Recent Articles

Keep up with all the latest news about Palm Desert

BUSINESS

Palm Desert Planning Commission puts plans for new El Paseo bar on hold

Mar 17, 2026

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4 min read

Palm Desert Planning Commission puts plans for new El Paseo bar on hold

Commissioners wanted Rock'n Avenue bar developers to hold another community engagement meeting before coming back for approval.

Tyler Maldonado

PUBLIC SAFETY

Mar 16, 2026

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6 min read

Palm Desert public safety roundup: March 5-11

The following incidents are based on the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's weekly report for March 5 through 11. Reports are typically released on Thursdays.

AI Assist

CITY HALL

City prepares upgraded Independence Day celebration for nation's 250th, but no drone shows on the horizon

Mar 12, 2026

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3 min read

City prepares upgraded Independence Day celebration for nation's 250th, but no drone shows on the horizon

Extra red, white, and blue lighting, commemorative items, and expanded kids' activities are planned, while heat and cost concerns ground a proposed drone show.

Tyler Maldonado

ARTS & CULTURE

Arts Committee approves two student works for public display, begins sculpture selection process

Mar 11, 2026

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3 min read

Arts Committee approves two student works for public display, begins sculpture selection process

Now in its 39th year, the Student Art and Essay Contest drew 65 individual works and 11 class murals on the theme "What Grows in My Dream Garden."

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Palm Desert development pipeline remains active despite slower entitlements

Mar 10, 2026

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3 min read

Palm Desert development pipeline remains active despite slower entitlements

Planning staff reports most projects now in construction phase rather than early approval stages.

AI Assist, +1

PUBLIC SAFETY

Mar 6, 2026

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8 min read

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 26-March 4

The following incidents are based on the Riverside County Sheriff's weekly report for Feb. 26 – March 4, which was released on Thursday.

AI Assist

HEALTH

Mar 5, 2026

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5 min read

Coachella Valley health report reveals rising food insecurity, gaps in access to healthcare

A new study reveals the biggest surge in hunger in a decade and a regional doctor shortage leaving thousands without care.

Kendall Balchan

DEVELOPMENT

Palm Desert commission advances hillside design rules (again) and approves live/work project

Mar 4, 2026

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4 min read

Palm Desert commission advances hillside design rules (again) and approves live/work project

Updated rules related to hillside homes had to return to the commission for approval, and the commission okayed a live/work project right off Highway 111.

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Committee backs trial shift to unsupervised skate park

Mar 3, 2026

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3 min read

Committee backs trial shift to unsupervised skate park

Parks and Recreation Committee members on Tuesday cited low attendance and nearly $90,000 in annual staffing costs in recommending a monitored trial period without on-site attendants to the City Council .

Mark Talkington

BUSINESS

Why do people visit Palm Desert? Agency aims to find out

Mar 3, 2026

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3 min read

Why do people visit Palm Desert? Agency aims to find out

Interviews with 82 people across fly and drive markets will help lead to a refresh of the brand first shaped by a 2019 "desert rhythm" study.

Mark Talkington

CITY HALL

Joslyn Center board working on bylaws, transparency amid member concerns

Mar 2, 2026

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3 min read

Joslyn Center board working on bylaws, transparency amid member concerns

Council hears update after residents voice concerns; city says the nonprofit operates independently despite receiving public funding.

Post Staff

BUSINESS

Council unanimously passes kratom ordinance, bans synthetic products, tightens tobacco rules

Feb 26, 2026

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4 min read

Council unanimously passes kratom ordinance, bans synthetic products, tightens tobacco rules

New rules restrict natural kratom leaf sales to adults 21 and older and ban synthetic kratom.

Kendall Balchan

CITY HALL

Palm Desert City Council sets priorities ahead of budget planning

Feb 26, 2026

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5 min read

Palm Desert City Council sets priorities ahead of budget planning

From mall redevelopment and charter schools to climate resiliency and a farmer's market, councilmembers each laid out their priorities, hoping to influence the coming budget planning session.

Kendall Balchan

PUBLIC SAFETY

Feb 26, 2026

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7 min read

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 19-25

The following incidents are based on the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's weekly report for Feb. 19 through 25. Reports are typically released on Thursday.

AI Assist

BUSINESS

Palm Desert leads valley's shift to buyer's market as housing inventory surges, prices fall

Feb 25, 2026

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2 min read

Palm Desert leads valley's shift to buyer's market as housing inventory surges, prices fall

In the most recent Desert Housing Report, the city recorded 803 homes listed for sale — the highest in the valley — while detached home prices dropped 3.5% year-over-year to $723,000.

