(KESQ) - A woman was taken into custody after an ambulance was stolen Monday night in Coachella The Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed the woman is facing charges of grand theft and vehicle theft involving an ambulance The theft was reported at around 10:20 p.m according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office Deputies searched the area but did not locate the ambulance Authorities said the ambulance was found just before 12:30 p.m on the 72000 block of Varner Road in Thousand Palms A person told authorities that they saw a women in an ambulance in a parking lot Deputies arrived and determined it was the stolen ambulance and took the woman into custody Lieutenant Stephen Davis with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department credited the tipster who spotted the ambulance "The public definitely aided in this endeavor for sure," Davis said Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines KESQ-TV FCC Public File | KPSP-TV FCC Public File | KDFX-TV FCC Public File | EEO Report | FCC Applications | Do Not Sell My Personal Information The warehouse boom along the Coachella Valley’s Interstate 10 corridor appears poised to advance further east after Riverside County supervisors approved zoning changes this week clearing the way for what could be the largest such facility built in the area so far Southern California-based office and industrial park developer Majestic Realty’s plans call for what it calls a 1.234 million-square-foot “warehouse/distribution/manufacturing development” center on the northwest side of Thousand Palms The facility would be built on a roughly 83-acre site located to the south of the SA metal recycling facility The site is bound by Rio Del Sol to the west 30th Avenue to the south and Robert Road to the east As is commonly the case with large-scale warehouse construction the project is currently being proposed “on spec,” meaning that its eventual user and purpose have not so far been determined documents filed with the county state that the building could potentially be used as a distribution center or for e-commerce or manufacturing with the approvals including some limits on what the facility could be used The rise of online shopping has led to the proliferation of distribution facilities with the Inland Empire and its freeway corridors becoming known as a hub for them The rush to build such facilities has pushed east into the Coachella Valley over the past couple of years with multiple cities adopting zoning changes meant to attract them and the jobs and tax revenue they bring A roughly 650,000-square-foot “middle mile” logistics facility that will be used by Amazon is being built in Desert Hot Springs while a nearly 740,000-square-foot warehouse that would be nearby on Palm Springs land has been approved Up to 1.8 million square feet of light industrial use that could potentially take the form of a warehouse is also proposed as part of a significant multiuse development being pitched for North Indio Approved plans for the Thousand Palms project call for it to have a maximum height of 49 feet and include 200 truck bays The structure would have a brown color palette that is intended to match its desert environment with a county planner saying there would be nearly 700,000 square feet of landscaping on the site Majestic Realty would provide 2.5 acres on the southeast corner of the site that could be then be used by the Imperial Irrigation District to build a new electrical substation A report about the project’s environmental impact states that it could be “reasonably expected to generate around 1,200 jobs,” although the exact number would likely depend on what the facility is ultimately used for At the Tuesday meeting at which the supervisors approved the zoning changes needed for the project to commence a county planner said the proposal had received opposition from environmental groups over the air quality impacts and greenhouse gas emissions that would result from the number of vehicles that would be driving to and from the site county planning staff said they were recommending approval of the project and believed the current plans had sufficiently addressed those concerns said it was clear that the project was widely supported by residents of Thousand Palms and obviously they can speak for themselves but they have gone to the community,” he said “There's overwhelming support within the community including the Community Council members and quite a bit of those folks obviously that live there and as well work there or work elsewhere.” He added that the location of the warehouse is a “very windy area that needs some cleanup.” “I think this type of project would be very Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Follow him on Twitter at @albaniburgiop and email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com 2025 at 1:28 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Loud music parties have led to a moratorium on Short Term Rentals in Thousand Palms CA—Moratoriums are now in place for the short-term rental certificates sought in Thousand Palms At the Riverside County Board of Supervisors' Tuesday meeting the board extended the halt on short-term rental certificates for another 10 months saying this would "give staff time to draft regulations that address problems stemming from house parties and other activities." A temporary moratorium was issued on March 11 that suspension was due to expire automatically on April 25 The board's 5- 0 vote Tuesday to renew the urgency measure runs to Feb County Transportation & Land Management Agency officials were expected to have a proposal for permanent regulations The interim moratorium could be rescinded and replaced with a formal ordinance following public hearings at any time between April 15 and the deadline "We definitely need quite a bit more enforcement in that area," Board Chairman Manuel Perez whose Fourth District encompasses the Coachella Valley Supervisor Perez said that the upsurge in boisterous parties at vacation rental properties in Thousand Palms and the ranch area resulted from the "very firm" short-term rental restrictions in place throughout Desert Hot Springs all of which border the communities where the moratorium has been applied TLMA officials said there are 68 legally sanctioned short-term rental operators in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch which is a 240-acre space in the Seven Palms Valley northeast of Interstate 10 and southeast of North Palm Springs Thousand Palms is a few miles farther south 35 properties in Thousand Palms have been flagged for hosting short-term guests without an STR permit while 27 properties have been flagged in B Bar H Ranch Officials said the latter has 37 legal STRs Department of Code Enforcement personnel have issued numerous cease-and-desist orders in both locations over the last three years administering fines and other penalties to stop ongoing illegal rental operations Most neighbor complaints connected to code and sheriff's calls in the area have stemmed from loud parties and roadway obstructions What amplified regulations might be established to address illicit and legal STRs in the two communities was unclear "We need teeth because a $500 or $1,000 fine is maybe not enough," Perez said When the promoters are making $50,000 on one party The board implemented a slate of countywide regulations tied to STRs under Ordinance No Those applying for a certificate must be at least 21 years old The ordinance includes a 500-foot separation requirement mandating that any newly certificated STRs be at least that distance from the nearest residence The ordinance included "responsible operators" and "responsible guests" at short-term rental properties as liable for paying penalties if a property is determined to be a nuisance because of parties or other disturbances The regulatory apparatus implemented testing requirements to confirm that STR operators understand county regulations and can comply with them Regulations focus on occupancy limitations Tighter regulations were established for Idyllwild-Pine Cove and the Temecula Valley Wine Country in November 2023 in response to increasing challenges with enforcement and to ensure that rentals didn't drastically impact the locations' "unique character." Short-term rentals are defined as residential dwellings leased for a maximum of 30 days and a minimum of two days and one night Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. (This story has been updated with new information.) The Coachella Valley Water District board has delayed a vote on whether to buy private property for a long-planned Thousand Palms flood-control project for what one owner alleges is far less than it's worth After board President John Powell could not obtain a second to his motion to approve the eminent domain proceedings fellow directors voted instead Tuesday to reconsider the item in late February after a possible study session and closed-door session on a related lawsuit The potential purchase by CVWD is the first of several acquisitions that will be needed for the $110 million project which aims to protect 10,000 acres of current and future development and designated conservation lands from flooding from three watersheds by lacing dikes and channels from the Classic Club Golf Course to Del Webb/Sun City Homes north of Interstate 10 