Author: KESQ

Garrett Hottle

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) A driver who says he was nearly hit during Wednesday’s police pursuit through La Quinta and Indio is describing what he calls a “terrifying, split-second” moment that could have taken his life.

Twenty-year-old Jesse Bautista told KESQ News Channel he was driving east on Avenue 48, near Jefferson Street, when he suddenly saw flashing lights fill his rearview mirror.

“I looked and saw a white Camaro and a bunch of cops,” Batista said. “I could’t move over there were cars in front of me. The driver was right behind me, and at the last second, he jerked the car into another lane. If he hadn’t, he would’ve hit me.”

He says his windows were down and he could hear the sound of sirens growing louder as the pursuit closed in. He says the Camaro swerved sharply between lanes before speeding past, followed by several Riverside County Sheriff’s patrol cars.

“It was so fast I didn’t have time to think,” he said. “I was shaking, tearing up—I thought, ‘I’m too young to die.’”

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, deputies first tried to stop the suspect around 4:00 p.m. Wednesday near Avenue 47 and Adams Street in La Quinta. The driver failed to cooperate, leading to a chase that ended at Avenue 48 and Calhoun Street near the Indio-Coachella border, where the suspect crashed into another vehicle.

Deputies say the suspect ran from the scene but was caught after a neighborhood search. The driver of the uninvolved vehicle was taken to a hospital in stable condition, and Indio Police assisted with traffic control as the crash site was cleared.

Batista says after the near miss, he pulled over with other drivers and watched the chase continue east toward Coachella.

“Even when I got home, I could still hear the sirens,” he said. “My adrenaline was through the roof.”

The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains ongoing. The suspect’s name and charges have not been released.

Stick with KESQ News Channel 3 for updates. 

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Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The need for resources for homeless individuals continues to grow in the Coachella Valley, and local organization are consistently working to provide supplies to those in need within their shelters and programs.

Martha’s Village and Kitchen and the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission are both working toward donation drives for their homeless communities. Each are looking for clothing donations, especially as the weather shifts in the Valley.

CVRM is hosting a “Bare Necessities Drive,” where they are asking the community for any undergarments for their unsheltered neighbors and residents at the mission. They have donation boxes placed around the Valley at businesses where locals can drop off undergarments of all sizes for women, men and children throughout October.

Martha’s Village and Kitchen is reaching out to businesses, schools, churches and more for donation drives. They say they are in “urgent need” of food, toys for the holidays, school supplies and warm winter clothing.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear how donations shape the lives of residents in these programs and the growing need officials are seeing.

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City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The 29-year-old man accused of setting a New Year’s Day fire that prosecutors say smoldered for a week and grew into what became the deadly Palisades Fire pleaded not guilty today to a trio of federal charges.

Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom to one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and one count of timber set afire.

Wearing white jail garb with a chain around his waist — but not handcuffed — Rinderknecht appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rozella Oliver, and spoke in a loud, clear voice as he pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. He also acknowledged to the judge that he understood the charges against him.  

Oliver scheduled him to return to court Nov. 12 for a status conference, and a tentative trial was set for Dec. 16.   

Rinderknecht remains in federal custody, but his defense attorney, Steve Haney, indicated that he wanted to have a detention hearing to discuss possible bail or other release conditions. Haney said his client has no criminal record and no history of mental health problems or drug use.

The defense attorney also noted that Rinderknecht “is charged with a fire that started seven days after” he allegedly set a blaze in the hills above Pacific Palisades.

If convicted as charged, Rinderknecht would face a sentence of between five and 45 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

According to court documents, law enforcement officials determined that the Palisades Fire was a “holdover” fire — a continuation of the Lachman Fire that began early in the morning on New Year’s Day 2025. Although firefighters quickly suppressed the Lachman Fire, the fire continued to smolder and burn underground within the root structure of dense vegetation.   

On Jan. 7, hurricane-force Santa Ana winds caused the underground fire to surface and spread above ground in what became known as the Palisades Fire, which caused widespread damage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The fire burned 23,448 acres and destroyed much of the exclusive community, destroying about 6,800 structures and killing 12 people.   

Using witness statements, video surveillance, cell phone data and analysis of fire dynamics and patterns at the scene, among other things, law enforcement determined that Rinderknecht “maliciously” set the Lachman Fire just after midnight on Jan. 1 on federal land, prosecutors said.

A week later, the same fire — then known as the Palisades Fire — spread throughout the area, prosecutors said.   

