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Friday, Sept. 18 | ☀️ 94°/68°
TGIF, folks! Looking for a Halloween thrill? Here’s an early heads up that the JW Marriott's Spooktacular Boat Ride — which sold out last year — is back, turning the resort's lake into a 25-minute haunted escape with eerie sights, playful frights and spooky bites Oct. 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31 from 6-9:30 p.m. There are two scare levels to fit the whole family, and costumed kids 12 and under score a free spooky sip, so grab your crew before it sells out again! Find tickets and additional information here.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Librarian" by My Morning Jacket
Leading Off
The state bill was authored by State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, who cited a rise in Riverside County jail deaths as justification.
Palm Desert council opposes bill splitting sheriff, coroner offices
The Palm Desert City Council voted 4-1 at their last City Council meeting to formally oppose a state bill that would split Riverside County's sheriff and coroner offices. The bill now awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature.
Driving the news: Senate Bill 1379 would require Riverside County to abolish its coroner's office and create an independent medical examiner's office by July 1, 2027. The bill passed the Assembly in August, and Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign it. Cervantes cited a rise in Riverside County jail deaths, including 19 in 2022, as justification.
Councilmember Karina Moreno cast the dissenting vote. "I personally would not like this to go in my name as supporting it," she said, noting Indian Wells was the only other city, among 16 that contract with the Sheriff's Department, to submit an opposition letter.
What they're saying: Palm Desert's opposition letter doesn't dispute the jail death concerns but points to AB 1108, a state law taking effect Jan. 1, 2027, that already requires independent investigation of in-custody deaths in counties with combined sheriff-coroner offices. The city argues the county should be allowed to implement that law first.
Moreno acknowledged AB 1108 but said it only covers in-custody deaths, and that splitting the roles would increase public transparency.
Looking back: Riverside County's Board of Supervisors rejected an earlier proposal to split the offices in 2024, opting instead to contract with neighboring counties for independent autopsies.
In July 2026, the board formed an ad hoc committee to study Sheriff's Department oversight options.
The other side: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco opposes the bill, calling it politically motivated and warning of costly administrative burdens.
What's next: If Newsom signs the bill, the county would have until July 1, 2027, to transfer coroner's office employees to a new medical examiner's office and begin publishing detailed in-custody death data.
Briefly
John Birchard has joined the team at Shadow Mountain. (Photo courtesy Shadow Mountain)
⛳ Shadow Mountain hires new golf pro
Shadow Mountain Golf Course has added PGA professional John Birchard to its staff as the historic public course expands its golf and community offerings.
Birchard previously held leadership roles at Ironwood Country Club and Marrakesh Country Club, where he was director of golf. He has served on the Desert Chapter PGA Board and was named Southern California PGA Assistant Professional of the Year in 2011.
Details: In his new role, Birchard will support instruction, clinics, leagues, tournaments and junior and family golf programs at the facility, which was opened in 1958 as Palm Desert's first 18-hole golf course.
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📅 Featured Events
TODAY
State of the City Address & Luncheon 2026 at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa at 11:30 a.m.
SATURDAY
Free E-Waste Disposal at Civic Center Park at 7 a.m.
Wildlife Ranger Challenge: Walk 2.1 Miles & Support the Black Mambas at The Living Desert at 7 a.m. ($40–$70)
First Tee-Coachella Valley No Boundaries at The Golf Center at 9 a.m.
National Preparedness Month community event at Civic Center Park at 9 a.m.
Mobile Blood Drive at Family YMCA of the desert at 9 a.m.
Monthly Warhammer Tournament at The Dragon Den at 10:30 a.m. ($20–$40)
Night Sky Viewing Stars and Planets at 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission at City Hall at 12:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Gatherings: Inks and Tissue Paper with Judy Nemer Sklar at Palm Springs Art Museum of Palm Desert at 10 a.m. ($26–$60)
THURSDAY
Palm Desert City Council at City Hall at 4 p.m.
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10–$20)
September Girl Scout Social at Ave. at 5:30 p.m.
Observatory Public Exploration Night at 8:30 p.m.
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✨ And Finally …
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Reading is fundamental, but so, apparently, is filling out a survey — the Palm Desert Library wants to hear from local residents about what's working and what could use some fine-tuning.
Driving the news: The library's annual survey is open to everyone, from regulars at story time to those who haven't cracked open a library card in years.
Topics include library programs and events, books and digital collections, technology and learning opportunities, spaces and amenities, potential new services, and overall experience.
Why it matters: Since transitioning to a city operation, the library has continued expanding opportunities for learning, connection, creativity, and community engagement, and survey feedback will help guide what comes next.
How to participate: The survey remains open through Wednesday, Sept. 30, and can be found here.
The Palm Desert Library is located at 73-300 Fred Waring Drive. For more information, visit palmdesertlibrary.org.
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