May 2 Daily Briefing: Brush clearing encouraged, trial date set, COD candidates speak, and more

TGIF, everyone! If you haven’t heard of Brad Love this week, you’re probably about to. The self-described “career panhandler” in Palm Springs is gaining viral attention for his striking appearance and unabashed approach to soliciting money on the streets. He recently came into the spotlight when an LA-based photographer spotted him and suggested modeling, an idea Brad has dismissed, explaining that he finds asking for money on the streets simpler than traditional employment. He could be on to something: Brad recently posted a video indicating he collected $260 in just a few hours.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Imperial March (from “Star Wars”). May the 4th be with you this weekend!

LEADING OFF

Fire department launches brush clearing operation, urges residents to follow the example

As we head from the hot spring months to the even hotter summer months, the Palm Springs Fire Department is once again launching its annual brush mitigation program. 

Driving the news: The operation started Thursday morning with crews beginning to clear city-owned property in the Little Tuscany neighborhood along West Racquet Club Road.

Zoom out: The program, designed to reduce the fuel that wildfires feed off, is entering its second year. It aims to create 100-foot defensible spaces around structures in areas that are designated as fire hazard severity zones.

• The designations are made by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal. California’s recent changes to fire hazard severity maps list Palm Springs in the “moderate” category now rather than “very high.”

Yes, but: Despite the lower hazard classification, the number of homes within designated zones has increased from 1,200 to 3,000.

What they’re saying: “What I’m asking residents today is to take a look at what we’re doing and do the same thing on their property,” Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said, adding that he hoped residents will choose to do the same.

• Chief Alvarado explained specific guidelines for property owners, including clearing dry brush, cutting grass to a maximum height of three inches, and trimming tree branches so they don’t hang over roofs or grow within six feet of the ground.

Bottom line: Alvarado also emphasized the importance of the “Ready, Set, Go” approach to wildfire evacuation, referencing fire disasters in both Maui and the Los Angeles area.

• “In much of Palm Springs there’s only one way in and out,” he said. “If you’re waiting as the brush fire is approaching and I’ve already given you the warning to evacuate, you’re going to be impacting fire department resources that are trying to get into the fire as you’re trying to leave your residence.”

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

⚖️ Former mayor’s bribery trial scheduled to begin after decade-long delay

Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and developer John Wessman will stand trial on bribery charges beginning May 6 at the Banning Justice Center, nearly a decade after their initial arrests.

• The defendants appeared Thursday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, where officials confirmed the trial would proceed as scheduled after multiple delays in the case.
  
• Pougnet faces accusations of accepting payments from developers Wessman and Richard Meaney to support their projects during his 2007-2015 mayoral tenure. Meaney has already pleaded guilty to misdemeanor conflict of interest charges in 2023.
  
• What they’re saying: Speaking outside the courthouse, Pougnet told KESQ he looked forward to clearing his name and defended his record: “My legacy is that downtown and how Palm Springs is booming. And we’ll have more to say next week.”

🎓 Four finalists for COD president state their case at forum

College of the Desert hosted a public forum Thursday evening where four finalists for the superintendent/president position presented their cases before the Board of Trustees, which will meet today to discuss the appointment. 

• The candidates, selected from 73 applicants, include leaders from Spokane Falls Community College, Río Hondo College, COD itself, and Clovis Community College. Each finalist delivered a 10-minute introduction followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with pre-selected questions submitted online. 
  
• The Board of Trustees will convene in closed session this morning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss the appointment. The search was relaunched in January following cancellation last December due to a reported confidentiality breach.
  
• Bottom line: The selected candidate will become the college’s fourth president/superintendent in five years, stepping into a position that has seen significant turnover.

Read Kendall Balchan’s complete recap of the event here

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• “Other Desert Cities” at Coachella Valley Repertory all weekend. ($80)
  
• Retro Palm Springs – A Nostalgic Fan Convention at the Palm Springs Convention Center Saturday and Sunday ($28)
  
• Palm Springs Hot Rodeo happening in and around Palm Springs all weekend ($10)

TODAY

• Foodie Fridays at the Cultural Center starting at 4 p.m.
  
• Palm Canyon Night Time Bike Ride starting at Trek Bicycles at 7 p.m.
  
• “Lifeboat” Hitchcock Retrospective at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($14)
  
• Lush Presents Comedy Night at Lush at 8 p.m. ($17)

SATURDAY

• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
• Cars & Coffee at Porsche Palm Springs starting at 8 a.m.
  
• May Day: We Are The Many Rally at Downtown Park starting at 10 a.m.
  
• “Soup in the Second Act” at Revolution Stage Company at 3 p.m. ($10)
  
• Coachella Valley Derby Girls vs. South Coast Roller Derby at Palm Springs Air Museum at 7:30 p.m. ($12)
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs starting at 7 p.m. ($5)

SUNDAY

• Palm Springs Vintage Market at the Parking lot north of Agua Caliente Casino at 8 a.m. ($5)
  
• “Pop, Rock, And Swing” by the Desert Freedom Winds at the Jewish Community Center at 2 p.m. ($30)
  
• Screwball Sunday: “My Favorite Wife” screening with guest speaker Scott Eyman, film critic, at the Cultural Center at 3 p.m. ($14)

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AND FINALLY …

It’s May and that means it’s National Bike Month. To kick it all off, some local cyclists are organizing a special event tonight.

Driving The News: The Active Transportation Committee is hosting a nighttime bike ride on Palm Canyon tonight. The bikers are looking to link up at 7 p.m. at Trek Bicycle on Palm Canyon Drive.

Take note: The ride is kicking off after the sun sets, so the group is encouraging attendees to deck out their wheels in fun and bright flair to ensure their visibility. 

Why it matters: The Active Transportation Committee is hosting the ride in part to bring awareness to bicycle safety. 

• Biker safety on the road is a big deal. Around this time last year, we reported on the “Ride of Silence” event held in Ruth Hardy Park. At that time, former Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein cited that 22 cycling accidents had occurred in the city within the past 18 months. Two of those accidents were fatal. 

What else: A number of bike-related events are planned across the Coachella Valley this, including a Bike Ride, Brew, and Breakfast in La Quinta, a Bike Ride & Ice Cream in Indio, and this year’s Ride of Silence in Palm Springs on May 21.