On the evening of Dec. 31, 2024, Rinderknecht was working as an Uber driver, prosecutors said. Two passengers he drove on separate trips between 10:15 and 11:15 p.m. that night later told law enforcement that they remembered Rinderknecht appeared agitated and angry, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

After dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades, Rinderknecht — who once lived in the neighborhood — drove toward Skull Rock Trailhead, parked his car, attempted to contact a former friend and walked up the trail, court papers show.

He then used his iPhone to take videos at a nearby hilltop area and listened to a rap song — to which he had listened repeatedly in previous days — whose music video included things being lit on fire, federal prosecutors allege.

At 12:12 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025, environmental sensing platforms indicated the Lachman Fire had begun. Prosecutors contend that during the next five minutes, Rinderknecht called 911 several times, but didn’t get through because his iPhone was out of range. When he finally connected with 911, he was at the bottom of the hiking trail and reported the fire, according to cell data. By that point, a nearby resident already had reported the fire to authorities.   

Rinderknecht then allegedly fled in his car, passing fire engines driving in the opposite direction. He then turned around and followed the fire engines to the scene, driving at a high rate of speed, prosecutors said.   

He walked up the same trail from earlier that night to watch the fire and the firefighters, federal prosecutors allege, and at approximately 1:02 a.m., he allegedly used his iPhone to take more videos of the scene.   

During a Jan. 24 interview with law enforcement in Florida, where he relocated after the fire, Rinderknecht allegedly lied about where he was when he first saw the Lachman Fire. He claimed he was near the bottom of a hiking trail when he first saw the fire and called 911, but geolocation data from his iPhone carrier showed that he was standing in a clearing 30 feet from the fire as it rapidly grew, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A former girls soccer coach from the Coachella Valley was a habitual predator, kissing, fondling and propositioning multiple players, the prosecution said today, while the defense argued the witnesses’ testimony was unreliable and possibly driven by a hostile co-worker who encouraged the victims to tell stories.

Juan Manuel Pantoja Troncoso, 29, of Salton City is charged with three counts each of forcible lewd acts on a child and contacting a minor for the purpose of perpetrating a sexual offense, five counts of annoying a child and one count of battery, with sentence-enhancing allegations of targeting multiple victims.   

Testimony in Troncoso’s trial began in late September and concluded Tuesday at the Banning Justice Center. Closing arguments were held Wednesday, with Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Singerton presiding.   

Deputy District Attorney Thomas Farnell gave a detailed account of the five victims’ recollections of what allegedly occurred during their interactions with the defendant when he was one of the lead coaches in the After-School Education and Safety program at Toro Canyon Middle School in Thermal in 2019.  

One of Troncoso’s primary targets was allegedly a then-13-year-old soccer player. The girl alleged that during an encounter on campus, the defendant “forcibly grabbed her wrist and placed her hand on his penis, putting his mouth on her breasts and touching her vagina,” Farnell recounted to jurors.  

During a school-sponsored Halloween carnival, Troncoso also cornered the girl with the “intent to molest her,” though she was ultimately able to get away from him, according to the prosecution.   

He later asked her during a soccer practice session if she “wanted to do it” with him, Farnell alleged.  

The prosecutor alleged that another 13-year-old girl was groped by Troncoso, who put his hand under her sweater and through her hair.   

When a 14-year-old player asked his opinion about her new shirt, Troncoso responded, “Everything looks good on you,” Farnell told jurors, citing it as an instance of lewd communication.

The defendant accosted a 13-year-old girl, allegedly asking her point-blank if she “wanted to (expletive),” then offering her cash to fulfill the request, which frightened the child, the prosecution said.  

A 12-year-old girl told Riverside County Sheriff’s Office investigators that she and Troncoso initially “had a good friendship, but he took advantage,” Farnell said.   

He reminded jurors the girl went on to testify the defendant allegedly put his hands around her stomach and called her “gordita,” encouraging her to “ditch with him” before a physical education class.

The prosecutor further said when he learned A.N. had bisexual tendencies, the defendant allegedly asked her whether “she liked dick”?  

The girl was nearly brought to tears.

The campus’ principal soccer coach, Javier Perez, said some of the girls refused to take to the field unless he was present over fears of Troncoso’s behavior, Farnell recalled.

He additionally pointed to testimony by middle school teacher Maria Sylva, who described the defendant as liking “12- to 14-year-old girls. That’s his type.”

Defense attorney Melanie Roe countered that most of the witnesses were negatively influenced by Sylva, who bore unexplained animosity toward Troncoso and had spoken with the girls before they went to authorities.   

“Sylva contaminated the memories of these girls,” Roe told jurors. “She had a mean-spirited intent.”   

The attorney insisted that V.R. did not allege any wrongdoing when Perez first spoke to her, but later changed her story following time spent with Sylva.   

