Category: Deserts

A global IT outage, originating from a disruption at cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, has significantly impacted residents in the Coachella Valley. The issue, which affected Microsoft systems worldwide, caused delays in air travel, healthcare, and municipal services. Palm Springs International Airport experienced significant delays, while Eisenhower Health had to cancel and delay surgeries. Local cities like Indio and Cathedral City also reported service disruptions. CrowdStrike’s CEO apologized and took full responsibility for the outage. The incident led to a significant drop in CrowdStrike and Microsoft stocks.

The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District will initiate weekly mosquito spraying operations starting Saturday to curb mosquito-borne viruses in Indio and Coachella. The truck-mounted spraying will occur between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., depending on weather conditions, and will continue through September 21st. The effort aims to significantly reduce the mosquito population and lower the risk of virus transmission.

  The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has announced plans to build a tribal courthouse on reservation land in Palm Springs, with a projected opening in October. The new courthouse, located on 980 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, will handle civil cases under tribal law, marking a shift from previous reliance on federal, state, and local courts for tribal litigation. Additionally, a new tribal bar association will be created to accredit lawyers in tribal law. The announcement was made at last night’s city council meeting.

The Barracks, a beloved LGBTQ+ bar in Cathedral City, is being forced to close after 31 years of service. The business claims the state of California is revoking their liquor license, but the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control states that the decision is not final. The bar also faces challenges with city-imposed occupancy reductions and costly required upgrades. Despite community efforts to keep it open, the owners plan to relocate to Arizona, with the bar set to close on August 4th.

The parents of Corporal Hunter Lopez, a Coachella Valley resident killed in the 2021 Kabul airport attack, were among several Gold Star families who spoke at the Republican National Convention. They read the names of the 13 fallen soldiers, including their son’s, and criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lopez, a La Quinta High School graduate, had planned to join the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department after his military service. The convention segment highlighted foreign policy and veterans’ issues.

In celebration of Smart Irrigation Month, the Coachella Valley Water District, in partnership with the California Water Efficiency Partnership, is offering customers up to $190 off Rachio sprinkler systems. These smart systems, controllable via smartphone, aim to help residents manage their water usage and reduce high water bills. For more information, customers can visit the district’s website at cvwd.org/rebates.

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with Free Toffee Ice Cream Bars from Brandini   This Sunday, in celebration of National Ice Cream Day, local favorite Brandini Toffee is offering free Toffee Ice Cream Bars at their three stores in Palm Springs. From noon to 4 p.m., enjoy a delicious vanilla ice cream bar dipped in Belgian milk chocolate and rolled in Brandini’s signature toffee crumbles. Founder Brandon Weimer invites everyone to join the festivities and enjoy this sweet treat on the house.

Season 2 of ‘The Mole’ Now Streaming on Netflix: Meet the Winner and the Mole! Agua Caliente Entertainment reports the release of ‘The Mole’ Season 2 on Netflix. The top five contestants shared their experiences, revealing Michael as the $154,000 winner and Sean as the undercover Mole. Michael plans to use his winnings to honor his late mother and support his father, while Sean recounted his journey from regular contestant to the show’s saboteur.

Palm Springs Cannabis Dispensaries On Moratorium, Retail Tax Five months after the Palm Springs City Council’s decision to reduce taxes and cap new cannabis dispensaries, local businesses are experiencing varied effects. Some, like 808 Brains Dispensary, feel pressure from existing competition despite benefiting from the new regulations. Others, such as Madness Dispensary, appreciate the tax relief, which has eased financial burdens. The city’s proactive compliance efforts aim to ensure stability among operating dispensaries, but the challenge remains for many to stay afloat amid a saturated market.  

Governor Newsom Signs Groundbreaking Classroom Pronoun Legislation Amidst Controversy   Five months after the Palm Springs City Council’s decision to reduce taxes and cap new cannabis dispensaries, local businesses are experiencing varied effects. Some, like 808 Brains Dispensary, feel pressure from existing competition despite benefiting from the new regulations. Others, such as Madness Dispensary, appreciate the tax relief, which has eased financial burdens. The city’s proactive compliance efforts aim to ensure stability among operating dispensaries, but the challenge remains for many to stay afloat amid a saturated market.

Joe Bryant has passed away Joe Bryant, father of the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. Known as “Jelly Bean,” Bryant had a notable basketball career, playing for La Salle University before being drafted 14th overall in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. His professional career included stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Bryant later returned to La Salle as a coach in the 1990s. The 76ers paid tribute to Bryant, calling him a local basketball icon.

Coachella Valley Residents React to Weekend of Political Violence   Residents of Coachella Valley are expressing their concerns and hopes following a weekend marked by political violence, which resulted in one death and several injuries. Speaking to NBC Palm Springs, locals from both Republican and Democratic sides voiced their distress over the incident and the broader climate of unrest. Republicans lamented the ongoing violence reminiscent of past political assassinations, emphasizing the need for heightened protection at political events. Democrats echoed the sentiment, urging for greater civility and mutual respect. Despite differing political views, both sides shared a common desire for a safer, more united America, calling for an end to the hatred and violence.

