Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

UPDATE 7/23/2025 – All westbound lanes are now open.

UPDATE 7/22/2025 – CHP reports that the westbound lanes on I-10 lanes in the Cactus City area are still closed at this time due to extensive bridge damage.

They state they are working on opening the right shoulder for traffic to continue traveling westbound, with an estimation of the shoulder opening around 11:15 p.m.

They ask drivers to please remember to slow down and drive safe as you pass through the area.

CACTUS CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – One person was found dead inside the cab of a tractor-trailer overturned and caught on fire near the Cactus City rest area. All westbound lanes on Interstate 10 have been shut down.

Westbound traffic is being diverted to Box Canyon Road.

SIG Alert 🚨 7/22/25 – 1:15 pm

CHP is investigating a traffic crash on I-10 east of the Cactus City Rest Area. The westbound lanes are closed at this time. Westbound traffic is being diverted to Box Canyon Road.

— CHP Indio (@chpindio) July 22, 2025

The crash was reported just after 12:20 p.m. east of the rest stop.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer went out of control and off the side of the freeway, rolling over next to an underpass and frontage road. No other vehicles were involved.

The trucker was reportedly able to self-extricate from the wreckage before flames spread from the engine compartment to the rest of the big rig, jumping into surrounding brush moments later.

There is no word on any injuries. Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 31-year-old man was arrested following a suspected DUI crash that killed a driver over the weekend in Yucca Valley.

The crash happened Saturday at approximately 1:50 a.m. along State Route 247, north of Ancient Woman Springs Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the suspect, a Wildomar resident, was driving a Ford F-150 southbound on SR-247. He crossed over the solid double yellow line and crashed head-on with the driver of a Honda Civic.

The driver of the Honda, identified as Michael Lopez, 49, of Wildomar, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspected DUI driver suffered major injuries.

CHP investigators determined the driver of the Ford was under the influence. He faces multiple charges, including murder. County jail records show he is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

Click here to follow the original article.

Zachariah Perez

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)- Teal Thron has been named Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit First Tee Coachella Valley.

Officials said Thron is no stranger to the Coachella Valley, as she has deep roots in the region, with decades of experience and connections. 

Thron joined the nonprofit in 2008 as the first Program Director of the Coachella Valley Chapter.

Thron then spearheaded the launch of the First Tee in Orange County, where she served as the program Director for eight years.

In 2020 she returned to the desert to lead FTCV as Executive Director and later joined the national First Tee Headquarters team in 2023 as Director of Chapter Relationships. 

“Coming home to lead First Tee – Coachella Valley feels both deeply personal and powerfully purposeful,” said Thron. “The experiences I’ve gained at the chapter and national levels have only strengthened my resolve to empower the next generation through this game I love,” said Thron. 

She was born and raised in Palm Springs, and her life has been shaped by golf as a standout on the boys golf team at Palm Springs High School, she earned a full golf scholarship and competed at the collegiate level before playing professionally.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Teal back to the First Tee Coachella Valley team,” said Lindsay Woods, Interim General Manager of Desert Recreation District. “Her deep roots in the Valley and strong leadership background make her an ideal fit to guide this important program. Teal brings passion, vision and a sincere commitment to kids and families, and that’s exactly what this role requires.”

The First Tee organization’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and promote life-enhancing values through the game of golf. 

For more information or to get involved with First Tee – Coachella Valley, visit www.ftcv.org   

Click here to follow the original article.

Tori King

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)– A new candidate has entered the race for the 41st Congressional District.

On Tuesday morning, Katherine Aleman announced she will be running as a Democratic candidate, backed by an endorsement from Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. Aleman is a public school teacher, working mom of four, small business owner, and former Norco City Council Member.

During the campaign announcement event, Aleman introduced herself to the community. According to Aleman, she was raised on El Toro Marine Corps base by a Helicopter Marine pilot father and an elementary school principal mother. Aleman attended local public schools in the Inland Empire, and following her family’s tradition of service, Katherine joined the United States Peace Corps. Katherine eventually returned to the Inland Empire as a public school teacher is currently raising her family in Norco.

