Author: KESQ

Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A group in Palm Springs is continuing its effort to decriminalize or deprioritize the enforcement of laws involving certain psychedelic plants and fungi.

The Palm Springs Psychedelic Society held an educational event Saturday at the Mizell Center, one year after the organization first introduced the community to the Decriminalize Nature movement.

The group is seeking support for a proposed resolution that would ask the Palm Springs City Council to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi, including substances containing psilocybin.

Organizers say the proposal has been presented to all five Palm Springs City Council members. The resolution would need the support of at least three council members to move forward.

John Ninos, a Palm Springs resident involved with the effort, said the goal of the educational events is to provide information about the potential uses of psychedelics and challenge what he described as longstanding stigma surrounding the substances.

Supporters point to research involving psychedelics and areas including depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD and end-of-life care. They say greater education could help people better understand the potential benefits and risks.

Scott Rusczky, president of the Coachella Valley Cannabis Alliance Network, also attended Saturday’s event. He said education is important when discussing both cannabis and psychedelic substances.

Supporters also emphasized that decriminalization would not mean legalization.

Under a decriminalization approach, possession or use of certain substances could become a lower law enforcement priority, while the substances would remain illegal under state and federal law unless those laws are changed.

The Palm Springs Psychedelic Society says it hopes the city will eventually consider its proposed resolution. If approved, supporters say Palm Springs would become the seventh city in California to adopt a decriminalization policy involving entheogenic plants and fungi and the first in Southern California.

The movement remains controversial, with supporters citing potential therapeutic benefits while critics have raised concerns about safety, misuse and the lack of broad legal authorization for psychedelic substances.

For now, organizers say they plan to continue holding educational events and talking with members of the community as they seek support for the proposal.

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Matthew Pearce

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — A backpack giveaway in Cathedral City allows students to choose their backpacks and build excitement for the upcoming school year.

Hosted by Assemblymember Greg Wallis, the event aims to prepare students for the new school year by providing school supplies.

Helmets were also given to students to promote safe biking habits and help protect those who ride their bikes to school.

Hear more about this event tonight on News Channel 3.

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Jesus Reyes

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A person was rushed to the hospital after being struck by a vehicle Thursday night in Mecca, authorities confirmed.

The crash was reported just before 8:40 p.m. on the 67000 Block of Hammond Road, north of Johnson Street.

Details on the crash remain limited. We’ve reached out to the California Highway Patrol for additional information.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon suspected of flashing a handgun at a motorist during a road rage confrontation in Moreno Valley was arrested today.

The suspect, a 33-year-old man from Cathedral City, was booked into the Smith Correctional Facility Friday on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm and probation violations.

Bail information wasn’t immediately available.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, on July 31, deputies received reports of a man brandishing a pistol at another driver during an unspecified conflict that happened on city streets, though the exact location wasn’t provided.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Rafael Victorio said investigators were soon able to confirm the alleged assailant’s identity, without disclosing how. Moreno Valley has, for nearly two decades, operated a Citywide Camera System that sometimes aids in apprehending suspects who have perpetrated various offenses.

Victorio said an arrest warrant was obtained for the Cathedral City man, and deputies tracked him to the 34000 block of Gateway Drive in Palm Desert, where a traffic stop was executed early Friday morning, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Deputies then served a search warrant at his residence in the 37000 block of Bankside Drive.

“They located articles of evidentiary value,” the sergeant said, without disclosing anything further.

According to court records, the suspect was convicted last year of elder abuse and a sentence enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.

No details were available regarding that case, which resulted in a six-month jail term and two years’ felony probation.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio has launched a new phone app designed to assist residents and visitors, the city announced today.

Explore Indio will serve as the city’s official digital guide, featuring local businesses, dining and attractions.

“Indio has so much more to experience, and this app gives our community and visitors a fun new way to discover everything our city has to offer,” Mayor Elaine Holmes said in a statement. “It provides a convenient and engaging way for people to explore what makes Indio such a dynamic place to live, visit and enjoy.”

Community members can customize an itinerary through what officials described as an easy-to-use free app, which can be found on the Apple Store and Google Play. More information is available at https://www.indio.org/our-city/experience-indio.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A 53-year-old wanted suspect was arrested today in Coachella.

Deputies with the Gang Task Force found the suspect at 11:07 a.m. Friday in the area of Cesar Chavez Street and Bagdad Avenue, according to Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

He was taken into custody without incident, Vickers said.

Details about why the man was wanted were not immediately known. His city of residence was not provided.

He has not been formally charged.

The investigation was ongoing.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – More than 20 artists and DJ’s were set to perform at three Palm Springs hotel resorts during the annual electronic music festival, Splash House, which starts today.

The two-weekend event will take place from Friday through Sunday poolside at Hilton, Renaissance and Saguaro.

An `after hours’ set will take place Friday from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. at Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, with Odd Mob, Biscuits and Slamm, and Naar scheduled to perform.

Participating artists for both weekends will include Alleycvt, Josh Baker, Foster the People dj set, Layton Giordani, Alison Wonderland, D.O.D, Prospa, Tiga, Broken Hill, Gudfella, Bridge, Mall Grab and Tsu Nami.

The 13th iteration of the music festival focuses on electronic, house and techno music. Weekend two will be held Aug. 14-16.

