Author: KESQ

Zachariah Perez

PALM DESERT Calif. (KESQ) –The Berger Foundation Iceplex announced a new partnership and arrival of the Palm Springs Hockey Academy (PSHA).

The academy is a new elite high school prep program that will offer top-tier hockey training and  competition for elite-level players set to begin in September. It will bring an exclusive group of athletes from Europe, Canada, Los Angeles, and San Diego for a unique training experience in the Coachella Valley at the Berger Foundation Iceplex. 

The Palm Springs Academy players will receive elite-level training Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m, while also having educational support and partnership from Desert Christian Academy.

It will offer a flexible path designed for student athletes to ensure that they will have the tools to succeed both academically and athletically while balancing the training schedule.

“We’re thrilled to bring this level of hockey to the desert,” said Justin Reynolds, President and Co-Founder of the Palm Springs Hockey Academy. “Our partnerships with Desert Christian Academy and the Berger Foundation Iceplex create a one-of-a-kind environment where student-athletes can train like pros while receiving a top-tier education.”

The program will feature the following for athletes during their stay here in the Coachella Valley.

Program Features:

Daily On-Ice Training focused on skill development, team systems, and hockey IQ at the Berger Foundation Iceplex

Academic Instruction through Desert Christian Academy, a respected faith-based private school in Bermuda Dunes, CA

Competitive Game Schedule against top North American prep programs, with 1–2 games per month scheduled for Saturday evenings

Mentorship and Development from experienced coaches, advisors, and scouts

Exposure to USHL, WHL, NCAA, and other junior programs

As the popularity of hockey grows in Southern California and the success of the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds, PSHA is in an ideal position to become a national leader in elite player development. 

With an addition of the PSHA the Burger Foundation will now offer a pipeline at all skill levels. This includes:

 Beginners: Learn to Play programs

Intermediate: Youth Rec leagues

Progressive: Jr. Firebirds Travel Hockey

Elite: Palm Springs Academy

“The launch of Palm Springs Hockey Academy has transformed the Berger Foundation Iceplex into a true center of excellence,” said Leslie Deason, Vice President of the Berger Foundation Iceplex. “We now offer a fully integrated developmental pipeline that supports every skill level, from Learn to Play for beginners to elite training through the Academy. This not only strengthens our commitment to player growth but also solidifies the Iceplex as a regional leader in hockey development.”

For recruitment and enrollment for the 2025–26 academic year is currently underway, with limited spots available visit pshockey.com or contact admin@pshockey.com.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for the Latest

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Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– LGBTQ+ trailblazer Mariah Hanson released the 2025 lineup for her epic Dinah Grand Finale full of rising stars, queer icons and aspiring LGBTQ+ talent.

The festival will take place September 24-28 at the Riviera Resort in Palm Springs, celebrating the long-lasting legacy Hanson has created with the iconic queer women’s festival.

The weekend-long celebration will feature stars like Crystal Waters, Princess Nokia, Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, SKYDXDD, MC Kaycee Clark, Mariah Counts, Only1 Theory, Nikki Holland and Velvet Dive. 

DJ’s Alex B, Lotus Banks, KG fresh, Les Ortiz, P Nasty, and Tatiana are also set to perform at this one-of-a-kind event providing pulse-pounding sets that will keep the crowd dancing. 

The event will open on Thursday night, September 24, with a nighttime dance party, followed by pool party celebrations and additional exciting nighttime events until Sunday, September 28. 

Hanson is the original founder and producer of the Dinah. She will be retiring after 34 years running the festival. Hanson stepping down does not mean the end for the festival. Organizers said Hanson is actively in talks with potential successors.

To celebrate her last year producing this groundbreaking event, the Dinah 2025 is an invitation to join Hanson in a powerful tribute to the legacy she created and to experience magic only The Dinah can deliver.

For more information on tickets and full event details, visit www.thedinah.com 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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Zachariah Perez

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Airport is being recognized as one of the best airports in the country. 

According to the Washington Post, Palm Springs International Airport was named the 35th best airport in the United States for 2025 best airports.

The beautiful breezy and warm sunshine, great food, relaxing environment and amazing shops, are some of the major factors that played a role in being ranked No.35th in the country. 

“Shoutout to everyone who voted and raved in reviews-we see you #35 and thriving” Said PSP via their recent Instagram post.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella FC announced a rebranding as part of its new affiliation with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer.

