Author: KESQ

Isaiah Mora

ANZA, Calif. (KESQ) – A 3.4 magnitude earthquake shook things up near Anza on Friday morning.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake took place just before 7 a.m. on Friday morning, just 12 miles east of southeast Anza. The earthquake was reported to have a depth of 13.2 kilometers.

According to responses from the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was also felt across the Coachella Valley including in Cathedral City, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Indio, and Palm Desert.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates on this story.

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City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – A customs broker who siphoned more than $5 million from businesses that ship goods into the U.S. and who dodged paying at least $1 million in taxes was sentenced today to four years and three months in federal prison.

Frank Noah, 64, of Corona, was sentenced Thursday in downtown Los Angeles and also ordered to pay $7.57 million in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of tax evasion and two counts of wire fraud.   

Noah owned Comis International Inc., a logistics and supply-chain company headquartered in Cerritos. Comis worked as a customs import broker for the national Daiso chain — a Japan-based variety and value store with outlets in Southern California — from 2007 through 2019.

Noah admitted inflating customs import duty fees he paid while billing Daiso, resulting in the company overpaying Noah nearly $3.4 million.   

After Noah was indicted for defrauding Daiso in 2022, he continued to defraud other clients out of more than $2 million using a different scheme, according to his plea agreement filed in Los Angeles federal court.   

Noah also acknowledged causing a loss to the Internal Revenue Service of nearly $2.4 million by cheating on his taxes from 2008 to 2010, making partial payments for what he owed while using his income to make large payments on mortgages he put in the name of his girlfriend for properties in Corona and Rancho Mirage.

After agreeing with the Internal Revenue Service that he owed more than $1 million in taxes in 2014, Noah still avoided IRS attempts to collect the amount owed, and instead spent thousands of dollars on country club memberships, travel and golf purchases, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Act now to reserve your St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway ticket on Friday, December 19th and you’ll be eligible to win the house AND ALL of the additional prizes! That’s more ways to win while helping St. Jude!

Call 800-535-6748 to reserve your ticket for only $100 and help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® continue its life-saving work.

The home is being built by GHA Companies in the Silver Spur Ranch community in south Palm Desert right by The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. It’s a single-story, 2,600 square foot home. It will have three bedrooms, three and a half baths, a flex room, and a three-car garage. The home also includes an open concept layout, an upgraded kitchen with a large island, and a walk-in pantry.

Get your ticket now to be eligible to win the $2,500 VISA gift card courtesy of The Law Offices of Jeffrey Weaver, a Michael Phelps Legend Series LSX 900 hot tub with cover courtesy of Master Spas and fuel for a year valued at $3,000.

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Peter Daut

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 has been investigating concerns about mold in an elementary school in Thermal.

It’s a story that we were first to break. Now the Coachella Valley Unified School District has released new details about mold findings and cleanup after parents publicly complained they were denied copies of reports and forced to sign confidentiality agreements.

I-Team investigator Peter Daut takes a closer look at the issue.

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KESQ News Team

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Yet another delay in the case against former Queer Works CEO Jacob Rostovsky, who is facing 53 felony counts stemming from an investigation into a Palm Springs universal basic income program.

Prosecutors accuse Rostovsky of stealing and misappropriating taxpayer funds meant for low-income residents.

Check out: Palm Springs City Council addresses Queer Works report

According to documents from the Riverside County District Attorney’s office, Rostovsky’s defense team filed a motion for mental health diversion, claiming he was mentally ill at the time of the alleged crimes.

The DA’s office argues the request is problematic, saying the diagnosis relies largely on self-reported symptoms and that Rostovsky developed anxiety after the investigation began — not while committing the crimes. 

“If defendant’s request sounds preposterous on its face, that’s because it is. The details of defendant’s petition and supporting documentation are even more problematic.”

“Although, the defendant, through his attorney,  claims to feel regret for his actions, in the more than two years that this case has been under active investigation and/or filed, the defendant has not repaid a single cent of the money he stole.”

The filing also notes Rostovsky was able to post an almost million-dollar bail and hire private attorneys and psychologists.

The judge did not review the motions on Wednesday, resetting the case to February 2026.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – 29-PSP is a local non-profit organization of volunteers that work to provide Marines at the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base rides to the Palm Springs International Airport during the holiday season.

This year organizers say they are facing high demand with a shortage of volunteers. Volunteers and 29-PSP officials said the original holiday transportation came from free rides by the Marine Corps base. This year they were told those rides would no longer be provided, and they do not know the reason.

Now organizers are working to get funding for rides and vans to transport the Marines. They say each ride costs around $50 and a van rental is $250.

