Palm Springs Year in Review: Community picks its top stories of 2023, predicts the news for 2024

In our third annual community weigh-in, we asked readers to tell us what they thought was the most important issue of 2023 and why and to guess what may make the news in 2024. 

Readers we polled said that Tropical Storm Hilary and its impact was the biggest story of the year. The ongoing homelessness crisis was not not far behind.

With each of those big issues, respondents saw some reason for hope. For those who thought the storm was the biggest story, some praised the city for its work behind the scenes to prepare for the storm, and how heartening it was to see city officials and residents alike coming together to fill sandbags.

Many respondents also mentioned the recently announced $50 million in state funding for bridges over North Indian Canyon Drive as the biggest story of the year. They said the storm brought more attention to the need for the bridge and that they’re excited to see the problem addressed with concrete solutions. 

Respondents also noted the connection between the impactful weather events and worsening climate change.

Several residents mentioned the impact the navigation center will have on homelessness and others thought the new police chief, Andy Mills, has made a difference in the effort to alleviate homelessness here. Others looked toward the future and hoped for more affordable housing.

Below is what our readers had to say when asked to weigh in on the big stories of 2023 and what might make news in 2024.

Tropical Storm Hilary

“The tropical storm caused damage to all areas of the valley. People came together to help fill and deliver sandbags. There was great preparation by Palm Springs government, and very few swift water rescues.”

– Carlene Hart, Rimrock

“Palm Springs leadership protected us so much better than many of our neighboring jurisdictions based on lessons learned during the 2019 Valentine Day floods.”

– Ed Dube, Canyon Estates

“The hurricane and its aftermath required major changes for the future. [It was] a long time problem that reached a peak and focused the area on a solution.”

– Paula Duffy, Mesquite Country Club

Indian Canyon Bridge

“For the 25 years that we have lived here, Indian Canyon and Gene Autry have been problems and this [money for the bridges] is a very big deal for commuters and emergency traffic, long overdue.”

– William Ashmore, Deepwell Estates

Climate change

“Climate change and mitigation will be the biggest story next year. Weather affects all citizens, but the most vulnerable are those living in poverty.”

– Susan, The Mesa

“[The storm] underscored the havoc being caused by climate change in very real terms and forced our community leaders to address the need for resilient infrastructure.”

– T Santora, The Mesa

Homelessness

“[There is] a lack of a coordinated all government effort to deal with unhoused people with drug addictions or mental illness. Band-Aid solutions [are] not effective long-term.”

– John, The Mesa

“The presence of the unhoused community gets more visible every day, which will ultimately have a negative economic impact if not [dealt] with in a meaningful way.”

– Rob, North Palm Springs

Hopefulness

“After many years of issue neglect, homelessness was finally addressed in a compassionate and effective manner.”

– Lauri Svedberg, Movie Colony East

Police chief 

“The new approach [to homelessness] has made a dramatic improvement and it seems those in need are being well served.”

– Mary, Sunmor

“The year started out with a terrible homeless challenge – and it looks like at least a partial solution has been initiated. [Because] the [navigation] center won’t be open this year, Police Chief Mills will continue to have to focus on this issue.” 

– Mark Fried, Los Compadres

Housing affordability

The biggest story of next year will be housing affordability and availability. The vibrancy of a community is enhanced when everyone has a stake in their community. When so many commute here for work it weakens us.”

– Glenn Hessel, Andreas Hills

“The gap between rich and the working poor keeps widening. Hourly workers are out of reach of home ownership and have to live farther and farther outside of Palm Springs to find not even close to affordable apartments.”   

– Warren Becker, Ramon and Sunrise Way

Other issues

“The Section 14 issue keeps getting kicked down the road by the majority of the council. It needs to be openly discussed and addressed in a series of public forums.”

– Ed Dube, Canyon Estates

“The biggest issue of 2024 will be traffic! Being a pedestrian in Palm Springs is like being a contestant on Squid Game. The city needs to slow down the traffic on several main streets.”

– JM, Warm Sands

“In the general election we have a real chance to elect people to the State Assembly, Senate and Congress who are better suited to represent our progressive, community values following redistricting.”

– T Santora, The Mesa

---

THIS WEEK: OUR YEAR IN REVIEW SERIES

MONDAY: Our top 5 stories of 2023, according to the data

TODAY: Readers choose their top stories for 2023, predict the news in 2024

WEDNESDAY: Palm Springs in 2023: City leaders look back

THURSDAY: Palm Springs in 2024: City Hall sets priorities

FRIDAY: Meet our 2023 Palm Springs Person of the Year

---