Kendall Balchan

CITY HALL

Palm Desert council to set 2026 priorities, consider new tobacco, kratom rules

Feb 24, 2026

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4 min read

Palm Desert council to set 2026 priorities, consider new tobacco, kratom rules

Goal-setting session will shape city spending and development focus. Public hearing at regular meeting targets flavored tobacco and synthetic kratom.

Post Staff

PUBLIC SAFETY

Feb 23, 2026

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9 min read

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 12-18

The following incidents are based on the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's weekly report for Feb. 12 through 18. Reports are typically released on Thursday.

AI Assist

BUSINESS

Feb 19, 2026

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4 min read

Business owners, others warn officials that new El Paseo bar would worsen existing problems

At meetings and in written comments, opponents of a planned Rock'n Avenue cited sanitation concerns, while the applicant's architect says the venue would complement the street's "refined and elegant" offerings.

Mark Talkington

PUBLIC SAFETY

Feb 18, 2026

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6 min read

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 5-11

The following incidents are based on the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's weekly report for Feb. 5 through 11. Reports are typically released on Thursday.

AI Assist

DEVELOPMENT

Palm Desert commissioners approve 156-unit single-family project on vacant infill parcel

Feb 17, 2026

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3 min read

Palm Desert commissioners approve 156-unit single-family project on vacant infill parcel

Members of the city's Planning Commission unanimously backed the development, replacing an earlier plan for 394 apartments that neighbors opposed.

Erin Rode

CITY HALL

City Council enthusiastically backs indoor sports complex exploration

Feb 16, 2026

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3 min read

City Council enthusiastically backs indoor sports complex exploration

Members called the concept a "win, win, win, win, win opportunity" that could address field shortages, attract tourism, and complement nearby university programs on the city's vacant 140-acre property.

Post Staff

DEVELOPMENT

Feb 13, 2026

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3 min read

Council unanimously rejects appeal, approves 546-home development on former golf course

An environmental group argued that the project needed a full impact report, but councilmembers said the legal threshold for the appeal was not met.

Post Staff

CITY HALL

Officials eye Sheriff's facility for future city use, direct staff to explore renovation

Feb 12, 2026

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4 min read

Officials eye Sheriff's facility for future city use, direct staff to explore renovation

Councilmembers said Thursday they favor keeping the 25,393-square-foot Civic Center building over commercial leasing or demolition as the Sheriff's Department prepares to relocate.

Post Staff

ARTS & CULTURE

Committee narrows roundabout sculpture field from 214 applicants to two finalists

Feb 11, 2026

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3 min read

Committee narrows roundabout sculpture field from 214 applicants to two finalists

The two finalists' proposals will next go out for community input through Engage Palm Desert and other outreach before the City Council makes a final selection in April.

Mark Talkington

DEVELOPMENT

ARC advances downtown live/work conversion, sends Les Schwab back with design requests

Feb 10, 2026

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3 min read

ARC advances downtown live/work conversion, sends Les Schwab back with design requests

Alessandro Drive conversion sails through while Monterey Crossing proposal faces design scrutiny.

Post Staff

Recent Articles

Keep up with all the latest news about Palm Desert

Palm Desert Planning Commission puts plans for new El Paseo bar on hold

Palm Desert public safety roundup: March 5-11

City prepares upgraded Independence Day celebration for nation's 250th, but no drone shows on the horizon

Arts Committee approves two student works for public display, begins sculpture selection process

Palm Desert development pipeline remains active despite slower entitlements

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 26-March 4

Coachella Valley health report reveals rising food insecurity, gaps in access to healthcare

Palm Desert commission advances hillside design rules (again) and approves live/work project

Committee backs trial shift to unsupervised skate park

Why do people visit Palm Desert? Agency aims to find out

Joslyn Center board working on bylaws, transparency amid member concerns

Council unanimously passes kratom ordinance, bans synthetic products, tightens tobacco rules

Palm Desert City Council sets priorities ahead of budget planning

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 19-25

Palm Desert leads valley's shift to buyer's market as housing inventory surges, prices fall

Palm Desert council to set 2026 priorities, consider new tobacco, kratom rules

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 12-18

Business owners, others warn officials that new El Paseo bar would worsen existing problems

Palm Desert public safety roundup: Feb. 5-11

Palm Desert commissioners approve 156-unit single-family project on vacant infill parcel

City Council enthusiastically backs indoor sports complex exploration

Council unanimously rejects appeal, approves 546-home development on former golf course

Officials eye Sheriff's facility for future city use, direct staff to explore renovation

Committee narrows roundabout sculpture field from 214 applicants to two finalists

ARC advances downtown live/work conversion, sends Les Schwab back with design requests

The Palm Desert Post