Environmental documents approved by federal and state regulators show as many as 37 homes would need to be acquired and torn down but CVWD spokesperson Lorraine Garcia said that number has been reduced to four homes via new designs She could not provide information on whether the homeowners have been notified saying the district is early in the acquisition process a process by which governments can legally acquire private property against an owner's wishes per the district's appraisals of fair market value and their lawyers say CVWD's plans would make 110 acres of their property unusable for development because the project as designed could flood much of their land during a major storm They also say their recent appraisal shows the 110 acres are worth an estimated $4.9 million — hundreds of times more than what CVWD is offering At the heart of the dispute: The water district and Tynberg's group disagree on not only what the land is worth but also whether CVWD needs to purchase all 110 acres for the project CVWD staff and attorneys said negotiations could continue on the purchase price even if the board approved their recommendation but said they could only use eminent domain to acquire the small pieces needed for a dike as part of the project his wife and partners bought more than 1,000 acres of vacant land in Thousand Palms in 1978 aiming to build and sell single-family homes according to Tynberg's account in emails and a legal filing made by the group in October But he says their development plans were blocked in 2001 when the water district's then-general manager said at a Riverside County planning meeting that some of the group's land would be needed for an upcoming flood control project a former urologist at two Coachella Valley hospitals and past president of the Riverside County Medical Association says his partnership is willing to sell the land and has sought to negotiate a fair purchase price with the water district CVWD has whittled down the amount of land it's willing to pay for and low-balled the price by using vacant lot prices in other cities and much further from Interstate 10 and already developed areas that all 11 parcels were needed for the Thousand Palms Flood Control Project and that acquisition of them would begin in 2003," Tynberg said in written remarks he presented to the board Tuesday made many requests over the past 22 years for CVWD to purchase them He added that the 110 acres "are part of 550 acres that the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission has determined that CVWD must purchase for this project In an independent assessment of value the (commission) also estimated that the cost of these 550 acres was estimated to be $20,625,000 Tynberg's group's parcels would be worth $4.125 million but still far more than what the water district is offering conservation commission spokeswoman Erica Felci said "CVCC is not involved in the negotiations between property owners and other agencies CVCC does not rely on planning estimates from nearly 20 years ago We conduct appraisals related to the current market We have not done so for the property in question "We continue to work with CVWD to help it meet its flood control and conservation responsibilities But for details on where CVWD is at in the process CVWD finally made four offers for the 110 acres "initially for $500,000 ($4600/acre) and later for $900,000 ($8100/acre) We refused these offers as the highest priced offer was less than 25% of the CVCC’s estimated value of $37,500/acre for the property." Tynberg's group filed an "inverse condemnation" lawsuit against the agency in 2024 Tynberg said the two sides are in the discovery phase but said resolving the court case could take years and it might eventually be settled "Now CVWD would like to acquire under eminent domain only small portions of five of the parcels on which a dike is to be constructed," he wrote He said the district's own flood control maps show his partnership's other parcels will either be flooded or impacted by flooding but would not be acquired by eminent domain "This will severely devalue the remaining portions of each parcel." Tyson concluded that because of the long history and damage to their property values the decision by the board to approve a so-called resolution of necessity for eminent domain "is not equitable .. this action is an abuse of CVWD’s power of eminent domain." Water district respondsWater district spokeswoman Garcia said in emailed responses to questions about Tynberg's concerns that "land acquisition is crucial to building the much-needed infrastructure for projects such as the Thousand Palms Flood Control Project which will reduce flooding hazards associated with conjoining alluvial fans between the Indio Hills and Interstate 10." Asked why the district is only offering to buy less than 6 acres of the 110 acres of Tynberg's group's land that would be impacted the real property necessary for the proposed project." The purchase was initially slated to be done by other means but a CVWD staff report ahead of Tuesday's meeting recommends eminent domain be used instead due to time constraints and repeated unsuccessful attempts to purchase the parcels "CVWD is at a point where it needs to move forward with the Project to protect the public’s health and safety," staff wrote "The Subject Property is needed to construct the Project which will contribute to flood protection to over 10,000 acres of land from flood hazards emanating from over three major watersheds that drain over 448 square miles of mountain terrain." The (environmental impact report) and design are complete CVWD has received draft regulatory permits from the Army Corps of Engineers the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Regional Water Quality Control Board CVWD is (now) initiating the land acquisition process." The proposed project is designed to meet a Federal Emergency Management Agency 100-year flood event but would-be developers will not be required to pay for it as is often done with other infrastructure projects by the district because it is a capital improvement project for a large area Some of the projects will likely be funded by CVWD’s Stormwater Fund Janet Wilson is senior environment reporter for The Desert Sun and co-authors USA Today Climate Point 2025 at 6:17 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Paramedics pronounced the victims CA — A collision between a pickup and sedan Tuesday in Thousand Palms triggered a fire and killed both motorists at the intersection of Dillon and Lamel roads according to the California Highway Patrol A Dodge pickup and a sedan impacted head-on at unconfirmed speeds but no other details were immediately available A blaze erupted that engulfed both vehicles stopped and attempted to contain the flames with a fire extinguisher Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the location minutes later and knocked down the blaze Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers shut down Dillon going in both directions while a preliminary investigation was conducted There was no word regarding how long the closure would be in effect Two environmental nonprofit groups are suing Riverside County over a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse development slated for Thousand Palms The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Riverside County Superior Court about a month after county supervisors approved zoning changes that would facilitate the construction of the facility on 83 acres of open desert land at the northwest end of the unincorporated community meaning it does not yet have a planned user its developer says it could be used for warehousing and/or distribution of goods or for manufacturing supervisors said the project had received opposition from environmental groups over air quality impacts and greenhouse gas emissions due to the number of vehicles that would be driving to and from the site they said county staff believed those concerns had been adequately addressed But the lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity contends that the approved version of the project would result in nearby residents — including some who the groups say live just 1,300 feet away from the site — being exposed to harmful asthma-causing pollutants at nearly three times the level that requires analysis and mitigation under state environmental laws The suit also argues that the project would negatively the Casey’s June beetle the California red-legged frog and other endangered species and produce “astounding greenhouse gas emissions,” all of which it says should be better mitigated if the project is to proceed It asks for a judge to find that the supervisors’ approval of the project ran afoul of environmental laws and was improperly granted and force the project to come into compliance with state environmental laws before it can proceed said officials there had not yet received the lawsuit but will review it and determine their next steps once they do "The County evaluates every project on a case-by-case basis and conducts a thorough environmental review process pursuant to County regulations and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)," Federico wrote in an email "The County also publicly notices projects provides opportunities for public comment on Environmental Impact Reports and conducts outreach with all applications." At the time of the approval vote for the Thousand Palms project Manuel Perez said there was “overwhelming support” in Thousand Palms for the project which he also said is in a “windy area that needs some cleanup.” Perez’s district includes Thousand Palms and the rest of the Coachella Valley the attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity who filed the lawsuit said the project “is the last thing Thousand Palms needs.” The suit contends that air pollution is already a serious issue in the community that would be intensified by the project It cites state data showing that Thousand Palms is currently exposed to more pollution than 87% of the state “All we’re asking is for county leaders to follow the law and take the environmental risks seriously,” she said  “A project of this scale has the potential to devastate a community so it’s especially important to hold the logistics industry accountable for their polluting operations.” 