Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) — The Riverside County Department of Animal Services says it is in urgent need of the public’s help, as its shelters are at 220% capacity this week.

Officials say this has resulted in multiple dogs per kennel and a decrease in the quality of life for pets.

Some would say the numbers are stacked against the county, as they’ve consistently accepted more animals than have been adopted.

County data shows that since May 1, 776 animals were adopted, 427 were euthanized, and 2,636 were accepted into shelters.

“It’s terrifying of course. I thought the numbers coming in must be way higher than they’ve been in the course of the last few years. It’s not true. They’re actually dropping. So our real problem is more about how do we get them out and finding them homes,” RCDAS Director Mary Martin said.

The biggest problem? Large dogs, and Martin says it’s something they can’t adopt their way out of.

“Hiring people and improving our foster program, improving our rescue outreach, lots of things we can do. So I don’t want to sound helpless, but what I’m seeing here and through my colleagues everywhere else is the same problem, which is finding homes for the large dogs.”

The county is pushing fosters and rescues, but says they need more help from the public.

“A weekend out of the shelter can save a life if it happens to get seen at the coffee shop and get adopted, or even if it just had a few days just to de-stress out of the shelter two weeks a month. We need them to understand that anything is better than being left in a kennel day after day, after day,” Martin said.

In some CVAC kennels, you’ll find 3-4 large dogs. Some of those who’ve been in the shelter for nearly a year.

“It’s not okay, it’s completely inappropriate. We need to be a resource and have space to help our community,” Martin said.

It’s why officials say they’ve faced the difficult decision to euthanize some animals for space. Within the past week, 152 animals have been euthanized, while 821 have been recorded as intake at all four campuses.

For animal advocates like Jessica Klein, changes still need to be made.

“It all needs to happen quicker, and it needs to happen with more transparency. I wonder why are they paying the consultant $2.5 million? Take that money and enlarge the shelter,” Klein said.

Now, they’re waiving all adoption and return-to-owner fees, as well as extending hours, in hopes of getting more animals out. San Jacinto Animal Campus will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight this Saturday to encourage adoptions.

Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

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Allie Anthony

During the hot summer months, dawn and dusk are popular times for hikers to get out on local trails. However, these are also the times that mountain lions are most active.

As summer temperatures rise, more hikers are heading out during the early morning and evening hours to avoid the heat. However, these are also the times when mountain lions tend to be most active.

Recent sightings have been reported along popular trails like the Bump and Grind.

“I personally have not seen them, but I hike with a young woman who did spot them several weeks ago,” said Barbara Forgeron, a local hiker. “She was hiking up there in the dark. She saw the eyes of the pup. She knew the mom wasn’t too far, so she got very frightened, backed off, and fortunately for her, there were people behind her who also had seen them and helped escort her down the hill.”

If you encounter a mountain lion, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends the following:

Remain calm

Maintain eye contact

Make yourself appear larger

Make loud noises to scare it away

While attacks are rare, knowing what to do can help keep you safe during those early morning or evening hikes.

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Luis Avila

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Progress being made in reducing overdose deaths, but experts say it’s no time to let up.

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. plunged last year to their lowest level since 2019, according to new numbers from the CDC. In 2024, nationwide overdose deaths fell by nearly 30,000 from the year before, a drop of about 27 percent. 

“The decrease in overdose from 2023 to 2024, a majority of those are from fentanyl.”

Dr. Teresa Jackson, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation medical director

Riverside County seeing similar trends. In 2024, 652 overdose deaths, down from nearly 900 the year prior.

Riverside County Overdose Data to Action | RODA

Experts are crediting increased availability in Narcan, expanded access to treatment centers, and more focus on harm reduction strategies. A step in the right direction, but the challenge now is making sure the numbers keep falling.

13:11:03 “Although our overall numbers go down, young Americans are very vulnerable and that trends applies here in the Coachella Valley… Nationally, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is really lobbying against Medicaid cuts specifically for substance use disorders and mental health. We’ll just see.”

Dr. Teresa Jackson, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation medical director

Keeping overdose deaths down will take continued outreach, resources, and compassion.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs City Council approved a proposal to enter into contract negotiations with the Oak View Group for tourism and management services of the convention center.

OVG currently owns and operates Acrisure Arena near Palm Desert and is set to manage operations at the renovated Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs

The current agreement with AEG management ends on September 27, according to the staff report.

The city is expecting a smooth transition by fall.

A final draft of a contract is expected to come before the council in July.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) –  A nursing program at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus received just over $88,000 in grant funding aimed at improving access to medical services to unsheltered people throughout the Coachella Valley and to provide hands-on clinical training for nursing students, it was announced today.   

“We are proud to support the Nursing Street Medicine Program with grant funds,” Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO Chris Christensen said.

Through the program, nursing faculty and students deliver free basic healthcare to patients, such as health assessments, wound care and chronic disease management and hand-out essential supplies when needed, including hygiene products, shoes and sunscreen.

They service people in the field, including shelters, homeless encampments, senior housing, migrant worker locations and cooling or warming centers.

Officials said the primary objective is to teach empathy to nursing students.

“This funding enables us to deepen our impact in the community while preparing our students to lead with compassion, cultural competence and a commitment to health equity,” nurse faculty member Diane Vines said. “This grant represents more than financial support — it’s a vote of confidence in our students, our faculty and our mission to serve.”

Visit the CSUSB Nursing Street Medicine webpage for more information about the program. To learn more about the Desert Healthcare District, visit the DHCD website.

