August 5 Daily Briefing: Unexpected revenue for city, a plea from maintainers of memorial, and more

Welcome to a new week, where our old friend the heat continues to stick around like an unwanted house guest. Just how hot has it been? If you remember hitting that all-time daily high of 124 degrees on July 5, that was apparently only the start. July is believed to be the Coachella Valley’s hottest month ever. No doubt your power bills can confirm this, but data from the National Weather Service proves it. “The agency reported … that the average temperature for July was exactly 100 degrees,” The Desert Sun wrote. “That was the highest average temperature of any month that was recorded, breaking the previous record of 98.5 degrees set in July of 2023.” Ugh!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Drive My Car” by The Beatle

LEADING OFF

Car-sharing service exceeds revenue projections at PSP

In just six months, Turo’s car-sharing service at Palm Springs International Airport has generated close to $600,000, easily surpassing its yearly revenue forecast of $300,000 announced at launch in December 2023.

Driving the news: Palm Springs officials projected yearly revenues of $300,000 from Turo, but the service’s stellar performance means it’s set to double that figure by the end of its first operational year.

• “We’re really blowing it out of the water,” said Turo representative Ethan Dunkle at a July 10 airport commission meeting, indicating a strong community embrace of the car-sharing model.

By the numbers: Since December, Turo has overseen 9,000 trips from the airport, averaging 35 to 40 vehicle exchanges daily. Most users book for an average of five days, pointing to a preference for extended stays.

• Top rented models include Teslas and Toyotas, with a significant uptick in hybrid or electric vehicles accounting for 20% of all bookings.

Economic impact: The company contributes 10% of gross revenue plus parking fees to the airport, leading to effective revenues of 15-20% per booking. This surge in earnings has led airport officials to consider integrating Turo more fully in long-term planning, including creating designated areas for high-end cars and enhancing Turo’s presence on the airport’s digital platforms.

What they’re saying: Airport Commissioner Kevin Corcoran hailed the service as “a lovely surprise,” underscoring its role in enriching travel choices while bolstering airport revenue.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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IN OTHER NEWS

🚨 The Palm Springs Police Department is investigating an attack in the 800 block of South Riverside Drive on Sunday that left a 70-year-old Palm Springs resident with facial and head trauma. [KESQ]

🚸 Preparations are in full swing for the new school year that starts on Wednesday. Check out everything being done by Palm Springs Unified School District staff to ensure a successful start to the new academic year. [NBC Palm Springs]

⛳ The former Palm Springs Country Club, which developers have hopes of turning into land for a housing development called Serena Park, made it into a feature story with “depressing yet fascinating” photos of golf courses that have closed. [Golfweek].

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Pinochle
1 p.m. | The Center
Come have some fun and enjoy playing Pinochle in a casual and safe environment! Register online. 

CalComMen’s Monday Coffee
5 p.m. | Play Lounge and Cafe
See old friends and make some new ones at this friendly gathering over coffee. No RSVPs necessary. 

Adult Tap Dance Class
6:30 p.m. | Leisure Center Dance Studio
Adult intermediate tap starts at 6:30 p.m., and “absolute beginners” adult tap is at 7:30 p.m. (“Two left feet are optional.”) ($20)

Fabulous Bingo
7 p.m. | Kings Highway at Ace Hotel
Join in for a night of fabulous bingo. (Must spend $30 at Kings Highway to participate.)

SAVE THE DATE

• The Great Catsby Book Club at Frisky Business on Thursday.
  
  
• SplashHouse on Aug. 9 to Aug. 11 and Aug. 16 to Aug. 18.
  
  
• Clear the Shelters at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 17.
  
  
• Palm Springs Rotary Club Blood Driveat the Cathedral City DoubleTree on Aug. 17.
  
  
• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Auditions at the Mizell Center on Aug. 20 and 27.
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale at the Palm Springs Public Library JC Frey Building on Aug. 31.
  
  
• Mrs. Frisky’s Cats & Bakewell Tart Night at Frisky Business on Sept. 6.
  
  
• PSUSD Diversity & Racial Equity Conference at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Sept. 7.
  
  
• Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs at Indian Canyons Golf Resort on Sept. 18

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AND FINALLY …

Many of you have undoubtedly seen a roadside memorial as you pass the wind turbines off North Indian Canyon Drive on the way to or from Interstate 10. Over the weekend, the family that built and maintains the memorial asked for the community’s help.

Looking back: Francisco “Paco” Ruiz was 45 when he died following a November 2018 incident at the spot where the work truck he was standing near was struck from behind by another vehicle. 

• Ruiz, a Cathedral City resident who attended Palm Springs High School, worked for Palm Springs Disposal for 17 years before becoming a lineman with Cochran Communications Construction. 
• He left behind two children, a stepdaughter, and his parents, siblings, and many other relatives.

Driving the news: On Saturday, his aunt issued a plea to the community after the memorial was once again vandalized: “This is where my nephew took his last breath,” wrote Maria Tapia-Ruiz on social media. “We will continue to maintain this site, (but) if you see it needs attention, please reach out to any family member.”

What they’re saying: “I am sorry people have zero respect for a place of mourning and remembering a loved one,” wrote one community member below the post. “My heart goes out to you and your family.”

💭 Our take: The anguish felt by loved ones when someone dies so tragically is unbearable. Memorials like this one are left intact by local and state governments if they don’t present a hazard because they help provide healing. The act of vandalizing such places of healing is thoughtless. Our hearts go out to Paco’s family.