Author: KESQ

Luis Avila

ADELANTO, Calif. (KESQ) – Congressman Raul Ruiz visited the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Wednesday morning. After about an hour, he was ultimately denied from entering.

This comes after a previous denial of entry in July 2025 and recent ICE operations facing public scrutiny.

“We have been continuing to hear reports of people receiving inadequate food, water, people overcrowded conditions. We have already seen death from abuse, death from, uh, medical conditions that were not treated adequately. Or with a sense of urgency like the gentleman who died in Indio JFK Hospital after he had repeatedly informed the individuals that he was having chest pain. His family called with concerns, and he died days later. And so that is what we need to observe. We need to investigate,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said he gave an 8-day notice to the facility of his arrival, complying with a DHS 7-day policy, but ICE officials told him he didn’t receive a reply. If he didn’t receive a reply, he wouldn’t be allowed in.

Following his stop to Adelanto, Ruiz joined other representatives for a press conference outside the ICE offices in San Bernardino.

The group called out the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) use of brutality and violence, demanding accountability from the Trump Administration for terrorizing communities and murdering American citizens. They also called for the immediate removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

News Channel 3’s Luis Avila traveled to Adelanto and San Bernardino. He’ll have more on the visit tonight starting at 4 p.m.

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Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) –  The Coachella Valley community gathered in remembrance and reflection at the 17th Annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day Program on Wednesday morning.

More than 200 people gathered at the Palm Desert Civic Park Amphitheater, adjacent to the Holocaust Memorial founded by Holocaust survivors Joe Brandt and Earl Greif.

The annual program honors the memory of the six million Jewish victims murdered during the Holocaust, while also commemorating the hundreds of thousands of Roma, homosexuals, people with disabilities, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others who were killed by the Nazi regime.

This year’s remembrance included special tributes to victims of more recent acts of violence. Organizers honored the 15 individuals murdered in Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration, as well as remember the 1,219 people killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, attack.

As part of the program, heroes from the Bondi Beach tragedy were recognized with the Mensch Award.

Those unable to attend the Palm Desert ceremony will be honored the same day at a parallel event in Bondi, held at the site where the attack occurred. In addition, Harold Matzner and Alan Potash will be awarded the Mensch Award posthumously.

Community members wishing to support the program and its mission are encouraged to make a contribution through the Mensch Foundation at www.MenschFoundation.org/Donate.htm.

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Garrett Hottle

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) As investigations continue into the shooting death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, residents say daily life in parts of the city has been marked by anxiety, exhaustion, and disruption.

Officials confirmed today that two of the officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues. No additional details were released.

In interviews with News Channel 3, Minneapolis residents described a tense atmosphere in neighborhoods affected by recent enforcement activity and protests, with some businesses altering operations and people changing daily routines out of concern for safety.

One South Minneapolis resident and small business owner told News Channel 3 that stress levels in the community have risen sharply, describing quieter streets, locked storefronts, and a sense that many residents are struggling to balance work and daily responsibilities amid ongoing uncertainty Kathryn Mayer Hairdresser .

Residents said the impact extends beyond protests, affecting workplaces, service businesses, and neighborhoods where people are trying to support one another while navigating fear and fatigue.

News Channel 3 is continuing to speak with residents across Minneapolis to better understand how the situation is affecting everyday life and community trust.

Stay tuned to News Channel Three tonight at 6pm for a full report.

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Shay Lawson

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)  – Angel Night, a special opening evening of the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival, returned Tuesday night.

The event is reserved for the festival’s “Angels” — major supporters whose donations help keep the nationally recognized literacy event running and accessible year after year.

Hundreds attending for a highly anticipated conversation between documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson.

For those interested in becoming an Angel for 2027, contact Debbie Green Miller at dmiller@rmwritersfest.org

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

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today approved revisions to a Riverside County policy that permits spouses of military veterans to apply for credits toward job placement in county government, loosening up the process for applicants.

“There are so many different efforts going on when it comes to our veterans,” Supervisor Manuel Perez said ahead of the 5-0 vote Tuesday. “There’s a lot (more) to come our way.”

The Department of Human Resources received the board’s authorization to amend Board Policy C-3, also known as the “Veterans Preference Policy,” under which qualifying retired, disabled or active-duty military personnel preparing to leave service receive credit that elevates their standing in consideration for county employment. The policy further provides credits for wives or widows of service members, though there are limitations.   