2024 at 5:17 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Deputies said they located "evidence of a shooting," but did not find a suspect or victim CA — An elementary school in Thousand Palms was placed on lockdown Monday following a report of a shooting nearby Riverside County Sheriff's Department personnel responded to reports of a shooting near Della S Lindley Elementary School at approximately 2:45 p.m Deputies said they located "evidence of a shooting," but did not find a suspect or victim deputies established a perimeter and continued to investigate fewer than 100 students were still on campus The department said that it was preparing for a controlled release of the remaining students The Riverside Coroner has identified a 29-year-old man who died Friday after being shot in Thousand Palms as Steven Garcia according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department He was shot an unknown number of times about 9:45 a.m at a home in the 30-300 block of Monte Vista Way Palm Springs High Football Coach Dan Murphy said after Palm Springs’ football game Friday night against Indio that Garcia was a 2002 PSHS graduate (AUDIO:Reporter Bill Byron talks to Palm Springs High School head football coach Dan Murphy about Steven Garcia) He told The Desert Sun he learned about Garcia’s death just before the Indian’s football game at Indio High School Garcia “was heavy on my mind,” Murphy said He described Garcia as “just pound for pound one of the toughest kids I ever coached and a quality young man.” Garcia never missed a day of practice despite a series of injuries 240-pound high school student played seven different positions: running back then-coach Steve Fabian told The Desert Sun "Steve Garcia is a company man the kind of player that does everything that is asked of him and does it all well.” said Garcia was capable of squatting 600 pounds and was “one of my best lifters of all time.” He added that Garcia had a “meanstreak” on the football field but off it he was a caring guy who occasionally helped clean out the coach’s garage “He was just a model citizen you wanted on this earth,” Vail said Investigators have not released details on the shooting including the suspect’s name and his motive and relationship with Garcia At least three people were detained and investigators are not looking for any other individuals Deputy Julio Oseguera said at the scene Friday “There are no outstanding shooters,” he said Oseguera did not know if a gun was recovered or how many rounds were fired Thanh Nguyen lives down the street from the scene and he said Friday he heard six shots I think the shots were inside the house,” said Nguyen The shooting occurred within a residential neighborhood within the north central area of the unincorporated Riverside Community Several neighbors congregated at the scene throughout the day and several of them said they were curious about what had occurred James Davis,who lives south of the intersection said Friday he had only “seen a lot of cop cars zooming down really fast.” The area is otherwise “pretty quiet,” said Davis The shooting is under investigation and the sheriff’s department has not released additional details (KESQ) - Environmental groups filed a lawsuit against Riverside County today over the county's approval of a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse that activists say would increase air pollution and interfere with local habitats Green-lit in Feburary, the proposed Majestic Thousand Palms warehouse project has the potential to attract more than 500 diesel truck trips on a daily basis according to a statement from the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity A CBD statement argued that the complex's construction and operation could both cause measurable harm The warehouse will be located north of Varner Road and Bob Hope Drive A number of smaller completed and planned warehouses already exist in the Coachella Valley, including a currently-in-construction Amazon-operated storage facility in Desert Hot Springs slightly more than half the size of the newly approved facility Check Out: Palm Springs faces lawsuit over planned warehouse project The American Lung Association's 2024 air quality reports found that six of the seven American cities with the most year-round particle pollution are in California Special Report: “The Warehouse Price”: An industry on the move in Palm Springs Co-filed by the Center and the Sierra Club, Thursday's lawsuit alleges that the county's environmental study for the project ran afoul of the California Environmental Quality Act and did not adequately account for factors including greenhouse gas emissions housing scarcity and local endangered species -- such as desert tortoises California red-legged frogs and burrowing owls Burrowing owls were named as a "candidate species" for protected status by the California Fish and Game Commission in October meaning that they receive interim safeguards under the California Endangered Species Act until a final decision is made the building was proposed and approved "on spec,'' or without a certain purpose although documents suggested the structure could be purposed as a distribution center Although the opposition from environmentalists was brought up at the February meeting that eventually resulted in the warehouse's approval county planning staff remained in favor on the basis that they believed the concerns had been addressed in addition to the county report's estimate of 1,200 new jobs As mentioned in the county's environmental impact report the project would also set aside 2 1/2 acres to be "developed with a joint [Imperial Irrigation District] electric substation.'' "All we're asking is for county leaders to follow the law and take the environmental risks seriously,'' said CBD attorney Frances Tinney in a statement "A project of this scale has the potential to devastate acommunity so it's especially important to hold the logistics industry accountable for their polluting operations." THOUSAND PALMS – A 29-year-old man is dead and a 22-year-old man is suspected of shooting him Friday in Thousand Palms whose identity was not immediately released VIDEO:Man fatally shot in Thousand Palms The accused shooter’s identity also was not immediately released but investigators Friday had not determined his relationship with the victim or a motive behind the shooting Thanh Nguyen lives down the street from the scene and he said he heard six shots fired said he had only “seen a lot of cop cars zooming down really fast.” The shooting is under investigation and the sheriff’s department is not releasing other details (KESQ) - Firefighters knocked down a blaze at a single-story residence in Thousand Palms today The fire were reported shortly after 10 a.m Tuesday at a single- family dwelling in the 31700 block of Via Ventana according to the Riverside County Fire Department An arriving unit noted flames emanating from the garage after which the fire was "contained to a vehicle inside the garage," the department said No injuries were reported and no residents were displaced RCFD personnel said they would remain at the scene until at least 11:30 a.m An elementary school in Thousand Palms was briefly placed on a precautionary lockout due to a shooting nearby According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of shots fired at around 2:45 p.m in the area of Robert Road and El Centro Way Deputies located evidence of a shooting; however A local hospital later reported a gunshot victim in their emergency room Investigators from the Palm Desert Station responded and assumed the investigation was placed on lockout as a precaution due to the police activity PSUSD spokesperson Joan Boiko said the students who weren't dismissed yet were brought back inside The students were released to their parents at the front of the school starting at around 3:30 p.m No arrests have been made, the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Investigator A. Brown at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760–836–1600 Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this breaking news The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a 45-day moratorium on the issuance of short-term rental certificates in Thousand Palms and the nearby Coachella Valley community known as B Bar H Ranch to give Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency staff time to draft regulations that address