Jan. 9 Daily Briefing: In-N-Out has plans here, arrest made in death of PSPD employee, and more

Welcome to Thursday, everyone. You no doubt have seen the dramatic and shocking pictures from Los Angeles, where fires continue to ravage the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and elsewhere. Similar to the fires that engulfed the Lahaina community in Maui in 2023, it’s almost too hard to fathom the loss. It can also be difficult to decide how best to help. For that, we’d encourage you to turn to this Los Angeles Times rundown of options to donate money, materials or time.

🎶 Setting the mood: “La Musique” by Star Feminine Band (Read more about this all-female band from Benin here!)

LEADING OFF

In-N-Out eyes former bank site for first city location

In-N-Out Burger, the iconic West Coast fast-food chain, is hoping to open its first Palm Springs location at the site of a former Bank of America building off East Palm Canyon Drive, The Post has learned.

Driving the news: A representative of the landowners of Smoke Tree Village confirmed Wednesday that the site that formerly held the bank building is being considered for the franchise and formal plans could be filed with the city next week. 

• The developer of the project would be In-N-Out itself, as all restaurants in the chain are company-owned and operated by the founding Snyder family. 

Looking back: In-N-Out previously hoped to build a Palm Springs location in the same shopping center, but plans were halted when a building on the proposed site was declared a historical property.

• The company also faced legal challenges in Rancho Mirage, but ultimately prevailed and opened a location there in January 2022.

At issue: It remains to be seen whether the California-based company will face opposition in Palm Springs similar to that faced recently by Chick-fil-A. The chain known for its chicken sandwiches has been criticized for its contributions to anti-LGBTQ causes and concerns were raised about traffic associated with a proposed location off Ramon Road.

• While criticism has been leveled against political donations made by In-N-Out leadership, they have also been praised for the company’s labor policies and contributions to anti-human trafficking causes. 

What’s next: At its meeting this evening, the Palm Springs City Council is set to discuss whether a moratorium on drive-thrus should be enacted. Unlike the proposed Chick-Fil-A location,  the possible In-N-Out site previously contained a two-lane drive-thru and is on a larger plot of land.

• If opened, a Palm Springs location would be the sixth In-N-Out in an area stretching from Cabazon to Indio.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🚔 Palm Springs police employee faces charges in death of fellow employee

A 25-year-old Cathedral City woman was arrested Wednesday on murder and vehicular manslaughter charges in the Thanksgiving Day crash that killed Palm Springs community service officer Nicholas Griego.

• Cathedral City police said that they determined the suspect, Juliana Granados, was impaired when her pickup truck rear-ended Griego’s motorcycle at the intersection of East Palm Canyon Drive and Cathedral Canyon on Nov. 28, resulting in his death.
  
  
• In a statement released Wednesday evening, Police Chief Andy Mills said Granados has been been placed on unpaid administrative leave, adding that, “We hold all personnel to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty, and we will continue to ensure those standards are met.”
  
  
• Bottom line: The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Granados on Tuesday following an investigation, alleging alcohol was a contributing factor in the collision. Records show she is currently in jail in Banning with bail set at $1 million.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🍟 What to watch for at tonight’s City Council meeting

The Palm Springs City Council will discuss the possibility of an ordinance that results in a moratorium on new drive-thrus in the city when it meets tonight in regular session for the first time in 2025. 

• Also on the agenda is approval of a purchase agreement for drones totaling about $111,000, and a three-year agreement with a consultant group helping the city with encampments and affordable housing projects. Check out the rest of the agenda online here.
  
  
• Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in council chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at (760) 323-8204 at any time prior to the end of the public comment period. View the meeting live on YouTube or Spectrum channel 17.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs International Film Festival
The 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival starts today and there are screenings of films, new and old, all weekend, as well as the festival’s “Talking Pictures” conversations with actors and directors.  

Pet Vaccine Clinic
9:30 a.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter invites you to bring in your pet for low-cost vaccines, including vaccines for rabies and canine influenza. They are also offering microchip implantation and registration. ($15-$25)

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. Then, head outside to the sculpture garden, where a DJ will set the mood with a carefully curated playlist that blends genres and eras. 

Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Councilmembers meet to discuss several issues, check out the agenda here.

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food.

SAVE THE DATE

• Free shredding at the convention center on Saturday.
  
  
• Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame luncheon on Jan. 14.
  
  
• “A Very Sordid Wedding” at Palm Canyon Theatre starting Jan. 17. ($32)
  
  
• “The Light in the Piazza”at Coachella Valley repertory starting Jan. 22. ($90)
  
  
• An Evening with figure skater Randy Gardner at the Cultural Center on Jan. 23 . ($27)
  
  
• Desert Open Studios 2025 starting Jan. 24.
  
  
• Community Clean-Up event at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center on Jan. 25.
  
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival on Jan. 25.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today we invite you to meet Hawthorne, a six-year-old female black cat available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe.

• Hawthorne has been at the cafe since April 2023 and is still looking for her forever home. She tends to be an introvert, says Frisky Business owner Claire Rogers, but Hawthorne will surprise you with her bursts of extraversion demanding attention and pets.
  
  
• Overlooked for adoption often because she doesn’t put herself out there as much as the other felines, Hawthorne is looking for a home that will appreciate her self-assured and serene, sassy yet friendly demeanor.

If you’re interested: You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. Look for the cafe’s current hours here.

• All cats available at Frisky Business come from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat. 

But wait: Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge by clicking here.