The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • Page A1

Native FilmFest opens five-day run in Palm Springs I VALLEY Zack Greinke a key add for the Dodgers, Pete Donovan writes Familiar faces like James Blake among BNP Paribas wildcards I SPORTS I SPORTS Che esert Sun A GANNETT COMPANY WWW.MYDESERT.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013 SERVIiffirHE COACHELLA VALLEY SINCE 1927 Law credited for foreclosure drop Distressed actions down 67 in valley during January, data show Rights had a profound effect on the foreclosure landscape. The law, championed by California Attorney General Kamala Harris, took effect in January and restricts the way banks can repossess properties. Bret Cohn, a mortgage consultant with Stearns Lending in Palm Desert, agreed that the new law had a big impact, but he added that other influences affected foreclosure numbers as well. There were 292 total foreclosure-related filings last month valley-wide, down from 924 in January 2012. Notices of default the first step in the foreclosure process dropped to 61 last month from 313 the same month a year ago.

Scheduled auctions were down to 116 from 389 a year ago, and bank repossessions fell to 115 from 222. Daren Blomquist, Realty-Trac vice president, said the California Homeowners Bill of "The larger influence, I believe, has to do with the banks again opting to work with homeowners on loan modifications and short sales rather than foreclosure," Cohn said. Cohn has seen real estate professionals focus on identifying "strong candidates" such as underwater homeowners for short sales. Realtors have taken the time to educate prospective Please see HOMES, A6 of the drop-off. Foreclosure activity default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions fell 67.3 percent in the valley during January compared to January 2012, the Irvine-based foreclosure-tracking firm Real-tyTrac reported.

By Mike Perrault The Desert Sun Foreclosures plunged across the Coachella Valley, Inland Empire and California in January, and the new California Homeowners Bill of Rights is being given credit for a big part In giant Marilyn's footsteps Statue's allure has city eying broader display By Xochitl Pena The Desert Sun PALM SPRINGS The success of the oversized "Forever Marilyn" display has prompted city officials to explore bringing new, life-sized sculptures to town like those of Sonny Bono, Lucille Ball and Gene Autry that already grace Palm Springs. "They can be placed throughout the city as kind of a surprise and delight kind of thing. Not necessarily only in the downtown," Councilman Paul Lewin said. "The idea is to provide art that is very understandable and very accessible to people." The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission has been asked to investigate working with The Sculpture Foundation the creators and owners of "Forever Marilyn" to bring a slew of other temporary sculptures to the city. The commission will discuss Please see STATUES, A6 Pedestrians walk by the bronze statue of Sonny Bono located downtown on Palm Canyon Drive on Monday in Palm Springs, marilyn chunghe desert sun WHAT DO YOU THINK? Aside from Marilyn Monroe, what celebs would you honor with a statue Neil Heslin, father of Jesse Lewis, 6, who was slain in the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, wipes tears while testifying on Capitol Hill, ap Newtown victim's father testifies for bill By Raju Chebium Desert Sun Washington Bureau WASHINGTON Shortly before Jesse Lewis was killed in the Newtown, school shooting, he said something that haunts his father to this day.

"Everything's going to be OK, Dad," the 6-year-old boy said, according to Neil Heslin's written statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing Wednesday on an assault-weapons ban proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. "Did he have some idea about what was about to happen? But at the time, I didn't think much of it. I just thought he was being sweet," Heslin testified. Heslin, who shared custody of Jesse with his wife, dropped his son off at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec.

14. A little while later, Jesse was among the 20 students and six staff members killed by Adam Lanza, who took his own life. The 20-year-old shooter used a Bushmaster semi-automatic assault rifle with a 30-round magazine. Choking up and clutching a Please see GUNS, A2 in downtown Palm Springs? Vote online at mydesert- The larger-than-life "Forever Marilyn statue" will leave downtown Palm Springs in June, desert sun image Pontiff in his final address: Tray for me' Benedict moved through the crowds of the square in an open-sided car and stopped to kiss and bless half a dozen children handed to him by his secretary. Cardinals, some tearful, sat in solemn attendance.

Vatican press officials said 50,000 tickets had been issued for the audience, with at least that many more estimated to be gathered in the standing-room-only part of the square. It was among the largest audiences in St. Peter's Square of Benedict's Please see POPE, A2 By Eric Lyman USA Today ROME More than 100,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday to cheer as Pope Benedict XVI gave his final general audience before resigning. Addressing the crowd where many toted banners saying "Grazie!" the pope said: "I'd like to thank everybody for the help I have received." He said he has experienced both joyful and difficult moments as pope.

Pope Benedict XVI speaks arms during his final general audience Wednesday in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, gregorio borgiaap Great way to end February ti. aim 78 HOMICIDE CASE A Palm Springs man who recently moved to Branson, is being sought there in the shooting death of his wife. B1 Abby D9 Bridge E2 Comics D8 The Deuce C2 Lottery B6 Movies D9 Obits Opinion B7 Puzzles E4 Starwatch B5 Today in History B5 Weather B8 MALL VOTE A group opposed to the Palm Springs downtown revital-ization project has enough signatures to force a public vote on the plan. B1 The Desert Sun is printed using recycled paper EFFECTS OF CUTS UNCLEAR Federal spending cuts expected to take effect this week likely won't have immediate harsh effects in California.

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