More information about set and times and passes are available at splashhouse.com.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– Palm Springs International Airport has just made new improvements to its air traffic control tower.

The technology aims to improve safety and efficiency in airport operations. The tower simulation provides training in a controlled environment, using real airport layouts and studying specific operations and scenarios to better understand them.

The FAA says the new system has sped up training times by nearly 30%.

“So it’s a safety improvement for the trainees as well as the certified professional controllers. The certified professional controllers can use this for refresher training yearly, to be able to work on and practice rarely seen operations and really be able to hone in on their skills,” said Valerie Brandon, Director of Technical Training with the FAA

In addition to PSP, the training system is being rolled out at more than 100 airports across the nation.

For more information watch Peter Daut’s full interview on News Channel 3.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM DESERT, CALIF. (KESQ)- With temperatures in the Coachella Valley climbing into the triple digits, people are looking for ways to stay cool, but the animals living in the desert have their own survival strategies.

Native wild desert animals survive these extreme highs through behavioral and physical adaptations like nocturnal activity, underground burrows, and heat-dissipating features, while local pets require strict human intervention to prevent heat stroke and fatal outcomes

Surviving the desert heat isn’t new- it’s something these animals have had to adapt to over thousands of years.

Jenny Lynn Robinson with the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens says adaptations can look different depending on the animal.

“Some animals have big ears that help them dispel heat. Some animals have light coats that reflect the sun, and they know how to deal with the heat,” said Robinson.

Robinson said “burrowing owls, will go beneath the surface. It’s actually up to 15 degrees cooler, just a little bit below the surface,” is an example of the different ways animal’s deal with the heat.

Even animals that are built and used to the desert sometimes need help during the hottest months. “We like to go the extra mile and give them a new experiences to stay cool. So things like ice provide the opportunity. Maybe they play with it, maybe they munch on it, maybe they wait until the ice cools and they lay in the nice cool ground,” said Robinson

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Garrett Hottle

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) The daughter of a woman killed in an October 2024 hit-and-run on East Palm Canyon Drive is suing the City of Cathedral City, alleging a burnt-out streetlamp left the roadway dangerously dark the night her mother was struck from behind and killed.

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in Riverside County Superior Court and reviewed by News Channel 3, also names William Frank Rodriguez, the Silvercrest Advertising founder charged with murder in the crash and his company as defendants.

Christina Barrington (Left) and William “Billy” Rodriguez (Right)

Christiana Lewis filed the suit on Dec. 31, 2025, over the death of her mother, Christina Barrington. The 60-year-old mother was riding her scooter east on East Palm Canyon Drive near Bankside Drive shortly before 1 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2024, along with her dog, when she was hit from behind, according to the complaint. She died the next day at Desert Regional Medical Center.

Barrington worked as a nurse, according to her death certificate, which is attached to the court filing.

Rodriguez faces criminal charges of murder, felony hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license in Riverside County Superior Court.

He has pleaded not guilty. His preliminary hearing began Aug. 3 and is set to resume Aug. 31 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

The civil case opens a second legal front one aimed not only at the driver, but also Cathedral City.

The case against Cathedral City

The lawsuit’s first amended complaint, filed June 12, alleges the stretch of East Palm Canyon Drive where Barrington was hit was in a dangerous condition because of “inadequate lighting in the area, creating a hidden danger, hazard, and extreme risk of danger for persons driving in the subject area at night.”

A government claim filed with the city in March 2025, attached to the lawsuit, is more specific: it alleges a streetlamp on the south sidewalk of East Palm Canyon Drive near the point of impact “was not in proper functioning order as the lamp was burnt and not illuminating.”

“Additionally, there were no signs to warn drivers of the dangerous condition,” the complaint alleges.

The complaint claims the city knew or should have known about the lighting and cites several standards it says the city fell short of, including the city’s own outdoor lighting ordinance.

The case against William “Billy” Rodriguez and Silvercrest

The lawsuit alleges Rodriguez drove a 2021 Porsche SUV “at speeds in excess of the marked speed limit, while under the voluntarily, willful, known, and purposeful influence of alcohol” and struck the rear of Barrington’s scooter. It alleges he then fled the scene.

Rodriguez has pleaded not guilty in the criminal case.

The suit also targets Silvercrest Advertising, the Palm Springs company Rodriguez founded, claiming the company owned the Porsche and negligently entrusted it to him.

Court records show Rodriguez’s driver’s license had been suspended since a 2013 DUI conviction in Los Angeles County and was never reinstated.

What the family is seeking

Lewis is seeking economic and non-economic damages, including compensation for “the loss of Barrington’s love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, moral support, training, and guidance,” according to the complaint. She is also demanding punitive damages and a jury trial.

A case filing from July puts Barrington’s medical bills at $685,612 as of mid-July.

Where the case stands

Court records show the City of Cathedral City was served in June and notified the court in July that it intends to challenge the complaint, a move that extended its deadline to respond into late August.

Responses from Rodriguez and Silvercrest Advertising were due Friday, according to a filing by the family’s attorneys.

The City of Cathedral City told News Channel 3 it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

News Channel 3 first spoke with Lewis in October 2024, days after her mother was killed.

The criminal case against Rodriguez continues Aug. 31.

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