July 3 Weekly Briefing: Holiday happenings, police rescue, school district budget, and more

Happy Thursday and let’s talk garbage! If your trash pickup from Burrtec is usually on Friday (same here) that just so happens to be a holiday, which means those Burrtec trucks will be stopping by on Saturday instead. If your pickup is on any other day, your service won’t change. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners

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LEADING OFF

Everything you need to know about the Fourth of July in Indio

Celebratory drones won’t be the only thing lighting up the night sky this Fourth of July: Indio Police are taking flight with their own mini aircrafts to patrol the skies.

Driving the news: Anyone who’s lived in Indio knows that our neighbors love to celebrate the holiday with some not-so-legal explosives. This year, the police are launching their own drones into the sky to spot those illegal fireworks in the air and make sure everyone is celebrating safely.

Instead: Rather than using those crazy fireworks, how about supporting Indio High School bands by stopping by their legal fireworks fundraiser in the Shields Date Garden parking lot. 

• Their booth is raising money for the Pride of the Desert Marching Band and Colorguard. They’re open through the Fourth of July, so stop by soon!

What to expect: It’s a busy weekend, but the biggest event in the city is going down at Empire Polo Ground with the city’s drone show starting at 9:30 p.m. But there’s so much more than just food, drink, and music. There’s also carnival games, inflatables, and mini golf for kids, and a giveaway where you’ll get a chance to win tickets to certain concerts at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

• Oh, and if you donate even $1 cash, you can take your shot at dunking a cop in the dunk tank. The funds go toward IPD cadets.

Who ya gonna call: Indio PD also wants to remind residents not to call 911 to report illegal fireworks. Only call 911 for things like medical emergencies, fires, or immediate threat to life or property. Call the fireworks hotline 442-300-3104 to keep the 911 lines open for emergencies.

Celebrate safely: SunLine Transit Agency wants you to leave the driving to them. On Friday, rides are just $1! Walter Clark Legal Group is also stepping up, offering a Safe Ride Home Program to help get folks home after a night of drinking.

• To use it, sign up for a reimbursement coupon online here. The coupons are valid for one-way rides to a residence or hotel in the Coachella Valley and are good up to a maximum of $50.

And finally: We know, we know, you hear it every year, but please be sure to keep your pets safe this holiday. Keep them secure and make sure they have a collar or microchip with your contact information.

• More pets go missing during the Fourth of July than any other time of the year!

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BRIEFLY

⚠️ Indio Police pull man from canal

Indio Police pulled off a rescue you don’t often hear about in the desert: they helped save a man who was drowning in the canal. 

• Officer Cardenas responded to a call of a possible drowning last week near Golf Center Parkway and Avenue 42 when he spotted the 18-year-old in the canal. The man was unresponsive and Officer Cardenas jumped into the water, pulled him out, and began CPR.
  
• The police department said the victim jumped in to rescue his German Shepherd dog. Both the dog and the 18-year-old are okay.
  
• Reminder: For those of us that live near the canal it’s a hugely important reminder that even the small, seemingly harmless body of water can hide strong currents and that the steep banks make it difficult to climb out of.

📚 School district approves $490 million budget amid enrollment decline

The Desert Sands Unified School District has approved a $490 million budget for the upcoming school year despite declining enrollment, with officials using fund balance reserves to maintain current services and staffing levels.

• The district has experienced a 10.6% enrollment drop since 2018-2019, losing 381 students in 2023-2024 alone. Officials attribute the decline primarily to reduced birth rates in the region, which directly impacts finances because California’s funding formula ties revenue to student attendance.
  
• Financial pressures include $4.3 million in projected salary increases affecting 44% of employees. The district maintains 83% of its budget for salaries and benefits for nearly 3,000 employees. In 2023, utility costs jumped from $360,000 to $1.6 million when the district opted to lower classroom temperatures.
  
• What to watch for: Major construction projects will continue under voter-approved bonds, including modernization of Andrew Jackson Elementary School as part of $149 million in 2025 Series A projects and demolition of the old Amistad High School main building.

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WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

What to do in and around Indio this weekend.

Independence Day Bash
Friday | 6 p.m. | Empire Polo Grounds
Food, drinks, music, and drones to celebrate the holiday! Drone show begins at 9:30 p.m.

Los Tucanes de Tijuana
Saturday | 8 p.m. | Acrisure Arena
Los Tucanes De Tijuana, the legendary Mexican norteño band renowned for their distinctive norteño and corrido style, will bring their high-energy live performance to the valley. ($53 – $200+)

Noches De Fuego
Sunday | 7:30 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Noches De Fuego is a celebration of unforgettable Latin music every Sunday. Featured bands perform a variety of Latin styles including Tejano, Merengue, Cumbia, Norteño and Salsa. This week’s featured band: Conjuntos los Atrevidos.

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AND FINALLY …

Instead of posting your next picture on Instagram, why not send it into the city and have it take on a new life as a part of a time capsule?

Driving the news: The city is looking for images to put on a USB drive to be opened 50 years from now. Imagine your selfie or landscape photo taking on a new life beyond your Instagram followers!

How it works: Submit photos of favorite spots, community events, meaningful moments or images that represent the city’s history, culture, daily life, and people. Historical and modern images are welcome.

What not to do: The city is looking for submissions that are respectful and suitable for all audiences. No offensive, violent, or explicit content will be accepted. (Duh!)

Details: The submission deadline is next Friday, July 11. Check out the rules and submit photos online here.