Halloween party brings crowds and business to Palm Springs

KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Halloween celebrations are bringing thousands of people to downtown Palm Springs this weekend, giving local businesses a chance to bring in more customers.

The annual Halloween party on Arenas Road is taking place Friday and Saturday, with music, dancing, entertainment and costume contests.

The free event runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. both nights and attracts locals and visitors looking to celebrate Halloween.

Check Out: Halloween Events Across The Coachella Valley

For businesses in downtown, the crowds can mean more people stopping in for food, drinks and shopping.

Restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the area are hoping the festivities bring in more customers and boost sales during the weekend.

Events like this can play an important role in supporting downtown businesses by bringing people into the area and encouraging them to spend locally.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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PRIDE Industries at Fort Bliss creates opportunities for people with disabilities

Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. A local company that provides inclusive employment opportunities, changing lives in the process at Fort Bliss.

Fort Bliss employees with disabilities are key in mission support roles.

Rusty Burns is thankful for his job. He’s a production control clerk with cerebral palsy, which affects the left side of his body.

After graduating college, he was hired by PRIDE Industries, which does repair and maintenance on Fort Bliss.

“I’m getting to communicate with our customers, our technicians, our subcontractors. This has been a blessing for me to get here — making sure everyone’s happy,” he said.

Employee Estefany Gonzalez has multiple sclerosis. She said it makes her a compassionate supervisor.

“It helps me understand where they’re coming from or what they might be feeling,” she told ABC-7. “My guys are capable. They’re all licensed.”

Butch Henry supervises six employees on post. Most of them have a disability. He said that, as employers, they look at what people are capable of doing — not what they’re not capable of doing.

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Sunland Park Casino unveils new renovations and experiences for residents

Heriberto Perez Lara

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KVIA) — Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino recently underwent a months-long renovation costing approximately $2 million; it never closed its doors and is now ready to welcome both regular and, perhaps, new patrons.

ABC-7 spoke with the casino’s president and general counsel, Fred Heinrich, who has been with the organization since 2015. He said they are very excited to continue welcoming guests and to have them come and discover the new amenities the casino will offer.

“Sunland Park, as you can see, has gone through an amazing transformation over the course of the last year or so. We’ve got an all-new slot floor, new food and beverage operations and all sorts of fantastic opportunities,” Heinrich said.

The casino never closed during the renovations; instead, it was divided into ten separate sections, with work carried out on one section at a time. This allowed customers to experience the process without the need for a complete closure.

Hours of operation will be Sunday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m

Races are also scheduled to start on Jan. 8, 2027.

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Camden County home a total loss after backyard fire spreads

Erika McGuire

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Firefighters with the Northwest Fire Protection District responded to a natural cover fire that spread to a home Thursday.

At 11:32 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to Pine Cove Road in Edwards, Missouri, for a small natural cover fire in the backyard of a home.

Within 13 minutes of the initial call, firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames.

Additional units were called to the scene to help battle the house fire and the surrounding natural cover fire.

Firefighters faced challenges due to the difficult terrain and the home’s location, making it harder to establish a water supply.

According to the Northwest Fire Protection District, the home was considered a total loss.

No injuries were reported.

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Missouri Ethics Commission, Sedalia agree on “letter of concern” over Facebook posts

Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The city of Sedalia and the Missouri Ethics Commission agreed on a letter of concern related to Facebook posts made earlier in 2026, according to a filing on the MEC’s website.

According to the filing, the commission investigating a complaint about posts on the city’s official Facebook account which “contained language relative to the merits of mayoral candidates in the April 2026 municipal election.”

A city employee made the posts without approval, and the posts were not meant to be official statements from the city, according to the commission’s filing. It further said the city “promptly dealt with the situation and has since taken measures to strengthen the oversight of official communications.”

The commission filing cited state statutes that public funds are not to be used to support or advocate for or against any candidate for public office.

It finds that the city did violate state statutes, and as a result the letter of concern will remain as an open record and public document.