Coachella FC will now be known as FC Dallas FC, the team announced Monday on social media.

“We’re proud to announce that Coachella Football Club is now FC Dallas Coachella, an official MLS-affiliated academy and part of the FC Dallas Youth Network

This new chapter connects our players to one of the best development systems in the country, with a direct pathway to the pros, high-level tournaments, and national exposure.

While our name and badge have changed, our heart hasn’t. We’re still the same club, same community, and same passion, now with even bigger opportunities.

Welcome to FC Dallas Coachella.”

The now former Coachella FC was first formed in April 2024 as part of the United Soccer League’s second division.

The team won the regular season and division tities in the UPSL Premier SoCal North Division, where they won both the regular season and division titles with an undefeated record. The city of Coachella honored the team last month.

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A post shared by Coachella Soccer Academy (@coachellasocceracademy)

The team is the first pre-professional soccer team in the valley. 

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – One person was hospitalized for evaluation after a fire in Cathedral City Monday morning.

The fire was reported at around 10:30 a.m. on the 37100 block of Cathedral Canyon Drive.

Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and contain it to one unit.

One person was displaced. There were no other injuries.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A high school in Indio will plant 22 trees in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, thanks to a grant from the Imperial Irrigation District, the district announced today.

Amistad Continuation High School, 83501 Dillon Ave., was named a recipient of a Public Green Space Grant. The program will fund the planting of roughly 1,000 shade trees across Imperial and Coachella valleys.   

“We are pleased to partner with each grant recipient to invest in a greener future for our communities, ” Gina Dockstader, IID board chairwoman, said in a statement.

District officials said the project is expected to eliminate more than 1.6 million pounds of carbon emissions for about 40 years and save an estimated 4.9 million kilowatt hours of energy.

The agency said it will distribute $507,501 to its recipients upon project completion.

Richard Pimentel, principal of Amistad High School, said the campus will replace trees destroyed by storms.   

Funding was provided by the district’s Tree for All program, supported by state-mandated Public Benefits Charge.

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Haley Meberg

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ)– Riverside County Department of Animal Services is partnering with PetSmart to bring adoption events to the valley for National Adoption Week. 

National Adoption Week takes place July 21-27, bringing adoptable pets to the Palm Desert and Hemet PetSmart’s to help them find their forever homes.

“Partnering with PetSmart Charities allows us to get more pets into the community to help them find their forever homes,” said RCDAS Public Information Officer Veronica Perez. “We are grateful to be part of this important event that helps connect loving families with pets who need a second chance.” 

Throughout the summer, RivCo Animal Shelters have been operating at critical levels of overflow with the most recent numbers being updated at 199% capacity. 

Earlier this year, RivCo animal shelters placed a no-kill policy to ensure that 90% of pets entering shelters leave alive. However, with this overcrowding issue still at play euthanasia numbers are still fluctuating. 

The adoption events give the public the opportunity to spend time with pets of all different ages, breeds and temperaments in spacious areas to find just the right match. Adopting pets saves more than one life. Every pet who finds a home frees up space for shelters to help the next animal in need.

“Animal shelters and rescues are doing incredible work to save pets each day, but they can’t do it without the community’s support,” said Heidi Marston, director of Pet Placement Initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “Adopting or fostering a pet can be an incredibly enriching experience and is the best way to support your local organizations. We all have a role we can play in helping pets in need, so please join us this National Adoption Week to show your support.  We’re proud to work alongside partners such as RCDAS, whose team makes meaningful connections, giving more pets in need people to love.”

Adoption events are located at 34900 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92211 and 2153 W Florida Ave, Hemet, CA 92545

To learn more information visit www.rcdas.org and stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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Haley Meberg

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– Acrisure Arena announced they are bringing back the Acrisure Series to the Coachella Valley during Thanksgiving week. 

For its third consecutive year, the Acrisure Arena is welcoming back the Acrisure Series, the largest multi-team college basketball event in the nation. 

The arena will host 20 NCAA Division I basketball programs the week of November 25-28 to compete at the highest level for this in-season tournament. 

Tickets include access to all games on your chosen day, drawing national attention with elite college programs, unforgettable matchups, and an electric atmosphere unlike any other. 

