🌱 Shooting Suspects Plead Not Guilty + Brush Fire + Thompson Opening

Hey, everybody! Today’s National Taffy Day; did you know that salt water taffy’s invention was pinpointed to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1883? I'm here with your Tuesday edition of the Palm Springs Patch newsletter. Today, you'll learn about...

• 🤔 A switch from Democrat to Republican.
• ⭐️ Honoring Gold Star families.
• 🔧 Another opening date for the Thompson.

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☀️ But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 99 Low: 69.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Palm Springs

• Vons at 4701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, $4.29
• Tower Market at 3201 N. Indian Canyon Drive, $4.45
• Shell at 4875 E. Ramon Road, $5.09

🦸 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?

📰 Here are the top stories today in Palm Springs:

1. Last week, a 48-year-old man was shot to death in the 64000 block of 16th Avenue in North Palm Springs. It didn’t take long for the police to arrest a father (66) and his son (33) as well as a 19-year-old as suspects in the crime. The father and son duo pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder late last week. The other suspect will be arraigned today, Tuesday. (NBC)
2. If you’ve been closely watching the brush fire in Thermal, you aren’t alone. As of Monday, firefighters were able to limit the blaze to 37 acres and achieve 60 percent containment. The fire started Saturday afternoon in the 81000 block of Johnson Street and spread rapidly by Sunday morning. "Firefighters will remain on-scene throughout the day, continuing to strengthen containment lines and mop-up hot spots," officials said on Monday. (Patch)
3. The Thompson Palm Springs, a Hyatt Hotels property with 168 rooms, will “open later this year.” The venue is described as a lifestyle hotel, epitomizing “the world-renowned sophistication and unique culture of Palm Springs.” Part of the experience will be plenty of shopping along Palm Canyon Drive downtown. Of course, there are no guarantees on the opening date. You may remember that the property has attempted to open since 2020. (Hotel Business, The Bulkhead Seat)
4. San Jacinto City Councilmember Brian Hawkins is now a Democrat. He lost against Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Indio), when running for the 25 Congressional District as a Republican. He now has his sights set on the 41st Congressional District, where Democrat Will Rollins narrowly lost to U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, a Republican. However, Hawkins will first have to win back his base, which is said to be suffering from “political whiplash.” (Uken Report)
5. On Saturday, the Palm Springs Air Museum honored Gold Star families with banners showcasing “fallen heroes from the Coachella Valley.” The day marked a replacement of the banners. The project itself is relatively new. Lee Wilson founded it in 2012 after losing two students. “There are now 31 fallen heroes represented.” (KESQ)

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📆 Today in Palm Springs:

• The Desert Bicycle Club meets at Palm Desert Civic Park for a Hill Circuit Ride (6:45 AM)
• Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters meet at Koffi Central (8 AM)
• Chamber of Commerce Lead$ Lunch at Casa Blanca (12 PM)
• Dopeless Hopefiends meet in the DHD Room at 1695 N. Sunrise Way (1 PM)
• Jerry Keller Dedication Ceremony at 200 S. Palm Canyon Drive (4:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "We're excited to introduce Palm Springs Online — your one-stop portal for permits, licenses, payments and more! Link to Palm Springs Online – https://palmspringsca-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home." (City of Palm Springs)
• "Master the essentials of grant writing for nonprofits with our step-by-step workshop led by Greg Charleston on May 24." (Eventbrite)
• "The Palm Springs Police Department reminds everyone taking a trip to visit friends or family over the Memorial Day Weekend to always buckle up and keep children in child safety seats. This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign is from May 22-June 4. During this time, the Palm Springs Police Department will have additional officers on patrol actively looking for drivers and passengers who are not wearing a seat belt. This includes vehicles where children are not secured in child safety seats." (Palm Springs Police Department)
• "After nearly 1,000 shows over 30 years, this will be Kurt Browning’s Final Stars on Ice Tour! Bringing together figure skating’s superstars of today and tomorrow, the 2023 Stars on Ice tour is coming to grace the ice at Acrisure Arena on May 26! See Olympic Champion Nathan Chen, US Olympic Medalists Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier, Madison Chock & Evan Bates, and Jason Brown, along with Canadian icon Kurt Browning. You’ll also enjoy Canadian dance champions Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier and four-time Japanese champion Satoko Miyahara, plus skating’s newest rising stars — 2022 World Junior Champions Ilia Malinin and Isabeau Levito!" (Acrisure Arena)
• "On May 19, 2023, one person was arrested for DUI, one person was arrested for public intoxication, one person was arrested for delaying or resisting a peace officer, two people were cited for outstanding warrants, and 5 people were cited for being an unlicensed driver, at a DUI checkpoint." (Riverside County Sheriff)

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Featured events:

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

You're all caught up for today. See you all Thursday for another 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