Aleman has held office before, and was elected to the Norco City Council, running on a platform to hold officials accountable on zoning changes. During that time, Aleman was the only Democrat on the City Council. According to Aleman, during that stint, she learned to work across the isle to get issues solved. Aleman focused her efforts on address homelessness, building affordable housing for veterans, lowering utility rates, expanding the city’s small business loan program, and funding public safety.

For the 41st Congressional District, Aleman’s platform focuses on to putting working families first, bringing down the cost of living, and keeping health care affordable.

“The Inland Empire needs to have a fresh voice for change in Washington,” said Aleman to News Channel Three’s Tori King.

To learn more about Aleman and to see a full list of endorsements click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Haley Meberg

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ)– The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians donates over 500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Thermal Station as back to school approaches. 

As a part of their outreach initiative, officers have begun distributing the backpacks filled with supplies to families in need. The backpacks include a range of elementary school supplies from notebooks and pocket folders to pencil cases, pencils and erasers.

“The Riverside Sheriff’s Thermal and Palm Desert Stations extend their gratitude to the Twenty-Nine Band of Mission Indians for their generous donation of backpacks and school supplies. Your support not only strengthens our ability to serve the community but also highlights the powerful impact we can have when we work together. Thank you for your continued support,” said the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians continue their annual donations to show their continuous commitment to supporting education and investing in the future of students across the Coachella Valley.

“It’s unfortunate that not every child in the Coachella Valley has access to basic school supplies,” said Chairman Darrell Mike of  the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. “The Tribe is committed to these kids and very proud that we are able to provide the tools they need to learn and succeed.”

The supplies provided by the tribe goes to support Twentynine Palms ASYMCA, Morongo Unified School District and the Coachella Unified School District.

The tribe is holding upcoming donation events at 10 a.m. July 22 at the ASYMCA Twentynine Palms, 8 a.m. July 30 at the Morongo Unified School District, and 6 p.m. August 12 at the Coachella Valley Unified School District. 

By the beginning of the school year the tribe hopes to provide a total of 1,800 backpacks to local communities in need 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds announced that goaltender Jack LaFontaine has been re-signed to a one-year, AHL contract through the 2025-26 season.

LaFontaine, 27, played in two games for the Firebirds last season, spending the majority of the season in the ECHL with the Kansas City Mavericks, Coachella Valley’s affiliate.

In 31 games with the Mavericks, LaFontaine went 21-8-1, while posting a 2.22 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. In the postseason, LaFontaine recorded four shutouts in 15 games, leading Kansas City to another appearance in the Western Conference Finals.

LaFontaine first joined the Firebirds in 2023.

Prior to joining the team, LaFontaine appeared in games for the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and Norfolk Admirals. The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder skated in American Hockey League games with the Syracuse Crunch and Charlotte Checkers and earned two games with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.

LaFontaine began his collegiate career at the University of Michigan before transferring to the University of Minnesota. Following his senior season at the University of Minnesota. During the 2020-21 season with the Golden Gophers, LaFontaine held a 22-7-0 record, 1.79 goals against average, and a .900 save percentage. LaFontaine earned the award for the NCAA’s Top Collegiate Goalie (Mike Richter Award), a finalist spot for the Hobey Baker Award (NCAA Top Collegiate Hockey Player) and was named an NCAA (West) First-Team All-American.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds kick off their 2025-26 season at home on Oct. 10. Click here for the full season schedule.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kendall Flynn

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County is proposing the creation of an enhanced infrastructure financing district (EIFD) and is seeking community input for the process.

There is limited infrastructure in the Cabazon area and it’s an ongoing concern for residents. From weekend traffic along the Interstate 10, trains blocking resident exits or losing power to prevent wildfires, the community said the quality of life needs improvements.

The EIFD would be a financial tool not resulting in any new or increased taxes for property owners or residents. If approved, it would set aside a portion of future growth in tax revenue to invest in infrastructure needs. This would include roads, flood control projects, fire suppression and other improvements.