“We want to make sure it’s easy for (applicants) to go through our preference process,” agency spokeswoman Tami Schatz told the board. “If someone meets the qualifications, they’ll get an interview.”

Previously, the provision for spouses mandated that, as part of theapplication process, they submit corroborating documents, including marriage certificates, veterans’ death certificates, service discharge forms, disability verification forms — and at least one letter from the U.S. Veterans’ Administration confirming the applicant’s marital relationship to a veteran.   

“Human Resources confirmed that the VA does not issue eligibility letters to veteran spouses,” according to a Department of Human Resources statement. “As a result, the current policy’s language may bemisleading and could unintentionally create barriers for qualified applicants.”

With Tuesday’s board action, the specification under C-3 that required the submission of letters was eliminated.   

Perez said he looked forward to further moves toward augmenting veterans’ services countywide.

“Maybe a budget increase (is needed) to make sure we take care of our veterans,” he said.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Wednesday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It’s a day urging people to honor the millions of victims to nazism and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides.

This year’s ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park Amphitheater.

It will mark 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.

Steven Geiger, founder of the Mensch Foundation, says this year’s event is especially meaningful in light of recent anti-semitism.

“Young people have to know that in the future starting today you have to respect the person next to you. You should not care about their color, their religion, their ethnic background, their gender, gay or not gay, that’s their business,” Geiger said. “There’s antisemitism today, there’s racism today, there’s homophobia today. We have to stop it.”

There will be several speakers at the event, including holocaust survivors.

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Garrett Hottle

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Coyote sightings are increasing across the Coachella Valley as breeding season gets underway, a seasonal shift wildlife experts say is expected and temporary.

Coyotes typically become more visible from late January through March as adults travel longer distances in search of mates and, later, food for pups. That movement often brings them closer to neighborhoods, parks, and open spaces.

“We’re more likely to see them this time of year,” said Dr. James Danoff-Burg, vice president of conservation at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. “Coyotes are a native part of our ecosystem, including urban areas. The key is learning how to coexist with them.”

Residents across the valley report seeing coyotes more frequently, sometimes in small groups. Wildlife experts say group sightings are not unusual during breeding season and do not necessarily indicate aggressive behavior.

Danoff-Burg said coyotes are highly adaptable animals, capable of living near people as long as food sources are available. He pointed to past examples of coyotes successfully navigating dense cities.

Wildlife agencies stress that human behavior plays a major role in how coyotes interact with neighborhoods. Officials recommend securing trash, removing fallen fruit, clearing thick brush, and never feeding wildlife. Small pets should be supervised outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

“Feeding coyotes, intentionally or unintentionally, is what leads to problems,” Danoff-Burg said. “If we remove attractants, coyotes generally avoid people.”

Coyotes are protected under California law, and experts say relocation or removal is rarely effective. Instead, agencies emphasize prevention and education as the primary tools for reducing conflicts.

Wildlife officials say most encounters can be avoided and that increased sightings during breeding season typically taper off as spring approaches.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today approved a $1 million loan and hands-on assistance from Riverside County agencies to keep the doors open to the emergency room at bankrupt Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe.

“This represents the county’s effort to preserve emergency medical care in the Palo Verde Valley,” county CEO Jeff Van Wagenen said ahead of the board’s 5-0 vote Tuesday. “The county provides safety net services across all of the county. We hope to stabilize the emergency department and make an assessment regarding next steps, then bring recommendations back to the board in the very near future.”

The loan agreement with the Palo Verde Healthcare District “does not solve every challenge the district faces, but it provides us breathing room to work on long-term solutions,” district board Clerk Joanna Gonzalez told the supervisors.

Without emergency services at the Blythe facility, the area’s roughly 20,000 residents would lose access to “timely treatment for life-threatening conditions where minutes matter,” according to a statement posted to the board’s agenda.

Less than two weeks ago, Van Wagenen, in coordination with Supervisor Manuel Perez, whose Fourth District encompasses the Palo Verde Valley, proposed the rescue loan, as well as a county health care “strike force” to develop an action plan for solving the hospital’s dire financial straits. Palo Verde Healthcare District administrators immediately accepted the offer.   

The district has only a few days’ cash on hand to fund operations, according to officials. The loan will be available to the district as soon as it establishes a stand-alone bank account for deposit of the seven figure sum, which will be drawn directly from the county General Fund.

Van Wagenen said the strike force will be composed largely of staff from the Riverside University Health System. They’ll spend the next six months conducting evaluations and identifying practices centered on rectifying deficiencies to, at minimum, restore the emergency department’s solvency.