Tickets for the 4-day hoops showcase go on sale July 25 at 10 a.m. 

Check out the full list of teams and schedule below. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates 

Tuesday – 11/2510:30 AM – San Jose State vs. Tulsa1:00 PM – Northern Iowa vs. Loyola3:30 PM – Cal Baptist vs. San Diego6:30 PM – Iowa vs. Ole Miss9:00 PM – Grand Canyon vs. Utah

Wednesday – 11/2611:00 AM – Loser GM1 vs. Loser GM21:30 PM – Winner GM1 vs. Winner GM24:00 PM – Fresno State vs. Pepperdine6:30 PM – Winner GM4 vs. Winner GM59:00 PM – Loser GM4 vs. Loser GM5

Thursday – 11/2711:00 AM – Colorado vs. San Francisco1:30 PM – Washington vs. Nevada4:00 PM – Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara6:30 PM – Minnesota vs. Stanford

Friday – 11/28

11:00 AM – Loser GM11 vs. Loser GM121:30 PM – Winner GM11 vs. Winner GM124:00 PM – Winner GM13 vs. Winner GM146:30 PM – Loser GM13 vs. Loser GM14

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Residents at the Ramon Mobile Home Park are grappling with the aftermath of a fire that damaged five homes Saturday afternoon. Some are now raising concerns about how the fire was fought.

Authorities say five fire engines and two ambulances responded to the scene, working quickly to contain the blaze, but not before it forced residents from their homes and led to the hospitalization of one person for smoke inhalation.

Residents recounting the moment the fire ignited.

“He realized those people were being notified but we weren’t being notified so he just banged on my door and was like ‘you got to get out, you got to get out now, your house is on fire, move your car.’ Then he took a hose and hosed that side and I took a hose and hosed this side.”

Ilene Wood, Ramon Mobile Home Park resident

“I was actually taking a nap and my partner said he heard two explosions and he looked out the window and he saw black smoke… We got the dogs and left.”

Jack Cline, Ramon Mobile Home Park resident

Some residents now questioning whether access to fire hydrants was needed.

“I know there’s no fire hydrants in this park and they had to get water at Sunrise over a thousand feet and that was a delay in fighting the fire because it took them a while to get the hose over there to this location.”

Jack Cline, Ramon Mobile Home Park resident

News Channel 3 took these concerns to fire officials on scene, who did not want to be on camera, hoping to get answers. They confirmed there are no hydrants within the park but along the outer perimeter. They also say the property was built prior to code requirements.

The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire. The cause is still being investigated.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Tori King

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — An Indio woman is looking for answers after her son, Caleb Garcia, was struck by a car while he was riding a bicycle.

The incident took place around 6:00 am on June 5th in Indio at Dr. Carreon Boulevard and Highway 111.

According to the Indio Police Department report, Garcia was hit by a car going eastbound as Garcia was attempting to cross Highway 111. The particular area where Garcia tried to cross does not have a crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene and was interrogated police officers, but was later released. “My son has a very long road to recovery,” said Michele Garcia, Caleb’s mother. “As of today he still is on ventilator and has no mobility of his lower extremities. This accident, has changed my sons life extremely.”

According to Garcia, Caleb had several operations at Desert Regional Medical Center following the accident, and was fighting for his life. Caleb suffered from several broken bones, a broken neck, three fractured vertebrae, and so far, Caleb has had a tracheostomy with a ventilator to help him breathe, a permanent pacemaker put in, and he is unable to communicate or move.

“Caleb is unable to speak, but able to get attention from family and nurses by clicking his tongue and mouthing his words,” said Garcia. “As of today, Caleb still does not have any movement in his hands are arms, he feels slight sensation with no mobility. Caleb is able to rock his leg once in awhile but doctors have informed us that they believe he will be paralyzed from waist down. Last Wednesday and Friday he went into cardiac arrest and nurses saved my son. I received call from the nurses that Caleb’s heart was dropping and was erratic through the night. Today, Caleb is having a pacemaker put in for his heart.”

He has since been moved to Kindred Long term acute care, where he continues to recover. The center is two hours away from Indio, and Caleb’s family is now paying out of pocket for hotel rooms to visit him throughout the week, causing a huge financial strain. Garcia and her family have started a GoFundMe page to help pay for the medical and travel costs.

The investigation into what caused the crash is still underway. Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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