August 19 Daily Briefing: Road reconfigurations, council races set, and Kendall has a new kidney

Happy Monday, and thanks for sticking with us while we took last week off. Turns out one of us will be taking many more weeks off, and it’s all for the best. Early Saturday morning, Kendall got the call from UCLA Medical Center that a new-to-her kidney was finally available after years of waiting 🎉 So, off she went! By Saturday evening, that kidney was transplanted and Kendall reported that while she was pretty tired, she was also feeling almost immediate relief and had already walked around the wing she’s staying in. “2028 LA Olympics marathon, here I come!” she texted. We won’t hold her to that, but we will keep you posted as she recovers and doctors in LA monitor her over the next month or so. In the meantime, Mark will be holding down the fort and doing his best to remember exactly how he got The Post out each day before Kendall arrived on the scene. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Sea Gets Hotter” by Durand Jones & The Indications

LEADING OFF

City seeking input on road reconfigurations

City officials are planning to improve safety and accommodate all modes of transportation on South Palm Canyon Drive and Racquet Club Road. The projects aim to close an “active transportation gap” by redefining lanes for vehicles, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Driving the news: The city has scheduled three community meetings to gather input on the proposed road reconfigurations.

• Residents can view early project work and provide feedback through an interactive map on the city’s website.

Why it matters: Road reconfiguration has been proven to decrease speeds and enhance safety for all road users.

• The approach involves redefining lanes to accommodate various modes of transportation, including vehicles, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians.

What’s next: Community meetings are scheduled for both projects at the following dates, times, and locations:

• Racquet Club Road project: Sept. 18 and 23 at 5:30 p.m. at James O. Jessie Community Center
  
  
• South Palm Canyon project: Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Demuth Community Center

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IN OTHER NEWS

🚨 Palm Springs police arrested two individuals and are searching for others after a homeowner remotely witnessed four masked burglars on surveillance footage fleeing their home. [Desert Sun]

⚕️ A Palm Springs-based nonprofit that closed in summer 2021 due to dwindling grant funds — PS Test — hopes to reopen and continue providing no-cost sexual healthcare. [NBC Palm Springs]

⚖️ A man who beat a dog to death in Palm Springs pleaded guilty to a felony count of animal cruelty and was sentenced shortly afterward to 120 days of custody and two years’ probation. [KESQ]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

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. 

Nikki Dickinson Live on Piano
7 p.m. | one eleven bar
This isn’t your typical piano night. Whether you’re a fan of contemporary chart-toppers or nostalgic melodies, Nikki’s unique style will captivate and delight.

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

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Auditions at the Mizell Center on Tuesday and on Aug. 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.
  
  
• Audition for the Modern Men Chorus on Sept. 9 and Sept. 14 at United Methodist Church of Palm Springs.
  
  
• Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs at Indian Canyons Golf Resort on Sept. 18.

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AND FINALLY …

It’s official: Five candidates are competing for the District 4 seat, while only one candidate is running unopposed in District 5 in the Palm Springs City Council elections this fall.

Driving the news: The nominating period closed on Aug. 9, with candidates required to submit a minimum number of valid signatures from registered voters in their district to qualify for the race.

• In District 4, five candidates qualified to replace outgoing Councilmember Christy Holstege, who is not seeking re-election.

The contenders: The District 4 race includes Naomi Soto, David Rios, Joe Jackson, Anna Nevenic, and Ernest Ceceña, each bringing diverse backgrounds and experiences to the table.

• Read more about all of the candidates in our story here.

In District 5: David Ready, former Palm Springs city manager, is running unopposed for the seat being vacated by Councilmember Lisa Middleton.

Looking ahead: All candidates have been invited to participate in a forum on Oct. 5 at the DeMuth Community Center.

But wait: Curious which district you live in and whether a council race will be on your ballot? You can check your district by going here.