Author: KESQ

Raymond Kalra

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Nearly 280,000 acres of protected land sit right in the Coachella Valley’s backyard. For 25 years, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument has helped preserve some of the region’s most recognizable landscapes.

On Friday, community members, conservation leaders, and those who helped establish the monument gathered in Palm Desert to celebrate its legacy and look ahead to the challenges of protecting the land for future generations.

The celebration at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center featured guided hikes, educational programs, family activities, and a time capsule installation commemorating the milestone.

Established by Congress on October 24, 2000, the national monument protects approximately 280,000 acres of desert landscapes, rugged mountains, wildlife habitats, and culturally significant sites.

Looking back at 25 years of protection

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono, who represented the region when the monument was established, returned Friday to reflect on the effort that brought federal protection to the mountains.

Bono said the designation was made possible through collaboration among environmental advocates, developers, local leaders, and other community stakeholders.

“It was important because there were a lot of people who care deeply about these lands. They wanted to preserve them,” Bono said.

She emphasized that bringing different interests together was an important part of the process.

“We wanted everybody to have a seat at the table,” Bono said. “It’s not only what we did, it’s how we did it. It was such a collaborative process.”

Looking back more than two decades later, Bono said the monument has exceeded her expectations.

“I think the monument has done more than what I’ve envisioned,” Bono said, adding that it has become an attraction for visitors to the region.

Conservation efforts continue across the valley

While the monument’s designation marked a major milestone in protecting the region’s natural resources, local conservation organizations say their work is far from finished.

Tammy Martin, executive director of Friends of the Desert Mountains, said her organization has helped protect more than 63,000 acres throughout the Coachella Valley and currently owns approximately 18,000 acres.

“We’ve helped protect over 63,000 acres here in the valley, and we currently own about 18,000 acres,” Martin said.

Martin said the organization recently completed the acquisition of another ten parcels as part of its ongoing conservation efforts.

She has also witnessed significant changes in public interest and participation over the past two decades.

When she first arrived in the area 22 years ago, Martin said fewer people were visiting the monument and participating in outdoor activities. Today, increased demand has contributed to expanded parking, educational opportunities, and volunteer involvement.

But increased visitation also brings challenges.

Martin identified climate change and illegal dumping as two major concerns facing the region’s protected landscapes.

She said discarded trash, appliances, and other materials can damage the environment that conservation groups have worked to preserve.

The organization continues to focus on educating visitors about native plants, wildlife, and responsible recreation.

Balancing development and conservation

As Palm Desert and the surrounding Coachella Valley continue to grow, local leaders say protecting open space remains an important consideration.

Palm Desert Mayor Evan Trubee said the monument offers residents and visitors access to outdoor recreation while helping preserve the natural landscape surrounding the city.

“Everybody who visits our valley, everybody who lives here gets to wake up and enjoy the splendor of our local mountains,” Trubee said.

The mayor pointed to the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan as an important tool for balancing development with environmental protection.

Trubee said established conservation boundaries provide greater clarity about where development can take place.

“We’ve already established the boundaries,” Trubee said. “The balance has already been struck, I think. And we’re benefiting from that.”

He also highlighted the city’s partnership with Friends of the Desert Mountains, which helps maintain trails and remove debris within Palm Desert.

According to Trubee, the city contracts with the organization annually to help keep local trails clean and accessible for residents and visitors.

Protecting the next 25 years

For former national monument manager Jim Foote, who began his role in 2006, protecting the landscape has always required cooperation among agencies, conservation organizations, and the public.

Foote recalled the challenges of coordinating management efforts with broader habitat conservation planning throughout the Coachella Valley.

He said one of the most significant changes he has witnessed is the growth of Friends of the Desert Mountains and its volunteer network.

Looking toward the future, Foote hopes residents recognize the importance of preserving the land while continuing to enjoy its recreational opportunities.

“I would hope that people would gain and hold on to that respect and just treat the land gently and leave it as they found it,” Foote said.

Martin said educating younger generations will also play a critical role in protecting the monument over the next 25 years.

Friends of the Desert Mountains operates youth education programs that bring students directly onto protected lands to learn about conservation and the natural environment.

The organization provides transportation and supplies to help students experience the landscape firsthand.

For community member Saida Hernandez, Friday’s celebration was an opportunity to visit the monument’s visitor center for the first time and recognize the natural beauty surrounding the Coachella Valley.

“It means a lot because the thing is, like, it’s the history of the Coachella Valley,” Hernandez said.

