Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – We’re just over a week away from the start of the Coachella Valley Lakers’ inaugural season at Acresure Arena.

On Tuesday, the G League team held a basketball clinic at Indio Middle School, where they interacted with students and showed off the dunk squad.

Students were able to join in on the fun as they practiced their dribbling and shooting skills.

“So these students are actually seeing the dunk squad, which you’ll see on court during our games, for the first time ever. So we’ve come out to launch our fan fest. We’re engaging the students, we’re teaching them some tips and tricks for basketball, and then we’re also just making sure that they have some entertainment,” said Nathan Truesdell, the team’s vice president of marketing and revenue.

Tip-off for the CV Lakers is set for next Friday at 7 p.m. against the Salt Lake City Stars.

Check out our Coachella Valley Lakers section for continuing coverage.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An ex-cop who roughed up two boys while arresting them after they fled an alleged burglary on the campus of Desert Hot Springs High School was on probation today.

Johnny Acosta, 31, on Tuesday pleaded no contest to gun assault, filing a false report and assault by a peace officer. The charges were originally felonies, but under the defense’s plea offer, all counts were reduced to misdemeanors.

The plea was made directly to the court — over the objections of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office — during a hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Superior Court Judge Susanne Cho certified the terms and sentenced Acosta to a year of probation, as well as 100 hours of community service, to be completed through an area nonprofit organization.

The Department of Probation will also make a determination as to potential victim compensation, court records showed.

Acosta was arrested in November 2025 following a Riverside County Force Investigations Detail Task Force probe into the acts involving excessive use of force. Acosta posted a $30,000 bond and was released from custody the same day.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, shortly before 2 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2024, Desert Hot Springs Police Department patrol units were sent to the high school on Pierson Boulevard to investigate a possible break-in.

Acosta was among the patrolmen who encountered four male suspects fleeing the location when the officers approached, prosecutors said.

The defendant pursued one 17-year-old boy, resulting in the first act of excessive force, then went after another 17-year-old, culminating in the second instance of heavy-handedness, according to investigators.

The youths were ultimately taken into custody without incident, and there was no indication that either suffered injuries that necessitated medical treatment.

The specific actions on the part of the defendant weren’t disclosed, and there was no word regarding damage to the campus during the reported burglary.

Acosta was placed on administrative leave, after which an internal investigation was initiated that led to his dismissal from the police department on March 27, 2025.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Friday will mark the 60th anniversary of a Riverside murder case that remains unsolved but for which detectives continue to seek decisive clues that might close it.

Cheri Jo Bates, 18, was killed on the campus of Riverside City College, where she had gone to study in the library on the afternoon of Oct. 30, 1966.

Riverside Police Department Detective Steve Espinosa said that even though it’s been six decades, “information from the public may help bring answers to Cheri Jo’s family and move this investigation forward.”

The young woman went to visit the campus library while her family was elsewhere, though she left a note for her father telling him her destination, Espinosa said.

When his daughter didn’t return home that night, the man became anxious, finally contacting police shortly before 6 on Halloween morning.

Less than an hour later, an individual walking in the area of Fairfax Avenue and Terracina Drive, which is near the middle of the campus, discovered the body of a woman in an alleyway and called police. Espinosa said the remains were quickly confirmed to be those of Bates.

Detectives have not publicly disclosed the manner in which she was killed, or whether there was any type of attempted sexual assault.

“Investigators identified a primary person of interest,” Espinosa said. “Based on the evidence, this individual has remained a focus of the investigation over the years.”

There has not been sufficient evidence for an arrest.

“Investigators have continued to evaluate all viable leads and pursue new avenues of inquiry,” the police spokesman said. “The search for answers continues.”

Anyone with information was asked to contact the police department’s Cold Case Unit at homicidecoldcase@riversideCA.gov.

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Gavin Nguyen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California’s 47th State Assembly District is a big race for the Coachella Valley.

The district is a large one. Encompassing a big chunk of the valley, its eastern bounds start in La Quinta before stretching to portions of the Inland Empire. Including parts of Redlands, it also stretches north, into the High Desert of San Bernardino County, including Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree.

Greg Wallis is the incumbent and is looking ahead to his third term after first being elected in an extremely tight race in 2022. A Republican, he said he’s worked with the legislature’s Problem Solvers Caucus in search of good policy decisions rather than partisan politics.

That’s why he said he disagreed with how campaign ads paid for by his opponent have portrayed him this election cycle.

“It’s the politics of division we’ve seen every two years out here in the races that I’ve run,” he said. Responding to an ad that claimed he voted with the “Republican MAGA agenda,” he refuted, “You look at the initial claim on that. It was from an article that Cal Matters wrote calling me the most independent member of the state legislature.”

The ad also said he has voted to keep costs for Californians high. He refuted that claim, citing his voting history in the assembly: “I’ve voted against policies that are going to drive, well, companies out of state, because right now, the reality is Californians need fuel to get around. And when we artificially limit the supply like we have in Sacramento, you’re going to see costs go up.”

