Author: KESQ

Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, CA (KESQ)- After more than a decade in development, DSRT Surf will officially open to the public on Saturday, September 26, bringing surf sessions to the desert for the first time.

The destination opened its public booking calendar September 24 at 5:00 p.m. PST, allowing guests to reserve sessions ahead of the opening.

DSRT Surf will begin with a phased soft opening, with the Surf Lagoon and Surf Center available at launch. Additional amenities and experiences will roll out over the coming weeks and months, while some offerings and capacities will remain limited as the team refines operations.

The facility will operate 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with surf sessions beginning every hour.

For first-time surfers, DSRT Surf is also offering a Learn-to-Surf Experience featuring 30 minutes of land instruction followed by a 60-minute guided water session. The experience costs $100 for the general public and $75 for Coachella Valley residents, with weekday sessions currently offered at 4 and 6 p.m.

Billed as the largest Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon in North America, DSRT Surf also features what it describes as the world’s first surf lagoon to achieve International Dark Sky Certification and a sustainability-focused turf-for-surf program designed for net-zero water usage.

The opening comes ahead of the ISA World Para Surfing Championship in November, when DSRT Surf will welcome athletes and guests from around the world.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Palm Springs firefighters are actively patrolling the area as lightning continues to strike along the mountainsides surrounding the city, prompting crews to respond to multiple incidents, including two fires and a lightning strike that sent one person to the hospital.

Firefighters responded to an approximately half-acre vegetation fire sparked amid the ongoing lightning activity. Palm Springs fire units have since cleared the scene.

In a separate incident in Chino Canyon, firefighters responded to a palm tree fire as well as a report of a person struck by lightning. The individual was transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

A small brush fire was put out this afternoon in the Snow Creek area, and officials from the Bureau of Land Management say an investigation is underway into the cause of the fire, and that lightning strikes were reported in the area at the time the blaze started.

The ongoing storms are producing what is known as dry lightning, lightning that occurs with little or no rain reaching the ground. Dry lightning can ignite vegetation and increase the risk of fires, particularly when grass, brush and trees are dry.

Fire crews are continuing to patrol the area and monitor the mountainsides for smoke and additional fires. Palm Springs firefighters remain prepared to respond to new incidents as conditions develop.

Residents and visitors are urged to take lightning seriously. If you hear thunder or see lightning, go indoors and remain there until the threat has passed.

Officials recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before returning outdoors.

Anyone who sees smoke or flames, or encounters someone experiencing a medical emergency, should call 911 immediately.

With lightning activity continuing across the area, firefighters are reminding the public to remain alert and take precautions while crews monitor conditions throughout Palm Springs and the surrounding mountains.

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Tommy Gallegos

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Three people have been arrested following a violent attack on employees at a Sonic Drive-In in Yucca Valley, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies from the Morongo Basin Station responded to the restaurant at approximately 9:49 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, after receiving a 911 call reporting that several customers were assaulting employees inside the restaurant.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, the incident began with an altercation at the drive-thru window. Three suspects then exited their vehicle and entered the restaurant, where they assaulted three employees.

One 21-year-old female employee was reportedly attacked by all three suspects and had her cell phone taken during the incident.

A 21-year-old male employee was assaulted by one of the male suspects and suffered serious injuries that required treatment at a local hospital. An 18-year-old male employee was also assaulted and sustained minor injuries.

The family of one of the employees spoke with News Channel 3 about what happened last week.

The suspects fled the restaurant in a vehicle before deputies arrived.

Investigators with the Morongo Basin Station assumed the case and used automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, along with law enforcement databases, to identify the suspect vehicle and develop investigative leads.

Authorities said the technology helped investigators identify all three suspects and obtain arrest warrants.

Investigators and deputies later served a search warrant at a residence in Joshua Tree. During the search, two adult suspects were located and arrested on suspicion of robbery under California Penal Code section 211.

One of the adult suspects, a 45-year-old woman from Desert Hot Springs, is being held without bail, according to the Sheriff’s Department. The second adult suspect is a 29-year-old woman from Joshua Tree.

Investigators later located the third suspect, a 17-year-old male from Desert Hot Springs. The juvenile was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery causing serious injuries under California Penal Code section 243(d) and booked into San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall.

The attack was captured on video, which is now circulating on social media. News Channel 3 is not showing the video because no one has been charged in connection with the incident.

Social media posts also allege that the people involved were a family, including a juvenile who attends Desert Hot Springs High School.