“All (of the allegations) were fabricated on the stand by her,” Roe said.   

She said the witnesses, now in their late teens, had ideas planted by Sylva, including the use of words such as “uncomfortable” and “inappropriate,” which students in their early teens wouldn’t normally convey unless an adult, in this case an educator, had steered them toward such terms.

As to whether her client had made casual observations or offered supportive hugs to the youths, Roe questioned where the line was drawn between criminal offense and friendly chat.  

“‘It’s not a crime to stare someone up and down, or to hug someone,” the attorney told jurors.  

She praised Troncoso’s character, pointing out that he was holding down three jobs to support his family at the time of his arrest in 2020.   

The defense cast doubt on the thoroughness of the investigation, suggesting it was rushed by Investigator Damen Butvidas and largely fueled by Sylva’s own perceptions, as opposed to what the victims actually experienced.   

“This was an incomplete investigation,” Roe said.   

Jurors deliberated briefly Wednesday and were ordered by Singerton to return to resume deliberations Thursday morning.   

Troncoso, who has no documented prior felony convictions, is being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.   

He was dismissed by the Coachella Valley Unified School District in the winter of 2020, soon after his arrest.

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Timothy Foster

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) -The magic of Disney has officially arrived in the desert. Cotino — the first-ever Storyliving by Disney community is coming to life in the greater Palm Springs area, and new milestones are being reached every day. The first homeowners have already settled in, discovering the same beauty that once inspired Walt Disney and his family: sweeping mountain views, colorful sunsets, mid-century architecture, and a thriving local art scene.

A Community with Disney Magic

Residents have the option to join the Artisan Club, a members-only retreat designed for relaxation and recreation along the crystal-clear waters of Cotino Bay, powered by Crystal Lagoons technology.

Disney Imagineers helped shape the club’s design, blending their signature storytelling touches with the iconic mid-century modern style that defines the Coachella Valley. Inside, every space tells a story — from original Disney artwork and archival designs to custom pieces created by local artists.

Later this month, the Artisan Club will officially open, offering members a place to connect, create, and celebrate. Experiences will include storytelling-themed dinners, art workshops, and other creative gatherings all hosted by Disney cast members. Whether exploring a new passion or revisiting an old hobby, members can expect the kind of personalized attention Disney is known for.

Dining, Disney-Style

The Artisan Club will feature two unique dining destinations Architects Fork and Plot Twist each offering fresh, seasonal menus.

Architects Fork, the main table-service restaurant, celebrates the art of Disney design. Guests can dine surrounded by original concept sketches and blueprints from beloved attractions like “it’s a small world” and Big Thunder Mountain. The restaurant also showcases pieces from legendary Disney artists such as Mary Blair and Bruce Bushman, connecting diners to the creative spirit behind the brand.

Just steps away, Plot Twist serves as the club’s outdoor beach bar a casual hangout overlooking Cotino Bay. Members can sip cocktails or enjoy light bites while lounging near the water. The space playfully nods to classic literature that inspired Disney favorites, from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to Cinderella.

Wellness, the Disney Way

For those who prefer to stay active, the Artisan Club offers a full range of fitness options from Pilates and pickleball to paddleboarding on Cotino Bay. Imagineers even designed a lineup of Disney-inspired fitness classes that blend exercise with storytelling.

Members can breathe like Moana, dance like the Encanto family, take on a superhero-style circuit workout inspired by The Incredibles, or paddle like Stitch across the lagoon. All classes are offered through health and wellness provider Optum, ensuring a mix of fun and fitness with a touch of magic.

This is just the beginning for Cotino’s Artisan Club. As more amenities open later this month, residents will continue to experience what makes this new desert community and its Disney influence so special.

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Shay Lawson

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Jose Daniel Piña known as “Daniel”, a beloved mail carrier who served in Thousand Palms, tragically passed away earlier this month.

Piña wasn’t just known for delivering letters — coworkers said he delivered kindness, laughter and warmth on every route. 

He was also the mail carrier for the KESQ newsroom.

Piña’s father said he had recently welcomed a baby girl, bringing new joy into his life and now, a piece of him will live on forever through her.

Tiffany Moya, coworker, said he lit up every room he walked into.

“We were more than just coworkers,” Moya said. “We were like best friends. He actually trained me to be the mail carrier that I am today.”

You can support Piña’s family at cisnerosesperanza57@icloud.com.

They’re also holding a carwash in his memory over the weekend.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full story at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Angela Chen

A new report by UCLA finds that conditions at the Salton Sea are worse than state data suggests.

As morning anchor Angela Chen shows us, scientists are highlighting a critical shortcoming in the government’s monitoring of harmful emissions.

