Author: KESQ

Daniella Lake

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A new survey by West Health-Gallup Healthcare finds that less than 30% of Americans view their mental health as “excellent.” Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 43% of Americans rated their mental health as “excellent.”

With the New Year, millions of Americans hit the gym to improve their physical health as a New Year’s resolution. Mental health experts at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health say that your mental health is just as important.

Charity Krissoff and Karl Kirsch from Coachella Valley Behavioral Health share these tips to help relieve anxiety:

Try a breathing exercise, such as the box breathing method, or inhaling for four seconds or exhaling for six seconds.

Limiting caffeine and energy drinks.

Taking breaks from social media and news, especially before bed.

For those experiencing depression, they say that tiny wins build momentum, so making sure you make your bed in the morning, trying to chat with a loved one or friend everyday, getting sunlight, and having some form of movement can help relieve depression.

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Kendall Flynn

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) – The National Parks Service announced a new annual pass will be available starting January 1, 2026 for non-residents of the United States.

Previously the parks service offered annual America the Beautiful passes to US citizens and residents only. Now, non-residents will have their own annual pass available for $250. Many parks will also start charging $100 per non-resident without the annual pass, however, Joshua Tree National Park is not a part of the program.

For US citizens and residents under the age of 62, the American the Beautiful pass is $80 annually. For non-residents, a day pass is typically around $35.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the annual pass breakdown and to hear from visitors.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As the countdown to the New Year begins, local event organizers across the Coachella Valley say they’re prepared to celebrate — even with rain in the forecast.

With just a day away, event teams are busy putting the finishing touches on parties designed to bring the community together.

Tamara Issi, events coordinator at the Palm Springs Surf Club, says the “Afterglow” New Year’s Eve celebration will feature live music, food, and drinks — all indoors, eliminating concerns about rain.

“We’re going to have a live band. They’re going to be performing a lot of cover songs. In our atrium we’re going to have a DJ pumping the party tunes. Getting ready to dance.”

Tamara Issi, Palm Springs Surf Club Events Coordinator

Over at Oscar’s Palm Springs, Dan Gore, owner, is also preparing for its annual ball drop. Gore says the celebration includes a dinner buffet and a lineup of entertainers, highlighted by a drag performance.

While Oscar’s typically hosts large outdoor events, Gore says the team is ready to adapt if rain moves in.

“We do have a cabaret showroom. But we prefer to do everything outside. Two years ago we experienced the same situation where it was 100 percent chance of rain.”

Dan Gore, Oscar’s Palm Springs Owner

Organizers say they are closely monitoring the weather and have backup plans ready if conditions change.

Despite the forecast, both organizers agree that canceling was never an option. They say celebrating the New Year with the community is more important than the weather.

“The celebration of every new year is important to me. I think to most people — especially in the political climate we’re in right now — we’re looking forward to a much better year.”

Dan Gore, Oscar’s Palm Springs Owner

Rain or shine, organizers say they’re ready to welcome guests and encourage attendees to dress for the weather — umbrellas included.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – From the border to the fentanyl crisis to the Salton Sea, 2025 kept the News Channel 3 I team very busy, and this year our dedicated team of journalists hit the pavement, asking the hard questions and digging deeper to bring you the facts. Take a look at our top investigative stories of the year. 

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two drivers were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and 43 citations were issued during a weekend DUI checkpoint operation in Indio, authorities said today.   

The checkpoint was conducted from 6 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Saturday at Highway 111 west of Clinton Street, according to the Indio Police Department.

Citations were issued to 11 drivers on suspicion of operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license. One driver was arrested for “child endangerment,” police said.  

Funding for the operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Palm Springs Cultural Center is honoring Udo Kier, the legendary German actor and cult film icon, who died at 81 in November.

The tribute begins with a curated pre-show at 5 p.m. highlighting Kier’s artistic journey through film clips and archival moments.

Organizers said the pre-show traces the many personas that made Kier one of the industry’s most orginal actors.

At 6 p.m. the program continues with live remarks and dedications from friends, collaborators and admirers who knew Kier.

Afterwards, a screening of “Swan Song” will play  — Kier’s tender, funny and deeply moving late career piece that organizers said serves as a fitting farewell to an artist who spent decades redefining what it meant to live boldly on screen.

From European art films to Hollywood genre classics — Kier moved effortlessly between worlds never losing his edge or humor.

Kier also collaborated with other directors like Andy Warhol and Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing live coverage.