Leila Namvar is the Democratic challenger looking to oust Wallis from his assembly seat. Originally from Iran, she moved to the Coachella Valley in 2005. She has since served more than 20 years with the City of Indio drafting policy and is currently a Public Arts Analyst within Indio’s Public Works department.

Ads targeting her campaign claimed the policies she and her backers support extreme. She disagreed.

“I don’t consider [any of my positions] extreme. We pay taxes for essentials. Our tax pays for our police, fire, ambulances,” she said. “Their claims that there are some Democrats, that they disagree with me. That’s wrong.”

Namvar said her experience in public policy is something she would take with her to Sacramento.

“The way I operate is always show up, listen, learn and bring all the stakeholders at the table so we can create the policy that is balanced.”

She said she wanted to prioritize affordability, justice, and access to education and healthcare. “People are talking about affordability. People are afraid of their health care. That is going to go away. People are afraid that they can’t afford their rent.”

For Wallis, he said the cost of living was what was at the top of every voter’s mind this election. He wanted to prioritize bringing legislation forward to help drive down costs.

“I think that really means getting rid of red tape, getting rid of some of the redundant regulations that end up increasing timelines and driving up costs on projects that ultimately get passed on to Californians,” Wallis said.

The key to the race, according to independent political analyst Chad Mayes, was the appeal Greg Wallis manages to secure from voters across party lines.

“You know, that party label means an awful lot,” he explained. “The question is for Assemblymember Wallis, has he done enough to be able to reach out to folks in the district to say, listen, I’m representing your values. I think that he’s done that. The question is, is do the voters believe that he’s done that?”

News Channel 3 is your election headquarters. Be sure to stick with us for the latest updates leading up to and on Election Night.

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City News Service

COACHELLA (CNS) – The Coachella Valley Association of Governments could receive more than $300,000 to assist chronically homeless individuals in the city if the funding is approved by the Coachella City Council at tomorrow’s meeting.

City staff recommends that council members approve a memorandum of understanding with CVAG in the amount of $322,500 for the organization’s CV Housing First program.

The proposed program will provide case management and outreach services to homeless people, such as helping them qualify for benefits and connecting them to crisis stabilization units for referrals to temporary housing, including apartments and hotel rooms.

According to the staff report, the city previously participated in the program with an initial contribution of $100,000 before CVAG requested an additional $29,000 for rising costs.

If approved, the memorandum will expire on June 30, 2028 unless terminated by either party prior to July 1 of any fiscal year.

Wednesday’s meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at 1515 Sixth St.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has received a $1,442,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to strengthen traffic enforcement and education programs aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on local roads.

Several cities served by the Sheriff’s Office will receive funding through the program, including Coachella ($68,330.00), Indian Wells ($47,068.00), La Quinta ($60,924.00), Palm Desert ($62,224.00), and Rancho Mirage (41,873.00).

The funding will support initiatives targeting dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, failure to yield, red-light and stop-sign violations, and unsafe turning and lane changes. Additional efforts will focus on protecting pedestrians and bicyclists through targeted enforcement and community education.

The program will also fund DUI checkpoints, specialized officer training to identify impaired drivers, traffic safety presentations, and coordinated enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.

“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” said Senior Administrative Services Analyst Sally Lopez.

The grant-funded program runs through September 2027. Funding is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officials say the initiative combines enforcement and public education to discourage risky driving, prevent crashes, and make roads safer for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists throughout Riverside County.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Riverside County is seeking more than 700 volunteers for its annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count on Jan. 20, 2027. Bilingual volunteers are especially encouraged to participate.

The count provides a one-day snapshot of homelessness across the county’s 28 cities and unincorporated communities. Coordinated by the County’s Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions, the effort helps identify community needs, guide investments and connect people with housing resources.

“Our cities are essential partners in this work,” said Board Chair Supervisor Spiegel, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing homelessness and connecting residents with services.

The county will also continue its More Than a Count initiative, which aims to connect veterans, families, youth and seniors with same-day housing opportunities and supportive services.

“More Than a Count reflects our commitment to making this effort about more than gathering data,” said Heidi Marshall, director of Housing and Workforce Solutions.

How to Volunteer: Community members can register and select their preferred service areas at rivcohws.org/homeless-point-time-pit-count.

Individuals and families experiencing homelessness who need assistance can contact HomeConnect at 800-498-8847 or **homeconnect@ruhealth.org**.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors today approved a final budget of $14.55 million to cover all expenses that the Riverside County Office of the Registrar of Voters may incur for staffing, transportation of ballots and other necessities tied to next week’s General Election.

In a 5-0 vote without comment Tuesday, the board authorized the allocations, roughly 84% of which will be drawn from the General Fund, with the remainder coming from a state distribution stemming from legislation signed into law by the governor in June to aid counties in paying for additional temporary election workers.

“The funding is necessary to allow the registrar to have the appropriate resources to successfully conduct the Nov. 3 General Election,” according to an agency statement posted to the board’s agenda.

When the board approved the county’s 2026-27 fiscal year budget in June, the supervisors were informed that election expenses were not completely factored into the spending plan, but that Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco would be returning later for additional outlays.