News Channel 3 is working to get answers on what caused a decrease in volunteers and transportation for Marine travel this year, and the work organizers are putting in to make sure they reach their travel plans.

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City News Service

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – SunLine Transit Agency will offer free bus fares on all fixed routes starting early next week as part of its holiday free-fare program.

The service will take place from Monday through Jan. 2, excluding Christmas Day.

The agency stated the free fares will be its way of making travel for Coachella Valley residents easier while supporting equity and sustainability across several communities.  

A map of SunLine’s 1-9 fixed-route network can be found at www.sunline.org/services/sun-bus/routes-and-schedules.

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Jesus Reyes

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) – An Oceanside man was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting three minors while in Joshua Tree, authorities said.

Ryan Granger, 43, was arrested on Wednesday in Oceanside. According to court records, he was charged with three counts of adult giving a controlled substance/narcotic to a minor, two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with child, and indecent exposure.

Granger remains in custody on $500,000 bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. He is scheduled to be arraigned in court later today.

The case dates back to September 14. Deputies from the Morongo Basin Station responded to a report of lewd acts committed against a minor in the 61000 block of Twentynine Palms Highway.

“During the preliminary investigation, deputies determined on Saturday, September 13, 2025, three 15-year-old female juveniles were solicited by the suspect,” reads a police news release. “The suspect furnished illegal controlled substances and alcohol to the juveniles. While the victims were impaired and unable to care for themselves, the suspect committed lewd acts against them.”

Detective D. Rodriguez used advanced investigative techniques and public records to identify Granger as the suspect. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Granger, who was taken into custody on December 10.

Granger is currently being held at West Valley Detention Center in-lieu of a $500,000 bail.

Detectives believe there could be more victims, anyone with information related to this incident, or who may have had contact with the suspect under similar circumstances, is urged to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station at (760) 366-4175.

Anonymous tips may be provided through the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or at www.wetip.com.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City Police Chief George Crum retired today after working 36 years in law enforcement and Deputy Chief Rick Sanchez has been named acting police chief.   

“I am truly honored to have served the citizens of Cathedral City as their police chief for over eight years,” Crum said in a statement. “I would like to thank the community, elected officials, the city and the men and women of the Cathedral City Police Department for allowing me the opportunity to serve as their police chief. The men and women of the Cathedral City Police Department represent the very best in our profession.”  

Crum was hired as the city’s chief of police on Dec. 10, 2014, but retired in November 2017, only to be re-appointed in February 2020.   

He began his career in law enforcement as an officer for the Fullerton Police Department in 1987. During his career, he has worked in the Narcotics unit, Internal Affairs and Special Weapons and Tactics.

“Chief George Crum has dedicated nearly a decade of service to the residents of Cathedral City, and his impact on our community is immeasurable,” said Ryan Hunt, Communications and Events Manager, said in a statement. “His community-focused approach to policing prioritized open dialogue and building genuine trust with the people he served. But beyond the programs and statistics, Chief Crum will be remembered for the relationships he built — showing up, listening and making residents feel heard and safe. He will be deeply missed. We thank him for his service and wish him all the best in this well-earned retirement.”  

During his time as chief, Crum launched a Homeless Liaison Officer program, established a traffic bureau and maintained one of the lowest crime rates in the Coachella Valley for the past six years, officials said.

Sanchez was named acting chief effective immediately and making history as the first Latino to lead the city’s police department. He joined the department in 2006 and oversees the Operations, Investigation and Support Bureaus.

A permanent police chief will be determined by the city manager after that role is filled, Hunt said.

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Joel Killam

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) — Riverside County Department of Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for cats and dogs during its “Home for the Holidays” event, running Dec. 19–24 at all four county shelters.

The promotion includes spay/neuter, microchip and age-appropriate vaccinations. Dogs adopted during the event will also receive a new collar and ID tag, sponsored by DocuPet. The first 50 adopters of dogs weighing more than 40 pounds will get a $50 gift card for pet supplies.

“It’s a wonderful time to give the gift of a warm home to a new family member,” said Mary Martin, director of animal services. “Our shelter pets want nothing more than to share their unconditional love with you.”

Officials say the event comes at a critical time as shelters remain over capacity. Adoptions help free space for other animals in need.

Event hours for Western Riverside, San Jacinto and Coachella Valley shelters are:

Dec. 19: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Dec. 20–21: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Dec. 22: Closed

Dec. 23: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Dec. 24: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

The Blythe shelter is open Monday–Friday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.

Available pets can be viewed at RCDAS.org or in person at:

Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter, Jurupa Valley

San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, San Jacinto

Coachella Valley Animal Campus, Thousand Palms

Blythe Animal Shelter

For more details, visit RCDAS.org.

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