Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

Riverside, Calif. (KESQ) – 39 pets were flown from Riverside County to Seattle this week to help them find loving new homes.

The flight was a result of a partnership between Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) and Wings of Rescue.

20 dogs and eight cats went to Seattle Humane, while 11 cats went to Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

“Our County initiative RivCo Rise is all about saving more lives and continuing these flights with partners is an amazing effort,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Whether in Riverside or Seattle, RCDAS is giving pets more opportunities to be seen and find a place to call home.”

The flight is the 11th of the year, up from three in 2024.

RCDAS continues to operate in critical overcapacity for dogs and reached over 230% capacity in September.

The department is urging community members to adopt, foster and volunteer to help move dogs out of the shelter and has started several new programs to help clear space.

“Every animal on this flight represents hope – for the pets themselves and for the families who will welcome them,” said RCDAS Manager Daylin Valencia. “While we remain overcapacity, we are focused on giving pets a chance at a new life, and we’re grateful to everyone who fosters, adopts, and volunteers to make that possible.”

In addition to expanding the animal transfer program this year, the following programs were launched to encourage community support.

DIBS for Dogs Pre-Adoption: Allows adopters to place “DIBS” on a dog that is on a stray wait to be the first in line to adopt the dog on the first day it is available. This program is available at all shelter locations in person only.

Ticket to Ride Foster Program: Short-term foster opportunity for pets who are slotted for a transport flight. This program gives people a start and end date for foster and helps clear space in kennels leading up to a flight.

Dog Day Out Field Trips: Take a dog out on a one-day field trip for exercise, socialization and enrichment in the community. Dogs who go out on a field trip are 5x more likely to be adopted!

D5 Furry Pets Foster Program: Available to residents of District 5 only. Receive a stipend for fostering dogs, puppies or kittens for up to 21 days and an additional bonus if the pet is adopted.

To view adoptable pets, visit www.rcdas.org/adoptable-pets. If you want to help but cannot adopt, consider signing up to foster at www.rcdas.org/support/foster-care.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A La Quinta man has been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a 20-year-old man whose body was found in the open desert of Desert Hot Springs in 2021.

Jose Manuel Angel Arellano, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8.

Arellano was first arrested in February 2021 in connection with the death of David Joaquin Murrieta of Desert Hot Springs.

According to Sgt. Rick Espinoza of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were investigating a missing person case discovered human remains on Jan. 21, 2021, in the area of Mission Lakes Boulevard and Little Morongo Road.   

Sheriff’s Detective Martin Alfaro testified in Arellano’s preliminary hearing that Murrieta’s body was found with three gunshot wounds — one entering from the back of his head, one from the left side of his head and one from the right side of his chin — in a shallow grave under a set of metal springs in the open desert.

A second suspect, Gabriel “Vago” Magdaleno, 29, was also charged with murder in this case. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 15.

Alfaro said Arellano drove from Tijuana, Mexico to the Palm Desert sheriff’s station on Feb. 17, 2021 to tell “his side of the story” and alleged that his friend, Magdaleno, was the one who shot Murrieta on Jan. 14, 2021.  

According to Alfaro, Arellano said the trio were at Murrieta’s house before they all left in the defendant’s truck and drove toward Indio. At some point while Arellano was driving on Intestate 10 approaching Cook Street, Magdaleno and Murrieta began arguing, Alfaro testified.

Both men had guns in their hands during the argument, and Arellano said Magdaleno felt disrespected, according to a declaration in support of Magdaleno’s arrest warrant filed by Alfaro.

“Arellano told me that he saw Magdaleno shoot once at victim Murrieta in the back of the head and subsequently saw him shoot him two additional times after,” Alfaro testified Feb. 6.

The defendant then drove to the location, where they ended up burying Murrieta with a shovel that was in the back of the truck, Alfaro said.   

Arellano subsequently went to a house on Sixth Street to get rid of his clothes by burning them before driving his truck to Mexico, he said.

Magdaleno pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery in 2014 in Riverside County, according to court records. He did not have any documented felony convictions in Riverside County at the time of his arrest.

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Jesus Reyes

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KESQ) – The 34-year-old who started the destructive Line Fire last year near Highland has been sentenced to 16 years to life in prison.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco, was officially sentenced on Wednesday in San Bernardino. He had been convicted of seven counts related to the Line Fire, and two counts related to a subsequent fire, including aggravated arson of forest land, property, and possession of flammable materials.

