Fox Plaza hotel project delayed -- P-E

Construction on a hotel touted as one of the keys to revitalizing Riverside's downtown is months behind schedule, a development firm executive and city officials said last week.

Democrat groups can't agree on candidates -- The Desert Sun

Eleventh-hour phone calls, e-mails and other lobbying by three Palm Springs City Council candidates and their supporters backfired this week when their attempts at an endorsement resulted in essentially no direct endorsement at all.

Salton Sea on track for comeback? -- The Desert Sun

One day, 2007 may be remembered as the year the Salton Sea began its comeback - that is, if the sea doesn't end up as just a briny sinkhole in the desert.

District halts swim classes in wake of La Quinta High drowning -- P-E

A desert-area school district has suspended swimming for all gym classes in the wake of the recent apparent drowning of a 14-year-old student while in the pool with about 40 classmates.

Tunnel approaches key decision -- The Californian

Commuters are understandably eager to try out the highway that one day might be built under the Cleveland National Forest, connecting Riverside County bedroom communities with Orange County jobs, said Bechtel, director of project development for the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

Lakeland Village's Perret Park reopens -- P-E and The Californian

Perret Park, the community's lone public recreation area, re-opened Saturday after seven years behind a padlocked chain-link fence.

Water districts to dilute fluoride -- The Californian

Metropolitan Water District, which distributes hundreds of millions of gallons each day to about 18 million customers in the southern half of the state, plans to begin in early October to add fluoride compounds, which most dental-health advocates say help to prevent tooth decay but which critics say are toxic and harmful over time.

Waterlogged neighborhood appeals for relief -- P-E

Irrigation runoff from a recently built luxury apartment complex along Highway 74 east of Interstate 15 is wreaking havoc on a well-established county neighborhood at the bottom of the hill, neighbors said.

Challenges ahead for cityhood proponents [Wildomar] -- The Californian

Incorporation proponents insist the highest hurdle finally has been cleared: Last month, they convinced a regional body that considers cityhood bids to allow the issue to reach voters.

Opinion: Costly ruses -- P-E

California needs a state budget that honestly balances revenue and spending, instead of shortsighted and ultimately more expensive legislative schemes.

Opinion: Governor right to govern from the middle -- The Desert Sun

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been masterful at being moderate.

Local View: Watch vital Riverside City Council debates -- P-E

In early October, the Raincross Group, a public-policy advocacy organization in Riverside, will sponsor a series of debates with the runoff candidates in each of the four contested City Council races in Riverside.

Local View: Laborer Overload -- P-E

No nation has ever attempted to incorporate more than 35 million newcomers.