CV SYNC Program Know Before You Go   The Coachella Valley Association of Governments has launched a new traffic program named CV SYNC, aimed at improving traffic management in the region. Program manager Chris Gunter highlighted several ongoing road projects affecting local routes. In La Quinta, road work on Jefferson Street between Avenue 49 and Pomelo is causing lane closures due to sewer line and electrical installations for a new church. In Palm Springs, ongoing construction near Ramon Road and Farrell is impacting westbound traffic, part of storm water management efforts. Meanwhile, in Indian Wells, improvements including storm drain installations and a new traffic signal pole at Fred Waring and Warner Trail are underway. Gunter also noted completion of a ceiling project on Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert, reminding drivers to be cautious due to unpainted lanes on the new surface.

Amazon’s 10th Prime Day Event Promises Millions of Deals   Amazon’s 10th Prime Day event takes place tomorrow and Wednesday, offering millions of deals across electronics, kitchen appliances, apparel, and beauty products. Prime members can already access early deals. The event celebrates the value Amazon provides to its members year-round, with customers saving nearly $24 billion from deals and coupons last year.

AT&T Allegedly Pays $370,000 Ransom to Hacker in Massive Data Breach   Reports from Bloomberg and Wired reveal that AT&T paid a hacker approximately $370,000 to delete data from a significant breach affecting nearly all of its cell phone customers. The hacker provided both publications with a video allegedly showing the data deletion. AT&T has not yet commented on these reports. The breach, disclosed on Friday, compromised phone numbers of tens of millions of customers from May 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022.

The Palm Springs Unified School District and City of Palm Springs have embarked on a collaborative effort to enhance support for individuals with autism. Led by Councilwoman Grace Gardner’s initiative, a certification program through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards has been adopted. This program aims to educate school district personnel and city staff on autism spectrum disorders, fostering better communication and support for affected students and their families. Superintendent Carmen Rodriguez Lara highlighted the personal impact, underscoring the need for inclusive community engagement. The initiative has received widespread support across various departments and businesses, reflecting Palm Springs’ commitment to inclusivity and support for all residents.

The Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County has surged to 34,000 acres, making it California’s largest current wildfire. Approximately 450 residents have evacuated, with 1,200 more under evacuation warnings. Cal Fire reports 16% containment with 590 structures still at risk. Over 3,000 firefighters are battling the blaze amidst challenging hot and dry conditions. Meanwhile, the Vista Fire near Mount Baldy Ski Resort in San Bernardino National Forest has burned over 2,700 acres, prompting evacuations and threatening nearly 150 structures. Governor Gavin Newsom attributes the escalation of wildfires to climate change, highlighting a significant increase in fire incidents compared to last year.

Extreme heat is not just a California issue. In Texas, many residents are still without air conditioning after Hurricane Beryl knocked out power. NBC’s Aaron McLaughlin reports from Washington, D.C., where sweltering conditions have melted a wax replica of the Lincoln Memorial outside an elementary school, highlighting the severity of the heat. The intense temperatures pose a major threat to the NATO Security Summit in the capital, with heat contributing to over three dozen deaths across at least six states. Out west, Las Vegas has hit record highs of 118 degrees on consecutive days. Meanwhile, Houston struggles with power outages affecting over a million people, and remnants of the hurricane are causing havoc in the Northeast, including two destructive tornadoes in upstate New York. Doctors urge those experiencing heat exhaustion symptoms to cool off quickly, stay indoors, and stay hydrated.

San Jacinto has reported record high temperatures for the second consecutive day, and the triple-digit heatwave is expected to continue throughout the week in Riverside County. While desert communities are accustomed to the heat, it can still be overwhelming. Residents describe the heat as feeling like “a slap in the face” upon stepping outside. Coachella Valley officials are urging people to take precautions: stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces, limit outdoor activities, wear loose and light-colored clothing, take cool showers or baths, and stay well-hydrated with water, tea, juice, and sports drinks.

The new Welbe Health Center in Coachella Valley is now open, providing a comprehensive care program for seniors. The center offers a range of services, including medical care, physical recreation, dental, vision, and hearing services, social activities, prescription medication delivery, physical therapy, and home care. Additionally, free transportation is available for participants who need assistance getting to and from the center. To qualify, individuals must be 55 or older and eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. The Welbe Health Center stands out with its culturally and linguistically competent care, ensuring seniors receive personalized and inclusive support.

Several local LGBTQ+ groups have reported being kicked off the social media platform X, with some accounts having millions of followers. Brad Fuhr and Matt Skallerud, who run multiple LGBTQ+ pages, including Gay Desert Guide and Pink Media, found their accounts permanently suspended. They discovered that numerous LGBTQ+ pages worldwide were affected by the suspensions. Despite appealing the decision, they have yet to receive a response from X. Both Fuhr and Skallerud believe they did not violate any platform rules and hope their accounts will be restored soon. The suspensions have raised concerns about the platform’s policies and their impact on the LGBTQ+ community.