problems stemming from house parties and other activities in the locations “Community members wanted to see more work done specific to short- term rentals,” board Chairman Manuel Perez help give us time to think this through .. I expect some good work will be done from this.” The moratorium on operating certificates takes effect immediately and is slated to sunset on April 25 the board has discretion to extend the moratorium repeatedly going forward utilizing urgency ordinances that require four-fifths approval “This is necessary for all of us in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch peace and quiet and security restored and protected,” Janice Charney told the board prior to its vote The chair said the municipalities’ no-tolerance regulations were driving celebrants into the unincorporated areas “I don’t want it to get to the point where it’s like the Burning Man,” Perez said referencing the annual desert festival that draws thousands who are invited to shelve inhibitions in favor of “self-expression.” “I don’t want something like that in my district,” he said 35 properties in Thousand Palms have been “flagged” for hosting short-term guests without an STR permit Department of Code Enforcement personnel have issued a total of 38 cease-and-desist orders in both locations over the last three years Most neighbor complaints connected to code and sheriff’s calls in the area have stemmed from loud parties and roadway obstructions It was unclear what amplified regulations might be established to address illicit and legal STRs in the two communities The board implemented a slate of regulations tied to STRs under Ordinance No Anyone applying for a certificate must be at least 21 years old The ordinance included “responsible operators” and “responsible guests” at short-term rental properties as being held liable for paying penalties in the event a property is determined to be a nuisance because of parties or other disturbances The regulatory apparatus implemented testing requirements to confirm that STR operators understand county regulations and are able to comply with them parking designations and other health and safety provisions for STRs Tighter regulations were established for Idyllwild-Pine Cove and the Temecula Valley Wine Country in November 2023 in response to increasing challenges with enforcement and to ensure that the “unique character” of the locations wasn’t drastically impacted by rentals A man who carried out a string of commercial burglaries in Rancho Mirage was sentenced to two years in prison after entering guilty pleas to multiple charges pleaded guilty to six felony counts of burglary Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Thalia Hayden of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office confirmed the timing and terms of the sentence Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's Palm Desert station responded to reports of "multiple" burglaries in the Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms areas in October Authorities said a suspect identified as Cook stole $2,000 in cash The suspect was also linked to commercial burglaries that the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office was in the process of investigating Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team personnel were able to apprehend Cook who was driving an allegedly stolen vehicle near Ramon Road and Thousand Palms Canyon Road Deputies said they found burglary tools and additional evidence pointing to the burglaries Inmate records indicate that Cook was arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio with a bail amount later reduced to $100,000 In 2022, Cook was arrested in connection with a series of break-ins at several businesses in Palm Springs Animal Samaritans has started the long-awaited renovation of its Thousand Palms clinic A temporary location in Palm Desert is now open offering veterinary services while the remodel is underway The $1.4 million renovations kick off phase one of its "Capital Campaign." the new 40,000-square-foot clinic will provide additional exam rooms and dedicated isolation rooms for disease control  "Even though we're renovating and our Thousand Palms Clinic is closed we're still open seven days a week at both our Indio location and temporary location in Palm Desert," said Tom Snyder "I'm really pleased at the progress that's happening it's quite a transformation and we look forward to the completion of our Phase One renovations at the clinic around March of next year." The temporary clinic location is located on Flora Road in Palm Desert For more information on Animal Samaritans, visit https://animalsamaritans.org/ Arts + Culture by | Mar 14 The Guadalajara-based artist explores themes of presence and absence transplanting and stacking massive blocks of marble from Mexico in formations evoking archaeological relics — a sculpture that “could have been here thousands of years ago and could exist here a thousand years from now.” The Los Angeles artist reimagines a gas station as a destination for spiritual replenishment — a sanctuary for healing and hope “Ruby,” looks out to a repurposed gas pump that plays inspiring poetry Garcia-Maestas says the experience “feels like a warm hug.” Inspired by bottaris (fabric-encased bundles in Korean culture) South Korean artist Kimsooja’s glass pavilion acts as a “bottari of light,” inviting the interplay of the sand and Lakota) mobile installation extends his Future Ancestral Technologies series repurposing a vehicle camouflaged in reflective vinyl and inviting us to reconsider our relationship with nature and learn from the desert’s enduring wisdom The vehicle will move through the landscape starting in Desert Hot Springs and continuing to locations in Palm Springs and Coachella The structure supported by local palm fronds and imported stones symbolizes the complex legacies of migration and the differing promises of freedom throughout history the Paris- and Berlin–based artist asserts midcentury architectural aspirations while questioning themes of shelter and freedom “Flying geese” quilting motifs from the Underground Railroad inspired the lattice roof you’ll drive about 20 minutes to RANCHO MIRAGE you’ll encounter two installations in PALM DESERT “Five things you can’t wear on TV” by Raphael Hefti “Truth Arrives in Slanted Beams” by Sarah Meyohas The final installation appears in THOUSAND PALMS Wakefield aptly describes this Riyadh-based artist’s work as “anti-monumental,” as its sand-infused stretches of fabric depict land without fixed identity This dynamic interaction evokes a transient and elusive sense of home emphasizing the fluidity of the desert environment as well as themes of identity and memory A 34-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in a hit-and-run collision in Thousand Palms early Friday with the driver apparently abandoning the car shortly afterward The California Highway Patrol was still looking for the driver several hours later Paramedics responded shortly past midnight Friday to the intersection of Ramon Road and Thelma Avenue after receiving reports of a man lying in the road Cathedral City resident Oscar Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:30 a.m. The person who struck Martinez fled the scene before authorities arrived and CHP officers were still searching for the driver as of 2:30 p.m Authorities found the car abandoned Friday in the Thousand Palms area The incident is being investigated by the CHP's Indio office Kings of Leon and Phantogram light up the desert night and bring rock and electro-magic to Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms one of Southern California’s newest and most beautiful multipurpose venues in Thousand Palms bore witness to a thrilling fusion of rock and electronic soundscapes as Kings of Leon and Phantogram took to the stage offering an experience that showcased both bands at their finest the electro-rock duo of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter opened the night with a set that quickly drew the crowd into their atmospheric world From the moment they launched into “Black Out Days,” it was clear that this was a band fully in control of their sound and their audience complemented by Carter’s intricate guitar work created a mesmerizing blend of dreamlike vocals and pulsing beats moving seamlessly between tracks like “Fall in Love” and “Mouthful of Diamonds,” each song a carefully crafted piece of the duo’s electronic tapestry One of the standout moments came with their performance of “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore.” The song a mix of haunting lyrics and a relentless rhythm brought an intensity to the arena that was palpable combined with the swirling lights and visual effects Phantogram’s ability to blend the organic with the synthetic becoming charged with the anticipation of Kings of Leon’s arrival welcoming the Nashville rockers to the stage known for their blend of Southern rock and alternative anthems wasted no time in making their presence felt opening with the “Ballerina Radio.” Kings of Leon delivered a set that spanned their extensive catalog from early hits like “Molly’s Chambers” to newer tracks off their latest album performed with a tightness and cohesion that can only come from years of playing together underscored by Nathan’s thunderous drumming and Jared’s driving bass lines “Use