It was signed by Sedalia mayor Traves Williams, MEC executive director Stacey Heislen, and attorneys for each party.

Sedalia Letter of ConcernDownload

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Ex-deputy admits to illegally accessing secure computers

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy who searched a secure computer network without permission, or a legitimate reason, pleaded guilty today to misdemeanor charges and was immediately sentenced to a year of probation.

Matthew Enrique Estrada, 53, of Blythe on Friday admitted two counts of unlawfully accessing privileged information via government computers. The charges were originally filed as felonies, but under a pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, the offenses were reduced to misdemeanors.

During a hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, Superior Court Judge John Ryan certified the terms of the agreement and imposed the stipulated sentence, which, along with 12 months’ probation, included a requirement that Estrada relinquish his Peace Officer Standards & Training — POST — certification, making him ineligible to work as a law enforcement officer anywhere in California.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Perez, detectives learned on June 24, 2025, that on several occasions, Estrada “accessed confidential” data without prior authorization or justification.

There were no details on what he sought to obtain during the activity.

Sufficient evidence was garnered by the sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau in the ensuing months to submit a request for charges from the District Attorney’s Office, and prosecutors filed a criminal complaint on May 29, 2026.

Estrada was employed as a deputy sheriff from June 2007 to the fall of 2026. He had been most recently assigned to the Colorado River Station in Blythe.

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2 arrested in murder of ‘SNL’ writer’s missing sister weeks after Joshua Tree search

City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Two men, one of whom is believed to be the boyfriend of the sister of a former “Saturday Night Live” writer, were in custody today in connection with the killing of the 38-year-old woman.

Christina Downer, sister of Jimmy Fowlie, was reported missing Dec. 18, 2025, after her ex-husband requested a welfare check after not hearing from her for an extended period of time, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police said Downer’s boyfriend, 41-year-old Delorean Bijon Brandon, claimed she had moved out of their home several months earlier, leaving behind all her belongings, including her vehicle and dog.

Detectives assigned to the Robbery-Homicide Division assumed the investigation after Downer’s cellphone was later discovered washed ashore on Santa Monica Beach, police said. Investigators ultimately identified Brandon and 34-year-old Kaylee Markowski as individuals responsible for her murder and disposal of her body, concealing their involvement in her death, according to the LAPD.

Detectives located Brandon and Markowski in Los Angeles County of Thursday and took both into custody.

Brandon was arrested in the 6000 block of Garvanza Avenue in Highland Park, while Markowski was apprehended in the 6000 block of Tampa Avenue in Tarzana.

Both suspects were booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of murder, each with bail set at $2 million.

Earlier this month, investigators searched a property in Joshua Tree in connection with Downer’s disappearance. Officials told NBC4 that detectives were led to an Airbnb property during their search.

On April 29, Fowlie wrote in a post on Instagram that LAPD officials informed the family that Downer was “no longer alive” and that the case transitioned from a missing person to a homicide investigation.

“I am sharing this because I believe that whoever is responsible is hoping to erase her in every way possible. I want to amplify her story in the only way I know how. And to express that she was a beautiful person who matters in this world, especially to me,” Fowlie said.

Anyone with information about the murder was urged to contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division West Bureau Section at 213-382-9470. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to 877-527 3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visitlacrimestoppers.org.

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Calexico residents create catrinas in workshop

Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A celebration of Mexican culture and remembrance is on display at the Carmen Durazo Cultural Center in Calexico.

The exhibit features 16 catrinas, created by local residents during a two-day workshop. Each figure showcases the colors and traditions of Día de los Muertos.

The display also included a community altar, filled with photographs of loved ones who have passed away.

Residents donated the photos over two weeks, giving families a chance to honor and remember those they’ve lost.

The exhibit will remain open to the public through next Wednesday.

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EPPD officer turned off body cam during alleged sexual assault on duty: Documents

Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (Nov. 2, 2026): An El Paso Police Department probationary officer turned off his body camera during an alleged sexual assault, according to an arrest affidavit ABC-7 obtained.

