Aug. 4 Daily Briefing: Help for peddle-powered rides, Wildlife Center in action, and more

Happy Monday, if there can be such a thing. With smoke hanging in the air from wildfires (see a map here), it’s time for a bit of a reminder: Wildfire is detrimental to everyone, particularly affecting sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and those with health conditions. It’s suggested that you limit outdoor activities and keep pets indoors when the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates unhealthy levels. Need to look up the AQI? Click here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Bicycle Race” by Queen

LEADING OFF

City moves to ease insurance rules threatening pedicab businesses

The Palm Springs City Council took the first step last month toward reducing insurance requirements that pedicab and party bike operators say are forcing them out of business. The council conducted a first reading of an ordinance that would lower the current $10 million umbrella insurance policy requirement to the state minimum of $500,000.

Driving the news: Local operators told council members the current umbrella policy requirement is unattainable and threatens to shut down their tourism businesses, with insurers telling the pedicab operators they cannot provide umbrella policies.

• The current ordinance was adopted in February 2018 with the high insurance requirement due to limited police staffing and public safety concerns at the time.

Why it matters: The insurance issue came to light in February 2025 when city staff discovered pedicab businesses operating without required permits because they could not obtain the mandated umbrella coverage.

• Shannon Miller of Sunny Cycle said their business has operated downtown for over a decade without accidents or claims but cannot get the required coverage.

The problem: Palm Springs includes party bikes in its pedicab definition, but insurance companies treat them differently than traditional passenger-transport pedicabs.

• Party bikes accommodate groups of 12 or more riders for entertainment tours, while traditional pedicabs transport passengers like a taxi service.

What’s next: The proposed ordinance would align Palm Springs with state vehicle code requirements and other California cities, while maintaining the existing $1 million general liability coverage requirement.

• The ordinance requires a second reading at a future council meeting before taking effect.

Dive deeper with our complete story

IN OTHERS NEWS

🚌 KESQ: Palm Springs school district resolves bus driver shortage

Palm Springs Unified School District has resolved its school bus driver shortage through a new partnership with student transportation provider Zum Student Services, bringing the district to full staffing with 80 drivers for the upcoming school year, KESQ reported last week.

• The district was previously short nine drivers, an issue dating back to before the pandemic. With full staffing, no student should be on a bus for more than an hour, a significant improvement over last year when some students faced commutes of over 90 minutes.
  
• Zum addressed the shortage by holding multiple hiring events and onboarding experienced drivers from the district’s previous contractor. The company prioritized thorough vetting and training to ensure every driver meets safety standards, according to Eric Huegerich, senior manager for Zum.
  
• But wait: Parents will have access to new technology through the “Zum Student Transportation” mobile app, which allows real-time tracking of their child’s bus location.

⚖️ Desert Sun: Man found guilty of murdering Palm Springs jeweler

Reginald Charles Trice, 21, was found guilty Friday of murdering Michael Moser, 66, during an attempted robbery near the Desert Premium Outlets in Cabazon on March 24, 2022, The Desert Sun reported. Trice will be sentenced in October.

• Moser, a jeweler who worked for luxury brands including Tiffany & Co. and Chanel, was charging his electric vehicle when Trice and an associate targeted him for his $20,000 watch. The prosecution said they followed him into a bathroom and held him at gunpoint before the weapon fired during a struggle, shooting Moser in the chest at close range.
  
• Bottom line: Key evidence included undercover jail cell footage where Trice described planning to drive from Victorville to target people for robberies. Two accomplices already resolved their cases: Elijah Ray Burt Jr. pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and Emanuel Rick Burt Jr. was sentenced to six years for conspiracy.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Open-Play Bridge
9 a.m. | The Center
Come have some fun and enjoy playing Bridge in a casual and safe environment!

Mahjong Monday
1 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Come play the American version of Mahjong with others. Play Lounge has two mats and sets, but feel free to bring your own. 

California Community of Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Healthy Boundaries
6 p.m. | The Center
Healthy boundaries is a support group focused on helping individuals establish and maintain boundaries. Society has not spent a lot of time educating people about what a boundary is and how to interact with oneself and others.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• PSUSD – Back to School across the school district on Wednesday
  
• Decriminalize Nature Palm Springs event at Mizell Center on Saturday
  
• Resident Discount Day at the Palm Springs Surf Club on Aug. 13 ($20)
  
• Retreat to the Heat presented by The Palm Springs Writers’ Guild Sunday through Aug. 13
  
• Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 15 
  
• Rotary Club of Palm Springs Sunup Blood Drive on Aug. 16
  
• Fix-It-Fair at the Mizell Center on Aug. 23
  
• D’Coffee Bouteaque Reopening at 36901 Cook St. in Palm Desert on Aug. 26

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

The valley’s new Desert Wildlife Center didn’t waste any time getting down to business, treating its first patients soon after receiving final state approval, including one very vocal baby sparrow whose chirps could be heard through the ventilated shoebox that served as his temporary transport.

Driving the news: The Coachella Valley’s only certified wildlife rehabilitation facility has opened its doors in Indio and is already providing care for injured desert animals, from window-strike victims to palm tree tumbles.

• The center’s first official patients included the chatty sparrow (uninjured but a little rattled after falling from a palm tree) and a Eurasian collared dove recovering from an unfortunate encounter with a window.

Why it matters: Before this facility opened, valley residents had to transport injured wildlife to Cherry Valley for certified rehabilitation services, a significant journey for both stressed animals and concerned rescuers.

Who’s involved: The center is run by the nonprofit Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies, formerly known as the Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

What else: The Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies have been busy. Also this month, they opened the Desert Community Animal Center in Desert Hot Springs, the city’s first animal clinic offering low-cost services.

The reality check: Don’t expect public tours at the new wildlife center. Director Mikah Curtis is quick to point out that this is a hospital, not a zoo, and sick animals need quiet spaces to heal rather than visitors. You can, however, sign up to volunteer!

Dive deeper with Kendall Balchan’s complete story