The monetary agreement specifies the county will have “first priority” status among the health care district’s creditors and will under no circumstances be liable for any of the district’s debts. The loan structure calls for a roughly nine-month grace period, during which no payments on the loan are required.

However, starting in October, initial payment on loan principal will be necessary. A 3% annual interest rate would be assessed beginning January 2027, and the $1 million will have to be fully amortized by October 2031.

Without the hospital, the nearest option for emergency health care would be more than 70 miles away.

In a statement on Jan. 15, the Executive Office highlighted the likelihood of the loss of emergency medicine at the hospital after the California Department of Healthcare Services nixed a planned “voluntary rate range intergovernmental transfer” that would’ve extended $9.9 million in credit for remaining operations.

The Blythe City Council has since approved a $330,000 bridge loan, but that will only keep the emergency room’s doors open until the end of the month, officials said.

At the end of September, the Palo Verde Healthcare District Board of Directors voted to seek federal Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection while efforts were made to stanch ongoing financial losses.

Administrators noted the hospital had been struggling to remain afloat since the start of the current decade, with revenue streams withering while patient loads remained unchanged.

The California Health Facilities Financing Authority extended an $8.5 million infusion from the Distressed Hospital Program in 2023, but that turned into a short-term fix, according to the district. Administrators expressed frustration at the time about the inability to recruit a chief financial officer who would stay the course in sorting out possible solutions. Four CFOs came and went in an 18-month span.  

“Chapter 9 is the last tool left while we work to fix the financial management challenges that have so drastically impacted the hospital during the past several years,” PVHD Board President Carmela Garnica said in October. “Our community deserves a functioning hospital. We are doing everything we can to keep it open.”  

Only the emergency room remains open. All other hospital facilities have been shut down.  

The county loan will pay for staff salaries and benefits, pharmaceuticals, equipment purchases, utilities, billing operations and some legal expenses associated with Chapter 9 proceedings.

Van Wagenen emphasized that the health care district’s board of governors is independent of the county, its members elected by voters in and around Blythe. Neither he or Perez mentioned the possibility of a wholesale county takeover of the hospital’s emergency department, though the prospect may surface as a long-term solution.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 71-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday morning in Indio.

The crash happened at around 10:20 a.m. at the intersection of Monroe Street and Avenue 42.

Officers arrived on scene and found a bicyclist beneath a pickup truck involved, the Indio Police Department said.

The bicyclist sustained significant injuries and was transported by ambulance to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he is currently listed in critical condition.

Police confirmed the driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

The intersection of Monroe Street and Avenue 42 was closed during the investigation, but was reopened just before 1:00 p.m.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation. At this time, DUI is not suspected to be a factor, police confirmed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department Traffic Division at (760) 391-4057.

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Luis Avila

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Bella Vista Elementary School is approaching full capacity.

Lisa Arseo, principal of Bella Vista Elementary, say overcrowding is affecting everything from classroom availability to where students can attend school, raising concerns.

“Every classroom we have is full,” she reveals. “We don’t have a space for P.E. right now that’s a classroom space, so if there is bad weather they’re in the hallway or stage. We have a music teacher that travels from class to class.”

According to Arseo, the growing student population is pushing the campus to its limits and disrupting day-to-day operations. As a result, some incoming students are being reassigned to other schools within Desert Hot Springs that still have available space.

“We have students in certain grade levels that we need to get bused to another school because we have a cap in some of our classrooms,” Arseo said. “We prefer to keep all of our residential students with us, but unfortunately, because we are quite full, sometimes they get shipped to other schools.”

The reassignment process has created challenges for families — particularly those with multiple children in different grade levels.

District officials acknowledge the concerns and say they are working with families to minimize disruptions.

“When we’ve hit capacity in our class sizes and we can’t take in another student for that particular grade level, we certainly work with the families to make accommodations that we can for that student and any siblings involved,” said a district representative.

Bella Vista Elementary is currently operating at 91 percent capacity, with officials pointing to rapid residential development in Desert Hot Springs as a key factor driving the increase in enrollment.

“We are getting more homes built in that area to the west of Bella Vista,” the district said. “They have a very large school boundary area, and it’s starting to get a bit crowded.”

To address the issue, Palm Springs Unified School District is beginning to explore potential adjustments to elementary school boundaries in Desert Hot Springs. However, no changes have been approved at this time.

District officials say any boundary changes would likely be considered starting in the 2027–28 school year, allowing time to carefully plan and implement solutions.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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