Author: KESQ

Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Get ready to savor traditional family recipes and creative new flavors at the 33rd annual International Tamale Festival in Downtown Indio this weekend, December 6th and 7th.

The Festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. Admission is free, with free parking at the Riverside County Fairgrounds and a complimentary shuttle to Miles Avenue Park.

The journey starts at the Chavez Jessup GMC Tamale Trail – the heart of the tamale experience. Every stop along the trail celebrates the rich culture and flavor behind every dish.

Entertainment at the event includes live music, cultural performances, and carnival rides, along with lucha libre Mexican wrestling. Families can visit Santa’s Village for crafts and photo opportunities, and spread cheer at the Holiday Toy Drive by bringing an unwrapped, new gift to Santa’s Workshop.

The festival also features the crowd-favorite Tamale Eating Contest where the goal is to eat the most cheese tamales in two minutes, as well as a juried Best of the Fest Tamale Competition.

You can also kick off the holidays and celebrate community at “Flock the Block,” a festive lane of decorated trees by schools, nonprofits, neighbors, and local businesses.

For more information, visit indiointernationaltamalefestival.com and @IndioTamaleFest on Instagram.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Dozens gathered at DAP Health Monday night for a candlelight vigil honoring the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and reflecting on the ongoing fight against the epidemic.

David Brinkman, DAP Health CEO, addressed the crowd, alongside community members who shared emotional, personal testimonies about their experiences.

Many described the ceremony as a space for healing, remembrance and solidarity.

After the vigil, attendees moved inside for a viewing of select panels of the historic AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Organizers said it’s a powerful display honoring those who died during the height of the crisis, with around 50,000 panels.

4 original panels from the National AIDS Memorial quilt are on exhibit at DAP Health Sunrise from December 1–5, open daily from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – On Monday – World AIDS Day – the groundbreaking was especially meaningful for the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial at Downtown Park.

Hundreds gathered to witness a major step in finally bringing the Memorial to life. It has been more than a decade in the making, planned for completion in spring of 2026.

The event also included a moving tribute to those lost to HIV and AIDS.

The groundbreaking was the culmination of the 12-year effort to create a lasting place of remembrance, healing, and hope. Palm Springs AIDS Memorial Task Force member Mike Richey said, “It’s going to create awareness about the disease, it’s going to create awareness about the people who helped those who were ill very early on were caregivers for them, it’s going to help those we lost and remember them.”

Monday’s ceremony symbolized more than the start of construction on the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial. For many, it represented the community’s resilience through decades of loss, care, and activism.

Local artist Phillip K. Smith designed the piece, called “The Well of Love,” pro bono. Smith said, “This is a project that’s been talked about for so long, and it’s finally happening.”

Hundreds of donors and residents contributed time, energy, and money toward the $1.2 million fundraising goal, leaving just $275 thousand to go. The Memorial will be gifted to the city and added to its public art installation.

Smith continued, “It’s not in a park somewhere that you have to park and walk to, it’s part of the city, part of the fabric of the city, part of the experience of being in downtown, and that was really important for the whole task force.”

The 11-foot tall stone structure will share three different messages: “Forever Remembered,” Forever Loved,” and Forever Celebrated.” Each vertical glass face holds an oval pool of tears unique to its message.

Vincent Corrales, who has lost friends to AIDS, said, “This memorial here is something that will help us to remember all our friends who have passed and the work ahead to find a cure for HIV.”

Members of the Memorial Task Force say the project will do more than honor the past – It will ensure the history of the AIDS crisis in Palm Springs is never forgotten.

Task Force member Dan Spencer said of choosing World Aids Day for the groundbreaking, “It is an important day because of awareness, and because of the memories we have of so many we lost. And because people are still living with HIV and AIDS and so the community provides a lot of support.”

A digital component will also accompany the physical Memorial, including a QR code to share the Memorial’s concept and to highlight the timeline of HIV and AIDS in Palm Springs.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Coachella will celebrate the holiday season with two free events this week in the downtown area.   

“The holiday season is one of my favorite times in Coachella,” Councilman Frank Figueroa said. “This is when our downtown comes alive with magic, we honor residents who have made an impact in the community, and we all come together to share in the excitement and spirit of the season.”

The city’s annual Christmas tree lighting event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of City Hall on Sixth Street.   

The day will feature photos with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, special holiday treats and giveaways.  

“The Enchanted Holiday Parade” will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, with Grand Marshal Lee Espinoza and hosted by Coachella Valley Unified School District Superintendent Frances Esparza.

