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Welcome to Friday and to 2026! A few weeks ago we told you we’d let you know when vouchers for free spay and neutering would be available for city residents, and now we have a date! Starting Monday, Jan. 5, while supplies last, the vouchers will be available at the Discover Palm Desert Visitor Center inside the Palm Desert Library - 73300 Fred Waring Drive. Proof of residency is required, and you’re limited to four vouchers. After claiming your voucher, all you have to do is contact Animal Samaritans to schedule services.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Stray Cat Strut" by The Stray Cats
📰 LEADING OFF
The unfinished Portola Avenue interchange off Interstate 10.
City leaders elevate I-10 interchange as transportation priority
The Palm Desert City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive update to the city's mobility element at its last regular meeting, establishing a Portola Avenue interchange with Interstate 10 as a long-term priority.
Driving the news: The update concluded a 16-month cross-departmental effort involving development services, public works and capital projects staff, with multiple study sessions and a Planning Commission recommendation in November.
The plan will guide transportation planning for the next 15 to 20 years.
Why it matters: The Portola interchange is designed to address congestion at Monterey and Cook Street by redistributing freeway traffic and reducing pressure on existing I-10 access points, particularly during peak winter travel periods.
Big picture: The plan reflects state-mandated changes in transportation planning, introducing new goals in three primary areas:
Safety: The city adopts a Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries, prioritizing improvements along high-injury roadways.
Vehicle miles traveled: Planning shifts from measuring congestion to how much people drive overall, promoting multimodal travel and development patterns that reduce roadway strain.
Transportation resiliency: New policies address how the system functions during emergencies and extreme weather, including extreme heat and flooding.
By the numbers: The mobility element establishes 10 goals and 54 policies covering livable streets, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit, parking, goods movement, transportation innovation and regional coordination.
What's next: Short-term actions include evaluating next steps for the Portola Avenue interchange, improving truck route signage and incorporating safety improvements into the capital improvement program.
📰 BRIEFLY
🏠 Palm Desert home prices down, inventory up in latest report
In Palm Desert, detached home prices fell nearly 2.5% year-over-year to $711,000 in November. Attached home prices fell 5.5% compared to the year before, the average price is about $500,000. Valley-wide, detached home prices were fairly consistent with compared to the year before at $645,000 and most cities’ prices were down compared to 2024.
This time of year is typically when valley home prices hit their low, but prices compared to the same month a year ago are still slightly lagging.
Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for a third time in a row. Local market analysts for months have been saying the Fed needs to cut rates to encourage home buyers.
🚁 Missing hiker rescued from local trail
A 27-year-old hiker who had been missing since Dec. 22 was rescued Tuesday afternoon from the Art Smith Hiking Trail in Palm Desert after fire crews responded to a report of an injured person around 1:15 p.m.
Riverside County Sheriff's helicopter Rescue9 hoisted Daniel Hernandez from the trail after crews hiked to his location. He was last seen six days earlier in the 63000 block of Highway 74 in Mountain Center.
Details: KESQ reported that Hernandez was in stable condition and transported to Eisenhower Health for further treatment. Highway 74 was temporarily closed for the rescue and reopened around 2:45 p.m.
A MESSAGE FROM DAP HEALTH
While most kids were writing to Santa to ask for toys, all one Eastern Coachella Valley boy wanted was a blanket to keep him warm at night. Thanks to the generosity of donors and community partners, DAP Health fulfilled a great need within a sorely disenfranchised population.
📅 FEATURED EVENTS
El Paseo Cruise Night
Today | 2 p.m. | El Paseo
You don’t need to own a Classic Car to enjoy all the festivities of Cruise Night on El Paseo. Everyone is welcome! Come and view the cars and meet the owners.
Marinelli Bros Circus
Today through Sunday | Times Vary | The Shops at Palm Desert
Experience the enchantment of the holidays in a whole new way as Marinelli Bros Circus debuts their holiday spectacular. This unforgettable production blends world-class circus artistry with heartwarming holiday magic to create an immersive family experience. ($20)
Coffee With The Mayor
Jan. 7 | 8:30 a.m. | Palm Desert ERC
Have a question? A concern? An idea brewing? This is your chance to speak your mind, share what matters to you, and connect directly with Mayor Trubee and city leadership.
📆 SAVE THE DATE
World Desert Day at The Living Desert on Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Sacred Voices Vocal Soloists at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Jan. 10 at 2 p.m.
The American Express golf tournament at La Quinta Country Club from Jan. 22-25
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
📣 AND FINALLY …
Burrtec is helping you give your used Christmas tree a dignified ending this year.
There's nothing sadder than a used Christmas tree sitting forlornly by the curb, stripped of its ornaments and glory — but at least yours can have a dignified end through recycling.
Driving the news: Burrtec will collect trees during regular garbage cycles through next Wednesday (Jan. 7), offering Palm Desert residents a convenient way to bid farewell to their formerly festive firs.
The details: All decorations must be removed before pickup, including tinsel, ornaments, plastic bags, stands, braces, wire and nails — basically anything that made your tree look good.
Trees must be placed curbside by 6 a.m. on your regular collection day.
Trees taller than six feet need to be cut in half.
Artificial trees won't be accepted.
But wait: What if you don't have green waste service? Contact Burrtec's customer service department at 760-340-2113 to schedule a special pickup.
Why it matters: The program diverts trees from landfills while making post-holiday cleanup easier for residents, giving your tree one last chance to do something meaningful.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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