“It’s a LEGO World” exhibit gives children in Calexico a chance to showcase their creativity

KYMA on April 16, 2025

Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – As part of the City of Calexico’s 117th Anniversary celebrations and in honor of Día del Niño, or Children’s Day, a special exhibit called “It’s a LEGO World” is giving artists of all ages a chance to showcase their creativity.

This week’s anniversary celebrations aren’t just about honoring the past, but also about giving a platform to the people shaping Calexico’s future.

From colorful sculptures to imaginative LEGO creations, these pieces are part of the city’s special celebration, showcasing over 70 local artists.

The exhibit is a collaboration that invites everyone of all ages to contribute, piece by piece, to the community’s creative landscape.

“It’s really an opportunity for children to submit their hard work, to be seen and celebrated by their community,” said Norma Gerardo, Recreation Manager for the City of Calexico.

What makes this exhibit stand out is its inclusivity. Everyone’s work has a place in this celebration of art and community.

“We thought about LEGOs because some children with special needs may not feel confident drawing or painting, but they do great with LEGOs, so we wanted to make sure everyone could participate,” Gerardo added.

Artists of all ages came to support the event with the intention of constructing an artistic foundation.

“We want kids to see that just because it’s toys or paint, it can just be anything…just as long as you create, that’s what matters,” said artist Angela Leyva.

The exhibit gives families the opportunity to see all of the accomplished works of art.

“This one’s going to run for two weeks, so it’s open through Día del Niño, or Children’s Day,” Gerardo said.

For many artists, it’s their first time seeing their work displayed publicly.

“It’s always fun to participate in shows like this, ’cause it gives an opportunity for the community to enjoy art, making it accessible,” Leyva said.

From this exhibit, it’s clear art has no limits, and neither does the creativity of Calexico’s community.

Goldenvoice apologizes for Coachella traffic chaos and promises changes for Weekend 2

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Julia Castro

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — A Goldenvoice representative apologized Tuesday for a chaotic start to Coachella Weekend One, where traffic delays left thousands of festivalgoers stranded for hours during a desert heatwave.

The trouble started on Thursday, when long lines of festival campers tried to stream into the festival’s onsite campgrounds. Many ran out of gas while waiting in their cars, and without access to water or restrooms. Some said they were forced to endure extreme conditions in their vehicles.

A Goldenvoice representative addressed the debacle at the La Quinta City Council meeting on Tuesday. George Cunningham said the traffic jam was caused by an unexpected surge in early arrivals.

City Councilmember Kathleen Fitzpatrick called Thursday’s traffic jam “unacceptable” and “a total embarrassment” as she shared resident complaints of traffic jams and concertgoers forced to use the roadside due to no restrooms being offered to these invited guests from all over the world.

“Every year, we typically have a lull between one o’clock and six o’clock in the evening where it just dies down,” Cunningham said. “We didn’t have that. Everybody wanted to come early… the campers were in and they wanted to be here,” Cunningham added.

Cunningham said a first-ever Thursday night concert in the campgrounds provided a draw for people to arrive earlier, which had not been experienced in past years of the festival.

Adding to the problem, not all checkpoints were fully staffed the representative said, creating even more congestion. In past years, campers were sometimes allowed in before the official 9 a.m. opening. That policy didn’t apply this year, leading to massive backups on surrounding roads.

To help prevent a repeat of last weekend, Goldenvoice says it’s adding more entry points for vehicles. George Cunningham, a company official, told council members that 12 new toll plazas are being added near Madison Street and 50th Avenue, bringing the total to 44.

“We are enacting another toll plaza… so in the past we’ve had 32 toll plazas, we’re adding an additional 12,” Cunningham said.

Goldenvoice says it will continue monitoring traffic this weekend and will make more changes if necessary, especially with Stagecoach just around the corner.

Campground gates for Coachella Weekend Two open Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Festival attendees and residents are encouraged to plan ahead.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest Coachella traffic updates.

