July 17 Weekly Briefing: Copper crooks, music venue closing, police need volunteers, and more

Happy Thursday! Indio City Council meetings might be getting a little livelier in the future if the city follows in the footsteps of Board of Supervisors meetings. At last night’s city council meeting Mary Martin, director of Riverside County Department of Animal Services, was on hand to answer questions about the city’s contract with the department. When asked about including adoption events during Food Truck Fridays or Second Saturdays, she agreed and added that the department has started bringing adoptable pets to Riverside County Board of Supervisors meetings. “Every single one we have taken has been adopted,” she said. If you have room in your home and heart, the county has waived adoption fees through Saturday, July 19.

🎶 Setting the mood: “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas

---

LEADING OFF

‘Brazen’ copper theft behind recent 911 disruptions in Indio, elsewhere in county

Brazen thieves are cutting down telephone poles and stealing copper cables in 10-minute operations that have disrupted 911 emergency services in Indio and across Riverside County, a Frontier Communications executive told the Indio City Council Wednesday.

Driving the news: Doug McAllister, Frontier’s vice president of external affairs, said cable theft has become a huge issue and it’s costing the telecommunications company tens of millions of dollars while leaving communities without emergency services during repairs.

What they’re saying: “They’re coming through. They’ll cut down the poles, and they’ll take 1,000 feet, 1,500 feet of [cable], and they’re gone,” McAllister said. “They’re in and out in 10 minutes and it’s hard to catch them.”

Here’s why: Copper was already expensive and McAllister said it’s only going to get worse once the effects of recent 50% tariffs on copper take effect. 

Yes but: McAllister said most outages are caused by cable theft, though some result from contractors accidentally cutting lines during construction projects. Frontier equipment failures account for only about 1% of outages according to McAllister.

Meanwhile: Frontier is in the middle of expanding its fiber optic network throughout California, including in Indio where the company plans to add 400 new residential addresses by the end of 2025.

• The fiber optic cables are less vulnerable to theft than the older copper infrastructure that is being targeted.

Dive deeper with our complete story online

---

BRIEFLY

🎸 Little Street Music Hall to close after lease talks fall through

Little Street Music Hall will close after its owners failed to reach a lease agreement with the city of Indio. The closure eliminates a key entertainment venue for the East Valley.

• The family-owned business announced the closure this week after negotiations with the city about extending their lease reached an impasse, with owners citing “non-negotiables” they couldn’t agree on.
  
• The venue has operated for about three years under a lease with monthly rent of about $1,700 that was approved in April 2022. The city of Indio purchased the 5,357-square-foot building using federal bonds in 2008.
  
• Bottom line: The three Gonzalez brothers who own the venue will work to fulfill shows scheduled through this month, but anything beyond that remains uncertain. The brothers encouraged supporters to continue backing local music and said they plan to remain involved in the local music scene.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🚰 $400,000 federal grant to expand Indio Water Authority’s turf removal program in limbo

The Indio Water Authority (IWA) is pursuing a $400,000 federal grant that would significantly expand its turf replacement program, which has already helped residents remove water-intensive grass lawns and replace them with drought-resistant landscaping.

• Ray Trejo, general manager of the Indio Water Authority, told the City Council Wednesday that the agency has been awarded the grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation but is awaiting final approval from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
  
• The water authority currently operates a traditional rebate program with $922,000 in state funding, of which $484,000 has been spent to date reimbursing residents who remove turf and submit receipts for the work.
  
• Bottom line: The turf removal programs support water conservation efforts while helping residents reduce monthly water bills. The initiatives use a combination of rebates for do-it-yourself projects and direct installation for targeted communities. Learn more about the turf removal program here.

Dive deeper with our complete story

---

YOUR WEEKEND

What to do in and around Indio this weekend.

Desert Theatreworks Summer Musical Theatre performances
Friday | 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. | Desert Theatreworks
After weeks of rehearsals, creativity, and teamwork, the young stars of the KidsWorks Summer Musical Theatre Camp are ready to take center stage! Their hard work has led up to a performance of “Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids” and “Beetlejuice, Jr. – The Musical.” ($20)

Indio Lotería Night
Friday | 5:30 p.m. | Indio Gymnastics/Recreation Center (Former Metro 8 Theater)
Bring your friends and family for an exciting game of Lotería. All are welcome to participate in this fast-paced night of Lotería.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – The Messengers
Friday | 6 p.m. | Corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue
The two giant colorful sculptures that landed in downtown Indio are now ready for their grand introduction to the city! Meet “The Messengers” by Sri Lankan artist Kumkum Fernando at this ribbon cutting event.

Dog Adoption Event
Sunday | 11 a.m. | Tractor Supply Co.
Desert Paws Sanctuary is teaming up with Tractor Supply Co. to help rescues find their forever home. The event runs until 2 p.m.

---

AND FINALLY …

The Indio Police Officers Association is looking for local businesses and community members to help out with their upcoming backpack giveaway.

Driving the news: The association will host a free back-to-school event on August 9 at Miles Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing backpacks, school supplies, and activities for families who need help getting kids ready for the academic year.

• Children must be present to receive items, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

What’s included: Beyond the essential school supplies, the event will feature water slides and other family-friendly activities, creating what organizers hope will be a positive interaction between officers and community members.

Why it matters: The initiative represents more than just free supplies, it’s designed to foster positive police-community relationships while supporting families facing financial challenges as the school year approaches.

The bigger picture: As Councilmember Waymond Fermon noted, the event is more than just a simple giveaway. “This gives you the opportunity to be face to face with our officers,” he said. “If you have something going on in your community, a concern, there’s a lot of times [the police are] out and they’re working and you don’t get a chance to talk to them.” 

• Fermon said the event would provide a more relaxed environment for residents and officers to meet. 

How to help: Local businesses and community members interested in supporting the effort can contact the police officers association, as organizers continue seeking donations to maximize the number of children who can benefit from the program.