The county will hold two meetings for the community:

Tuesday, July 22 James Venable Community Center 50390 Carmen Ave., Cabazon 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 22 James Venable Community Center 50390 Carmen Ave., Cabazon 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from residents about their concerns, and what officials are doing to help.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s been six months since President Trump began his second term in office. 

Local opponents of the president have made their voices heard in the months since his inauguration. Several protests have been held across the valley, with many expressing their discontent with the president’s agenda and policies.

While displeased of the President’s policies, desert Democrats like Elle Kurpiewski, the Political Coordinator at the Democratic Headquarters of the Desert, said their cause is growing.

“People are becoming upset with some of the things that he’s doing, and we’re seeing an increase in registration,” Kurpiewski explained.

Organizers of the protests in the Coachella Valley also said attendance at each protest have been growing since they started gathering in response to President Trump’s election. They said attendance has grown tenfold from January to their latest protest in June.

“The most wonderful thing about it has been, again, how peaceful it has been, but more importantly, the numbers. And quite honestly, it’s reminding me of the sixties and the seventies when we said enough is enough,” she continued.

Meanwhile, other groups, like the East Valley Republican Women Patriots, have held quieter celebrations in support of the President.

The group’s president, Joy Miedecke, was unavailable for an interview on Tuesday, but provided the following statement to News Channel 3, highlighting their satisfaction with the President’s first six months back in office:

“The Patriot Store is pleased to state that after six (6) months, President Trump has kept his promises:

The border is closed tighter than at any time in history

Illegal alien criminals are being deported

Crime rates are already dropping

Tariffs are creating historically high monthly national revenues

Tariff policies of President Trump are creating historically high investments in domestic manufacturing facilities. This investment will lead to even more jobs for Americans

Inflation has been reduced significantly

Negotiations for peace are making progress worldwide

As a result of Trump’s tax cuts, everyday Americans will experience income growth not seen in years

These “promises kept” are improving the lives of all Americans.”

Joy Miedecke, President (East Valley Republican Women Patriots)

Click here to follow the original article.

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Promising signs in the fight against the HIV epidemic. But officials warn cuts to public health funding could reverse this progress.

Director of specialty services at DAP Health, Dr. Jason Halperin, says access comes down to cost.

“The biggest barrier I see for my patients are actually fighting to get the medications approved by their insurance. The cost is a real concern. This medication, the price is set by the pharmaceutical l company Gilead… What we’re doing at DAP Health is we have navigators who are focused on advocating for our patients through their insurance companies to get on the appropriate medication for them.”

Dr. Jason Halperin, DAP Health Director of Specialty Services

Lenacapavir, or Yeztugo, the latest HIV prevention shot that only needs to be taken twice a year, costing about $28,000 a year at list price.

Dr. Halperin say funding cuts could further prevent these resources from getting in the hands of those who need them.

“We’re in a tough spot. I can’t believe we’re in this position where we have the most amazing medical innovation for the treatment and preventions of HIV… That said, we are losing the political will to ensure accessibility of this medication, especially when you think about communities that need it the most and where there’s disparities to accessing this medication.”

Dr. Jason Halperin, DAP Health Director of Specialty Services

He says the first step toward saving costs, and saving lives, is HIV prevention strategies. It all starts with a simple test.

For resources, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Allie Anthony

The first day of school is just around the corner, and families are starting to shift back into school-year routines. While the transition from summer to the classroom can be tough, small changes now can make a big difference.

Mental Health Therapist, Sofia Prieto, from the Palm Springs Unified School District says now is the time to ease kids back into routines. She recommends easing into earlier bedtimes and wake-ups about a week before school begins.

According to The Northwestern Evaluation Association, students can lose up to 30% of their academic progress during the summer. Prieto encourages parents to help kids read, write, and talk about what they’re learning to stay sharp.

Preparing backpacks and choosing outfits can also reduce back-to-school anxiety. A little planning now can go a long way for a successful school year.

Click here to follow the original article.