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City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A 46-year-old felon awaiting trial on arson and other charges died in his jail cell in Banning today, but authorities said there was no indication of foul play.   

Quadir Rafi Boykin of Menifee was discovered by correctional deputies unconscious in his cell at the Smith Correctional Facility shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The agency said on-site medical personnel were summoned and initiated “life-saving measures,” which county fire paramedics took over when they reached the location a short time later. However, the detainee was pronounced dead at the scene.

Corrections Central Investigations Bureau and Coroner’s Office staff were assigned to conduct a probe into the fatality.   

“There were no signs of foul play at the scene,” according to a sheriff’s statement. “Boykin’s family has been notified of his death.”  

No other details were provided regarding possible circumstances associated with the fatality.  

Court records showed Boykin was arrested by Riverside Police Department detectives in June following an arson investigation, which culminated in the defendant being charged with arson of property and a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating an act with an incendiary device in an area under a state of emergency from a past event. Specific details were unavailable.

Boykin was a prior-strike felon who had served time in state prison, according to documents.

The sheriff’s department has been sued in state and federal court over alleged civil rights violations, failure to disclose data and related deficiencies tied to in-custody deaths. The agency is among the most targeted in civil actions among more than three dozen county agencies.

Sheriff Chad Bianco has defended his deputies’ handling of correctional operations and has repeatedly pointed to the smuggling of dangerous illicit drugs — often fentanyl — into the jail system through extraordinary means as the principal reason for deaths in detention facilities countywide.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – California Highway Patrol officers will ramp up operations again beginning Wednesday night to crack down on drunken and drug-impaired motorists throughout the Inland Empire and statewide as part of a New Year’s anti-DUI campaign.  

The CHP will initiate its New Year’s “Holiday Enforcement Period” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, when all available officers will deploy to catch impaired motorists, speeders and other traffic violators. The campaign, which replicates a 30-hour HEP that occurred during Christmas, will continue until late Thursday night.  

“We’re entering a New Year, but our message stays the same: Driving under the influence increases the risks on our roads, raises the chance of a crash and puts lives in danger,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. “We encourage everyone to do their part in keeping our roads safe by making responsible choices behind the wheel.”  

Officers from the Riverside, Blythe, Indio, San Gorgonio Pass and Temecula CHP stations will be on Inland Empire freeways, highways and unincorporated roads, looking to snare suspects.

The 2024-25 New Year’s HEP netted 481 arrests statewide, compared to 892 during the 2023-24 campaign, according to the CHP. As in the case for this year’s deployment, last year’s campaign was bridged due to the holiday falling midweek. However, in 2023-24, the effort spanned three full days and nights because it was a holiday weekend.

The end-of-year crackdown coincides with anti-DUI campaigns involving the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and multiple municipal law-enforcement agencies countywide.

Deputies and officers have been conducting saturation patrols and staffing sobriety checkpoints to catch intoxicated drivers. Those operations will conclude this weekend.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 1/2/26 19-year old Michael Dodd was charged with one count of murder and arraigned on Friday.

Dodd is accused of killing 34-year old Francisco Lemus last Sunday night. Dodd is expected to be back in court on January 13th.

Update 12/30/25

A 19-year-old man from Lancaster has been arrested in connection with the shooting, police said. Jail records show he was arrested Tuesday morning in Lancaster. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

The man killed was identified as Francisco Lemus, 34, of Riverside County.

Original Report 12/29/25

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A man was killed in a shooting Sunday night in Desert Hot Springs, police said.

The shooting was first reported at around 7:30 p.m. in the 66000 block of Avenida Cadena.

Police responded to reports of gunshots heard in the area. Officers arrived on scene and found a man who had been struck by gunfire while inside a vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. His identity was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The investigation was ongoing.   

Anyone with information was asked to contact Det. Celia Romero at 760- 329-6411, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.

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Daniella Lake

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The DMV of California announced several new laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that will go into effect in 2026.

These new laws include a law that will extend the probation period for those convicted of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated from two years to between three and five years. 

“This penalty I think adds some consequences or gets people second guessing or second thinking about driving impaired,” says Officer Jesse Yuhas with Indio police department.

Another new law will require vehicles to move over and slow down for any vehicle that has hazard lights turned on, not just emergency or law enforcement vehicles.

“I think that if it’s about safety, it’s probably good for us to do. I think in a place like the Coachella Valley, it’s probably more doable because there’s a lot more space,” says Gloria Perez, an Indio resident.

Here’s a link to the full list of new laws from the DMV.

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