Tinoco last week submitted the funding request for the election, based on estimated costs. It’s possible there will be overhanging expenses in the post-election period, stemming from unknown variables, including delayed ballot processing, recount requests and litigation.

Any further funding needs by the agency would have to be addressed by the board.

According to the Office of the Registrar of Voters, the current funding will pay for about 2,500 workers, including around 160 temporary employees added to the county payrolls specifically to support election-related functions.

The money will also be disbursed for “the secure transport of equipment to vote centers, materials and supplies to support the operation of both secure ballot drop-off sites and vote centers, on-site security personnel and other related election activities,” the registrar stated.

Last weekend, the first 21 vote centers opened, enabling registered voters to stop by and submit their ballots electronically via Dominion touchscreen units, fill out paper ballots on-site and leave them with Office of the Registrar of Voters personnel, or simply drop their completed vote-by-mail ballots.

An additional 131 vote centers are slated to open Saturday countywide.

Since the start of October, more than 100 “secure drop box” locations where voters can leave their ballots for pickup by registrar staff, rather than mailing them, have been available, according to agency.

Ballots must be received or postmarked no later than Nov. 3 in order to be counted, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.

There are 1.43 million registered voters in the county. According to the registrar, the participation rate in the June primary was 38%.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — While the Riverside County registrar of voters has expanded its options for ballot drop-offs and in-person voting, there are still gaps in the eastern Coachella Valley.

While there are locations in Mecca, unincorporated communities such as Thermal and North Shore are left without drop-off locations.

However, local organizations are working with voters in the Coachella Valley to expand access by providing transportation to those who need it.

For more information on receiving assistance getting to a voting center, stay tuned for the full story at 5 p.m.

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Raymond Kalra

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – From food insecurity to homelessness, some College of the Desert students are facing challenges that extend far beyond the classroom.

On Tuesday, the college hosted its annual South Annex Block Party, bringing students together for Halloween-themed activities while highlighting campus programs designed to help them overcome barriers and succeed in their education.

The event featured games, costumes and opportunities for students to connect with staff from several support programs, including Foster Youth Services, the Black Student Success Center, the Dreamer Resource Center and other campus organizations.

But beyond the festivities, organizers say the goal was to introduce students to resources they may not even know exist.

“The purpose of this event is to bring awareness of all the student services programs that we have here in the South Block,” said Patricia Espinoza, director of TRIO Upward Bound at College of the Desert.

Espinoza explained that while incoming students typically receive information about financial aid, admissions and academic requirements, they may not realize additional programs are available to support their individual needs.

Helping students overcome challenges

For some students, those needs extend well beyond textbooks and tuition.

Carol MacIntire, a counselor with College of the Desert’s Foster Youth Services program, said students who have experienced foster care can face significant obstacles while pursuing their education.

“Some of our students are homeless. They are often [facing] food insecurity,” MacIntire said.

The program offers assistance with educational planning, books, meals and transportation through resources such as book cards, meal cards and gas cards.

Students also have access to a study center, computers, a food pantry and scholarship opportunities.

MacIntire said the program works with community organizations, including Harrison House and Olive Crest, to help connect students experiencing housing instability with additional support.

She explained that addressing these challenges is an important part of helping students stay focused on their education.

Creating a sense of belonging

Another program highlighted during Tuesday’s event was the college’s Black Student Success Center.

The center provides academic tutoring, scholarship information, financial literacy programming and opportunities for students to build connections on campus.

Mary Eden, the center’s coordinator and academic counselor, said the services are designed to help students succeed academically while creating a welcoming environment.

“We’re here for them no matter what,” Eden said, explaining that staff can help students find resources and guide them in the right direction.

David Kesee, a program specialist with the center, emphasized that the college experience is about more than academics.

“It’s a sense of belonging that they belong here and there’s their community,” Kesee said.

Both emphasized that students who have questions or need assistance are encouraged to reach out, even if they are unsure which campus program can best serve them.

Students discover resources they didn’t know existed

For College of the Desert student Brianna, a previous South Annex Block Party helped her discover an opportunity she might have otherwise missed.

She said she learned about the TRIO ACES program while attending last year’s event.

“For me, it was TRIO ACES. That was a program that I learned last year that I didn’t know,” she said.

Since joining, Brianna said the program has provided counseling and assistance as she prepares to transfer to another college next fall.

“They’ve actually been helping me with counseling and to help me transfer out,” she said.

Another student, Madison Duran, said the event helps connect students with campus departments and creates opportunities to build relationships.

The two students, who also work as student tour guides, said events like Tuesday’s block party allow them to introduce their classmates to services that can sometimes go unnoticed.

Support beyond the block party

While Tuesday’s celebration provided an opportunity for students to explore campus resources in a relaxed environment, college staff emphasized that assistance is available throughout the academic year.

MacIntire said the goal is to address students’ immediate needs while helping them achieve their long-term educational goals, whether that means graduating or transferring to another institution.

For organizers, the hope is that students leave the event knowing where to turn when challenges arise.

And for students like Brianna, discovering the right program can make a lasting difference in their college experience.

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