Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Three people were hospitalized after a crash along Varner Road in Cathedral City Monday afternoon.

The crash was reported just after 3 p.m. on Varner and Mountain View Road.

Two patients suffered critical injuries, another sustained moderate injuries, authorities said at the scene.

The road was blocked in the area on both sides for more than an hour, however, it was back open by 4:30 p.m.

We have a crew at the scene gathering injuries.

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Shay Lawson

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Desert Hot Springs Police Department (DHSPD) held a Community Resource Fair in conjunction with National Night Out, on Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It took place at the Desert Hot Springs Health & Wellness Center.

Organizers said the event was a celebration of community, connecting attendees with local agencies.

The evening was filled with entertainment, resources and fun for all ages.

“National Night Out has always been about bringing people together — but this year, it’s about more than connection,” Police Chief Steve Shaw said. “It’s about celebrating the people of Desert Hot Springs — our neighbors, our families and everyone who contributes to making this city stronger. When we come together like this, we’re not just sharing a fun evening; we’re building trust, unity, and pride in the place we all call home.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for an inside look into tonight’s celebration.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A felon accused of gunning down a 51-year-old Coachella man in a premeditated attack pleaded not guilty today to first-degree murder and other charges.

Rafael Liera Moreno, 58, also of Coachella, was arrested last week following a monthlong Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the slaying of Enrique Arrieta.

Along with murder, Moreno is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

He was arraigned Monday before Superior Court Judge Arthur Hester, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Nov. 5 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Moreno was being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.   

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Lance Stoyer, shortly before noon Sept. 21, the defendant allegedly ambushed Arrieta at the intersection of Calle Limon and Genoa Street in Coachella. The victim was shot at least once and left lying unconscious at the location, to which paramedics responded after witnesses called 911.  

Stoyer said life-saving measures were attempted, but Arrieta was pronounced dead at the scene.

Over the ensuing weeks, Central Homicide Unit detectives gathered sufficient evidence to obtain and serve an arrest warrant on Moreno, who was taken into custody without incident Tuesday on Nile Way in Coachella.   

A possible motive was not provided, and the relationship between the defendant and victim, if any, was unknown.   

Court records show that Moreno has prior convictions, but they weren’t listed.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — For the first time in its 55-year history, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is introducing a troop of primates. A new group of patas monkeys known as the fastest primates in the world will debut at the zoo next week.

The newly renovated Patas Monkey Conservation Habitat, located in the Village WaTuTu section, opens to the public Saturday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m.

Native to the African savanna, patas monkeys are known for their reddish coats, expressive faces, and ability to sprint up to 34 miles per hour. The zoo says the habitat was made possible through support from Squire and Angela Junger.

Tickets and details on the grand opening are available through The Living Desert’s website.

Stay tuned to News Channel 3 at 5 and 6pm tonight for an exclusive first look at the troop.

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Jesus Reyes

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Rancho Mirage residents are being asked today to consider sponsoring a tile in a mural being developed to raise money for programs and exhibits at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert.   

“The Eyes of Discovery” mural campaign asks donors to buy a tile for $250, which will be displayed along Gerald Ford Drive.   

The mural will feature thousands of tiles, each showcasing a photograph of an individual or recognizing a business.   

“The Eyes of Discovery mural is a reflection of our mission,”  Cindy Burreson, CEO of the museum, said in a statement. “Every tile tells a story, and together they create a beautiful reminder of how imagination and community help shape our future.”  

Officials said the funds will support the museum’s hands-on exhibits, family programs and accessibility initiatives.   

“We’re building something that represents the way children see the world: with curiosity, courage and joy,” Burreson said.   

To learn more, go to https://form.jotform.com/252746630824056.

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Jesus Reyes

UPDATE 9:50 p.m. – Palm Springs Police have opened Vista Chino Drive between Farrell Drive and Gene Autry Trail.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Palm Springs Monday morning.

The shooting was reported just after 11:30 a.m. on E Vista Chino and N Farrell Drive.

PSPD Lt. Gustavo Araiza told News Channel 3 that they responded to a call for assistance from a parole agent in a physical altercation with an individual he was trying to detain. While officers were en route, the agent reported that a shooting had occurred.

Araiza confirmed that the suspect sustained a gunshot wound. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital in an ambulance, accompanied by a firefighter and a police officer. En route, the ambulance was involved in a vehicle collision at East Vista Chino and Sunrise Way, resulting in minor to moderate injuries to its occupants.