Investigators learned about the alleged assault when the victim, who had been arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant, told her mother during a recorded jail call.

During the jail call, the victim provided 23-year-old Jorge Andres Minjares’ phone number, documents said. EPPD said Minjares is a probationary officer with the department.

Jorge Andres Minjares’ mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

After receiving his phone number, investigators confirmed Minjares responded to a call for service on Sept. 19 at an Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in West El Paso. Documents said that’s where the alleged assault happened.

Documents said Minjares stayed in the hotel room while the victim gathered her belongings. He allegedly watched her and sexually assaulted her while she showered.

Investigators wrote that Minjares offered to help the victim with her living situation, and the victim “felt compelled to take his help.” The victim told investigators she worried Minjares would “run” her name and she would be arrested, documents said. Minjares allegedly gave the victim his phone number.

Minjares later gave the victim money to “keep her quiet for what he had done because he knew it was wrong,” documents said.

Authorities learned about the assault on Sept. 29, according to documents. On Oct. 1, an employee at the hotel told investigators they entered the hotel room while Minjares allegedly watched the victim shower.

Investigators later searched the victim’s phone and found calls and texts between her and Minjares. Documents said the texts showed Minjares arranged financial help, discussed accommodations and arranged Uber rides to meet the victim.

Uber rides scheduled for Sept. 23 were cancelled due to the victim’s arrest on an unrelated warrant, documents said.

Documents also detailed body camera footage from the day of the alleged assault. Minjares put his camera into sleep mode twice, including during the time the victim showered, documents said.

On Oct. 8, Minjares denied the victim’s allegations during his call for service. He allegedly admitted to meeting the victim, engaging in sexual activity and giving her money.

Minjares blocked the victim’s number and messages after her arrest over concerns their interactions had “gone too far,” documents said.

Jail records said Minjares was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on Oct. 30. He posted a $25,000 bond the same day, documents said.

EPPD said Minjares has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A probationary officer was arrested for official oppression, the El Paso Police Department said Friday.

Twenty-three-year-old Jorge Andres Minjares was an eight-month probationary officer, EPPD said.

Jorge Andres Minjares’ mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

EPPD’s Special Investigations Unit said an investigation stemmed from an incident where Minjares allegedly responded to a call for service at a West El Paso hotel in September.

A woman said Minjares “engaged in non-consensual physical conduct of a sexual nature,” EPPD said.

Minjares was placed under arrest for official oppression. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $25,000 bond.

EPPD said Minjares has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.

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Local cannabis dispensary still reviewing new ‘Show Me Your Age’ technology

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

It has been a little more than two weeks since the Missouri Office of Administration launched the Show Me Your Age verification tool, and a Missouri-based dispensary is still considering different verification programs.

Users can access Show Me Your Age through the MOA’s website without creating an account. The site will prompt users to allow camera access to scan the barcode on the back of a driver’s license. Users can also input a person’s birthday to calculate someone’s age.

The state plans for the program to be used by retailers of adult products like alcohol and cannabis to reduce the number of illegal and underage purchases. They add that the program does not save ID data to the user’s phone or back to the state.

Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association Executive Director Ron Leone told ABC 17 News that, because of the recent rollout, he’s unsure whether many retailers have adopted the technology.

Cannabis dispensary Shangri La is reviewing Show Me Your Age along with other verification software. The company currently uses the VeriScan platform, which also features facial scan technology.

“It’s identifying the visual to make sure you’re not borrowing my ID or vice versa, that it’s an actual person in the ID that’s checking in,” Shangri La Regional Manager Alec Orr said.

Orr added that accuracy is an important trait of verification software.

“If there’s any scanning issues, they get eliminated quickly, that’ll be something that’ll be impactful for us to change over if we take that route,” Orr said. “Consistency is a big thing that can work good for our customers as they walk into the door and have a good interaction.”

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