The event will include Santa’s Bounce House Village, a scavenger hunt, face painting, and balloon twisting.   

Both events will be livestreamed on the city’s social media pages.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Indio will host a free holiday concert in the downtown area next week to celebrate the season.  

The all-ages event, “Center Stage Presents: Holiday Concert,” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 at Center Stage, 82881 Miles Ave.   

“We are excited to bring the community together in downtown Indio for a joyful and memorable holiday celebration,” according to a statement by city officials. “Activating Center Stage remains one of our top priorities and offering free monthly concerts is a wonderful way to create fun community experiences and keep our downtown vibrant.”   

The concert will feature a performance by Radio Ready. Guests can pick up Indio-branded Santa hats while supplies last, and the first 100 attendees will receive a complimentary Papa Headz burger.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring their own chairs.   

More information can be found at the city’s website, www.indio.org.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – To commemorate 100 years of service, the Palm Springs Public Library will host an event this weekend at its temporary location in Rimrock Plaza.

The free celebration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at 4721 E. Palm Canyon Drive.  

“This is quite a milestone,” Director of Library Services Jeannie Kays said in a statement. “We are proud of the library’s legacy and it impact on the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.”  

The event will feature a selfie booth, a historical photo display, special commemorative giveaways, music and cake.   

Officials listed a few of the library’s accomplishments, including helping establish several libraries in the Coachella Valley, being instrumental in the formation of the Historical Society and Channel 17 community television. It was also the first public library in the nation to serve as a passport acceptance agency.  

The facility began as a small library known as Alliene’s Library that moved to different locations before it received a land donation from the son of Welwood Murray. The Welwood Murray Memorial Library, which opened in 1941, served as the city’s main library until a new, larger facility designed by architect William Cody opened in Sunrise Park on Dec. 7, 1975.   

More information about the library can be found at www.pslibrary.org, or by calling 760-322-7323.

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Jesus Reyes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KESQ) – Congressman Ken Calvert introduced the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act, or H.R. 5935, on Monday.

According to Calvert’s office, the legislation facilitates the execution of the water settlement agreement reached by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (Tribe), Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), and Desert Water Agency (DWA).

“One of the many ways we recognize and protect the tribal sovereignty of tribes, like the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, is to protect and honor their water rights. I want to thank the Tribe as well as the Coachella Valley Water District and Desert Water Agency for reaching this water settlement. I look forward to working with them and the Department of Interior to pass this bill and fully execute the settlement,” said Rep. Calvert.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act ratifies that the Tribe has a federally reserved water right up to 20,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater from the Indio Subbasin that is held in trust by the U.S. for the Tribe and individual allottees.

The Tribe would also have surface water rights in Tahquitz Creek, Andreas Creek, and Whitewater Ranch, held in trust by the U.S.

The bill would establish a $500 million “Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund” in the U.S. Treasury to be administered by the Department of Interior. The fund would include accounts for Development Projects, Groundwater Augmentation, Water Management, and Operation, Maintenance and Replacement Costs. The bill would transfer 2,742 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to the Tribe, with gaming prohibited on the transferred land.

“The historic Agua Caliente water rights settlement affirms the Tribe’s right to manage, regulate, and govern the use of the Tribal Water Rights and at the same time improves the sustainability of water supplies for the entire Coachella Valley. The Tribe is grateful for Congressman Calvert’s leadership in authoring this bill and for his longstanding dedication to both tribal sovereignty and smart water management. We urge Congress to move this legislation forward quickly,” said Chairman Reid Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Under the terms of the agreement, domestic water service would not stop or switch to a tribal utility. Instead, CVWD and DWA would continue to supply households and businesses on the Reservation.

“The introduction of this legislation is an important step in implementing the settlement agreement. It provides a clear framework for honoring Tribal water rights and builds upon our long-term water management strategies that have served the Coachella Valley for over a century. By moving this agreement forward through Congress, we are reinforcing a collaborative approach that benefits the entire region,” said John Powell Jr., CVWD Board President.

“Desert Water Agency supports the legislation needed to move this settlement agreement forward and appreciates Congressman Calvert’s role in introducing the bill. This agreement reflects the shared commitment of all three parties to protect our aquifer and ensure a sustainable water future for the Coachella Valley. DWA customers can continue to count on the same high-quality water and dedicated service they have always received,” said Paul Ortega, Desert Water Agency Board President.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A 41-year-old Palm Springs man was charged with possessing and uploading child pornography.

