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Valley braces for another round of wind

Valley braces for another round of wind

A high wind warning went into effect Friday in Riverside County, where forecasters are expecting winds of between 25 and 35 mph and gusts to 60 mph.

The warning issued by the National Weather Service went into effect at 6 a.m. and is scheduled to expire at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Winds will be strongest through and below passes and canyons, including the Cajon and Banning passes in the Inland Empire, the agency advised.

"Strong winds will make driving difficult, especially for motorists with high profile vehicles," according to the Weather Service. "Freeways most likely to be impacted by strong winds include interstates 10 and 15, and highways 60, 91 and 55.

Community Sponsors

Win tickets to sold-out Stagecoach Country Music Festival

Win tickets to sold-out Stagecoach Country Music Festival

LifeStream invites music lovers to help save lives and enter to win a pair of three-day, general admission passes to the 2012 Stagecoach Country Music Festival.

Entry forms for will be available Tuesday, Jan. 24 through Thursday, March 8 at LifeStream’s La Quinta Donor Center, 79-215 Corporate Centre Drive, and at Coachella Valley and High Desert community drives. Three winners of two passes will be selected at random at the conclusion of the promotion.

The center is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. To set a lifesaving appointment, please call 760.777.8844 or go to www.LStream.org.

Riverside County Marine Killed in Afghanistan

Riverside County Marine Killed in Afghanistan

A U.S. Marine Corps Corporal from the Riverside area was killed over the weekend fighting in Afghanistan.

Corporal Christopher G. Singer, 23, of Temecula, died Jan. 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to USMC Gunnery Sergeant Leo Salinas. No details on the attack that killed Singer were released.

This was his first deployment to Afghanistan, according to GySgt Salinas.

Stroke Recovery Center AUXILIARY 5th ANNUAL JURIED ART SHOW

Stroke Recovery Center AUXILIARY 5th ANNUAL JURIED ART SHOW

This February Stroke Recovery Center celebrates “FOR THE LOVE OF ART” throughout the month with various fundraisers. Concluding this artful celebration is our Auxiliary’s 5th ANNUAL JURIED ART SHOW, held at Stroke Recovery Center, located at 2800 E. Alejo Rd. in Palm Springs. The show runs from February 24th through March 16th, Monday through Fridays 8:30am to 3:30pm.  This annual event showcases the best creative work of residents of the Coachella Valley. Artists may submit up to three works and art must be submitted on Tuesday, February 21st between 10:00am to 12:30pm. The entry fee is $25 per piece and artwork must be original and completed in the last two years. Artwork will be juried by local artists, Elaine Mathews and Terry Masters with awards for Best of Show and First Place at $100 each, Second Place at $75 and Third Place will be awarded $50.

Coachella Valley braces for another wind storm

Coachella Valley braces for another wind storm

Just as crews finish clean up from Saturday's crazy winds, yet another wind storm is hitting the Coachella Valley Monday.

A high wind warning is in effect until midnight, so be extra cautious if you plan to be out and about.

There will be periods of moderate rain in the inland valleys and moderate to heavy snowfall in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

The rain will move southward across the region Monday morning and end tonight, the agency advised. A total of an inch of rainfall is expected from the system.

"Residents and travelers into higher elevations in the mountains should be prepared for hazardous winter weather and possible road closures,'' the Weather Service advised. "Carry chains and take extra food, water and clothing.''

Saturday's wind storm brought wind gusts up to 95 miles per hour. Monday's storm is expected to have wind gusts up to 65 mph, according to the Weather Service.

Riverside County unemployment rate down to 12.5%

Riverside County unemployment rate down to 12.5%

The Riverside County unemployment rate barely nudged down in December - dipping from 12.8 percent to 12.5 percent.

Despite the drop in the county unemployment rate, several Coachella Valley cities still had a staggeringly high number of residents looking for work:

  • Mecca: 24.6%

  • Coachella: 19.6%

  • Desert Hot Springs: 17.5%

  • Indio: 13.5%

Buoyed by seasonal hiring, California's unemployment rate dipped slightly in December to 11.1 percent, down two-tenths of a percent from November.

Nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 10,700 last month, for a total gain of 240,300 jobs in 2011.

Officials at the Employment Development Department said Friday's report shows California is continuing a gradual economic improvement.

The biggest growth came in areas