Oct. 22 Daily Briefing: Indian Canyon closure, PSPD grant, voting assistance, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone. Chances are you’re reading this on your phone and also that you spend more time scrolling on it than you’d like. Is that harmful? Scientists think it could be, and they even have a name for it — “nomophobia.” The issue is only worsened by social media apps, which are particularly harmful to youth. So, consider this your little reminder to put down your phone (after reading this email), breathe some fresh air, and remember the days when we all had hobbies and weren’t scrolling for an average of four hours every day.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Quality Time” by Susannah McCorkle

LEADING OFF

Indian Canyon closing for bridge expansion work

A full closure of Indian Canyon Drive in northern Palm Springs begins tonight at 11:30 p.m. and is currently planned to last through Friday at 5 p.m., allowing for construction work on the North Indian Canyon Bridge expansion project.

Driving the news: The closure will affect the stretch between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue. It’s brought on by a significant project to construct a wider bridge over the railroad tracks, aiming to improve traffic flow and safety.

Details: The closure marks a critical phase in the ongoing $45 million project to expand the North Indian Canyon Bridge and upgrade the road south of Garnet Avenue. 

• The new bridge will feature six lanes and a pedestrian sidewalk, enhancing accessibility and safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

Zoom in: The project includes elevating Indian Canyon Drive, adding a landscaped median, new sidewalks, improved drainage, fresh pavement, and sewer enhancements. 

• It also involves extending utilities through the newly constructed bridge, with construction expected to continue until December 2025.

Looking ahead: While occasional closures are necessary, Indian Canyon Drive has and will largely remain open during the project, with efforts to minimize impact on commuters. 

Bigger picture: The widening project, being completed in four stages, is part of a broader bridge initiative in the city. Several new bridges are being planned to improve infrastructure and address issues like flooding and blow sand.

• One of the most highly-anticipated bridges is one just south of the railroad tracks. There, The Coachella Valley Association of Governments is planning a $50 million project on Indian Canyon to tackle closure that follow frequent flooding.

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BRIEFLY

🚓 PSPD receives $120K grant for traffic safety

The Palm Springs Police Department has been awarded a $120,000 grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety to bolster its traffic enforcement and education initiatives aimed at reducing road injuries and fatalities, it was announced Monday. 

• The grant, effective through September 2025, will support programs to enhance road safety in the community. The department has made road safety a priority after launching Operation Rearview Mirror in June. 
  
  
• The funding will enable the department to conduct DUI checkpoints, distracted driving enforcement, and operations targeting dangerous behaviors affecting cyclists and pedestrians. It will also address common causes of accidents such as speeding and failure to obey traffic signals.
  
  
• Bottom line: Collaborative efforts with neighboring law enforcement agencies and officer training programs are also part of the initiative, as is community education on traffic safety issues.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Police Officers Association Benefit Car Wash
All Day | Desert Hand Car Wash
This fundraising event by Desert Hand Car Wash supports the Palm Springs Police Officers Association with donations for fallen first responders and citizens with special needs.

Architecture Tours
9:30 a.m. | Palm Springs Visitors Center
Architecture Tours by Modernism Week is a season-long series of in-depth, small group tours exploring Palm Springs with an expert guide in a comfortable mini-coach. ($125)

Desert Healthcare Board
5:30 p.m. | Palm Desert
The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board of Directors meets monthly and as needed, with agendas available prior to each meeting.

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of jazz with Melba Miller and special guests, dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

VillageFest Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The VillageFest Board, comprising seven members, meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month to discuss various matters.

Libros, Té y Más
6 p.m. | Library Story Room
Join this Spanish book club meeting the fourth Tuesday from January to November for a discussion on books, with free tea provided.

PSUSD Board of Education
6 p.m. | PSUSD headquarters
The Palm Springs Unified School District Board meets the second and fourth Tuesday, with live streaming for public access and electronic commentary welcomed.

Palm Springs Speaks: Donna Brazile
7 p.m. | Richards Center for the Arts
Donna Brazile, a political icon, will be the first speaker for Season Six of Palm Springs Speaks, discussing progressive change and governance.

SAVE THE DATE

• Durk Dehner in conversation with Jamison Rockmore at Mizell Center on Wednesday.
  
  
• Modernism Week October from Thursday through Sunday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Leather Pride from Thursday through Sunday.
  
  
• DAP Health Equity Walk on Saturday.
  
  
• Trunk or Treat at the Farers’ Market on Saturday.
  
  
• Be A Hero for Kids Halloween Bash benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs on Sunday.
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs on Sunday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 2.
  
  
• Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival on Nov. 9 and 10.

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AND FINALLY …

While the voter registration deadline passed yesterday, there’s no need to fret if you’d like to vote in the Nov. 5 General Election. That’s because California has a safety net for those who may have missed the deadline on Monday.

How it works: Eligible citizens who need to register or re-register to vote within 14 days of an election — including on Election Day — can complete the process at the county elections office, your local polling place, or a vote center. 

• If you choose to register this way, your ballot will be processed and counted once the county elections office has completed the voter registration verification process.

Details: For Palm Springs residents, you can go to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside, on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can save yourself a drive out of town, however, by heading to one of the following vote centers on the dates and times listed below:

• Demuth Community Center, 3601 East Mesquite Ave., will be open from Nov. 2 through 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  
  
• James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, 480 West Tramview Rd., will be open from Nov. 2 through 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Public Library Learning Center, 300 South Sunrise Way, will be open from Oct. 26 through Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Zoom in: The city has complete information about this year’s election, including district maps, a list of local candidates and issues, and more, on this page.