Indian Canyon, Gene Autry open in Palm Springs

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Jeff Stahl

Update 4/22/25

Indian Canyon is now open at the wash, officials announced.

Update 4/19/25

Gene Autry is back open, city officials announced.

Original Report 4/16/25

Gene Autry Trail and Indian Canyon Drive were both closed to traffic through the Whitewater Wash in and out of Palm Springs starting Wednesday morning.

Palm Springs Police cited low visibility for the closures, as winds picked up, with blowing sand and dust in the wash areas. 

Vista Chino Drive remains open through the wash.

Other alternate routes into and out of Palm Springs include Ramon Road, Dinah Shore Drive, and Highway 111.

Drivers should plan on giving themselves extra time to get where they want to go due to extra traffic on those alternate routes.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for updates as conditions change. We have your Time Saver Traffic Updates every Monday through Friday at 6:15 a.m. And 6:45 a.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mother’s Day Event to be held at Walmart on Pacific Avenue

KYMA on April 16, 2025

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Mother’s Day celebration is planned to be held at Walmart’s garden center on Pacific Avenue in Yuma.

The Mother’s Day event will have activities for kids, such as planting seeds and making a card. Gifts starting at $5 will also be available for purchase.

Kids can plant a seed in a small pot for mom and give it to her as a gift.

Anyone is invited to come celebrate mom and buy her a gift for her special day.

You can go to the Pacific Avenue Walmart on May 10, starting at 10 a.m.

Armed robbery suspect accepts plea deal

KYMA on April 16, 2025

Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – One of the suspects involved in an armed robbery attempt accepted a plea deal in court Tuesday.

19-year-old Ricardo Miguel Carrasco faced six charges, including aggravated robbery and kidnapping.

He, along with another suspect, robbed a married couple at gunpoint in March of last year.

Carrasco pled guilty to one count of attempted first-degree robbery, a Class 3 felony.

He will be formally sentenced on May 13.

A tour of the St. Jude Dream Home; less than two weeks left to reserve a ticket before Giveaway

KESQ on April 16, 2025

Allie Anthony

The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in the heart of La Quinta is less than two weeks away, and you still have a chance to win it for just $100! Tickets are going fast for this stunning 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home valued at $720,000.

Located in The Cove near Fritz Burns Park and Old Town La Quinta, this home, built by GHA Companies, features top of the line amenities and falls within the Desert Sands School District. Right now, the final touches are being put in place.

News Channel 3’s Allie Anthony took a tour with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Senior Advisor of Area Development Jennifer Castell.

Only 17,500 tickets to win this Dream Home will be sold, and those who reserve theirs by April 25th are also eligible for a $10,000 home shopping spree from BoConcept. Every ticket benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and supports the fight to end childhood cancer.

To reserve tickets, call 1-800-535-6748.

You can view the original article here: https://kesq.com/news/2025/04/16/a-tour-of-the-st-jude-dream-home-less-than-two-weeks-left-to-reserve-a-ticket-before-giveaway/

A tour of the St. Jude Dream Home; less than two weeks left to reserve a ticket before Giveaway

Las Cruces’ newest indoor pickleball club

KVIA on April 16, 2025

Nicole Ardila

Pickle Planet launches their new facility in Las Cruces, as its first and only climate-controlled indoor pickleball club.

They plan to redefine the game with three full-size, professional-grade courts built to USA Pickleball standards.

The club will provide 24/7 access to exclusive members to prevent harsh weather from stopping players from continuing their fun — whether it’s scorching summer heat or freezing winters.

Pickle Planet welcomes players of all levels — from seasoned pros using AI analytics, live streaming, and video replay to elevate their game, to first-timers eager to learn and play in a tech-driven environment.

Their amenities include:

State of the art Pickle Planet Pro Shop with top-tier pickleball gear

Certified Coaching & Lessons by PCI & PPR Professionals

Leagues, Tournaments, Open Play, Private Rentals & Events

Pickle Planet is located on 1836 W Amador Ave, Suite A, Las Cruces, NM 88005.