“It’s clear that Halstenberg’s intent was sheer destruction and devastation, said District Attorney Jason Anderson. “Our mountain communities will be impacted by his crimes for many years, and additional lengthy and ongoing environmental recovery efforts.”

Anderson added, “I want our communities to know that we stand with you, and hope that with this verdict and life sentence you can be assured that a serial arsonist will no longer torment our County. I want to also thank the men and women of the jury for their time and consideration.“

The Line Fire was first sparked on September 5, 2024. It went on to burn more than 43,000 acres, causing over $14.5M in damages, and injuring six firefighters.

Authorities said Halstenberg, a delivery driver from Norco, attempted to start three fires within an hour — two that were extinguished by firefighters and a good Samaritan but the third became the Line Fire.

Halstenberg’s vehicle was tied to areas where the fires were started.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The 38th annual Road Challenge 6k run/walk will take place later this month at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, officials said today.

The event will be held Oct. 18, with a start line at the bottom of the Tramway and a finish line at the Tram’s Valley station.   

The 6k walk will begin at 6:30 a.m., with a 7 a.m. start time for runners.   

The road will have an elevation gain of more than 1,800 feet for the 3.7-mile challenge.

All participants who complete the course will receive a T-shirt and a special finisher’s medal, and a festival with vendor booths and complimentary breakfast snacks will be available.

Additionally, awards will be given for eligible running participants in the top three in each age group and in each division’s category, including male, female and non-binary.

The Tramway will be closed until around 11 a.m. that day, and spectator shuttles will run from 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. from the Visitors Center.   

For more information or to register online, visit tramroadchallenge.com

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is welcoming a second baby giraffe, just weeks after the zoo’s Vicki Lou gave birth to a baby girl calf.

Last week, the zoo welcomed a baby boy to mama giraffe, Shelly, and dad, Kelly. The boy is the second calf born to Kelly this year, after mama Vicki Lou gave birth to a baby girl in September.

This week marked the baby girl’s first steps into the habitat, where zoo curators say she’s already exploring and showing off her personality.

“She’s adorable. Absolutely adorable. It’s so exciting to feed them,” Terry Cameron, a visitor from Idaho said.

The calves bring the total number of giraffes on habitat to 13 among two herds, one of the larger collections at the zoo.

African Safari curator, Lucas Barmeyer, says both moms are adapting well to the new babies.

“Vicki Lou is a little more cautious. I think the baby boy who was born to Shelly, he’s starting to get more confident, he seems a little nervous at first and is just, as he’s meeting the other herd members sometimes he can be a little overwhelmed, but now he’s starting to settle. Shelly is a little bit more confident in herself,” Barmeyer said.

Barmeyer says both calves were born to the male breeding bull, Kelly, a 9-year-old giraffe who stands at 18 feet tall.

“He is our breeding bull, so he is a lot larger than our other males.”

With such a large collection, officials say the growth is also supporting conservation around the world.

“Out in the wild, they’re susceptible to poaching, habitat loss, fragmentation as cities and populations are growing. So here at the Living Desert and a lot of zoos in the U.S., we have a reserve population. We will be shipping some giraffe to other facilities, because they’re a part of an ‘SPS,’ or species survival plan. So they’ll go and spread their giraffe genes,” Barmeyer said.

The Living Desert says they’ll be introducing the new baby boy to the habitat this weekend, and hope guests can visit him starting Friday.

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Jesus Reyes

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The 2026 American Express concert series will feature Old Dominion and OneRepublic.

The concert series is scheduled for Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24, following the conclusion of play on the PGA WEST Stadium Course driving range.

“The artists for this year’s American Express® Concert Series will once again get our fans excited for an incredible weekend, solidifying the tournament as one of the most entertaining events on the PGA TOUR,” said Pat McCabe, Executive Director of The American Express®. “We’re thrilled to welcome Old Dominion and OneRepublic to the desert. This is a great opportunity to introduce country music and alternative rock music fans to top-tier golf, while giving our golf fans the chance to experience these world-renowned artists.”

Daily & Weekly tickets are now on sale for the 67th annual The American Express® PGA TOUR Golf Tournament, taking place January 22-25, 2026, at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club.