Somebody,” a song that has become synonymous with Kings of Leon their voices joining Caleb’s in a chorus that echoed throughout the arena This was a moment of pure connection between the band and their fans a reminder of why Kings of Leon remains one of the most enduring acts in rock today Other standout moments of the evening were “Sex on Fire” and “Crawl,” songs that still ignite the same fervor as they did when they first hit the airwaves each note charged with a raw energy that rippled through the crowd The evening came to a close with an encore that included the reflective “Use Somebody,” bringing the night full circle with its moody the audience was left with the lingering echoes of a night that showcased two bands at the top of their game each offering their own unique contribution to a memorable evening of music at Acrisure Arena at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights Passenger at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago Outside Lands Festival launched a multi-genre lineup that showcased up-and-coming stars illuminating day one’s packed schedule of young and established artists and The Black Crowes are set to headline BeachLife Festival on the Redondo Beach Waterfront May 5-7 Banks brought her sultry Serpentina Tour to the historic Masonic in San Francisco accompanied by Lauren Jauregui as her opening act A 30-year-old motorist accused of intentionally running down a motorcyclist in Thousand Palms and attempting to flee the scene was charged today with murder Erick Robert Cowdery of Palm Desert is accused of striking the victim around 1:30 p.m Sunday at the intersection of Varner and Ramon roads according to a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office California Highway Patrol officers determined the victim was struck intentionally and turned the investigation over to sheriff's deputies The victim was identified as 48-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident Robert Ernest Rodriguez News Channel 3 reported that Rodriguez was riding a motorcycle when he was struck Cowdery was being held at the John Benoit Detention Center Anyone with information was encouraged to contact Investigator Cline with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Munoz with the Palm Desert Station at 760-836-1600 A Silver Alert has been issued for a missing 90-year-old man last seen in Thousand Palms Ramon Duran was last seen at around 11:00 a.m SILVER ALERT - Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino CountiesLast seen: Ramon Road and Varner Road, Thousand Palms@RSOIF SEEN, CALL 9-1-1 pic.twitter.com/25EOOxwynO He was last seen wearing a burgundy flannel Two people were injured and a dog died after a head-on crash Tuesday evening in Palm Desert near Washington Street and Del Web Boulevard California Highway Patrol Officer David Torres confirmed both patients were "elderly" women Both were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries 2025 at 2:45 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The crash remains under investigation CA — A driver was killed in a three-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 10 in Thousand Palms Tuesday with authorities investigating a possible second fatality The deadly collision was reported shortly after 1 p.m according to California Highway Patrol records CHP officer Rafael Espinosa told City News Service that two big rigs and a car were involved in the crash Officials were still working to identify the deceased victim One lane has since been reopened as CHP personnel attempted to divert traffic through Varner Road Espinosa told CNS that on-site CHP staff were investigating a possible second fatality they "[couldn't] even identify some of the vehicles who was behind the wheel of one of the trucks was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center An update on that person's condition was not immediately available Thousand Palms is currently experiencing a power outage in the areas of Barcelona Dr. According to IID They estimate that power will be restored within an hour IID is also experiencing fluctuating power in the city of Indio as well They stated that they will be conducting a forced outage for repairs and assure that they are working quickly to fix the issue The current estimated restoration time is about two more hours A 48-year-old valley resident was killed in Thousand Palms on Sunday afternoon in what the California Highway Patrol described as an “intentional” hit and run A suspect was arrested soon after and booked on a felony charge of murder with malice aforethought Riverside County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the collision around 1:30 p.m California Highway Patrol officers already at the scene “determined the incident was intentional” and requested the sheriff’s department to take over the investigation The area was closed to all pedestrian and vehicle traffic while sheriff’s deputies from the Palm Desert Station and the Central Homicide Unit which did not share further details about the crash identified the victim of the hit-and-run as Robert Ernest Rodriguez a 48-year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs The suspect in the case was identified as Erik Robert Cowdery a 30-year-old resident of Palm Desert who was arrested that afternoon and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center at 1 a.m Jail records show Cowdery is slated for a court hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio on Wednesday morning Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator Cline with the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777 or Investigator Munoz with the Palm Desert Station at (760) 836-1600 Tom Coulter covers the cities of Palm Desert Authorities identified the motorcyclist as Robert Ernest Rodriguez Those charges have not been officially filed He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday Riverside County Sheriffs Deputies are investigating what they say was a fatal felony hit-and-run in Thousand Palms The collision was believed to have been intentional It happened near the intersection of Varner and Ramon Roads with Eastbound traffic on Ramon temporarily closed as deputies investigate.  California Highway Patrol was first on scene just past 1 p.m Sunday afternoon responding to what they believed was a felony hit-and-run.  Officials said they found a deceased motorcyclist and that the driver that hit them attempted to flee but was then restrained by a bystander.  RSO says the CHP learned the collision had been intentional and turned it over to the Sheriff's Central Homicide unit.  there's no word yet on the identity of the person killed in that crash.  Make sure to stay with News Channel 3 for updates.  Two houses and several cars were destroyed after a fire broke out in Thousand Palms Monday afternoon Neighbors stood outside watching crews put out the flames in disbelief "It was just a nice evening and I happened to step out the back door," said Sunnie Musser She lives across the street from the houses that were burned "I assumed somebody was starting up their barbecue pit and that's when I knew that it was bigger than that.” she made sure her family was aware of the danger "I just started yelling at the my family inside they're trying to get hoses to try to put it out themselves," said Musser Musser also says several neighbors came out to help who rushed to the homes to alert the residents Musser says Junior saved a disabled woman who lived in one of the homes "I saw my daughter and all the men in the neighborhood banging on her windows and her doors because she's handicap to get her out of the house," explained Musser "And it was a magical thing to see the community come all together I just told them bring her over here to my house She was in her walker and now she's safe because of their actions.” two of them taken to the hospital for minor burns and smoke inhalation One patient with minor injuries declined further treatment A gas line and telephone pole that caught fire stayed lit for several hours after the house fires were put out Crews are expected to remain on scene until morning to mop up IID and SoCal Gas also remained on scene well into the night and one of those fire engines came from the city of Cathedral City on mutual aid," said Matthew Kots the Fire Battalion Chief for CalFire Riverside County Some residents on Black Eagle Drive were evacuated the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and CalFire confirmed "We want to make sure the fires out in so the community can be rest assured that they'll be safe this evening," said Kots Kots also said the cause of the fire is under investigation Viewer video shows heavy smoke coming from the family section of Tri Palm Estates Additional video from the scene shows a building destroyed by the fire as well as a power pole sparking Eight mobile homes are experiencing power outages due to an effected power pole Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates We'll have the latest tonight at 10 and 11 PM Tori King joined KESQ News Channel 3 as a reporter and anchor in October 2023. Learn more about Tori here The first night of ELO's Over And Out Tour took place in Thousand Palms Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra have played the first show of their final tour of the US The Over And Out Tour kicked off on Saturday with a 21-song set at the 11,000-capacity Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms in Riverside County 31-date trek across the US which will take in a pair of shows at New York's Madison Square Garden in mid-September and climax with two performances at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles at the end of October there was no room for material from either of the recent Jeff Lynne's ELO albums The tour continues tomorrow night (August 27) at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock Classic RockOnline Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014 Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović “This is my first band since Deep Purple It’s out of this world – I’m back in a rock band Led Zeppelin and a modern blues icon came together to form Black Country Communion "The universe is not fair like that." Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson tells new bands they'll get nowhere without self-belief I’m going to join them”: The man who was asked to replace James Hetfield as singer in Metallica – and turned it down California (KESQ) - Update: The person killed in a crash Wednesday on Interstate 10 has been identified as Arkeshia Holmes The 42-year-old from Desert Hot Springs died after the vehicle she was in rear-ended a semi-truck A passenger was killed in a crash involving a semi-truck on Interstate 10 near the Monterey Avenue exit in Thousand Palms According to the California Highway Patrol A passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene Westbound traffic is backed up from Monterey to Cook Street There's no word on how long the road closure will remain in place after two back-to-back crashes along Varner Road Monday morning in Thousand Palms The first crash was a head-on crash involving a vehicle and a truck According to California Highway Patrol Officer David Torres a silver Nissan Frontier tried to make a pass on the road but ended up crashing head-on with a blue Toyota Camry Authorities said there were three people in the car two of them were stuck and needed to be rescued but when they got out of their vehicle they were hit by another car This person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and she was then struck by another vehicle passing by very poor," said CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Robert Williams two others suffered moderate-to-minor injuries Varner Road was closed but was back open a few hours later Rapper Drake made famous lyrics about starting from the bottom but now having reached success through the efforts of his team But Brandon Photianos and his business partner Mike Oh are living them every day.  After working their way up through the mechanic and collision repair side of the industry from young ages Oh and Photianos started MB Collision in 2007 in an 8,000-square-foot shop in Thousand Palms MB focuses on expanding into areas where their key account and OEM partners need them most and it’s an expansion model that’s proven extremely successful for them.  with the duo operating four shops between 2007 and 2022 expansion has been fast and furious — the team has acquired four additional shops simultaneously throughout the San Fernando Valley bringing the current total to seven (after one of the first shops was recently sold) And they don’t plan to stop there; expansion is set to continue in 2025.  “We're really focused on growing in the Los Angeles market with our insurance companies; 2025 will be all about expanding in L.A. you don’t want to partner with just anyone You have to be selective about who you enter into business with to ensure it’s advantageous for both parties.  Once you identify these “key accounts,” focus on their needs and how you can help meet them he advises — especially when it’s time to consider expansion.  is to study “heat maps” from your paint company.  “The big question is…where’s the work and what type of work is there Heat maps answer those questions by showing how much potential work there is in any given ZIP code The paint companies use it to stock their inventory because it shows every manufacturer and car that is living in those ZIP codes it basically gives us the net worth of potential work.”  and whether you can obtain the manufacturer certifications that make sense for the area based on the data approach your insurance partners and let them know what you’re thinking and give them all the answers up front to make it easy for them “Find the places that aren’t saturated…that's the key.”  and investing heavily in OEM certifications.  every MB Collision location carries Collision Performance Network certifications in addition to whatever additional certifications make sense for the market it’s in the business either has or is in the final audit stages of having certifications for nearly 15 manufacturers as well as certifications to fix semis and RVs at their new location in Chatsworth They’re also actively working on EV certification.  “Certifications don’t just get you more business from an insurance partner they’re also ‘badges of honor’ for your employees,” Photianos says “That’s another reason we invest a lot in certifications and training; it’s an investment in our team."  A true “family-owned” business it’s the people associated with MB Collision who truly matter to Oh and Photianos.  “We only have two sides in this business…we have employees and customers,” Photianos says “We’re just two guys with giant empty warehouses and lots of expensive equipment.”  MB Collision would be “nothing” without the people working for him and the customers who entrust their business to them Most of his and Oh’s energy and time is focused on keeping those two groups of people happy.  The company boasts an incredibly low turnover rate and lifetime employees thanks to the effort Oh and Photianos put into treating the team like family Photianos says: be loyal to your employees and they’ll be loyal to you “We’re not the corporate people but we are the corporate people They’re all incredibly important to the success of this business; without them we wouldn’t have MB Collision.”  Having worked in body shops since he was 18 years old Photianos says he knows a thing or two about being treated like “just a number,” and it was a top priority for him that none of his employees ever felt that way when he opened his own shop.  “I wanted to create something different something out of the ordinary.”  Photianos says his staff knows they can call him or Oh directly anytime and “Everyone in the shop knows how to do everyone else’s job.” Photianos doesn’t like titles The team just works together to get the job done regardless of their role in the process.  And while there’s plenty of accountability there’s also a lot of grace at MB Collision they learn from the mistake and move on to do better next time No one in management is in the business of pointing fingers.  It's not about what you've done in the past…it's about what you're doing right now that’s why we’re in this industry Employees aren’t the only ones who are more than just a number at MB Collision; customers are treated with the utmost respect and appreciation “Our customers are not just an RO number on a file we just have a box with some fancy equipment inside of it.”  Customer expectations have vastly changed over the years and he understands how important it is to stay nimble and adjust processes to live up to those expectations It’s all about making the customer’s life as easy as possible these days because that’s what people have come to expect.  “Being available for customers to drop off and pick up outside of normal business hours and delivering on those commitments is key,” he shared Now you can get same day delivery pretty much anywhere.” That kind of evolution to meet customers’ needs is what MB Collision wants to emulate.  Thanks to the cumulative experience and expertise of MB Collision’s leadership team within the insurance sector the shops have been able to streamline their SOPs to expedite the repair process “We have a strong leadership team led by ex-insurance professionals with 25+ years of experience managing to help us eliminate the back-and-forth with insurance companies So we can really focus on providing quality repairs and industry-leading customer service I would put my leadership team up there with anyone else in the industry Their collective unique experience is going to play a key role in MB's growth in the years to come.”  A continual focus on providing support and training dedicated to the insurance companies KPI's helps the team keep up with the ever-evolving industry And speaking of the ever-evolving industry…  New technology — whether it’s attached to a car being used to simplify shop processes or new equipment or even digital marketing — is embraced with open arms at MB Collision seamless repair process and leveraging AI capabilities to increase efficiency The company’s estimating software is a great example.  “With CCC One’s estimating software we’re able to digitally generate an estimate in about 10 seconds Now that’s not a full and complete estimate but it’s a tool to get the process started and save time.”  that you have to embrace novel technology and continue learning and training or you'll fall behind.  That's one of our key things: continue training It's going to be something new tomorrow and something new the next day; you just have to learn to roll with it.”  