July 3 Daily Briefing: Former mayor sentenced, city Independence Day events, and more

Happy Thursday, folks, where we have a slight schedule change to note: You won’t find us in your inbox on Friday because we’re taking the day off to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. We’ll be back on Monday, hopefully rested and ready and not red from too much fun in the sun. We hope you enjoy whatever you have planned over the long weekend, and would like to wish America a very happy birthday!

🎶 Setting the mood: “America” by Simon & Garfunkel

LEADING OFF

Weekend of patriotic festivities for July 4th on tap in Palm Springs

Several organizations across Palm Springs will host Independence Day celebrations today through Saturday, providing residents and visitors with multiple options for patriotic festivities throughout the weekend.

Driving the news: The City of Palm Springs leads the celebrations with events at VillageFest downtown, an all-American pool party at the swim center, and concludes with a concert and fireworks display at Sunrise Park.

The lineup: Municipal festivities begin today with a party at VillageFest along Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. tonight, featuring family games, arts and crafts, live music and free snow cones.

• The city events continue Friday with a pool party at Palm Springs Swim Center from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m., complete with inflatable slides, water games and poolside viewing of the fireworks display.

The finale: Palm Springs wraps up its official Fourth of July celebrations Friday night with a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at Sunrise Park featuring Hard Days Night (a Beatles tribute band), followed by the “All American Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” at 9:15 p.m.

• On Saturday, the swim center hosts a Dive-In Movie Night, where guests can float under the stars during a screening of Captain America. The pool opens at 6 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m.

Beyond city events: Multiple private organizations are hosting their own patriotic celebrations throughout the weekend.

• Baseball fans can catch the Palm Springs Power facing the Summer Collegiate League All-Stars Friday at Palm Springs Stadium, with first pitch at 6 p.m.
  
• The Palm Springs Air Museum hosts its Independence Day celebration Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring vintage aircraft exploration and programs honoring military heroes.
  
• Agua Caliente Casino offers patriotic festivities all weekend across its three locations, with food deals, live DJs and a Friday night fireworks show at the Rancho Mirage location.

But wait: If fireworks aren’t your thing, you might consider heading to Indio, where that community is hosting a drone show as part of its Independence Day Bash at Empire Polo Grounds on Friday. 

• Admission is free and gates open at 6 p.m. The drone show is scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

⚖️ Former Palm Springs mayor sentenced for bribery

Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet was sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $325,000 fine after pleading guilty to bribery charges connected to a conspiracy with real estate developers between 2012 and 2014.

• Pougnet admitted to more than 20 felonies, including bribery, conflict of interest and conspiracy, after prosecutors alleged he received over $200,000 in sham consulting payments from developers Richard Meaney and John Wessman in exchange for supporting projects like the Desert Fashion Plaza redevelopment and Kimpton Rowan Hotel.
  
• Meaney pleaded guilty in 2023 and accepted a misdemeanor plea in exchange for probation, with sentencing scheduled for July 28. Wessman was acquitted by a jury on June 16 on nine bribery counts and one conspiracy count.
  
• Bottom line: The case began with an FBI raid on Palm Springs City Hall in 2015, leading to federal investigation that was transferred to Riverside County prosecutors in 2016. Pougnet, now residing in Michigan, will remain under supervision during probation and plans to use his Palm Springs pension payments to satisfy the $325,000 repayment to the city.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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YOUR WEEKEND

Multiple Days

• Palm Springs Power at Palm Springs Stadium Friday and Saturday ($10)

Today

• Free Admission to the Palm Springs Art Museum at 5 p.m. 
  
• Community Food Bank Distribution at The Center at 5 p.m.
  
• Patriotic Themed VillageFest on Palm Canyon Drive at 7 p.m.
  
• Drip in the Dark at Reforma at 9 p.m. ($11)

Friday

• 4th of July at the Palm Springs Air Museum starting at 10 a.m. (Adult admission is $24)
  
• Red, White, and Chill Pool Party at the Ace Hotel at 3 p.m. ($44)
  
• 4th of July Palm Springs 2025 at Sunrise Park at 3 p.m.

Saturday

• Indoor Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at Palm Springs Pavilion starting at 8 a.m.
  
• July 5th BBQ at Holiday House at 12 p.m. (à la carte menu)
  
• Glenn Soukesian Celebration of Life at the Cultural Center at 4 p.m.
  
• Attack the Block at the Camelot Theatre at 6 p.m. ($14)
  
• Captain America Movie Night at the Palm Springs Swim Center at 6 p.m.
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs starting at 7 p.m. ($5)

Sunday

Dom’s Not Funny at the Rock Gallery Comedy Club at 9 p.m. ($12)

Sunday Stomp at Reforma Palm Springs starting at 6 p.m. ($5)

View all events here

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AND FINALLY …

While fireworks may spell freedom and patriotism for humans, they often translate to terror and confusion for our four-legged family members. 

Driving the news: The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is reminding pet owners that a little preparation can go a long way toward ensuring your furry friends don’t spend Independence Day plotting their own declaration of independence from your backyard.

The basics: To help both your pets and yourself, shelter staff advise you to create a quiet indoor sanctuary for your pet, exercise them earlier in the day before the evening pyrotechnics begin, and make sure their identification tags and microchip information are current in case they decide to make an unscheduled escape.

Why it matters: Fireworks season often begins days before July 4th, and animal shelters typically see an uptick in lost pets during this period as frightened animals bolt from the noise and flashing lights.

Professional help: Pet owners with particularly anxious animals should consult their veterinarian about calming options, which can range from prescription medications to thunder shirts designed to provide comfort during stressful situations.

Bottom line: A few simple precautions now can prevent your pet from becoming another Fourth of July casualty and ensure the whole family can celebrate safely together.