News Channel 3 has also learned a Desert Hot Springs student athlete was absent from a recent football game. The student’s current status on the team is unclear.

Palm Springs Unified School District said it is aware of social media posts about the incident.

In a message to families, the district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and that any appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

The Sheriff’s Department said the investigation highlights the use of ALPR technology and law enforcement databases to identify suspect vehicles, develop leads and assist investigators.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through We-Tip or by texting “REPORT” to (844) 909-3006.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- Motorcycle crash numbers in Palm Springs are holding steady compared to this point last year, but local police say speed continues to stand out as a major concern.

Palm Springs Police have recorded 16 motorcycle crashes so far in 2026, the same number reported at this point in 2025. Since the start of 2025, the department has recorded 37 motorcycle crashes, including one fatal crash.

Police data shows unsafe speed was the top factor in 10 crashes. Improper turning was listed in seven crashes, while six involved a driver violating a motorcycle rider’s right of way.

Lt. Andrew Leyva with the Indio Police Department said speed and impairment are two of the biggest factors officers see involving motorcycle crashes.

“Number one is going to be speed. People need to slow down,” Leyva said. “And the second one is being under the influence, whether it’s drugs or alcohol.”

Leyva has been riding motorcycles for more than 30 years and said he has also seen how quickly a ride can become dangerous while working as a police officer.

In Indio, police recorded two fatal motorcycle crashes in 2025 and one so far in 2026. Leyva said speed and alcohol were factors in both of last year’s deadly crashes.

Safety starts before hitting the road

At Engine Joe’s Custom Cycles, co-owner Leslie Boniface said motorcycle safety begins before a rider ever pulls onto the road.

She said riders should pay close attention to their tires and brakes, including proper tire pressure, tread and brake pads.

“Primarily not keeping track of their tires and their brakes,” Boniface said. “It’s very important that tire pressures are maintained at the proper level, and brake pads are in good working order.”

Both Boniface and Leyva also stressed the importance of wearing the right helmet. Leyva recommends a properly fitted, DOT-compliant helmet, while Boniface showed News Channel 3 the DOT label on the full-face helmet she wears.

California law requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards. Leyva also encouraged riders to take motorcycle safety courses, even if they already have a license or years of riding experience.

For drivers, he said staying off the phone, slowing down and checking carefully before changing lanes or making turns can help prevent crashes.

Leyva recommends drivers use what he calls “SMOG”… signal, mirror, observe and go, before making a move on the road.

Police say whether someone is riding on two wheels or driving a car, slowing down and paying attention can give everyone more time to react.

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Raymond Kalra

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – A recent laser strike involving a California Highway Patrol helicopter near Palm Springs is putting new attention on the danger a beam of light can create for crews in the air — and for people on the ground.

The incident happened Aug. 21 while a CHP pilot and flight officer were conducting a training flight near Palm Springs. According to CHP, the helicopter was struck by a laser several times over the course of several minutes.

The crew was able to trace the source of the laser to Desert Hot Springs using technology aboard the aircraft. Local law enforcement later responded and took a person into custody.

CHP Flight Officer and Paramedic Matthew Napier told News Channel 3 the danger can begin the moment the light reaches the cockpit.

“The dangers of a laser strike are immediate,” Napier said. “As soon as that light hits the cockpit … their vision can immediately be taken away.”

Napier said pilots rely heavily on their vision, whether they are looking outside the aircraft or at instruments inside the cockpit. He compared the experience to someone shining a bright light into a driver’s eyes while they are traveling down a freeway.

A laser can also leave what Napier described as an afterimage, meaning the effect on a crew member’s vision may continue even after the beam is gone.

How CHP crews respond

Napier said CHP pilots and flight crews receive extensive training for emergency situations, including laser strikes, loss of vision and situations where crews lose outside visual references.

The first priority is maintaining control of the aircraft.

Pilots may rely on their instruments while other members of the crew work to determine where the laser is coming from. Napier cautioned that even looking at instruments can become difficult if a crew member’s vision has been impaired.

CHP aircraft are also equipped with technology that can help crews locate the source of a laser.

Napier said aircraft used by CHP in the area are equipped with thermal imaging and cameras. A flight officer can use those tools while the pilot focuses on flying the aircraft.

“He’s able to use his camera to then find the laser and then pinpoint an address or location,” Napier said.

Once crews identify a location, they can communicate directly with law enforcement officers on the ground and provide them with information to help locate the person responsible.

In the August incident, Napier said the investigation was turned over to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department after officers responded and took a person into custody. Any decisions on charges would be handled by investigating authorities.