Matthew David Pettineo was arrested last week along the 800 Block of Village Square North. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team served a search warrant at the address, seizing computers and electronic items, which a computer forensic examiner will examine for further evidence.

On Monday, Pettineo was officially charged with two felony counts, possessing child porn and also trying to upload or sale child porn. He was arraigned in court that afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 12.

Pettineo was arrested back in Aug. 2021 for having images of child exploitation. His arrest was captured in a special I-Team report on the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team.

According to the DA’s office, in that case, Pettineo pleaded guilty to the court in April 2022. He was sentenced to 270 days in jail and granted 2 years of formal probation.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation board will conduct interviews next month to appoint a replacement for Director Arthur Shorr.

Shorr announced his resignation earlier this month, but it officially went into effect on Sunday. The Board has 60 days — until Jan. 29, 2026 — to appoint or call a special election to fill the vacant seat.

Directors voted at their monthly meeting on Nov. 25 in support of the appointee option. They will have a special public Board meeting at 4 p.m. Jan. 8 to conduct interviews and appoint a new Director. The meeting will take place at the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation offices at 1140 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

The new Director must be a resident of the Healthcare District’s zone five, according to California Health & Safety Code Section 32100.

Click here to see zone five’s boundaries, or call the Riverside County Registrar of Voters at 951-486-7200 to determine if you reside within zone 5

Interested residents will have until 5 p.m. Jan. 5 to submit a cover letter and résumé to Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO Chris Christensen to be considered for the Board seat. Applications may be submitted by email to info@dhcd.org.

The new Board Director who is appointed in January will serve about 10 months.

On Nov. 3, 2026, the appointee or someone else who decides to run will be elected to serve the remaining two years of Shorr’s four-year term. When the full term is completed in November 2028, a regular election will be held to fill the Board seat for a standard four-year term.

Read the Notice of Vacancy for full details.

Shorr first joined the Board as an appointee in May 2019, replacing Director Jennifer Wortham who resigned. Coachella Valley voters then elected him to serve in 2020 and again in 2024.

Arthur Shorr

“Serving alongside a dedicated staff and elected representatives has been both an honor and privilege,” Shorr said in his resignation letter. “The level of commitment and dedication to the ideal of maximizing the quality of life has been the guiding light that has manifested itself in a wide variety of positive impacts supported by district funding.”

Officials said Shorr’s many contributions to the Board, including terms as Board treasurer, were buoyed by 40+ years of professional experience in the healthcare industry. He served in executive management positions in acute care teaching hospitals, founded and managed an international healthcare consulting firm, and served on hospital governing boards.

“Director Shorr will be missed,” CEO Chris Christensen said. “The District benefited tremendously from the business acumen, pragmatic outlook, and humor he brought to the Board and committees during six years of service. We wish him all the best in his next endeavor.”

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Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, including the restrooms, will close to inbound and outbound traffic from 6 a.m., Dec. 3 through 6 p.m., Dec. 5, park officials announced.

Park Boulevard will also be closed to vehicle traffic for six miles from the west entrance to Quail Springs Picnic Area. The closure includes the Maze Loop and Bigfoot trailhead parking areas.

Visitors may not drive to or park at these trailheads during the closure. All other park roads are expected to remain open.

Exiting vehicles will be able to turn around at Quail Springs Picnic Area. Entering vehicles will be able to turn around at the current west entrance station, but it is not advised due to an expected backup of traffic.

Visitors may enter or exit the park using the north entrance station in Twentynine Palms or the Cottonwood entrance at the park’s south boundary.

The north entrance station is most accessible for visitors traveling on Highway 62. It is 25 miles east of the west entrance station and adds less than 20 minutes of driving time.

“I’m happy to share that the west entrance project is in its final phase,” said Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Jane Rodgers. “We appreciate the patience of our neighbors and visitors during construction and look forward to welcoming visitors at the new entrance booths soon.” 

Visitors can access construction updates at https://www.nps.gov/jotr/learn/management/2025-west-entrance-construction.htm

Park rangers encourage visitors to recreate responsibly in their vehicles by observing posted speed limits and driving only on designated roads. Visitors can prepare for their visit by:

Purchasing an entrance pass ahead of time at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74286 and being prepared to show their pass at the entrance station

Downloading the NPS App for trip planning and park alerts at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm

Checking the park website for current conditions, restrictions, closures, and more at http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

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