July 29 Daily Briefing: Reward for stolen art, developer sentenced, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, where we have a small update on the splashpad in front of the waterfall in Downtown Park: Work to make it operable again has begun! City staff informed members of the Parks and Recreation Commission last night that work on the feature began last Monday and that contractors hired to get it running (after the original contractor bailed on the project) are moving quickly, with plans to stick to their 90-day contract. Unfortunately, that’s just in time for cooler weather, but still, there’s hope we’ll eventually get what we paid for.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hard To Say Goodbye” by Washed Out

LEADING OFF

Escena HOA offering hefty reward for return of stolen roadrunner statue

The Escena Homeowners Association in Palm Springs is offering a $10,000 reward for the safe return of a roadrunner statue stolen from their community entrance. The fiber resin artwork disappeared more than 18 months ago and cannot be replaced.

Driving the news: The statue vanished from the Vista Chino Circle entrance to the Escena community and golf club on Jan. 20, 2023, leaving residents without a beloved piece of public art.

Why it matters: The original artist died in a ski accident, making recovery of the stolen statue the only option since no replacement can be commissioned.

• Tim Mathias, vice president of the Escena HOA, said the artwork held great value to the neighborhood.

The details: The statue was made of fiber resin rather than bronze or other metals, suggesting it likely wasn’t stolen for scrap value and may be sitting in someone’s backyard.

The catch: The reward is only offered for information that directly leads to the statue’s safe return in original condition — not for tips that don’t result in recovery.

• The HOA says no questions will be asked upon the statue’s return.

How to help: Community members with information can contact Desert Resort Management at (760) 346-1161, email tmathias.escena@gmail.com, or mail T. Mathias, PO Box 345, Palm Springs, CA 92263.

BRIEFLY

⚖️ Developer sentenced to probation in Palm Springs bribery case

Richard Meaney was sentenced Monday to a year of probation for his role in illegally procuring support from a former Palm Springs mayor for downtown development projects, City News Service reported. Meaney pleaded guilty in 2023 to a misdemeanor count of financial conflict in a government contract, officially ending all proceedings in a case that began over a decade ago.

• The case also involved fellow developer John Wessman and ex-Mayor Steve Pougnet. Earlier this month, Pougnet was sentenced to two years’ felony probation after pleading guilty to nine counts of bribery by a public official, eight counts of illicit financial interest in public contracts and one count of conspiracy, plus three perjury counts. He was ordered to pay $325,000 in penalties.
  
• Prosecutors alleged Wessman and Meaney conspired to provide $225,000 in illicit payoffs to Pougnet between 2012 and 2014 to gain his support for redevelopment projects including The Dakota, the Desert Fashion Plaza, The Morrison and Vivante. Wessman was acquitted by a Banning jury in June.
  
• Looking back: The case began as a federal corruption probe in 2017 before being turned over to county investigators in 2016. All felony charges against Meaney were dismissed in 2023, but he pleaded guilty to the reinstated misdemeanor count.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Better Brain & Balance Tuesday
9 a.m. | Mizell Center
This class is to help people who struggle with balance and notice memory issues. ($48)

Lead’s Lunch
12 p.m. | Marilyn’s Seafood Bar & Grill
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce invites its members to mingle with fellow members, no reservation needed. 

Mahjong Tuesday
1 p.m. | Mizell Center
Help build you sense of strategy and strengthen your memory and mind. ($5)

Lee Roy Reams – CVRep’s Summer Series
7 p.m. | Coachella Valley Repertory
The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre continues it’s Summer Cabaret Series tonight with Lee Roy Reams, hailed by the New York Times as “Broadway’s song & dance man nonpareil.” ($60)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Tobacco Cleanup at Demuth Park Saturday at 6:30 a.m.
  
• Dive-In Movie “Moana 2” rescheduled for Saturday at Palm Springs Swim Center
  
• Decriminalize Nature Palm Springs event at Mizell Center on Aug. 9
  
• Retreat to the Heat presented by The Palm Springs Writers’ Guild Aug. 10 through 13
  
• Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 15 

Submit your event here

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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 Chief, a one-year-old cattle dog mix who’s new to the shelter. Staff say he’s a sweet soulful companion but is shy at first.

• Staff also said he gets along smoothly with other dogs and is great with confident canine friend to show him around his new home.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.