Check Out Our AMEX Section for Continuing Coverage

Old Dominion will take the stage on Friday, January 23 after the second round. Their skyscraping anthems and electrifying live shows have put them at the forefront of country music. Rolling Stone cited Old Dominion as “one of mainstream country music’s most popular live groups.” Since breaking ontothe music scene, the GRAMMY nominated band has notched nine No. 1 singles in country radio,including “Written In The Sand,” “One Man Band,” and “Break Up With Him.”

The group has surpassed six billion on-demand streams and earned a dozen RIAA Platinum and Gold single certifications. Old Dominion’s most recent studio album Barbara – the group’s sixth – was released on August 22nd and their How Good Is That – World Tour has seen them trek across the globe with stadium and arena performances continuing through the first half of 2026.

OneRepublic will perform on Saturday, January 24th following the third round. The band, which has grown to become one of the most popular pop rock bands the world, released their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, in 2007. That included the multiple platinum selling hit single “Apologize,” which shattered digital sales and airplay records worldwide and earned them a GRAMMY nomination. In 2013, the band released their third globally successful album, Native, which included the No. 1 hit and recording breaking single “Counting Stars.”

In 2022, OneRepublic released their smash hit “I Ain’t Worried,” which was featured in the blockbuster hit, Top Gun: Maverick and boasts over 3 billion streams. Since their debut nearly 20 years ago, OneRepublic has amassed over 60 Billion global streams.

Daily and Weekly (Thur-Sun) tickets are now available at www.theamexgolf.com: Grounds ($85 – $135 per day / $245 weekly): Includes admission to the tournament grounds (PGA WEST’s Stadium, Nicklaus Courses, and La Quinta Country Club) and all public venues from January 22nd-25th. Friday and Saturday tickets also include GA access to nightly concerts. Clubhouse ($140 – $190 per day / $455 weekly): Includes admission to tournament grounds (PGA WEST’s Stadium, Nicklaus Courses, and La Quinta Country Club), all public venues and access to the PGA WEST Stadium Clubhouse from January 22nd-25th. Friday and Saturday tickets also include GA access to nightly concerts.

Champions Club Presented by Wealthspire ($475 – $525 per day / $1,200 weekly): Along with admission to the tournament grounds and all public venues from January 22nd -25th, it includes admission to a private, climate-controlled venue on the 18th Green of the Stadium Course at PGA WEST with a hosted breakfast, lunch, snacks and all-day full bar*. Guests also receive daily preferred parking and admission to the concert VIP viewing area that includes complimentary beverages on Friday and Saturday.

American Express® Card Members receive 20% off the ticket price for General Admission, Clubhouse, and Champion Club tickets when they pay with their American Express Card. For more information, please visit www.theamexgolf.com

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – As the government shutdown begins, tensions are mounting in the Coachella Valley, with local Democrats and Republicans trading blame.

On Tuesday morning, dozens of concerned residents gathered outside Congressman Ken Calvert’s Palm Desert office, waving signs and calling for accountability. The demonstration, organized by Democrats of the Desert, aimed to highlight the local impacts of the shutdown and pressure lawmakers to reach a compromise.

Several demonstrators pointed to what they view as an unwillingness by Republican lawmakers to negotiate in good faith. Some criticized what they described as partisan obstructionism, while others blamed the influence of President Donald Trump on the GOP.

Organizers of the rally accused Republican lawmakers — who control all branches of government — of failing to follow through on promises to work across the aisle.

“When the Democrats tell them that they are willing to work with you, we have some ideas, they need to sit down and work with them. They need to not just roll through their power and forget about the rest of the elected lawmakers and the rest of us.”

Marcie Maxwell, Democrats of the Desert President

But local Republicans see things differently. They argue the root of the shutdown lies in excessive government spending and place the blame squarely on Democrats.

While they acknowledge the shutdown’s negative impacts, they believe pressure will ultimately force Democrats to soften their stance.

“This is not a good thing but you have to have cooperation. I’m hoping when the Democrats see where this is going that they’ll say ‘this is worse and they’ll just agree to the continuing resolution.”

Sandra Schulz, East Valley Republican Women Patriot Executive Vice President

Despite the sharp political divide, residents on both sides expressed hope for a swift resolution.

Organizers of the rally say they plan to continue applying pressure until the federal government is fully reopened.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – After a nationwide search, the Palm Springs Art Museum has found its next director close to home. Christine Vendredi had been serving as the interim executive director since Adam Lerner stepped down earlier this year.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with Vendredi about her new role and her goals for the museum.

