Month: November 2025

Jesus Reyes

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters were able to contain a fire that damaged two big rigs at a gas station in Thousand Palms Friday afternoon.

The fire was first reported at around 1:05 p.m. at the Flying J on Varner Road.

The California Highway Patrol said two big rigs at the pumps caught on fire, as well as a canopy, which is the roof like structure that covers the pumps. The building was not on fire.

The fire was fully contained by 1:35 p.m., according to CAL FIRE. Resources will remain on-scene for an extensive overhaul. 

Details on what caused the fire were not available.

News Channel 3 crew confirmed the roadway was reopened by 4 p.m.

The Flying J location will be temporarily closed as crews work to restore service, according to Pilot.

Statement from Pilot Company:

“Pilot appreciates the swift response by local authorities to contain a semitruck fire at our Flying J location in Thousand Palms, California. We are grateful no injuries were reported. This location is temporarily closed as we work to restore service. In the meantime, guests can visit our nearby locations in North Palms Springs and Mecca. Any additional questions about the incident should be directed to CAL FIRE.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Springs is officially kicking off its holiday season next month with a tree lighting ceremony and the Festival of Lights Parade.

The city announced its grand marshals for the 33rd annual Festival of Lights Parade:

Jada McLean, Palm Springs High School grad and star of “America’s Sweetheart,” a popular Netflix show about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. McLean fought and won a 400% pay increase for the squad

Scheana Shay, a part-time Palm Springs resident, star of Bravo-TV, favorite “Vanderpump Rules,” and NYT Bestselling author

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Matt Sorum, of Guns ‘N Roses

Mädchen Amick, part-time resident and actress, best known for her roles in “Riverdale” and “Twin Peaks”

Nelda Linsk, the First Lady of Modernism Week who was famously immortalized in the iconic Slim Aarons photograph “Poolside Gossip.”

Grammy Award–winning singer Thelma Houston will also join the parade as a special guest star.

The parade will feature a special kickoff 50th Anniversary Sunrise Park float, honoring a beloved community landmark and five decades of Palm Springs tradition. There will also be multiple other holiday floats, giant inflatable balloons of beloved characters, marching bands from Portland, Oregon, Arizona, Napa, and throughout Southern California, as well as a very special visit from Santa Claus himself.

The parade will be held at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Palm Springs.

The city also teased a special appearance from beloved “Full House” actor, singer and producer John Stamos

Palm Springs will hold a holiday tree lighting the evening before with Mayor Ron deHarte and CityCouncilmembers, parade Grand Marshals, and Santa Claus himself. They will light up the City’s stunning 22-foot Holiday Tree at 5:15 p.m. in Frances Stevens Park. The evening includes a meet-and-greet with Santa, free cookies and cocoa, plus arts and crafts for the little ones. Plus, the Holiday Student Banner Awards ceremony at 4 p.m. will get everyone in the festive spirit.

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Timothy Foster

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) hosted a Legislative Breakfast featuring California gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco as part of its Legislative Breakfast Series. The program offered chamber members and guests an opportunity to hear directly from candidates in the upcoming governor’s race, with questions focused on issues affecting the regional business community.

The event took place on Friday, November 14th, at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. Tickets were $35 for chamber members and $45 for non-members and included a seated breakfast.

Bianco shared his priorities and perspectives on topics important to businesses and communities throughout California.

About Chad Bianco:

Chad Bianco was born in 1967 at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, and grew up in a small mining town as the eldest of three boys. Raised by hardworking parents, he developed values rooted in integrity and personal responsibility. He moved to California in 1989 and later graduated at the top of his class from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Academy in 1993. He went on to spend more than 32 years with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Elected as Riverside County Sheriff in 2018, Bianco worked to address budget challenges, staffing shortages, and strained relationships with other law enforcement agencies. He continued to lead the department through civil unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic and was re-elected in 2022. He also became a prominent advocate for public safety reforms, including Proposition 36, which passed in 2024.

Bianco is also a husband, father, and grandfather, and lived in the Woodcrest area of Riverside with his wife, Denise. He has often emphasized faith, family, and service above self.

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Daniella Lake

Update:

La Quinta announced in a social media post that the city’s Art Celebration Encore will be cancelled for Saturday due to the weather conditions. The city says the event will reopen on Sunday at 10 A.M..

Original Report:

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 is tracking heavy rainfall throughout the valley this weekend with our First Alert Weather Alert. There are several events planned for this weekend that may be canceled or postponed due to the weather. 

Postponed events with new dates: 

Coachella Valley Filipino Festival is now happening Saturday, November 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Palm Springs Downtown Park. 

Desert Nights on the BLVD DJ event in Desert Hot Springs, now happening Saturday, November 22.

Desert Hot Springs Original Certified Farmers Market inaugural launch, now happening Saturday, November 22.

Canceled events: 

Mecca Fall Festival, it was supposed to take place today at 4:30 p.m. in Mecca Sports Park but is now canceled.

Coachella Movies in the park.

East Valley youth soccer championship games.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates on event cancellations. 

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Athena Jreij

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — With the government shutdown now over, many Valley residents experiencing food insecurity are hoping to feel relief soon.

Recipients of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, have been in ‘benefit limbo’ since the shutdown. With conflicting reports on when and how recipients will receive benefits with the government reopening, News Channel 3 is digging deeper into the confusion and when residents will feel relief.

Lisa Newell, a Palm Springs native, says she’s gone without benefits since October and has had to rely on her friends and family for food.

“I’ve worked all my life just right now trying to get my feet back on the floor and so, you know, we all need a little help,” Newell said.

She says she received a letter in the mail saying her benefits would be fully distributed between November 15 and 20th.

However, some recipients may have already received theirs. At FIND Food Bank, officials say it depends on the typical schedule recipients receive their benefits.

News Channel 3 reached out to the California Department of Social Services for clarification, who said in a statement:

“CalFresh/SNAP benefits were delayed due to the Trump Administration’s decision to oppose the issuance of benefits during the shutdown. However, the federal shutdown is over. We anticipate that all recipients should be receiving full SNAP benefits in November and the coming months.  

California remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable Californians have access to the food support they need to the greatest extent possible. While SNAP benefits were delayed, we anticipate that currently all recipients should be receiving full SNAP benefits.”

At FIND Regional Food Bank, the organization has gone into ‘disaster mode,’ with lines extending 30-40% longer than prior to the shutdown. Even with benefits restored, officials say they still expect to operate in crisis mode as they recover the losses and prepare for the holiday season.

“We’ve seen a spike in our lines of up to 30-40%. So even without the shutdown, November and December are holiday months for us, so we typically experience a spike in service numbers. But now even more so, due to the uncertainty,” Lorena Marroquin, Vice President of Community Impact with FIND.

Marroquin says families who lost SNAP have had to put their typical money used for bills, towards groceries.

“A lot of clients have been saying that they are redirecting funds because of the uncertainty. So I know when that happens in a household, especially when you’re paycheck to paycheck, you need a couple of months just to balance out,” Marroquin said.

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