Federal Lawsuit Includes Lizzandro Diaz and Others COACHELLA — A federal lawsuit has been filed against the city of Coachella on behalf of an employee who was allegedly “isolated, targeted, and harmed” by city elected leaders and employees due to his exercise of political free speech, and due to his disability, according to the attorney who filed the lawsuit. The lawsuit also seems to pull back the curtain on the underbelly of politics in the Coachella Valley. It is a lawsuit based on politics, betrayal, money and favor. Megan Beaman of Palm Desert-based Beaman Jacinto Law filed the 24-page la ..read more

Popular Summer Pass Program Runs May 1 through Aug. 31 PALM SPRINGS — The popular Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Summer Pass is back. Starting today, May 1, guests may purchase a Summer Pass to escape the hot summer heat and enjoy a refreshing experience at the peak. Temperatures at the top of the Tramway are typically 30-40 degrees cooler than on the valley floor. The Pass includes unlimited Tram admissions for the passholder, a 10% discount on additional Tram admissions (limit 4), a 10% discount at Peaks Restaurant or Pines Café, and unlimited free parking. Summer Passes are $85 for adults an ..read more

FPPC Fines a Former City Council Candidate and Former Assembly Candidate The Fair Political Practices Commission has fined a former Indian Wells City Council candidate and a former candidate for Assembly District 36 for violating election laws. Kathy Strong was an unsuccessful candidate for Indian Wells City Council in the Nov. 3, 2020, General Election, according to FPPC enforcement officials. Kathy Strong for Indian Wells City Council 2020 was Kathy Strong’s candidate-controlled committee. John Eger served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Strong, and Eger improperly accepted cash ..read more

Sacred Mission Led Alberto Acosto to a 7,500-Square-Foot Storefront in Cathedral City CATHEDRAL CITY — I arrived in the Greater Palm Springs Area in 2019 on a sacred mission. After commissioning and creating artifact and fossil exhibitions focused on prehistoric life and ancient civilizations with the tutelage of experts in the fields of paleontology, paleoanthropology, archaeology, and cultural anthropology over the past 30 years and traveling them to more than 50 museum destinations throughout the U.S. and exotic places, I was looking for a region that needed a museum of this scope and natur ..read more

Christy Holstege Accuses Assemblymember Greg Wallis of Joining California GOP in Failing to Support Critical Reproductive Freedom Legislation ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 47 — The debate over reproductive freedom has hit fever pitch in the nation’s capital and in some states. The debate has also reached a local Assembly race. Christy Holstege, Greg Wallis’s Democratic opponent in Assembly District 47, alleges that in a “stark display of disregard for women’s health and rights, Republican Assemblymember Greg Wallis showed his true partisan colors joining fellow Republicans in failing to vote for urgent re ..read more

Subpoenas Stem from Palm Springs Lawsuit Against College of the Desert Claiming it Failed to Provide Public Records COLLEGE OF THE DESERT — At least 14 individuals, primarily leaders, and companies associated with College of the Dessert have been served subpoenas to be deposed in the longstanding lawsuit the city of Palm Springs filed against COD over the college allegedly not turning over public documents, Uken Report has confirmed. The city’s outside legal counsel handling the Public Records Act request served the subpoenas. The subpoenas were filed in California Superior Court, Riverside Co ..read more

Gregg Akkerman Announces Campaign Kickoff Event for Palm Desert City Council PALM DESERT — Gregg Akkerman, a retired university professor with a Doctorate Degree in the Humanities from the University of Northern Colorado, on Monday officially kicked off his campaign for a seat on the City Council here representing District 2. He also ran unsuccessfully in 2022. He was one of five people seeing a seat in District 2. That’s when Palm Desert was comprised of only two geographical districts. On Jan. 25 this year, the Palm Desert City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1406 establishing five single-memb ..read more

Victoria Llort to Lead Legislative, Public Affairs and Water Efficiency Programs at DWA PALM SPRINGS — Victoria Llort has been named director of public affairs and conservation at Desert Water Agency, a public, not-for-profit agency and a State Water Contractor, managing and importing water for a 325-square-mile area in the western Coachella Valley. “Victoria is well-versed in the federal, state and regional water landscape, and brings extensive public agency experience to DWA,” General Manager Steve Johnson said in a statement. “She is adept at advocating on behalf of critical water issues af ..read more

Willie Nelson Was Born April 29, 1933 Who among us isn’t a fan of Willie Nelson, the grizzled American country singer, guitarist and songwriter? Granted, there are varying degrees of fandom. I’m kind of off the charts. I don’t stalk him, but I have knocked on his bus, like a silly schoolgirl, and am not afraid to admit it.(Not exactly sure what I would have done if he’d come out.)  I get excited at the mere sight of his tour bus.  I’ve seen him in concert at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio; Alberta Bair Theater in Billings, Mont.; and at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. Th ..read more

COD Trustees Schooled During Study Session PALM DESERT — When Area 1 Trustee Rubén Pérez was given a verbal warning in February for violating the board’s ethics policy, Board Chair Bonnie Stefan put the entire board on notice about treating colleagues with respect. “As board chair, I will be asking President Hope to schedule another study session for the board to address the role of the board in civility and decorum issues,” Chair Bonnie Stefan said. She was undoubtedly referring to the cringe-worthy heated exchanges that sometimes erupt between some members of the Board of Trustees. Stefan co ..read more