She hopes more residents will take advantage of the opportunity to explore the mountains while respecting the land.

“Come out to nature. Like explore your own backyard,” Hernandez said. “It’s free too. So it’s just beautiful.”

As the national monument celebrates its 25th anniversary year, conservation leaders say preserving the landscape for the next generation will require continued education, responsible recreation, and cooperation throughout the Coachella Valley.

Residents can learn more about the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, including hiking opportunities, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities, by visiting DesertMountains.org.

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Dakota Makinen

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Cabot’s Pueblo Museum will transform into a Halloween destination held Friday and Saturday, October 23-24 and 30-31 from 4p.m – 9 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased before the night of the event for $10 or four for $20 on their website. Residents of Desert Hot Springs or students of Palm Springs Unified School District can get in for free the first weekend.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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KESQ News Team

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KESQ) – The California Department of Education issued a notice about a data breach that may have impacted some Coachella Valley schools.

Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that supports California’s statewide testing programs, reported the breach.

ETS says an unauthorized person used a compromised login credential to access and copy student information between May and September. ETS discovered the activity on September 25, disabled the account, and took the affected site offline.

The affected records include information about students enrolled during the 3 previous school years, as well as some other current and former students. That includes data like student names and addresses, Social Security numbers, licenses, and their parents’ personal information were not involved in the breach.

ETS is offering identity theft protection services to affected students and has released recommendations for those who believe they may have been affected.

If you are unsure whether you or your scholar is affected, contact the incident assistance line at 833-931-8488.

ETS is offering 24 months of free Experian IdentityWorks identity-protection services to affected current and former scholars whose information was accessed and copied.

Two service packages are available:

Scholars under age 18: A parent or legal guardian can enroll an affected scholar in Experian IdentityWorks Minor Plus at www.experianidworks.com/minorplus. The enrollment deadline is March 19, 2027. Individuals age 18 or older: Affected adults, including former scholars, can enroll directly at www.experianidworks.com/identity. The enrollment deadline is March 19, 2027.

Affected minors who turn 18 before March 19, 2029, may enroll in the adult service upon turning 18 using the adult activation code provided in the official notification.

To enroll, use the appropriate website above and the activation code provided in the attached official ETS notice. Enrollment instructions and activation codes are also available on the ETS Notification page.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Proposition 40 would charge California’s billionaires a one-time tax equal to 5% of their net worth, and the fight over it has drawn more than $130 million in campaign money.

The tax would apply to anyone worth more than $1 billion who was a California resident on Jan. 1, 2026. It would be due in 2027, with an option to spread payments over five years at a higher cost.

Real estate, pensions and retirement accounts generally would not count, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, which says the state is home to a few hundred billionaires.

The analyst estimates the tax would bring in tens of billions of dollars spread over several years, but says the exact amount is hard to predict because stock prices move and billionaires could take steps to lower what they owe. Under the measure, 90% of the money must go to health care. The rest would go to education, food assistance and the cost of collecting the tax.

The analyst also warns some billionaires could leave the state or otherwise cut their income tax payments. It puts that possible loss at less than $1 billion a year.

Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West put the measure on the ballot. Supporters say the money would help cover federal cuts to Medi-Cal. “Massive federal cuts could push our hospitals and ERs past the breaking point,” a health care worker and Air Force veteran says in a Yes on 40 ad. “A billionaire tax can help keep hospitals open.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom opposes the measure, as do Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, the two candidates running to replace him. Doctors’ groups, the California Teachers Association and Planned Parenthood are also against it. The opposition argues the tax will drive billionaires out of California. “Studies show it will cost California billions in tax revenue, forcing deep cuts to hospitals and clinics,” a No on 40 ad says.

Opponents have the money edge. Committees against Prop. 40 reported $99.6 million in contributions through Oct. 6, compared with $32.2 million for supporters, according to the California Secretary of State.

The measure splits Democrats. The California Democratic Party endorsed it. Newsom endorsed Proposition 42, a competing measure that would block it.

At Democratic Headquarters of the Desert, volunteer Elle Kurpiewski said most of the calls coming in are about the propositions, and the group is not telling people how to vote on 40.

“The party recommended a yes vote on it,” Kurpiewski said. “So we are simply saying to people, do your homework.”

“Forty sounds really good. Let’s tax the billionaires,” she said. “Sometimes the way something is written is not necessarily what it fully means.”

