Author: KESQ

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s been over a week since a bombing shook Palm Springs, damaging buildings and disrupting lives. But even in the aftermath, hope has continued to carry the community forward.

On Tuesday, The Old Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization presented a $10,000 check to help fund property repairs not covered by insurance.

For Paul Mahoney, president of the organization, it was a no brainer.

“When this happened, we just felt like we needed to step up and do something. A lot of people that own these buildings here, own businesses here, they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends.”

Paul Mahoney, Old Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization president

Among the businesses pitching in to the cause is EIGHT4NINE Restaurant and Lounge. Willie Rhine, co-owner, says he’s grateful to be able to lend a helping hand.

“I think it’s absolutely crucial that we do whatever we can to support each other, especially at times of need and which this definitely was.”

Willie Rhine, EIGHT4NINE Restaurant and Lounge co-owner

But support didn’t just end there. Sunrise Rotary presented another $2,400 check.

The Rebuild Palm Springs community fundraiser has surpassed its initial goal of $100,000 and is now working to hit $250,000 because of the growing need.

For information on how you can help, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Allie Anthony

The First Tee of Coachella Valley is a youth development organization that helps kids build strength of character to handle life’s challenges. Through the game of golf and a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates learning experiences that support self-confidence and resilience in young people.

This fall, First Tee is introducing a new program called PositiVITEE. The program welcomes children of all abilities to the game of golf in a fun and supportive environment. A free kickoff event will be held May 31. PositiVITEE is designed to empower underserved youth and young adults with special needs through mentorship.

Families interested in getting involved with First Tee can take advantage of several free summer programs for youth ages 4 to 18. Programs are available for all skill levels.

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A salute to the Class of 2025 – Nearly 2,000 Roadrunners walked the stage at Acrisure Arena on Tuesday, moving on to take the next big step of their lives.

The grads heard remarks from the Superintendent and President, as well as keynote speakers, who inspired the students along with family and friends in attendance.

Two graduates say they’ll be using their Health Sciences degrees from COD to pursue nursing. Anitza Acevedo says she’s hoping to get into a nursing program to work toward a BSN, and Brianna Hernandez exclaims it’s never too late.

Others say they’re happy to finish this chapter in their education and are excited to see what the future holds.

News Channel 3 congratulates the Roadrunners Class of 2025, including Matthew Flicker, the son of News Channel 3’s chief photographer Christopher Flicker, and also to Isaiah Mora, one of News Channel 3’s great producers.

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Peter Daut

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – A dedication ceremony is being held on Wednesday in La Quinta for the new Corporal Hunter Lopez Memorial Post Office Building.

The Coachella Valley native was one of 13 servicemembers killed in the 2021 attack at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with Hunter’s parents, Herman and Alicia Lopez, on Tuesday about how their son is being remembered.

After the post office designation was signed into law back in 2022, local leaders will be joining the Lopez family Wednesday for the unveiling of the plaque to honor his heroic service and sacrifice. The ceremony will be at 10:00 a.m. at the USPS facility located on Corporate Center Drive in La Quinta.

As Peter Daut reported several years ago in an in-depth exclusive with the family, just moments before his death, Lopez saved the lives of two children – only part of his efforts that contributed to the largest airlift in history in which more than 120,000 people were evacuated to safety.

Lopez’s family say they continue to be comforted by the outpouring of support from the community. Meanwhile, the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation continues to raise money to help those who protect and serve our country. Several scholarships were recently awarded to local students.

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Cynthia White

UPDATE 5/27/2025: The Palm Springs Police Department reports that Tadeusz Moskal has been located.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department has issued a Missing Person Alert Tuesday evening.

Tadeusz Moskal was last seen near the area of Molino Road and Sunnyview Drive in Palm Springs. He is wearing a blue shirt with white horizontal stripes and navy-blue shorts.

Police ask that if anyone has information on the man that can assist in safely locating him, please call 911 or PSPD at 760-327-1441.

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Shay Lawson

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) — A transgender student-athlete from Jurupa Valley High School is set to compete at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track and Field Championships this weekend.

President Donald Trump appeared to reference the athlete in a social media post Tuesday, threatening to withhold federal funding if California allows her to compete.

In response, the CIF said it is updating its championship eligibility rule.

News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson is speaking with a local high school track and cross-country coach about what the new rule means and to a community health worker about its impact on some student-athletes.

Watch the full story tonight at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Isaiah Mora

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – New Channel 3 is tracking two fatal car crashes in Cathedral City.