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KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Several new and exciting exhibits were in the works at Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert.

On Sunday, volunteers with Scouting America (formerly known as BSA) spent part of their Memorial Day weekend working to clear out an outdoor area near the museum’s butterfly garden.

This was part of an Eagle Project led by Abigail Tokuhara, 17, of Rancho Mirage.

Tokuhara had been a member with Troop 451 for nearly two years – and was working to earn her Eagle Scout rank – the highest rank in Scouting America.

About a dozen scouts – along with parents, grandparents, siblings, and other adult leaders began their work around 7:00 a.m.

Volunteers worked to clear weeds and debris; they also assembled two storage sheds.

As the morning hours progressed into afternoon hours – volunteers focused on completing their tasks with the entire project wrapping up around 3:00 p.m.

The area was expected to be used for guests to enjoy the garden area – where kids could enjoy sensory tables.

Derek Burreson, who is the museum’s facilities manager, appreciated the volunteers’ hard work on the warm day in May.

Burreson said he was working on several other projects and exciting new exhibits at the museum.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The El Paseo shopping district is getting a road-way upgrade from Highway 74 east to Highway 111. Officials with Vance Corporation, which is in charge of the $4.8 million project, says the asphalt has significantly deteriorated, making the construction necessary.

This project was originally set to start in summer of 2024. However, it requires the removal of outdoor patios in the roadway, which Palm Desert City officials felt businesses did not have enough time to prepare for.

Now with the changes upcoming in less than a month, businesses will need to prepare for temporary road closures, limited parking and the removal of their outdoor patios.

Organizers say the traffic control will be significant in the area, as it is a popular spot for locals and tourists. They anticipate many challenges because of this, as they have to remove 10 inches deep of existing pavement.

The project is expected to be complete by September and will be done in phases according to the Vance Corporation plan. They will start working from Highway 74 to San Pablo Avenue. Following this, the construction will start from San Pablo Avenue to Portola Avenue, and then from Portola Avenue to Highway 111.

With the construction, crews expect vehicle traffic to be reduced to one lane in each direction, and shifted to the opposite side of the roadway.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from businesses on the impacts of this construction.

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Shay Lawson

UPDATE 05/29/2025: CAL FIRE reports a total of 15 greenhouses were completely destroyed and an additional 15 were damaged.

CAL FIRE adds that at this time, the cause of the fire is still unknown; however, the plastic covering on the greenhouses may have contributed to the fast growth of the fire.

The property owners told CAL FIRE that they believe the majority of the greenhouses were vacant, as it’s the off-season for what they grow, and most of the burned structures had been dismantled for the summer. It was not disclosed what is grown at the property.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters battled a blaze among greenhouses in Thermal near 62nd Avenue and Gene Welmas Way on Wednesday night.

CAL FIRE received a fire call just after 9:00 p.m., reporting at least four greenhouses were fully involved in flames. Additional engines were called to the scene.

Most of the fire was knocked down by around 10:30 p.m., but crews remained on scene overnight to mop up and monitor hot spots.

CAL FIRE confirmed that one firefighter suffered a minor injury and was transported to the hospital. There is no update yet on their condition.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates as information becomes available.

Viewer photo

Viewer photo

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A website was launched today by the Palm Springs International Airport aimed to provide transparency to consumers regarding any upcoming improvements or amenities.

“PSP is getting better every day — and our team is working hard to make sure travelers feel the difference,” Harry Barrett Jr., executive director of aviation, said in a statement. “Progress PSP opens our doors to show what we’re building, when, how we’re funding it, and why it matter. It’s about transparency, forward momentum and delivering world-class upgrades travelers will see and feel.”  

“Progress PSP” tracks the more than dozens of projects with the budget year, a description of the item, a funding source,  an estimated completion date, and the site filters by categories and status.

For more information, go to flypsp.com/progress/.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Several Palm Springs city officials, hospitality leaders and half a dozen College of the Desert culinary students will travel to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico next month to strengthen relations with its sister city, participate in their food and wine festival and provide students the opportunity to train under Mexico’s chefs.   

“Opportunities like this strengthen our strategic partnerships and help showcase Palm Springs as a leader in innovative hospitality and global exchange,” Councilman Jeffrey Bernstein said in a statement.

The trip will take place June 26-30, and the “San Miguel y sus Sabores” festival will run from June 27-29.  

The College of the Desert Foundation will cover expenses for the six students while they learn and train at the Universidad Tecnologica de San Miguel de Allende. Organizers said students will receive college credit for their work.

“The participating students will gain the skills, experience and global perspectives necessary to succeed in an ever-changing industry,” Palm Springs Sister Cites Board of Directors President Gary Armstrong said in a statement. “This real-world experience will provide the students with practical industry skills and impart cultural competence, adaptability and professional networking opportunities, qualities essential in today’s global job market.”

Participating city officials will include Mayor Ron deHarte, Councilwoman Grace Garner, Councilman Jeffrey Bernstein and City Manager Scott Stiles. Board members will include Hugo Loyola, David Rios, Jim Fitzpatrick and Richard Horn.

Funds for travel and lodging will come from their own expenses, but a room will be covered for deHarte, according to organizers.   

Throughout their trip, city officials will meet with San Miguel city officials, participate in workshops, explore the city and tour the culinary school.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with Palm Springs Sister Cities Board of Directors President Gary Armstrong about more of the details.

In February 2023, the Palm Springs established the sister city with San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, in which mayors of both cities signed the Sister Cities International Agreement.

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