Author Archives: Kevin Fitzgerald

Kevin Fitzgerald is the staff writer for the Coachella Valley Independent. He started as a freelance writer for the Independent in June 2013, more than a year after he and his wife moved from Los Angeles to Palm Desert. His decades-long career includes stints as a magazine journalist; as a TV-network advertising executive; in publicity photography at HBO, FOX and NBC; and as an entrepreneur. With the Independent, Kevin covers a variety of news, as well as local cultural, entertainment and sports events. In 2018, Kevin was honored by the Association of Alternative Newsmedia with a third-place award in the Beat Reporting category for his coverage of end-of-life laws and issues.

A New School Normal: Mike Swize, the New Palm Springs Unified Superintendent, Talks About the District’s Goals for 2021-2022

by Kevin Fitzgerald June 2nd, 2021June 2nd, 2021

Dry Times: The Coachella Valley Is Not Currently in a Drought Emergency Like Most of California—but Local Water Agencies Say We Still Need to Conserve

by Kevin Fitzgerald May 24th, 2021May 24th, 2021

A Hurdle Cleared: After a Unanimous Planning Commission Vote, With Palm Desert’s OK, the Proposed Arena Seems Headed Toward Final Approval

by Kevin Fitzgerald May 18th, 2021May 18th, 2021

Arena Rush: The Oak View Group’s Hurry to Get Construction Started on Its 10,000-Seat Facility Has Rankled Palm Desert City Officials—and Led to a Lawsuit

by Kevin Fitzgerald May 3rd, 2021May 3rd, 2021

Backup Needed: A State Grant Will Help the CVWD Install an Emergency Generator at an East Valley Well That Serves More Than 32,000 Residents and Businesses

by Kevin Fitzgerald April 22nd, 2021April 22nd, 2021

Vacation Rental Rebellion: Are Increasing Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals Needed to Protect Residents’ Quality of Life—or Unjust Attacks on the Rights of Property Owners?

by Kevin Fitzgerald April 19th, 2021April 19th, 2021

A Lifeline for Nonprofits: The Berger Foundation’s Coachella Valley Spotlight Grants Offer Much-Needed Help to Organizations Like Lee Espinoza’s Coachella Valley Boxing Club

by Kevin Fitzgerald April 6th, 2021April 6th, 2021

Help Wanted: Restaurants Are Enjoying Increased Capacity and More Business—but Are Having Issues Hiring Enough People

by Kevin Fitzgerald March 29th, 2021April 21st, 2021

Worries Over Warming: AB 1500, Introduced by Local Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, Proposes a $6.7 Billion Bond to Prepare for Climate Disasters

by Kevin Fitzgerald March 18th, 2021March 18th, 2021

A Housing Emergency: A Lawsuit Against the Owners of the Oasis Mobile Home Park Shows Just How Dire Conditions Are in Some East Valley Neighborhoods

by Kevin Fitzgerald March 9th, 2021March 22nd, 2021