Around 8:47 P.M. on Saturday, Cathedral City Police received numerous 911 phone calls of a traffic collision in the intersection of Dinah Shore Drive and Via Echo. Witnesses told CCPD Dispatch the collision involved a pedestrian and a vehicle in the westbound lanes of Dinah Shore Drive. Cathedral City Police and Cathedral City Fire & EMS responded and arrived a short time later. Upon police arrival, officers located a single pedestrian on Dinah Shore Drive west of Via Echo.

The pedestrian had major injuries to their person and was pronounced deceased at the scene. She was identified as Yuvinka Ponce, 27, of Cathedral City. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses.

The vehicle and driver remained at the scene of the collision.

Through CCPD’s investigation, it was learned that DUI was a factor in the collision. The driver was arrested for DUI and will be booked into John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

Westbound Dinah Shore Drive was closed between Date Palm Drive and Via De Anza, but it has since opened up.

Meantime, Cathedral City Police are also reporting another fatal crash near Ramon Road.

Around 1 A.M. on Sunday, CCPD received reports of a traffic collision involving two vehicles at Ramon Road and San Eljay Ave.

Cathedral City Police and Cathedral City Fire & EMS responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers located a Nissan sedan with major collision damage on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Officers also located a Chevy pick-up truck with major collision damage to the front of the truck. The driver of the Nissan had major injuries from the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was identified by the coroner’s office as Kevin Becerra, 24, of Cathedral City. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with funeral expenses.

The driver of the truck was identified as a juvenile. The investigation revealed the juvenile was intoxicated and DUI was a factor in the collision.

The juvenile was arrested for DUI.

Stay with News Channel 3 as we continue to track these breaking stories.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, local businesses are now preparing for a seasonal slowdown.

But some businesses say weekend sales weren’t enough.

“Business was ok. It’s been better in past years.”

Alex Raei, La Bonita’s Mexican Restaurant owner

“According to the numbers that we had, it didn’t range as much as we thought we would.”

Jaime Rodriguez, Crazy Shirts manager

It’s a concerning trend business owners say they’ve been seeing for months now, with less people willing to go out and spend and a notable absence of Canadian visitors.

Now the focus is to stay competitive through the summer months. That means a change in strategy.

“For summertime we kind of tighten down ship here. We have less staff. But we keep our hours normal. We catch those late crowds during the summer because summer it cools down late at night. We stay open past that to be able to fit those needs.” 

Alex Raei, La Bonita’s Mexican Restaurant owner

“The company is adding a lot of sales and discounts online.”

Jaime Rodriguez, Crazy Shirts manager

While visitors may be heading out, locals are the ones these businesses are counting on.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Two fatal DUI crashes were reported in Cathedral City over the Memorial Day weekend. Two people were killed and two were arrested from these crashes.

According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 502 people were killed in car crashes in 2022 over the Memorial Day Weekend. 215 of those people were driving drunk, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .08%. It’s one of the most dangerous holiday periods for DUI deaths.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reports six total DUI arrests between Friday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 26th. Three were arrested at its Palm Desert station with an additional three at its Thermal station. Cathedral City also reported two arrests – the two from the back-to-back crashes.

Other local agencies, though, reported a decrease compared to last year. Indio Police arrested no one for drunk driving this year – down from just one during the same period last year. And for Palm Springs: just one arrest, down from five arrested during last year’s Memorial Day weekend.

Sgt. Daniel Anes, of Cathedral City Police Department’s Traffic Bureau, says it’s a roll of the dice when it comes to DUI arrests: sometimes they have many, while other times, they report none.

News Channel 3 is still waiting on the numbers from the California Highway Patrol’s Indio office and Desert Hot Springs.

The bottom line: drunk driving arrests and crashes are preventable.

“It’s just sad. It’s preventable. It didn’t need to happen. People… It it it boggles my mind that there are DUIs still to this day,” Sgt. Anes says.

Friends and family of the two victims killed in Cathedral City over the weekend created GoFundMe campaigns.

You can find the campaign for Yuvinka Ponce, 27, who was killed by a drunk driver while crossing Dinah Shore Drive in Cathedral City, here.

The campaign for Kevin Becerra, who was also killed just hours later in Cathedral City, can be found here.

Stay with KESQ for the latest.

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Allie Anthony

Visit Greater Palm Springs, Agua Caliente Casinos, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and all nine desert cities are presenting Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week for the 17th year! The 10-day dining event begins Friday, May 30th through Sunday, June 8th.

More than 100 restaurants across each of the nine desert cities are participating, to see the restaurants and their prix-fixe menus, head to this link.

Restaurant week provides an opportunity to experience new menu items, explore local restaurants and most importantly, support FIND Food Bank. For every reservation booked through this site, $1 will be donated to FIND Food Bank.

Restaurant week is open to the public and does not require purchasing tickets or passes to attend. All you have to do is choose a restaurant at this site and make your reservation.

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