Police have closed the road E Vista Chino is closed in both directions between Whitewater Club Drive and N Farrell Drive.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A hiker who went missing for about 34 hours at the Cathedral Canyon Trailhead in Cathedral City was found with assistance from other law enforcement agencies, authorities said today.   

Police officers received a report of a missing person shortly before 7:30 p.m. Sunday from the hiker’s roommate after he didn’t return home, according to the Cathedral City Police Department.

The missing person, identified only as a 75-year-old man from Palm Springs, was last seen at the trailhead located south of Foothill Road and Elna Way. The man “failed to return after searching for a cellphone lost the previous night while hiking,” police said.

Officers initiated a search and requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol’s Aviation Unit and Palm Springs Police Department’s Search and Rescue Unit.   

Using the CHP helicopter’s infrared camera system, authorities located the hiker, and the Palm Springs rescue team safely retrieved him out of the canyon, police said.

Cathedral City police offered some tips before heading outdoors, recommending that people plan ahead, never hike alone when possible, bring essential supplies, know your limit, stay on marked trails, dress appropriately, be prepared for emergencies to preserve battery power, and call for help if needed.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Ben & Jerry’s has launched their Waffle Lotta Good initiative. For every waffle cone a customer buys, $1 goes to Migrant Justice, a farmworker-led human rights program that is working to ensure dignified working conditions on farms.

Ben & Jerry’s in Palm Springs is participating and it’s not the first time they’ve used their ice cream for activism. Last year, the Waffle Lotta Good initiative helped raise 150K for Black Voters Matter.

Ben & Jerry’s across the country will be participating, and the Waffle Lotta Good initiative for Migrant Justice lasts until Nov. 4.

 “It’s really enlightening to see a company that isn’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in,” says Allison Ackley, who co-owns the Ben & Jerry’s in Palm Springs with her husband, Jason Ackley.

Enrique Balcazar has worked on multiple dairy farms and has seen first-hand the issues farmworkers face.

“Wage theft from workers, people being fired for speaking out in retaliation, sexual harassment, discriminate nation. And a lot of times the poor housing conditions that workers are forced to endure,” he says. Now an organizer for migrant justice, Balcazar hears concerns from farmworkers and tries to make life better for them.

“Now more than ever, as our communities are increasingly under attack – workers, communities, that are treated as minorities in this country, we need to stand together, unite and fight to defend our rights.”

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Beef prices are sizzling — and not in a good way. Shoppers across the Coachella Valley say they’re paying noticeably more for their favorite cuts, while local meat sellers are struggling to keep up with rising costs.

The higher prices are forcing some shoppers to make changes at the grocery store.

“It’s cheaper cuts of beef, it’s a lot more brisket. It has impacted the amount of beef I eat for sure.”

Michael Reno, Palm Desert Resident

According to recent data, ground beef sales are up about 12 percent from last year, while steak prices have climbed roughly 8 percent.

At Garibaldi Meat Market, manager Oscar Gutierrez says they’ve had to scale back orders just to stay afloat.

“We order what we can. Sometimes we don’t get it because of prices high and demand is so high.”

Oscar Gutierrez, Garibaldi Meat Market Manager

Experts say the spike comes down to supply and demand. Drought conditions and rising feed costs have forced ranchers to reduce herd sizes, tightening the beef supply nationwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of beef cattle in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. The average price of ground beef now sits at over six dollars per pound.

Gutierrez says his market tries to keep prices reasonable for customers, but there’s only so much they can absorb.

“Normally, we try to keep it average for consumers but at the end of the day it’s the consumers that take the hit.”

Oscar Gutierrez, Garibaldi Meat Market Manager

That means shoppers are paying more — and many say there’s little choice.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – As the days count down to next Tuesday’s special election, political groups in the Coachella Valley are urging voters to cast their ballots on Proposition 50.

Prop 50 is the only item on next week’s ballot. The measure, introduced by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would temporarily redraw California’s congressional districts starting in 2026 to favor Democrats.

More information about the proposition from California’s Official Voter Information Guide can be found here.

Also known as the ‘Election Rigging Response Act,’ the ballot measure was introduced in response to a similar effort in Texas, which could add up to five Republican seats to the House of Representatives. California’s redistricting effort, meanwhile, also aims to net five additional seats for Democrats in the House.

As of October 27, 2025, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office said 270,781 ballots have been counted so far. The most recent statewide special election happened in 2009, and in Riverside County, only 227,443 votes were counted. The county has grown significantly since then, but mail-in ballots alone this year have outpaced 2009’s election.

Ballot drop-off locations across Riverside County can be found at this link.

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