Author: KESQ

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A probationer who gunned down an Indio woman without ever giving a clear reason why was sentenced today to 55 years to life in state prison.

Johnny Jose Rodriguez, 32, of Indio pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to second- degree murder, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, under a pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. No charges were dismissed under the plea bargain.

During a hearing Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, Superior Court Judge Kristi Hester imposed the sentence required under state law.

The defendant fatally shot 32-year-old Angela Struzas inside her home on the 38000 block of Rancho Los Coyotes Drive, near Avenue 38, on Jan. 14, 2020.   

Crime scene on Rancho Los Coyotes Drive in Indio (1/14/20)

During a preliminary hearing later that year, Indio Police Department Detective Kelly Hawkins testified that officers were taken aback when they entered the victim’s room to collect evidence.

“She was just drenched in blood, in a pool of blood,” the detective said.

Detective Matthew Gutting said Rodriguez immediately admitted perpetrating the shooting while being questioned by investigators, saying “I’m a good aim.”  

Gutting said the defendant described firing a bullet into Struzas’ arm with a gun that he claimed at the time was handed to him minutes earlier by the woman’s housemate, who allegedly told Rodriguez to “get her.”   

A second shot killed the victim.   

The defendant would not specify what led to the attack. The housemate, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested alongside Rodriguez, but detectives ultimately determined the party had no part in the deadly attack.   

The defendant underwent medical examinations to determine whether he was mentally competent to stand trial, leading to a brief round of psychiatric treatment before criminal proceedings resumed.

He had a prior conviction for possession of controlled substances for sale.

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City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The California Republican Party and others today filed an emergency application at the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to block California from using the congressional district lines enacted through Proposition 50 for the 2026 midterm elections.

The emergency application in Tangipa v. Newsom asks Justice Elena Kagan, the justice assigned to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, to issue an injunction pending appeal that would temporarily reinstate the 2021 California Redistricting Commission map while the case is litigated.

The filing asks the court to act by Feb. 9, citing the start of California’s candidate filing period and arguing that candidates and voters will face immediate effects if the Proposition 50 district lines remain in place.  

“California cannot create districts by race, and the state should not be allowed to lock in districts that break federal law,” Corrin Rankin, California Republican Party chairwoman, said in a statement. “Our emergency application asks the Supreme Court to put the brakes on Prop. 50 now, before the Democrats try to run out the clock and force candidates and voters to live with unconstitutional congressional districts. Californians deserve fair districts and clean elections, not a backroom redraw that picks winners and losers based on race.”

A three-judge panel in Los Angeles federal court last week ruled against California Republicans in their bid to nullify the new congressional map, which California voters approved in November.

In their lawsuit, filed one day after California voters approved Prop. 50, Assemblyman David Tangipa, R-Fresno, the California Republican Party and a group of Republican voters — joined by the U.S. Department of Justice — urged judges to block the new district lines at least temporarily so California’s original map would stay in effect for the 2026 midterms.   

Prop. 50 was passed after Republicans in Texas redrew their congressional map, a move California leaders said was designed to favor Republicans in the upcoming midterms.   

The suit, which names Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber as defendants, argues the new Prop. 50 maps are unconstitutional because they improperly use voters’ race as a factor in drawing districts and asked the court to block them from taking effect. 

The proposition’s passage increases Democrats’ chances of winning five additional U.S. House seats in the state in November and seizing control of the chamber. Democrats already hold a 43-9 advantage in the state’s House delegation.

Republicans had asked the court for a preliminary injunction blocking the maps from being used in 2026. In its 2-1 decision, the court upheld the new congressional districts, rejecting plaintiffs’ claims that the maps had been drawn to favor Latino voters over other voting groups.

Judge Josephine Staton, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, wrote the ruling, with Judge Kenneth Lee, a President Donald Trump appointee, dissenting. Judge Wesley Hsu, appointed by former President Joe Biden, joined Staton in her ruling.

“We find that Challengers have failed to show that racial gerrymandering occurred, and we conclude that there is no basis for issuing a preliminary injunction,” Staton wrote. “Our conclusion probably seems obvious to anyone who followed the news in the summer and fall of 2025.”  

Voters overwhelmingly approved Prop. 50 in November, which supporters dubbed “The Election Rigging Response Act.”