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Jesus Reyes

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Four people were injured, including one critically, after a crash involving a Sunline bus and a pickup truck in La Quinta Tuesday evening.

The crash was reported at around 6:20 p.m. on Washington Street and Eisenhower Drive.

Authorities said the driver of the bus and one passenger were transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The driver of the vehicle was airlifted to a local hospital in critical condition.

Courtesy: Juan Murguia Lopez

The other four passengers reported no injuries.

Details on what led to the crash were not immediately available. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

No arrests have been made.

Roads were closed in the area for over an hour, causing long traffic delays for drivers.

Statement from Sunline Transit Agency:

“SunLine Transit Agency is fully cooperating with the police investigation underway regarding a collision involving one of the Agency’s buses in La Quinta. Investigation updates will be provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.” 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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John White

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California voters will be deciding the fate of Proposition 50 in a state-wide special election on November 4th in a little over four weeks. 

And the decision could have major implications in the battle for control of Congress in next year’s mid-term elections. 

It would redraw the state’s congressional districts, giving democrats an edge in some seats currently held by republicans. 

The effort is being spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom who announced in August, “We’re doing this in reaction to a President of the United States who called a sitting governor of the State of Texas and said find me five seats.” 

The proposition was put on the ballot after Texas re-drew its districts in the hopes of picking-up five Republican seats. 

Co-Chair of No on Prop 50, Stop the Sacramento Power Grab, Jessica Millan Patterson counters that argument. 

“Well, this is very clearly a power grab from Sacramento politicians, and this power was given to the people in 2010 with our citizens redistricting commission,” Patterson says.  

Local Democratic candidate for congress, Brandon Riker, disagrees with that.   

“This isn’t something I think anyone wanted to do, but Texas did it first. We’re responding to Texas. We didn’t start this, but we need to make sure we respond and that we’re able to hold this administration accountable,” Riker says. 

Rep. Ken Calvert (R) CA-41 responds, “Well, I have no control over Texas, and Texas is going to do what they are going to do. But two wrongs don’t make a right.” 

Proposition 50 would set aside the independent commission’s districts for three election cycles. 

In the Coachella Valley, the current 41st district would be gone, moved into heavily Democratic East Los Angeles County. 

The 48th district is especially complicated. 

Proposition 50 adds Palm Springs and Indian Wells into a district in San Diego County, stretching almost to the coast. 

Former state lawmaker Chad Mayes says, “You know, you’ve heard the term gerrymandering, if we all learned that in in high school civics, the way that district lines are moved around to look like a gerrymander. They don’t have communities of interest, and so when politicians draw their lines, they draw lines to maximize their party’s electoral success.” 

It’s going to be an expensive fight, with state records showing 3 dozen committees raising money. 

As of September 20, state records show: 

    The Governor’s committee, “Yes on 50″ The Election Rigging Response Act had raised over $77 million. 

    The “No on 50” Congressional Leadership Fund had raised nearly $42 million 

    “No on 50” Protect Voters First had raised nearly $31million, nearly all of it from Charles Munger, Junior who financed the initiative to create the independent redistricting commission in California. 

The Director of Insights for OpenSecrets.Org, Brendan Glavin says, “People need to be, you know, understand who’s behind the messaging. What are their motivations for this, either supporting or opposing it, and you know, educated voters are able to make better decisions.” 

The fight over the proposition is also creating uncertainty for the candidates. 

Incumbent Republican Ken Calvert is a primary target of the proposition and won’t say what he will do if it passes.   His home would be in the newly drawn 40th district.  He says his focus right now is defeating 50. 

Democrat Brandon Riker lives in Palm Springs and is running against Calvert right now in the 41st district and against Republican Darrell Issa in the proposed 48th district. 

Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a current San Diego City Council Member is running in the 48th against Issa but won’t know if Palm Springs and Indian Wells will be a part of that until November 4th. 

Mayes describes the entire battle as one that’s entirely based on power, “This is really a symptom of a really deeper disease here in this country. You know, our polarization has gotten the best of us. It is true. This would not have happened in California had Republicans not done it in Texas. And at the end of the day, both Republicans and Democrats, all they care about is themselves, and they care about is power.”” 

Interactive Map of Current Districts:  https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/final-maps/

Interactive Map of Proposed Districts:  https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/proposed-congressional-map

Campaign Finance Information for Proposition 50:  https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Measures/Detail.aspx?id=1483327&session=2025

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