Click here to follow the original article.

$15 million in improvements coming to US 24, Peterson Road interchange near Colorado Springs

KRDO on April 16, 2025

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Officials said that they’re not sure when the interchange at US 24 and Peterson Road was built, but some longtime residents believe it happened during the 1960s.

A much-needed upgrade is planned for the interchange just outside the north gate of Peterson Space Force Base.

“To me, it’s been a long time coming because this place, sometimes it’s hard to get in and out of here,” said Dave Bickett, an Ellicott resident. “So, I think it’s going to be a good deal.”

Between the interchange and the base is a shopping center with eight businesses — including a Dairy Queen that, on a warm day, attracts customers from miles around seeking ice cream and other treats.

Traffic to and from the businesses, the base and normal highway traffic create a steady amount of congestion that the interchange can no longer handle efficiently.

The highlights of the upcoming project are two roundabouts — one on each side of the highway — and other improvements to include better traffic flow and access for pedestrians, bicycles and transit buses.

At a Wednesday afternoon media briefing about the project, Gayle Sturdivant, deputy public works director for Colorado Springs, said that the bridge over Peterson Road won’t be demolished.

“It’s actually going to be reused,” she explained. “If you drive underneath the bridge today, you’ll see slope sides with it. You’ll (eventually) see new sides put in, new walls underneath there, opening up the span underneath the bridges so we can change the lane configurations coming underneath US 24 there on Peterson Road.”

Local leaders, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Department of Defense (DOD) and base leadership have worked on the details for eight years; a DOD grant is providing two-thirds of the funding.

Sturdivant also said that the project coincides with the base’s plan to increase north gate access by changing the gate configuration — which some members of the base community said will increase arriving and departing traffic through the day.

Some of the nearby merchants — such as Reese Sattler, owner of Rocky Bowl Bistro — are concerned about how construction will affect them and their customers.

“I’ve seen other restauranteurs in the Springs, over on South Academy, have the same issue,” he said. Hey, we are going through all of this construction, and now we’re having a tough time. And these are all successful small businesses. So I’m thinking (that) I’m brand new. What’s going to happen to me?”

Construction starts next month and is scheduled to end late next year.

Officials will sponsor an open house Wednesday to provide more details about the project; the event is from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Colorado Freedom Church, 6862 Galley Road.

More information is available on the project website: https://coloradosprings.gov/US24Peterson.

719 Spotlight: Independent film created in Black Forest by all-Colorado cast

KRDO on April 16, 2025

Bradley Davis

BLACK FOREST, Colo. (KRDO) – KRDO13’s Bradley Davis speaks with a couple cast members of Varmint, a Western Horror film shot entirely in Black Forest and acted by an entire Colorado-based cast.

Cast talk about behind the scenes work on Good Morning Colorado!

The movie will be the closing film in the Western Film Festival in Coleman, Texas. It makes its theatrical debut at the Icon Cinema in northern Colorado Springs May 13. Cast and crew will hold a Q&A after the movie for people interested.

San Marcos boys tennis is double trouble for Santa Barbara

KEYT on April 16, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – San Marcos boys tennis served up revenge on Santa Barbara as they swept the last round of doubles to pull out a hard-fought 10-8 Channel League victory.

Both teams are tied for first place in league after the Royals avenged an earlier season loss to the Dons by that same 10-8 score.

San Marcos #1 singles player Carter Cotich went 3-0 for the Royals but the San Marcos doubles play was the difference going 7-2 overall.

The Royals #1 doubles team of Kyle Shaffer and Spencer Bauer went 3-0 while Owen Hennessee/Levi Reece along with Jacob Cantrell/Henry Chalen each went 2-1.

The Dons were led in singles by Beckett McManigal, Logan Cochrane and Taisei Lopez who each chalked up 2 wins apiece.

McManigal had Cotich on the ropes leading 4-1 but Cotich stormed back to win the next 5 games in a well-played match by both.