Month: December 2025

Kendall Flynn

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The new Fire Station 98 officially opened its doors in Desert Hot Springs.

Fire Station 98 is located at 69111 Hacienda Avenue. It officially opened on Nov. 24 and is currently operating with a municipally staffed four-person fire engine supported by CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department personnel.

City officials touted the station as a major public safety investment that significantly strengthens fire protection, emergency medical response, and advanced life support services for residents and businesses in the eastern portion of the city.

“The safety of our residents has always been, and will always remain, our highest priority,” said Mayor Scott Matas. “Fire Station 98 is more than a new building — it is a powerful statement of our commitment to this community. Every family, every neighborhood, and every business deserves reliable and timely emergency services, and this investment ensures we can meet those needs today and for generations to  come. I am incredibly proud of the collaboration and dedication that brought this  project to life.”

City officials said the opening of Fire Station 98 significantly improves coverage in an area that continues to grow in both population and service demand.

The distance between the three Desert Hot Springs Fire Stations.

The station will soon transition to Quint  98, a 107-foot ladder truck equipped with a water tank and pump. The transition will provide enhanced firefighting, rescue, and high-angle response capabilities for the community. 

“Fire Station 98 enhances our ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies throughout the eastern region,” said Bryan White, Division Chief, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department. “This station gives our firefighters the tools, the location, and the resources they need to reach residents faster and provide the highest level of service. We are proud of our partnership with the City and remain committed to protecting every neighborhood with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication.”

Fire Station 98 features state-of-the-art design, modern living quarters, and enhanced operational space to support 24-hour emergency response. The newly constructed facility includes:

• 8,729 sq. ft. total station footprint• 4,723 sq. ft. living quarters• 4,006 sq. ft. apparatus bay• 400 sq. ft. support/storage building• Expanded Advanced Life Support (ALS) and pre-hospital emergency medical services coverage for the eastern region

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Daniella Lake

Update 12/04/25

Kristina Bruno says that Cathedral City code enforcement is encouraging her to keep the pantry going, as long as she downsizes it and implements a sturdy structure per safety concerns.

Cathedral City officials told News Channel 3 Thursday morning that they are simply asking the pantry to be downsized and built to a sturdier standard. That way, the pantry will remain appropriate for a residential neighborhood and comply with local codes.    

News Channel 3 reached out to Cathedral City for answers and here’s the city’s response: 

“The city of Cathedral City supports the spirit and mission of ‘Little Free Pantries’ and residents who wish to help their neighbors in need. We remain open to working with the operator to find a solution that allows her to continue serving the community while maintaining compliance with local codes.” 

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from Kristina Bruno and the city on their efforts.

Original Report 12/03/25

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Cathedral City is attempting to shut down the food pantry a resident started outside her home.

Earlier this week, News Channel 3 shared the story of Kristina Bruno, whose free food pantry went viral on the Nextdoor app.

Now, the city of Cathedral City says she has 10 days to remove the pantry. The city left a note at her door saying, “Please remove cabinet from public view/sidewalk.” The city will come back from re-inspection on December 13th.

News Channel 3 reached out to this city for their response, they say:

“The City of Cathedral City supports the spirit and mission of Little Free Pantries and residents who wish to help their neighbors in need. We remain open to working with the operator to find a solution that allows her to continue serving the community while maintaining compliance with local codes.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Donna Anderson said the Amtrak station in Palm Springs left her behind twice in 2024.

She said the first incident happened in January, when the conductor said the train would skip her stop in Palm Springs, and continue to Ontario.

“I said how do you expect me to get home?” Anderson said. “They paid an Uber to get me to my door.”

She said the company blamed weather.

“It was a clear night. There was no wind. There was no rain. There was nothing,” Anderson said.

Believing the issue was fixed, Anderson said she booked another trip in August. 

She said her cousin dropped her off at the station at 1:30 a.m.

“Nothing stopped me from booking it. I get there with 5 other passengers,” Anderson said. “We were sitting there, sitting there… no wind, no rain, nothing. It went by and passed us.”

She said she later discovered an email — sent after she had already left home — saying the stop was canceled. 

“I had to leave home in the middle of the night and I didn’t check my emails. I was checking my text,” Anderson said. “The thing is, they were telling me by text that the train was coming.”

In a written statement, Olivia Irvin, Amtrak Senior Public Relations Manager, said:

“Amtrak temporarily suspended service to Palm Springs due to high winds and sandstorms at and around the station. All ticketed customers received notifications advising them that the scheduled stop could not be made.

To prioritize the safety of our customers and employees, Amtrak may occasionally suspend service after a train has departed its origin. If this occurs, onboard crew will notify affected passengers.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. For the latest service updates, customers can visit Amtrak.com/service-alerts.”

Anderson’s experience comes as cities along the rail line push to host the next permanent Coachella Valley station. 

Anderson believes Indio is the clear choice.

“Indio is the largest city in population,” she said. “The station would not be in the middle of nowhere like Palm Springs station is. It’s protected from the wind.”

Anderson said she eventually received a refund from Amtrak, but plans to never ride again. 

She said she wants the company to stop selling tickets to the Palm Springs station until service is restored or relocated.

“Why don’t they just admit they’ve abandoned the station?” she said. “And stop fooling people.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full story at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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