It establishes new congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections that will also be used for the 2028 and 2030 elections. An analysis by the election news website Ballotpedia said it would shift five Republican- held congressional districts to Democrats.   

Weber, a co-defendant in the lawsuit, said last week she was pleased the court acknowledged “that the will of California’s voters should prevail. Our democracy is in jeopardy and the fight to maintain our constitutional right to vote must continue. … Our democracy is worth protecting and today’s rulingwas the right result.”

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Gavin Nguyen

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The 67th edition of the American Express Golf Tournament will soon be underway.

Behind the scenes, crews are still hard at work preparing for the thousands of spectators and over 300 professional and amateur golfers who will be stepping onto the green.

Tournament officials, like Pat McCabe, the Executive Director of the tournament, said it’s all to benefit the fan experience: “We take the mantra of every fan is a VIP.”

And to ensure that experience for every fan, McCabe said a lot of time goes into the planning and execution of the week-long event.

“We prepare all year, 51 weeks for just one week. So the work goes on all year long. We’ve been building the structures and the hospitality venues that the fans will see out here for the last two months,” he recounted.

That includes everything from the grandstands to the concession stands.

McCabe is also excited to bring fans some new experiences this year, including “The Turn.” It’s a concession area featuring all-local vendors, like TKB Bakery, Spicy Pie, and Papa Headz – favorites among the Coachella Valley crowd.

“Our title sponsor, American Express, their mantra [and] their shop small mentality is crucial. And so they’re here to support those restaurants as well. And all of our amateur players and professional players actually playing this week on the golf courses will have a chance to sample that food as well,” McCabe said.

Also changing this year: the location of the beloved Michelob Ultra “Beer Fore Birdies” area, which slashes the price of beers when a player sinks a birdie. This year, fans will see that area alongside Hole 17 on the Pete Dye Stadium Course, famously known as “Alcatraz.”

Gene Rickey, a member of the media team, said fans should expect quite the excitement in that area.

At the end of the day, there’s a lot of work that goes into bringing an event like this to life. Rickey said about 9,000 credentials were made for the people putting time into the event, from the chefs to the grounds crew.

And McCabe said over 1,000 volunteers and more than 50 vendors also made up the crew putting it all together.

“It’s going to be a great week of golf, a great week of music, and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone here to PGA West,” he finished.

More spectator information here, including frequently-asked questions and maps of the course.

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Daniella Lake

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – This tax filing season, taxpayers over 65 years old can claim a new temporary $6,000 “senior bonus” deduction (or $12,000 for couples). The deduction is temporary, it will be effective for tax year 2025 to 2028.

This is just one of several changes when it comes to filing taxes this year. Cathedral City Senior Center says that keeping up with tax filing changes can be challenging for senior citizens.

“It’s a very scary time because every year there are changes in tax laws and they may not be aware of them,” says Geoff Corbin, CEO of the Cathedral City Senior Center.

Independent financial advisor Simon Hobbs recommends taxpayers work with a certified public accountant so they don’t miss out on important deductions. The IRS says that in 2021, nine million people qualified for tax benefits but didn’t claim them.

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Joel Killam

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. — Authorities are investigating a three‑vehicle crash Monday night on Varner Road near the intersection of Cook Street.

The collision happened north of Interstate 10, just west of the Classic Club and Acrisure Arena. Officials said it has been classified as a major injury crash, though additional details on the number of people hurt were not immediately available.

Law enforcement and emergency crews remain on scene as the investigation continues.

News Channel 3 has a crew headed to the area and will provide updates as more information becomes available on-air and online at KESQ.com.

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Joel Killam

PALM DESERT, Calif. — A Sig Alert remains in effect Monday after a camper trailer overturned on westbound Interstate 10 just west of Washington Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP officials said no injuries were reported, but the overturned trailer blocked the fast lane, which remains closed for cleanup and towing operations. The two right lanes are open to drivers.

Earlier in the response, lanes one and two were shut down as crews investigated the crash. As of tonight, only the fast lane remains closed.

Drivers should allow extra travel time while cleanup continues.

This is a developing story.

News Channel 3 will update this article as more information becomes available.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Hidden dangers on a Palm Springs road.

A deadly hit-and-run on Vista Chino over the weekend has renewed concerns among Palm Springs residents and pedestrians who say the stretch of road has long been dangerous.

