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Happy Thursday! Starting Tuesday, the westbound Indio Boulevard lane will be closed from Burr Street to Interstate 10. Expect the closure to last through the end of March. Here’s the reason for the long closure: crews will work on installing new water lines, sidewalks, curbs, driveways, and road widening all due to a new Quinn CAT development nearby. Westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane, and one northbound left-turn lane from Jefferson Street to westbound Indio Boulevard will be closed. Long story short: avoid the area, or plan for some traffic!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On" by Jerry Lee Lewis
Leading Off
City staff showed examples from other cities that implemented similar ordinances to tackle blight.
Indio launches rental inspection program to combat neighborhood blight
The Indio City Council unanimously approved a new residential rental inspection program Wednesday that requires landlords to proactively maintain properties rather than waiting for tenant complaints.
Driving the news: The ordinance shifts the city from complaint-based enforcement to scheduled exterior inspections of rental properties, with owners required to register annually by March 1 and pay a $100 fee per property.
Code enforcement has documented over 237 rental property cases in the last two years.
Why it matters: City Manager Bryan Montgomery said residents shouldn't be able to identify rental versus owner-occupied homes based on their appearance, noting that successful programs in other cities have shown "night and day" improvements in property values and neighborhood quality.
"You as the landlord, the property owner, you are responsible. It has to happen," Montgomery told the council.
How it works: Inspections will focus on areas visible from public streets, though interior inspections can occur with tenant consent or an administrative warrant. Properties that fail initial inspections face a $110 re-inspection fee.
The bottom line: Non-compliance triggers fines of $100 for first violations, $200 for second offenses, and $500 for third violations within 12 months. The ordinance takes effect in 30 days.
Briefly
Animal Control officers start their day at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms. (Photo: Riverside County Department of Animal Services)
🐾 Animal services handled nearly 1,000 calls in six-month period
Riverside County Department of Animal Services reported 969 service calls in Indio between July 1 and the end of December, including 69 aggressive animal reports, 74 rabies investigations, 78 cruelty cases and 119 sick or injured animal calls. The update came during Wednesday's Indio City Council meeting as officials monitor a one-year contract approved in June.
During the six-month period, 647 animals were taken in from Indio, with 366 adopted, 100 returned to owners and 69 transferred to rescue groups. The department waived adoption fees to address capacity issues and will maintain a presence at the upcoming Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival.
Details: The Coachella Valley Animal Campus expanded hours to Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Low-cost vaccination clinics are held Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Friday availability planned for next month.
💼 City opening Business Connect Center to support local entrepreneurs
Indio is launching the Indio Business Connect Center (IBCC) in Downtown Indio, a dedicated resource hub designed to scale local businesses through education and one-on-one consulting.
Located at 45222 Towne St., the IBCC will offer one-on-one support, business classes, and panel discussions. Future phases include a "Learning Lab" for hands-on skill building and a dedicated co-working space for local professionals.
Details: The center officially kicks off programming on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, with a free workshop, "Introduction to Employer Services. In partnership with the Riverside County Workforce Development Center, this first session (10–11 a.m.) provides owners with information on hiring support, wage subsidies, layoff aversion strategies, and incentives available for employers.
A MESSAGE FROM THE LIVING DESERT
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📅 Weekend highlights
2026 Southwest Arts Festival
All weekend | Empire Polo Club
Three days and 200 artists will grace the Empire Polo Club fields this weekend offering a variety of traditional, contemporary, and abstract works of art and jewelry. ($25)
Desert Open Studios
All weekend | Multiple locations
Join a free self-directed tour to explore the heart of the Coachella Valley’s art scene. 158 artists are participating, opening up 69 different studio spaces for curious folks to explore their spaces.
Strawberry Dipping Class
Today | 6 p.m. | Indio Brewing
Kick off the year with something sweet and learn how to create beautiful, delicious, chocolate-covered strawberries in a fun relaxed setting. ($45)
Kickboxing
Today | 7:30 p.m. | Indio Community Center
A dynamic, 55-minute class combining cardio, strength, and technique through drills designed to boost endurance and confidence. ($15)
Open Mic
Friday | 2 p.m. | Indio Public Library
Join Props2Poetry where you can express yourself, entertain, and share in the power of literacy and community.
Loteria
Friday | 5:30 p.m. | Indio Gymnastics & Performing Arts Center
Free and open to all ages, join a competitive game of loteria.
Take a Hike
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Indio Hills Badlands
An organized 5.2-mile group hike through the narrow slot canyons and sandy washes of the Indio Hills badlands. Meet at the start of the trail and register
Downtown Market
Saturday | 11 a.m. | Indio Taphouse
Browse vintage resellers, plant vendors, and more at this market hosted at Indio Taphouse.
MF DOOM’s "Madvillainy" Silent Listening
Sunday | 2 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
A rare opportunity in our modern age to stop and listen to a full album silently and without distraction. A discussion hosted by Frank Lemus follows. ($18)
📣 And Finally …
Patrons sit down to read right after attending the library’s grand opening in October.
Since its grand opening last October, the new Indio Public Library has quickly become a bustling hub of activity and connection for our community, according to its branch manager.
By the numbers: At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Branch Manager Joseph Hamersly reported 544 new library card registrations, a 43.3% increase in circulation compared to last year and attendance averaging between 181 and 251 patrons.
Here’s why: Hamersly credited much of the increased foot traffic to events held on the city-owned property across the street from the library at the corner of Bliss Avenue and Towne Street. Many residents, he said, "trickle over out of curiosity and stay for what we have to offer."
What they’re saying: “We're just getting started,” Hamersly said. “The path ahead is an exciting one for the Indio Public Library, our partnerships and how we're elevating literacy to not just be a commodity, but a necessity.”
Looking ahead: The library is already listening to community feedback, with plans to expand the children’s book collection and introduce new programs like Craft Club, Art Club, and bilingual story times.
Get involved: If you want to get involved, the library is currently accepting volunteer applications through the Riverside County Library System website. Learn more and fill out an application online.
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