Month: July 2025

Haley Meberg

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif (KESQ)– Long time philanthropist Wallis Annenberg passed away from lung cancer at the age of 86 early Monday morning. 

Wallis Annenberg was the daughter of publishing magnate Walter Hubert Annenberg. Following her father’s passing in 2002, Annenberg entered the role of President and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation which was founded in 1989. 

Throughout her 16 years as the Annenberg Foundation’s CEO, she broadened the foundation’s philanthropic sights on media, arts and education to include animal welfare, environmental conservation and healthcare, benefiting multiple regions throughout Southern California. 

The Times reports that over her time at the helm of the foundation, Annenberg gave away an estimated $1.5 billion to thousands of Los Angeles County based organizations and nonprofits. 

In the valley, the Annenberg Foundation runs Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage, which was originally the official Annenberg Estate. Wallis Annenberg was the trustee of The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands and was an instrumental executing the mission to preserve the estate as a venue for addressing global and national concerns, and to open the property to the public.

Former President Joe Biden provided a statement, saying, “Wallis Annenberg was a remarkable person who transformed philanthropy in our Nation. Devoted to family and public service, she understood deeply that community is at the center of everything. She was a visionary giver and innovator who advocated for change with empathy and compassion. Her support for the arts, education, the environment, medical research, and social justice transformed countless lives by advancing, healing, and inspiring communities across America. Jill and I send our love and prayers to the entire Annenberg family. May God bless Wallis Annenberg, a trailblazer who was unlike any other.”

“Wallis Annenberg was a visionary who believed not just in a better world, but in a kinder one,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “She worked on broader societal issues, including funding medical research, economic development, and environmental protection, but she deeply believed in supporting the American right to the pursuit of happiness. She was always determined to find new ways to help people achieve a better, more joyful quality of life, and above all else, to help people connect with each other.” 

Wallis Annenberg is survived by her four children and five grandchildren.

Her children, Lauren Bon, Gregory Weingarten and Charles Weingarten, co-directors of the Annenberg Foundation and Trustees at the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, say, “To the public, she was a dynamic force in philanthropy. To us, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, and a force of nature whose life and family remain committed to honoring public service. Her generosity and commitment will be lifting people up for many generations to come.”

Future plans for the Annenberg Foundation have not been released at this time. 

You can visit the Annenberg Foundation website at https://annenberg.org/

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Gavin Nguyen

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Shady Fire in Thermal reached full containment over the weekend. But, in the aftermath of the 52-acre brush fire, residents are left wondering: what’s been burning on the land next to their homes?

The Shady Fire left behind thick, dark smoke that was visible throughout the Coachella Valley when it began burning on July 25th.

Fires in the area often involve large mulch piles, which can continue spotting and burning slowly for several days. Fire officials have said landscaping companies have a tendency to dump mulch in the area, which fuels these brush fires, like the Buchanan Fire that burned in Thermal in late March.

But aside from the mulch, fire officials told News Channel 3 that hazardous chemicals often present a challenge for firefighters.

“We have a lot of issues with illegal dumping in the area when the fires burn through them. And we have a hard time getting in there because of the chemicals and and the hazardous nature of that garbage,” said Captain James Lopez, with CAL FIRE’s Riverside County Unit.

That happened during the Shady Fire, according to Lopez.

“We had a lot of salt brush and some tamarisk burning through a lot of dumps from the garbage, and some car parts, some cars, vehicles that were burning through there. Some palm trees, palm tree fronds ran through that area pretty quickly and came up to the road,” Capt. Lopez explained.

When it comes to different types of smoke, Capt. Lopez said the thickness and color can be indicative of the fuels that are burning.

Thick, black smoke is often produced by structures or chemicals burning. Meanwhile, smoke that is a lighter black is produced by brush or trees.

Residents, like Raquel Canela, who live next to the property where the fire started told News Channel 3 over the phone the property became more of a fire hazard after it was sold.

Previously, it was “working land,” and the owners grew crops like okra. After it was sold, though, Canela said the area became grounds for dumping. Mulch, dry brush, and other fuels collected there until the fire tore through the area Friday.

Fire officials said the dumping problem has eased recently, attributing the change to increased enforcement from Riverside County. Capt. Lopez, though, said he hopes the problem continues getting better through better education and enforcement.

“I think people are … being more aware and there’s more county enforcement that [is] taking place to take care of that.”

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Tori King

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) — The Rancho Mirage Community Park will be shutting down for a month to undergo some updates.

The city of Rancho Mirage released an announcement, saying it will be temporarily closing the tennis courts, basketball courts, two pickleball courts, and practice courts at Rancho Mirage Community Park beginning Monday, July 28th for scheduled court resurfacing. According to the city, the recently renovated pickleball courts will remain open for play during the project.

Rancho Mirage says the closure is expected to last approximately one month while the court surfaces are renewed to enhance overall quality and user experience.

For updates or questions, the city says to please contact Richard Grimaldo at (760) 343-0561 Ext. 534.

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