March 26 Daily Briefing: More details and an arrest in fatal stabbing, pickleball plan moves forward, and more

Happy Tuesday, everyone, where we’d like to give a huge shoutout to one of our favorite local journalists, Christopher Damien. The Desert Sun reporter — who covers criminal justice and law enforcement — has been selected as one of 10 journalists for The New York Times 2024-25 Local Investigations Fellowship, and he’s the only participant from California. Starting next month, he’ll work under Times editors while continuing his local reporting. His work from the yearlong fellowship will then be published in both The Sun and The Times. We can’t wait to see the results!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

LEADING OFF

Commission moves forward with concept for major expansion of pickleball

The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission voted Monday to move forward with the concept for new pickleball courts at Demuth Park after seeing that revised designs included more trees and other design tweaks.

Driving the news: During a regular monthly meeting Monday evening, commissioners voted unanimously to move the project from the concept phase into the cost-estimate phase after a consultant working on the design presented revised designs for the expansion.

How we got here: Currently, there are 12 pickleball courts and one tennis court. The approved design would replace the tennis court with more pickleball courts and would expand the footprint of the pickleball court area for a total of 24 pickleball courts.

Context: More than a dozen community members spoke up at the meeting, and most of them favored the design. They said more courts are necessary to accommodate the sport’s rising popularity and the current long wait times for courts.

What they’re saying: “[This design] is going to put Palm Springs on the map as a pickleball destination,” said one community member. “It will serve not only the local community but it will generate a lot of interest.”

What changed: The most significant changes between the current design and the design presented in February were seen on the west end of the site, with the tournament pickleball court being moved to the south to make room for a large space shaded with trees for spectators or vendors.

Why it matters: At Monday’s meeting, like in previous meetings, community members’ biggest concern was the destruction of trees that the project would cause.

• With the tournament court shifting, the project is now preserving a tree that an arborist singled out for preservation, and there will be 41 replacement trees planted, a three-to-one ratio. 

What else: Another concern for community members, especially volunteers at the nearby Palm Springs Animal Shelter, was that a possible parking lot expansion would remove some green space that volunteers and dogs use to cool down and relax.

• The consultant reassured them that expanding the parking lot was not a part of the project.

What happens next: With the concept approved, the designers can now move into the cost estimation phase and consider different construction options to ensure pickleball courts are still available during the expansion.

• Eventually, the project will be up for final approval from the City Council.

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BRIEFLY

🚨 Police make arrest, release more details in fatal stabbing

The Palm Springs Police Department said Monday that a 22-year-old man was arrested Sunday night after a domestic dispute in Palm Springs apparently led to the fatal stabbing of a 68-year-old man.

• The incident occurred on the 500 block of Tiki Drive just after 9 p.m. at a home inside the Palm Canyon Mobile Club community. On Monday evening, roughly 100 neighbors gathered poolside to remember the victim, who has not yet been publicly identified.
  
  
• On Sunday, Palm Springs Police Department officers arrived to find the man outside his residence suffering from stab wounds. He succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
  
  
• Eyewitnesses reported an altercation and saw the suspect fleeing the scene. After a search lasting nearly two hours, Palm Springs police, with assistance from the Riverside Sheriff’s Office, apprehended the man along North Riverside Place. According to police, he had been in a relationship with the victim and surrendered without incident.
  
  
• Bottom line: The suspect, who was booked into jail in Indio after his arrest, is expected to face first-degree murder charges. This marks the first homicide in the city this year, and the first since 2022.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Sonora Sunrise Neighborhood Annual Meeting
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Leisure Center
Join other Sonora Sunrise residents for the annual meeting of this Neighborhood Organization at the Palm Springs Leisure Center, located near the city swimming pool at Sunrise Park.

Modernism 101
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
It’s the third part of the library’s three-part lecture series on Modernism. This month, the topic is, “Modernism Before and After: Restoration vs. Renovation Do’s and Don’ts.”

“The Woman in the Mirror”
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
This dark, uplifting comedy is adapted from Dayna Steele’s best-selling book, “Surviving Alzheimer’s with Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine.” ($25)

“The Secret Garden”
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Musical Theatre University and Palm Springs Art Museum, in association with Neon Noi, present an immersive and atmospheric musical production of The Secret Garden. The event promises to be a truly unique theatrical event presented after hours within Palm Springs Art Museum’s galleries and gardens. ($91)

SAVE THE DATE

• AIDS Diva: The Legend of Connie Norman on Wednesday at the Mizell Center.
  
  
• Family Fun Fest on Wednesday outside Palm Springs Stadium.
  
  
• Broadway and Beyond: Interview With Kevin Chamberlain on Friday at the Mizell Center.
  
  
• Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards on Saturday at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
  
• Palm Springs Fire Foundation Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at Ruth Hardy Park.
  
  
• Trans Pride 2024 on Saturday at Frances Stevens Park.
  
  
• Police & Fire Luncheon Appreciation on April 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
  
• Rock the Park: Tribute to Garth Brooks on April 3 at the Downtown Park.
  
  
• Faux Fur Ball on April 6 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

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AND FINALLY …

Got something to say about your internet service? The city is all ears. 

Driving the news: City officials are asking residents to provide feedback on the current state of high-speed internet access within the city to identify areas with the greatest need for improved connectivity.

Zoom in: The city plans to use the collected data to work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and secure funding for projects aimed at improving high-speed internet access. 

• The initiative is part of the city’s vision to promote safety, health, and well-being for all community members.

Why it matters: The focus on high-speed internet access is linked to its potential impact on economic development. Improving connectivity is seen as a crucial step in fostering growth and opportunity within the community.

What’s next: The survey will remain open until April 15. The city will then analyze the collected data and work towards collaborating with ISPs and securing funding for projects to improve high-speed internet access in areas with the greatest need.

• Click here to take the survey now.