Sara Renteria has lived in Mecca for 17 years and says that over time, the stink from the sea has wormed its way into her children’s bodies.

“During that time that I’ve been living here, I’ve met people who have also been sick and out of nowhere they get asthma,” said Renteria, speaking in Spanish to morning anchor Angela Chen. “These children who are bleeding from their noses – out of nowhere too. In fact, my daughter also has nosebleeds.”

On windy days, you can smell the rotten-egg stench blowing from the lake all the way to Palm Springs. That smell — hydrogen sulfide — is now at the center of scrutiny in two new briefs from UCLA.

“Our briefs primarily show that the pollution at the Salton Sea is much worse than what the government data suggests,” said Alejandra Lopez, one of the authors of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute briefs on the Salton Sea.

Previously, that stink was often dismissed as just that — a bad smell. But two new briefs from UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute report that the health impacts have been overlooked.

“Here within the valley, since it is so low level and it’s a chronic, consistent smell, it can be linked to many different public health issues, such as nausea, headaches, dizziness. Those are all things that can come from hydrogen sulfide,” said Juliana Taboada, the coordinator for the Thriving Salton Sea Communities Campaign of Alianza Coachella Valley.

As we show in our video animation, this is how the rotten-egg smell develops: the Salton Sea is largely replenished by agricultural runoff from nearby farms. That water is filled with pesticides and fertilizers. There is no fresh water flowing into the lake. The fertilizer and nutrients from the farm water runoff help plants at the bottom of the Salton Sea grow, which uses up oxygen in the water. When these plants decompose, bacteria require energy and oxygen to break them down. Because oxygen levels are too low, the bacteria use sulfate instead — producing hydrogen sulfide. On windy days, the air can mix with the water to spreads hydrogen sulfide into surrounding communities.

The briefs also say hydrogen sulfide emissions exceed what’s considered acceptable by the State of California.

UCLA, Alianza Coachella Valley, and other groups say they have a clearer picture because of their own high-frequency sensors that measure air and water quality directly over the Salton Sea versus government sensors, which are located farther away in surrounding cities.

“These conditions include toxic gas emissions and very poor water quality. Our findings highlight the need for immediate action from responsible agencies and enforcement of standards,” said Lopez.

News Channel 3 asked officials at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to respond — and had to push for answers. When asked if officials had even read the report or planned to take it seriously, the Air Resources Board said it didn’t know the methodology UCLA used — and therefore couldn’t comment.

“We would need to know more about the researchers’ methodology to be able to weigh in on the brief,” said CARB in a statement response to Chen’s email asking whether the agency had even seen any portion of the briefs or planned on taking the briefs seriously.

The CARB response goes on to say, “We agree more needs to be done to address the many issues related to pollution from the Salton Sea and are committed to working with the community to address concerns. The state is actively engaged with several researchers and research efforts on Salton Sea issues and takes these efforts very seriously.”

One thing is clear: conditions at some parts of the Salton Sea are not improving. Our News Channel 3 team noted a severe receding of the shoreline at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club since we last visited two years ago. As of October, visitors could see a wide stretch of exposed lakebed and water that has turned brackish red.

The lake can appear red on some days because of active red algae blooms and bacteria that thrive in its harsh conditions.

“Our research came about back in 2020 when the Bureau of Reclamation stopped doing water quality assessments, and we wanted to kind of fill in that gap. Since then, we’ve been doing continual water quality monitoring,” said Lopez. “We know that the water is getting more concentrated in nutrients, as the only inflow of water is from agriculture use, but obviously with climate change and things we’re seeing within the last couple of years that it’s been really rapidly decreasing.”

“I grew up in Mecca, but the community that we reside in has been historically underinvested in,” said Taboada. “And unfortunately, I think the lake is a very good example of that. I think we have seen so many different intentions and plans, and while it’s really great to see that there is action being taken, the community members are often not put into those conversations.”

“We are Hispanic — and Hispanic communities are more often neglected,” said Renteria. “What I’d like to see is real change for the community and its well-being.”

UCLA, Alianza Coachella Valley, community members, and others are calling for the state to review — and actually enforce — its own hydrogen sulfide emission standards.

“There’s such a misconception of the Eastern Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea region, that this is like a post apocalyptic area where no one resides and people don’t live here. But that’s actually far from the truth,” said Taboada. “Community members and myself, we grew up here. This is where I’m from. This is a place that I talk about when I go to school, when I talk to my friends, people live here, and they’re always going to live here.”

Many of these residents don’t have the means to move — and they’re pleading with the state and those in charge to take action.

