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Thursday, June 11 | ☀️ 107°/83°
Happy Thursday! The countdown is on for the World Cup, and local restaurants and businesses across Indio are gearing up to show the games — including Marcarios Grill, Isla Mujeres, Victoria's Bar & Grill, Sloan's, Neil's Lounge, The Local on 50th, Big Rock Pub, and Pablo's Tacos & Beer. Grab your friends, pick your spot, and don’t forget your jersey. The first match of the World Cup is today, Mexico vs. South Africa at 12 p.m. Check out the full schedule here.
🎶 Setting the mood: “Dai Dai” by Shakira, Burna Boy
Leading Off
From pauses in hiring countywide to the future of senior meal programs, Riverside County’s newly approved $10.3 billion budget reveals how deep funding gaps will force tough choices on local services.
Riverside County approves $10.3 billion budget, drawing on reserves as departments warn of funding gaps
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve a recommended $10.3 billion budget, capping two days of testimony that exposed deep funding gaps across nearly every county department.
Driving the news: The budget is a 3.4% increase over the current fiscal year, with formal adoption scheduled for June 23. Only $1.4 billion of the $10.3 billion total represents discretionary revenue the board can freely allocate, with the remainder restricted by law, grant conditions, or voter mandates.
The big picture: County CEO Jeffrey Van Wagenen acknowledged the budget is not structurally balanced and recommended using $66 million from general fund reserves — about 10% of projected reserves at the start of the next fiscal year.
What they’re saying: Among the sharpest pushbacks during Monday’s day-long budget hearing came from Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who took issue with the $138 million stay flat budget for his department:
“Public safety is the number one role and responsibility of government, not social programs,” he said. Adding, “Government was designed to have leftover money used for social services, not nearly 50% of the budget.”
What's in: The budget revision includes increased per-district funding for the Unincorporated Communities Initiative, $250,000 for animal services outreach, and money to preserve senior meal programs — including home-delivered meals for homebound older adults and congregate meals five days a week.
Public speakers on Monday and some 26,000 survey respondents identified affordable housing as the greatest need in the community, and the budget reflected it with money flowing to non-profits that work to secure the development of new affordable housing.
What's next: Van Wagenen said no positions will be cut at the outset of the fiscal year, with the county instead relying on hiring freezes and attrition to manage costs. The board's formal budget adoption is set for June 23.
Briefly
🏠 Indio home prices fall as valley market slows
The median price for a detached home in Indio dropped 5.3% to $618,300 year-over-year, while attached home prices fell more than 15% to $275,900, according to the latest Greater Palm Springs Realtors Desert Housing Report. Indio posted the second-largest price decline in both markets across the Coachella Valley.
All valley cities except Coachella saw year-over-year price declines, with the valley's overall median detached home price falling 3.6% to $675,000. Indio homes are also taking the longest to sell of any valley city, averaging 59 days on market, up from 47 last year.
Details: Valley-wide, sales are running about 19% below average, and inventory has fallen 8% year-over-year to 3,358 units. The report found the market is shifting toward balance, favoring neither buyers nor sellers.
🚨 Pedestrian killed in crosswalk in Indio
An 86-year-old man died Wednesday after being hit by a driver while in a crosswalk on Avenue 44, west of Jackson Street, according to the Indio Police Department.
The man was hit by a Ford Focus just before 11:30 a.m. and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Details: Avenue 44 between Towne and Jackson streets was closed before reopening shortly after 1 p.m. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Indio Police Department at 760-391-4051.
A MESSAGE FROM CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
📅 Featured events
Beginner to Advanced Pickleball Clinic
Today | 7 a.m. | Miles Avenue Park
Paddles Up Coachella Valley offers weekly beginner pickleball clinics every Thursday morning, beginning June 4. Open to participants ages 16 and older. Registration required. ($25-$95)
Summer Supper Club
Today | 6 p.m. | Cork and Fork
A monthly informal gathering of foodies and friends, with a new theme and menu each month. Today’s theme is Summer in Italy. ($70)
Movie Night: "Footloose"
Today | 6:30 p.m. | Center Stage
The City of Indio will screen Footloose at Center Stage in downtown Indio. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 6:30 p.m. Free popcorn provided.
Indio's Food Truck Fridays
Friday | 5 p.m. | Downtown Indio (Towne St. & Bliss Ave.)
Every Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. The vendor lineup changes regularly. Family and pet-friendly, with live music, themed days, and family activities.
Open Mic and Karaoke
Friday | 6 p.m. | The Oasis on Miles
The Oasis on Miles hosts a weekly open mic and karaoke night every Friday, open to performers and audience members alike. ($10 suggested donation)
Waxy
Friday | 8 p.m. | Dune Room
Waxy performs along with Elektric Lucie and 3rd Ear Experience. ($15-$20)
5k and 10k Run
Sunday | 5:30 a.m. | Saguaro Coffee
Meet up at Saguaro Coffee in Indio for a 5:30 a.m. 5k or 10k run. This is a run-focused meetup, but those who want to walk are welcome to come move with us.
Indio's Pride Celebration
Saturday | 6 p.m. | Center Stage
Featuring live entertainment featuring Ju!ian and the Band, Giselle Woo & The Night Owls, and Mariachi Arcoíris. Free, all-ages event open to everyone.
Gene Simmons Band
Saturday | 8 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Rock legend Gene Simmons of KISS performs at the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. ($63)
Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser
Saturday | 9 p.m. | Indio Taphouse
Indio Taphouse hosts a cornhole tournament fundraiser supporting local athlete Carmelo "El Maquina" Horta as he raises funds to compete at the Junior Olympics in Kansas City.
Dr. Carreon Scholarship Banquet
Sunday | 1 p.m. | Shadow Hills High School
The Reynaldo J. Carreon Foundation hosts its annual Dr. Carreon Scholarship Awards Banquet, celebrating Coachella Valley scholars on their journey in higher education. ($85)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
📣 And Finally …
Saturday’s event is free and open to all.
For Jonathan Becerra, the road to Pride in his own backyard was a long one. After years of advocacy, this Saturday, Indio will host its first city-sponsored Pride celebration.
Driving the news: The free, all-ages concert takes place on Saturday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Center Stage in downtown Indio, featuring Ju!ian and the Band, Giselle Woo & The Night Owls, and Mariachi Arcoíris.
How it happened: Councilmember Oscar Ortiz proposed dedicating a city-sponsored concert to LGBTQ+ residents during Pride Month, and the Indio City Council agreed to move forward with the event in March. Organizers and city leaders found common ground by framing it as a community music and arts celebration open to all.
What they're saying: "This will be the first Pride I ever go to in my hometown. And I am 36 years old," Becerra said.
Worth noting: The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, which organizes the annual East Coachella Valley Pride celebration each October, backed the proposal, with supporters saying the new event complements rather than competes with existing efforts.
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