Henrietta Ruiz lives not far from the site of the incident. She says she wasn’t surprised to hear about it.

“No, I’m not surprised because the speed that everybody drives down Vista Chino is pretty fast. I think they’re beyond the speed limit,” Ruiz says.

Residents citing the lack of street lights, long distances between intersections, and fast-moving vehicles. Some also pointing to frequent jaywalking along the corridor, saying people often take risks because marked crossings are so far apart.

As a result, Ruiz is now urging officials to consider additional safety measures before another tragedy occurs.

“I don’t think the city pays attention to it,” she explains. “More police patrol, probably more stop signs in-between of the streets because there’s not a stop sign until Avenida Caballero and Sunrise, so there’s a lot of distance.”

News Channel 3 reached out to the Palm Springs Police Department for answers but were unavailable for comment.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s a great day to get outside this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, especially as California is waiving entry fees to over 200 state parks in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.

Locally in Riverside County, there are several parks participating in Monday’s free access:

Anza-Borrego Desert SP (also in Imperial & San Diego)

California Citrus SHP

Chino Hills SP (also in Orange & San Bernardino)

Indio Hills Palms Park Property

Lake Perris SRA

Mount San Jacinto SP

Salton Sea SRA (also in Imperial)

San Timoteo Canyon Park Property

Wildwood Canyon Park Property

These parks are the same ones that accept the California State Library Parks Pass. Free entry, valid for one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway-licensed motorcycle, is available at the parks listed above.

Entry to our state parks is typically around $10.

The free entry to California’s state parks comes in response to National Parks no longer offering free entry for MLK Day this year, after the Trump administration removed it from the list of fee-free holidays.

News Channel 3 crews are heading to Idyllwild to speak with park visitors at Mount San Jacinto State Park. Stay with us to hear more on how people are taking advantage of today’s free park admission.

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Daniella Lake

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The First Community Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs hosted a symposium today to empower youth, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Organizers say the goal is to encourage middle school and high school students to dream big and plan boldly.

“The goal is to teach them about teamwork, to teach them about being positive, teach them about self-confidence and believing in themselves,” says Pastor James Baylark.

The theme of the event was “Build the blueprint. Live the Dream.” Students listened to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “What is your life’s blueprint?” speech where he addresses middle school students in Philadelphia in 1967.

In the speech, Dr. King encourages youth to have a strong sense of self-worth and to strive for excellence in whichever field they choose.

“We have young people who are just doing so many amazing things and we want them to continue to know that they are special and to uplift every single thing that is happening in their lives,” says Quana Hall-Beverly, one of the event organizers.

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – National surveys show religious participation across the United States has remained largely unchanged in recent years. After decades of decline, researchers say there is no clear evidence of a widespread religious revival, particularly among young adults.

But in the Coachella Valley, some local faith leaders say they are seeing increased engagement, with more people attending services and becoming involved in faith-based communities.

According to the Pew Research Center, religious affiliation and attendance have held steady nationwide since about 2020. Younger adults continue to be less religious than older generations, and researchers caution that local increases do not necessarily reflect a broader national trend.

Despite that, faith leaders in the valley report noticeable growth.

Danny Labin, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of the Desert, says many people who move to the area actively seek out faith communities as a way to build connections. He also notes that concerns about rising antisemitism have led some individuals to turn toward community spaces for support rather than isolating themselves.

Christian leaders across the valley describe similar patterns.

At Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Rector Andrew Butler says attendance has increased in recent months, including among younger people and families, which stands out in a region known for its large retiree population.

Pastor Jane Voigts of the United Methodist Church says many people are returning to church in search of comfort, stability, and a sense of belonging during uncertain and divisive times.

Faith leaders also acknowledge that national politics have influenced how some people perceive Christianity. Butler says the close association between Christianity, partisan politics, and the Trump administration has caused some people to hesitate before engaging with churches. He adds that movements tied to white Christian nationalism have negatively affected public perceptions of Christianity by creating the impression that all Christians share the same beliefs.

While national data shows religion remains stable overall, local leaders say the need for community, connection, and hope is clearly present in the Coachella Valley.

Whether the increase in engagement will continue long term is unclear, but faith leaders say their communities are currently serving as important spaces for support as people navigate an uncertain world.

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