer is very much alive and well here in the Desert District of Riverside County, and residents need to do all the right things to stay cool and stay well.
Jul 02
Fourth District Supervisor Hears the Call for Help
Supervisor Roy Wilson, heeding the call for help from the non-profit “Soldiers Organized Services,” has elected this week to donate $1,000 per month over the next year to the cause.
Jul 02
Supervisor Wilson, Sheriff Sniff Endorse Anti-Recidivism Plan
A plan by a group of distinguished and experienced Californians—including former State Senator Robert Presley—have produced a proposal for a comprehensive plan to reduce recidivism in Riverside County.
Jul 01
‘Skeeters Don’t Let up in Ripley; More Fogging Tonight
The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health is still receiving mosquito complaints from the Ripley area in the southern Palo Verde Valley.
Jul 01
Fireworks: Fun for Humans, But Tough on Pets
They escape. They run frantically. And all too often, they get killed.
Jul 01
Rivco Supervisors Approve Budget for Fiscal Year 09/10
It was unanimous, but it wasn't without disagreement.
Jun 29
Lock in Your Camping Rates at Riverside County’s Parks
The new 2009/2010 Riverside County Park and Open-Space District fees take affect Wednesday, July 1.
Jun 29
Fun and Safe at Public Displays, But Illegal and Dangerous Privately
Public Safety officials from the County of Riverside are in the midst of a campaign assuring all residents and visitors that fireworks are illegal in Riverside County, meaning that you may not sell, purchase, transport, store or use fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the County . . . or in most cities, for that matter.
Jun 26
Child Care Summit Set for Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage
The Riverside County Family Child Care Association (RCFCCA) will host a Leadership Alliance Summit at the Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, Sept. 19 and 20.
Jun 05
Mark Hunter named Palm Springs “Firefighter of the Year”
The City’s latest “Employee Spotlight” for Palm Springs Community Television features Mark Hunter, Palm Springs “Firefighter of the Year.”