You have to these days.” TikTok and Instagram are the wave of the future and have proven very successful for MB Collision...thanks in large part to the team’s French bulldogs (both owned and fostered) who regularly grace the page in their tiny If you’re feeling lost and overwhelmed by it all “Hire people that know how to do it…that’s what you do It’s too important to be ignored.”  Editor’s note: At the time of publication This interview was conducted before the Dec Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s denial of TikTok’s petition to overturn a law which would require TikTok to break away from its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January.  As the business continues to grow in 2025 and beyond Photianos and his team will keep operating the way they always have with people as the company’s number-one priority giving back to the community and industry through participation in organizations like the California Autobody Association Collision Industry Conference’s Repair Process and Procedures Committee Roadogs Southern California Dog Rescue (look for more Lambo passengers soon @mb_collisiongroup) and the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides for which the team is currently working on six cars.  people you can trust,” says Photianos I can open anything and move it forward tomorrow because I have the people behind me I couldn’t do any of this on my own.”  Two people are hospitalized after a rollover crash in Thousand Palms Monday evening Cal Fire reports units responded to a traffic collision near the intersection of Washington Street and Ramon Road around 6:15 p.m. and firefighters located a car that had rolled over off the roadway The two people in the car were transported to area trauma centers via ground ambulance one person with serious injuries and the other with moderate injuries Washington Street was closed in both directions for around two hours Indio Police are investigating the incident hosted a clinic that offered free spaying and neutering surgeries on Wednesday hosted the clinic at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms in an effort to curb overcrowding in animal shelters Overcrowding has been a problem in animal shelters across the nation "Our shelter takes in a large number of animals each year and a lot of these animals that come in were born because it wasn't an intentional breeding," explained Kim Youngberg the assistant director of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services we can help prevent the number of animals that come into a shelter like this." Officials also said that these surgeries can have other benefits Pets who are spayed and neutered may face a decreased risk of certain types of cancers Wednesday's clinic marked the first time a spaying and neutering clinic has been hosted in the area in an extended period Officials expect approximately ten additional clinic days in the future Loving All Animals is providing $30,000 in grant money to Riverside County to hold these clinics Officials are asking the public for donations to ensure these clinics can continue. You can visit Loving All Animals' website for more information For more information on the clinic, you can visit the Riverside County Department of Animal Services added five Shelee’s Travel Center Grab & Go locations to its retail lineup Shelee’s Travel Centers has opened five grab-and-go locations inside Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms executive director for travel centers for the The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians a 12,000-square-foot travel center in Coachella called Shelee's Travel Center Grab & Go are significantly smaller and cater to the arena’s visitors with a selection of soda The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, which owns Shelee’s, has been partnering with Acrisure Arena for several years. Its casino arm, Spotlight 29 Casino became a founding partner with the arena and the Coachella Firebirds hockey team in 2022 "The Tribe is excited to expand on our founding partnership with OVG/Acrisure Arena to include our newest tribal brand Shelee's Travel Centers," said Chairman Darrell Mike of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians "We value our partnership and the opportunity it provides to share this unique high-quality brand with our Coachella Valley community when visiting the arena." Shelee’s joins a number of convenience store brands opening small locations inside arenas which operates three Midwestern travel centers Several larger c-store retailers have also made forays into the arena space. Yesway opened an Allsup’s Express Grab & Go at Texas Motor Speedway in 2023 GetGo Cafe + Market opened in PPG Paints Arena in 2021 and the Los Angeles Dodgers debuted an Ampm in 2015 Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts Luke and Rochelle Davis became guarantors of a Mountain Express-leased c-store in late 2020 and their relationship with Rochelle’s mother — the store’s owner — is broken which coincided with nixing the Iowa retailer's mobile ordering platform underscores the culturally dissonant integration between the companies Want to share a company announcement with your peers The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines 2025 at 10:19 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The collision was reported shortly after 1 p.m CA — Two people killed in a three-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 10 in Thousand Palms were identified Wednesday The collision was reported shortly after 1 p.m One lane was reopened shortly afterward as CHP personnel attempted to divert traffic through Varner Road The first death was discovered shortly afterward and Espinosa told CNS that on-site CHP staff were investigating a possible second fatality Reports from Riverside County Coroner's Office on Wednesday morning identified the victims as 49-year-old Coachella resident Carolina Navarrete De Leal and 31-year-old Indio resident Fabian Zamora A driver who was behind the wheel of one of the trucks was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center 2025 at 2:02 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact CHP Officer G (Renee Schiavone/Patch)THOUSAND PALMS CA — The California Highway Patrol announced it is seeking the driver of a black Chevrolet Trailblazer who investigators believe is linked to a fatal Feb 4 crash on Interstate 10 in Thousand Palms the crash on westbound I-10 was reported shortly after 1 p.m CHP officer Rafael Espinosa told City News Service that two big rigs and a car were involved in the pileup The crash killed two people identified by the coroner as 49-year-old Coachella resident Carolina Navarrete De Leal and 31-year-old Indio resident Fabian Zamora The CHP confirmed Monday that it is seeking the public’s help locating "a vehicle of interest" in the crash "The CHP Indio Area office is currently looking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident or have video recordings of the accident," the agency said the CHP Indio Area office is currently looking for the driver of a black Chevrolet Trailblazer with black wheels and silver trim Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact CHP Officer G A Coachella man was killed after being ejected from his vehicle in a rollover crash on Interstate 10 in Thousand Palms The crash was reported at around 10:30 a.m. was traveling in a Ford Expedition that rolled over multiple times before stopping on its side Authorities said Rodriguez was not wearing a seatbelt Stay with News Channel 3 for new developments Riverside County Animal Services is in the midst of a yearslong attempt to reduce overcrowding in its shelters but a group of Coachella Valley residents and animal advocates say those efforts have led to misuses of taxpayer funds The residents filed a lawsuit in late November against county officials who they say are responsible for the state of the shelters It's the second lawsuit filed in the last few months against the county's animal services department by the Walter Clark Legal Group At the center of the latest lawsuit is a roughly $2.5 million contract between the county and Outcome for Pets LLC an independent consultant the county brought on to evaluate its shelter system and suggest improvements Former Animal Services Director Erin Gettis is also named in the lawsuit The plaintiffs allege Gettis was unqualified for the position she was hired for in early 2022 leading to some of the problems the county must now fix Gettis had no experience in animal shelter management and went to college for architecture Gettis recently moved on to an executive director position at Riverside University Health System which the plaintiffs say equates to a de facto firing While the county portrayed the move as a promotional opportunity it came about two weeks after the first lawsuit which was filed in August and alleges the county had mismanaged its shelter system in large part because of Gettis' leadership The latest lawsuit calls out County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen for hiring Gettis and recommending the contract with Outcome for Pets be approved by supervisors It also claims Outcomes for Pets founder Kristen Hassen has a "checkered career" with a "troubling track record of failure." if a qualified person had been hired by Van Wagenen in the first place