🌱 Death On Railroad Tracks + Sidewalk Vendors + Best Pizza In Town

Hello all! Today’s Towel Day, which coincides with Geek Pride Day; did you know that fans of late author Douglas Adams created Towel Day in 2001 as a tribute, while Geek Pride Day memorialized the “Star Wars” premiere in 1977? I'm back with your fresh copy of the Palm Springs Patch newsletter. Come along for what's going on in town these days, including news on...

• 🍕 Sourdough pizza crust.
• 🧹 A company that specializes in encampment removal.
• 😮 Gas prices are creeping up.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

☀️ But first, today's weather: Sunny; breezy in the p.m. High: 93 Low: 62.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Palm Springs Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99 percent of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Palm Springs Patch newsletter possible.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Palm Springs

• ARCO at 3689 N. Indian Canyon Drive, $4.39
• ARCO at 1717 E. Vista Chino, $4.55
• Mobil at 3600 E. Ramon Road, $4.99

🦸 Superpower Poll!
A 2018 survey found that Americans would love to have the superpower of healing others. If we take this one off the table, which superpower would you love to have? So far, 33.3 percent chose the ability to time travel, while 11.1 percent each picked the ability to become invisible, fly, teleport, select lotteries and give money away, read minds, or have superhuman strength.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Palm Springs:

1. A deadly traffic accident claimed the life of a 43-year-old pedestrian on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks at “Grapefruit Boulevard, south of Avenue 48, in Coachella.” Reports came in around 5:30 p.m., but the pedestrian “died at the scene.” (Patch)
2. The recent influx of sidewalk vendors has sent municipalities scrambling for how to deal with the impromptu businesses. In Palm Springs, county health inspectors and city code compliance officers teamed up to spend the weekend giving out warnings and information on how to get the necessary permits. In part, officials followed up on reports from neighbors who pinpointed vendors in front of Walmart. The city council is expected to discuss the issue further in June. (The Palm Springs Post)
3. Gas prices are creeping up; did you notice? The average cost for a gallon on Wednesday was $4.776 in the county. Looking back to last week, this is an increase of 2.4 cents. To put it in perspective, the national average went up “1.8 cents to $3.561.” Whom are the insiders blaming? Explanations run the gamut from Memorial Day price hikes to debt ceiling talks. (NBC)
4. OFRS, Inc., which, among other disciplines, specializes in “comprehensive homeless encampment cleanup solutions, pathogen disinfection services, and a variety of supporting environmental services,” may receive $1.2 million from the city to handle local encampment cleanups for three years. The police have identified 418 unhoused individuals between February and April. However, the number fluctuates and there are “large encampments that pop up in various parts of the city” along with those in flood control zones. The Palm Springs Police Department will hold on to belongings collected during the cleanups for 90 days. (KESQ, OFRS)
5. Who serves the best pizza in Palm Springs? According to insiders, it’s Bill’s Pizza at 119 S. Indian Canyon Drive. Those in the know pointed to the sourdough pizza crust and “some of the tastiest ricotta outside of Sicily.” You can’t argue with that. (Palm Springs Life)

Business owners and marketers in Palm Springs: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

📆 Today in Palm Springs:

• Women's Virtual Chat Group (10:30 AM)
• Free Thursday Night at the Palm Springs Art Museum (5 PM)
• Cocktails & Classics at Camelot Theatres (5 PM)
• Narcotics Anonymous meets at the Alano Club (5:30 PM)
• The Copa Nightclub presents OHGEESY Live (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "PS Small Hotel Tourism Business Improvement District advisory board meeting (virtual)." (4 PM)
• "District Arts Office provided artists-in-residence Emily Culhan and Piper Scott were in Dr. Mantz’s EWEC English class, leading a special art and poetry experience." (Wenzlaff Education)
• "We can't wait to see you in person this year! Meet us in Palm Springs, California, Oct. 15-17 for Aurora 23. Register today: https://hubs.li/Q01R2ts10." (Aurora Institute)
• "City Council Regular Meeting: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 this meeting may be conducted by teleconference. There will be in-person public access to the meeting location. You may submit your public comment to the City Council electronically via our Online Public Comment Form." (5:30 PM)
  
• "The City Hall Dog Park will not reopen until June 12 (re-sodding). We apologize for the inconvenience." (City of Palm Springs)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Rattlesnake Avoidance for Dogs (May 28)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back in your inbox Saturday with your next update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Palm Springs Patch newsletter? Contact me at palmsprings-ca@patch.com