You can watch all of Angela Chen’s in-depth reporting on the Salton Sea, its health impacts, and ongoing lithium development at KESQ.com.

Missed Part 1? Catch up below

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Garrett Hottle

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will officially celebrate its grand reopening on November 8, following months of construction and nearly a decade of planning.

After months of construction, parts of Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park have reopened to the public, giving visitors their first glimpse of a $12 million enhancement project led by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District.

The project has been years in the making. So far, visitors can see the modernized RV pads, shaded picnic areas, and new landscaping that are already complete.

The upgrades to the park and pool are also apparent, even at a distance.

“What we’ve done here, part of the construction documents is basically a modernization,” Kevin Wiecamp, Construction Superintendent with the company KYA, overseeing the work. “So we’ve upgraded all the facilities, restrooms, playground, the irrigation systems, the pools been totally rehabbed and redone. It’s been out of service for I believe ten years.”

The new pool also includes a heat resistant coating placed around the walking area of the pool to protect kids feet from burning, Wiecamp explained.

“All the restrooms have been ripped out and all redone, refurbished new roofing. As we move around the park to the other side, we added a basketball court, a pickleball court, all the, the exterior lighting. And then the big one is the amphitheater over here. It’s all concrete with the shade structure and electrical outlets for events, and that’s all brand new.”

Officials say more work still ahead, including the park’s first pool and splash pad in nearly a decade expected to open in early 2026.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, whose district includes La Quinta, announced a Nov. 8 ribbon-cutting celebration of Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park. You can find that information included below.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An attempted traffic stop by Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies in La Quinta on Wednesday afternoon escalated into a chase that ended near the Indio-Coachella border, with the suspect crashing into another car and fleeing the scene.

Deputies report that the suspect failed to cooperate with the stop around 4:00 p.m. in the area of Avenue 47 and Adams Street, leading to the pursuit. The chase ended at Avenue 48 and Calhoun Street as the suspect crashed into a vehicle that was not involved in the pursuit.

The male suspect fled on foot from the scene to a nearby neighborhood, and after a search of the area, deputies found and arrested him.

Indio Police Department assisted with traffic control as eastbound Avenue 48 was closed from Calhoun to Chapparosa Street for a time while the search was active and the collision scene was cleared.

Deputies add that the uninvolved motorist in the crash was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

The Sheriff’s Office states that the investigation is ongoing. Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Jesus Reyes

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The former Associate Dean of CSU San Bernardino has been awarded $6 million in a gender discrimination lawsuit against Cal State University, attorney group Helmer Friedman LLP. announced.

A jury in Los Angeles County returned a $6 million verdict in favor of Dr. Anissa Rogers.

According to her attorneys, the lawsuit stemmed from reports from Rogers and other employees to multiple CSU officials that the defendant, CSUSB Palm Desert Dean Jake Zhu, was harassing and discriminating against female employees on account of their gender.

Despite repeated reports, CSU took no action to remedy the situation. CSU would go on to fire Rogers from her Associate Dean position.

The jury’s $6 million award is entirely for noneconomic damages, including compensation for emotional distress and the personal toll suffered by Rogers on account of workplace gender discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

“This case exposed what women inside Cal State have been saying for years: the mistreatment of women within the Cal State system is not just a series of one-off incidents; the problem is systemic and structural,” said Andrew H. Friedman of Helmer Friedman, LLP who represented Dr. Rogers. This verdict should serve as a loud message to CSU to clean up its act and take complaints of employment violations seriously,” Friedman added. “Cal State can no longer ignore the systemic twin problems of gender-based mistreatment and retaliation that is endemic. The jury saw the importance of holding this institution to account, and we’re very appreciative of that.”

Rogers’ lead trial lawyer, David M. deRubertis of The deRubertis Law Firm APC, argued the gender based mistreatment of Rogers was an inevitable result after CSU San Bernardino ignored a 2015 “climate survey” that suggested a culture of fear, intimidation, gender-based mistreatment and bullying at Cal State San Bernardino and recommended adoption of an anti-bullying policy and an audit of HR practices and policies.

At trial, CSU San Bernardino President Tomas Morales admitted that neither recommendation was implemented.

Courtney Abrams of Courtney Abrams, PC, who also represented Dr. Rogers, said the jury verdict “represents a resounding rejection of CSU’s long-running denials of gender bias within its ranks. Dr. Rogers stood up not only for herself, but also the other women who have been subjected to gender based double-standards within the Cal State system.”

Friedman, Abrams, and deRubertis also represent Clare Weber, the former Vice Provost of Academic Affairs of CSU San Bernardino, whose claims of gender pay equity, harassment based on gender and retaliation are expected to go to trial next year.

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