A danger that can extend beyond the aircraft

Napier said many CHP pilots and crews have experienced laser strikes during their careers.

He also cited more than 1,300 laser strikes reported to the Federal Aviation Administration in California in 2025.

CHP says the concern is not limited to high-powered lasers.

Napier said any intense light directed into a cockpit can interfere with a pilot’s ability to see, including a high-powered flashlight.

“So it removes that pilot’s ability to see, takes away their safety of flight and can potentially lead to worst case scenario being an aircraft crash,” Napier said.

He said the danger can extend to pilots, crew members, passengers and people on the ground if a pilot loses the ability to safely control an aircraft.

Possible criminal consequences

Napier said pointing a laser at an aircraft is taken seriously at both the state and federal levels.

Someone accused of doing so could potentially face criminal charges, fines and imprisonment.

CHP’s message is simple: what may appear to be a harmless light from the ground can create an immediate safety risk in the air.

News Channel 3 is continuing to follow the investigation into the August incident.

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Dakota Makinen

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — Art supplies are getting a second life in La Quinta through Art for All, a community art store focused on making creativity more accessible.

The store sells donated art and craft materials on a pay-what-you-can model, helping teachers, families, artists and other community members find supplies at a price that works for them.

Art for All also aims to reduce waste by keeping unused materials out of the trash and putting them back into the hands of people who can use them.

Proceeds help support arts education and outreach throughout the Coachella Valley.

People can also donate unused art supplies to help keep the cycle going.

Donations can be dropped off at Old Town Artisan Studios, 78046 Calle Barcelona in La Quinta, on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Karen Devine

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 is launching a new monthly initiative examining the impact of drug addiction on individuals, families and the wider community.

“Stronger Together: United Against Drug Abuse” is presented in partnership with Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse, or MAPDA. The ongoing coverage will share stories of survival, focus on prevention and connect families with information and resources that could save lives.

News Channel 3’s Karen Devine has reported on prescription drug abuse since 2009, when the growing misuse of opioid painkillers was beginning to devastate families across the country.

That coverage included an Emmy-winning story with former Congresswoman Mary Bono, who publicly discussed struggles involving opioid addiction within her own family. Bono is now the CEO of MAPDA and a leading national voice in the fight against drug abuse.

In the years since, the crisis has become even more deadly, with fentanyl poisonings claiming lives and leaving families searching for answers.

Each month, “Stronger Together” will go beyond the numbers by introducing viewers to people living through the crisis, those working to stop it and organizations offering help.

The first conversation examines a consequence of addiction that is often overlooked: what happens to animals when the people they depend on can no longer properly care for them?

Dr. Lisa Bane is a veterinarian, mother of four and MAPDA advocate who works with underserved families. She sees firsthand how addiction can affect an entire household—including its pets.

“It is one of the hardest things to work with someone who is addicted and to realize how much pain and suffering their animal is in,” Bane said. “They love their animal, but they can’t see past themselves as to the fact that that animal needs help, and it’s a really difficult place to be as a veterinarian.”

Bane recalled one recent case involving a young woman with approximately 20 to 25 dogs on her property. Many of the animals were puppies.

“Her house was filled with feces,” Bane said. “The dogs, many of them puppies, were left to eat the gravel in the yard and rocks.”

The animals were eventually brought to the clinic for treatment.

“As sad as this sounds, they literally pooped out rocks and gravel. They were not eating,” Bane said. “She loved those animals. She talked about them so ecstatically, but she had no vision outside herself to see how these animals were suffering.”

Bane said removing an animal from a dangerous situation can be difficult. Her approach begins with gaining the owner’s trust rather than responding with anger.

“The way we initiate it is through compassion,” Bane said. “If we are judgmental and come at them with anger, and we need to get that dog away, it’ll end up badly.”

Whenever possible, Bane works to persuade owners to voluntarily surrender their animals and avoid a legal battle.

“We do that by listening to their stories, by telling them that we’re there to help the pet, and that we have to gain their trust first,” she said. “It can be a long process sometimes.”

Her concern extends beyond animal welfare. Bane is also focused on young people who may turn to drugs or nicotine to cope with emotional struggles.

“I see how hard their world is right now,” Bane said. “A lot of them are facing anxiety, they’re facing stress, loneliness, and they have a predilection to self-medicate in ways that I haven’t seen like this before.”

Bane believes the connection between addiction and animal suffering could help young people understand how substance use can eventually affect everyone who depends on them.