Hassen would not be in the picture now and taxpayers would not be stuck with Van Wagenen’s imprudent multi-million dollar folly," the lawsuit states lawyers for the plaintiffs write that the money devoted to Outcomes for Pets could have better been spent elsewhere “The $2.5 million in the Hassen contract could go a long way to improving the lives of animals at the shelter rather than enriching someone whose approach to shelter management is nothing more than a house of cards," the lawsuit says Hassen declined an interview with The Desert Sun county Communications Director Brooke Federico said the contract would bring an outside perspective and in-depth evaluation of the Department of Animal Services In a county memorandum signed by Deputy Director of Purchasing and Fleet Melissa Curtis Hassen was described as "the only shelter director to have achieved a sustained 90% live outcomes rate at three different shelters two of which take in nearly 20,000 animals annually." The document said Hassen currently serves as a faculty fellow at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University It added that she "has led some of the largest and most complex animal shelters in the country." Hassen is also familiar with the Riverside animal services department having performed a site visit and made operational assessments last year The two-year contract will include work to increase capacity for the county's spay and neuter programs training for staff and monthly reports for transparency and accountability to the community "Animal overpopulation is at a crisis level across much of the southern parts of the country This situation was not caused by any one thing nor is it unique to Riverside County," Federico said in an email "It’s a complex issue that includes a shortage of veterinarian staff lack of low-cost and high-volume spay and neuter services and lack of housing available for large dogs It is important to note that many in our community are supportive of our efforts and want to work with us in finding solutions." She highlighted 22,400 volunteer hours registered by the county from the beginning of this year to Dec roughly 6,400 more than the same time period the previous year Gettis' work experience has been a central argument in both lawsuits the county said Gettis had previously worked for architecture firms in Seattle and San Diego before being hired as the director of animal services The second lawsuit alleges Gettis was hired largely because she is married to Aaron Gettis chief deputy county counsel for Riverside County Federico said Erin Gettis' qualifications included team management she oversaw the reopening of the San Jacinto Animal Campus and the addition of a spay and neuter surgery suite to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus and she cut the staff attrition rate in half "Erin’s staff development skills and knowledge of county government provided stability when the department needed it," Federico said Gettis' new role at Riverside University Health System was held from 2014 to 2020 by David Baucom who led planning and design initiatives for the system's medical center The role became vacant during the pandemic The county only recently determined it must be filled again so the medical center can begin new planning initiatives Riverside County regularly publishes statistics for animals served in its shelter system compared to 832 adoptions and 201 owner returns The county determined 192 of those euthanizations were performed on animals who were "untreatable," while 117 were at the request of the animal's owner County officials have said a disproportionate number of animals being placed into the shelter system contributes to the euthanasia rates The county has created an ad hoc committee to address the influx in animals in part to address community concerns over the animal shelters District 5 Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez serves on the committee and said during a supervisors meeting the Outcome for Pets contract would allow for additional staff to be hired I continue to work diligently to improve our county services This is why we formed an Ad-Hoc committee," Gutierrez said in a statement to The Desert Sun "We are continuing to think out of the box and collaboratively to address concerns Outcomes for Pets was brought in to provide an independent perspective and analysis to the Board and ad hoc committee members.” Aims of lawsuitThe lawsuit asks a judge to order the county to cancel its contract with Outcomes for Pets and remove Gettis from her new role at Riverside University Health System "Government service is a public trust," attorney Dan Bolton said in a press release announcing the lawsuit "It is not an opportunity for those in power to reward others with employment opportunities which they are woefully unqualified for or financial windfalls which waste taxpayer money and provide no public benefit.” are listed as board members of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter but Federico did not comment on the county's specific approach to addressing the plaintiffs' demands "We look forward to presenting the full and complete facts in court and a hearing in front of a fair and impartial judge," she said Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun A 48-year-old man who was arrested Friday is suspected of stealing electronics safes and $2,000 in cash during break-ins at businesses in Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms over the past month Riverside County sheriff’s investigators said in a press release they believe Kenneth Cook of Thousand Palms also committed commercial burglaries in San Bernardino County Cook was apprehended shortly before noon Friday while driving an allegedly stolen vehicle near the intersection of Ramon Road and Thousand Palms Canyon Road Deputies found “burglary tools” and other items connecting Cook to the burglaries in the vehicle Cook was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of multiple felony counts of second-degree burglary and vehicle theft Two people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 near Washington Street in Thousand Palms, Riverside County According to the California Highway Patrol on the westbound side of I-10 and involved at least three vehicles A white Toyota traveling westbound at approximately 70 mph abruptly veered right colliding with a blue semi-truck in the #3 lane The impact sent the Toyota into a red disabled semi-truck parked on the right shoulder A white tire repair truck was parked in front of the disabled semi-truck the blue semi-truck continued moving and struck both the white repair truck and its driver who was working on the disabled semi-truck at the time The driver of the Toyota and the maintenance worker were both pronounced dead at the scene Traffic was heavily impacted in both directions with a hard closure in place for nearly four hours Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash No further details are available at this time you don’t have to face the legal system alone Our personal injury lawyers can help you pursue legal action against the negligent parties We can guide you through the process of recovering damages and ensure you obtain the best possible outcome for your case You can rely on our dedicated Riverside County truck accident lawyers, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to help you with your insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings if necessary. Arash Law has recovered over $750 million for clients and is widely acknowledged for its success and credibility as one of California’s most recognized personal injury law firms Remaining composed and following the appropriate actions after a truck accident can significantly impact your recuperation our truck accident attorneys advise taking the following actions I HAD AN ACCIDENT In 2022, collisions involving large trucks led to 4,764 deaths, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Large truck crashes accounted for 11% of all motor vehicle crash fatalities that year 73% occurred in crashes involving tractor-trailers both a tractor-trailer and a single-unit truck were part of the same collision As for the locations of these fatal incidents 35% took place on interstates and freeways Six people were injured following a five-vehicle crash on the northbound 15 Freeway near Highway 138 in the Cajon Pass A bicyclist sustained serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle in Sacramento on Saturday evening According to the Sacramento Police Department and another woman and two children sustained injuries following a two-vehicle head-on crash in El Dorado Hills A motorcyclist was killed following a suspected DUI crash in Merced on Saturday afternoon Two young men were killed following a suspected DUI crash in Fresno on Friday night and two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries following a multi-vehicle collision in the Westlake community of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon California’s Powerhouse Accident Lawyers With a consecutively proven track record Disclaimer: Not every one of our firm’s attorneys has received the recognitions stated here Visit the attorneys’ specific profile page under the ‘Our Firm’ tab for specific attorney recognitions (888) 488-1391 Do I Have A Case? 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