“Showing kids that addiction could lead to all the ways that you can mistreat animals might be one way to reach them,” she said.

“Stronger Together: United Against Drug Abuse” will continue each month on News Channel 3, with extended coverage and resources available on KESQ.com.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities in Palm Springs shared a message to families addressing a disturbing “Cat in the Hat” trend that has recently gone viral across social media.

As ABC News reports, the trend features a creepy, Mike Myers’ version of the Cat in the Hat in pictures and videos creepily lurking outside of homes, schools, and other locations, often at night. Some of the content appears to be generated using artificial intelligence.

“Much of this content has been AI-generated or digitally altered, and in some cases, posts have referenced specific schools, communities, or individual students. Law enforcement and school officials in several states have investigated reports connected to the trend,” reads a message from the Palm Springs Unified School District.

PSUSD noted that they have not received any reports that their students have been exposed or targeted. The district shared a message so families can talk with their children about what to do if they encounter this or other troubling content online.

The district says if students see or receive a threatening, disturbing, or concerning post or message, they should:

• Not respond, engage with, or repost the content.• Save evidence of the post or message, such as a screenshot, when it is safe to do so.• Tell a trusted adult immediately, including a parent, teacher, counselor, or school administrator.• Report any threat or immediate safety concern to law enforcement.

“We also encourage families to talk with their children about responsible social media use and the importance of speaking up when something online makes them feel unsafe or concerned. Even content intended as a joke can cause fear, disrupt schools, and require significant school and law enforcement resources to investigate,” reads the PSUSD message.

Similar messages about the trend have been shared by school districts all across the country.

Officials said the trend has become more concerning as some posts have named specific schools, communities, or students and included threatening language.

A few weeks ago, a 14-year-old student in Colorado was arrested after police said they made a post that was intended to cause fear and alarm among teens.

Full Message from PSUSD Below:

Dear Families,

We want to make you aware of a social media trend involving “Cat in the Hat” content that has recently affected schools and students in several communities across the country.

The trend has involved disturbing or threatening images, videos, and messages shared through platforms such as Snapchat and TikTok. Much of this content has been AI-generated or digitally altered, and in some cases, posts have referenced specific schools, communities, or individual students. Law enforcement and school officials in several states have investigated reports connected to the trend.

At this time, we have received no reports of any of our students being exposed to or targeted by this trend. We are sharing this information proactively so families can talk with their children about what to do if they encounter this or other troubling content online.

The safety and wellbeing of our students is our number one priority. Please remind your child that if they see or receive a threatening, disturbing, or concerning post or message, they should:

• Not respond, engage with, or repost the content.

• Save evidence of the post or message, such as a screenshot, when it is safe to do so.

• Tell a trusted adult immediately, including a parent, teacher, counselor, or school administrator.

• Report any threat or immediate safety concern to law enforcement.

We also encourage families to talk with their children about responsible social media use and the importance of speaking up when something online makes them feel unsafe or concerned. Even content intended as a joke can cause fear, disrupt schools, and require significant school and law enforcement resources to investigate.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate with families if there is any information directly affecting our schools or students. Thank you for your attention to this important update.

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City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A 38-year-old transient accused of holding up a Banning business using a fake gun must stand trial for second-degree robbery and other offenses, a judge ruled today.

Codi Jay Shelton was arrested last December following a Banning Police Department investigation.

At the end of a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Sylvia Luttrell found there was sufficient evidence to bound Shelton over for trial on the robbery count, as well as sentence-enhancing allegations of using a weapon during the commission of a felony and being a prior-strike felon.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Oct. 8 at the Banning Justice Center.

Shelton is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the nearby Smith Correctional Facility.

According to police, at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, Shelton allegedly approached the counter of a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant at 6350 W. Ramsey St. and flashed what appeared to be a handgun, prompting staff to back away.

“The subject stole cash from one of the registers and fled on foot,” police Capt. Brandon Smith said at the time.

No one was injured.

He said that patrol officers responded to restaurant employees’ 911 calls and initiated a search of the area, based on descriptions, which indicated the perpetrator had “tattoos on his face.” However, the bandit couldn’t be located.

Officers reviewed security surveillance video from inside the eatery and confirmed the alleged robber’s identity — Shelton — Smith said.

The defendant was located less than three hours later and taken into custody without incident on West Beaumont Avenue.

Smith alleged a replica pistol and cash from the robbery were seized from Shelton.

Court records indicated that he has at least two documented prior felony convictions, but they weren’t listed.

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