Across the valley, East Valley Republican Women is recommending no on both Prop. 40 and Prop. 44.

“The billionaire tax will probably filter down to the rest of us, so we’re all against that,” volunteer Linda Hamilton said. She said people have been coming in all day for help with what she called a very confusing ballot.

Two other measures could cancel Prop. 40 even if it passes. Propositions 41 and 42 are written as competing measures, so if either one gets more votes than Prop. 40, the billionaire tax would not take effect. Prop. 42 would also ban new state taxes on personal property.

Lisa Lenes, a former teacher, cast her ballot Wednesday after working through every measure in the voter guide.

“The process was difficult and it was very time consuming,” Lenes said. “It was just so much information.”

Election Day is Nov. 3. The full analysis of Prop. 40 is in the state’s official voter guide.

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County leaders are gathering feedback from residents as they consider whether additional independent oversight is needed for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

A special committee established by the Board of Supervisors held a public listening session Thursday evening in Palm Desert, giving community members an opportunity to share their concerns, experiences and suggestions for improving accountability within the department.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in July to establish the Ad-Hoc Committee to Evaluate Oversight Options for the Sheriff’s Department. Board Chair Karen Spiegel and Supervisor Jose Medina serve on the committee.

Among the options being considered is the creation of an independent inspector general or another oversight body that could provide additional review of the department’s operations and practices.

County leaders are also examining the legal, financial and operational challenges that could come with establishing a new oversight system.

The discussions follow years of controversy surrounding the Sheriff’s Department, including allegations involving excessive use of force, deputy-involved shootings and deaths of people in custody.

In June, a Riverside County civil grand jury report recommended additional oversight and broader reforms within the department, raising questions about existing accountability measures.

Sheriff Chad Bianco has repeatedly defended his department against criticism, disputing claims that its policies and practices are inadequate.

An additional virtual listening session is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m., with participation available in English and Spanish.

The committee is expected to return to the full Board of Supervisors with its findings and recommendations at the end of January.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. — Brittny Jaramillo, a 26-year-old former employee of Nova Academy Early College High School in Coachella accused of sexually abusing a student, pleaded not guilty to all five felony charges against her, according to the latest court update.

Jaramillo is scheduled to return to court Dec. 2 for a felony settlement conference. She remains in custody on $30,000 bail.

The charges stem from a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a student at Nova Academy, located at 52780 Frederick St. in Coachella.

Jaramillo, of Indio, was arrested following the investigation and has since been charged with three counts of penetration with a foreign object, one count of contacting a minor to commit a specific offense and one count of arranging to meet a minor for illicit purposes.

According to court documents, a report was made to deputies on Oct. 8 regarding alleged sexual abuse by a staff member at the charter high school approximately a year earlier.

The criminal complaint alleges Jaramillo met the female victim in early September 2025. Prosecutors allege the encounter involved multiple acts of molestation, though the court documents did not provide further details.

Authorities have not publicly detailed any additional encounters between Jaramillo and the alleged victim.

Following the initial report, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Unit assumed the investigation. Investigators also served a search warrant in the 38000 block of Rancho Los Cerritos in Indio.

Jaramillo’s specific position at Nova Academy has not been disclosed. School officials confirmed she is no longer employed at the campus.

In a statement released Monday, Nova Academy said it took immediate action after learning of possible inappropriate behavior by an employee.

“When we learned of possible inappropriate behavior by an employee, we immediately took action to ensure students were safe, investigate the allegations, share information with law enforcement and separate the employee from employment,” the school said.

The school also thanked those who helped address the situation and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for its partnership.

Jaramillo has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County, according to the information provided in the case.

The investigation remains ongoing. Jaramillo has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office – Special Victims Unit believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Investigator J. Lee at (951) 955–1718 or Sheriff’s Dispatch by calling 951–776–1099.

Jaramillo is a former coach at Desert Elite Mavericks, a cheerleading organization. Desert Elite Mavericks issued a statement on her arrest, assuring parents

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A Board of Supervisors committee created to consider residents’ concerns and requests for changes at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will convene a community meeting tonight in Palm Desert to hear from the public.

“The purpose of these `listening sessions’ is to hear directly from the people we serve,” Board Chair Karen Spiegel said earlier this month. “Community input is essential as we explore oversight options and evaluate what approaches may best support transparency, accountability and public trust in Riverside County.”

Spiegel and Supervisor Jose Medina represent the board on the Ad-Hoc Committee to Evaluate Oversight Options for the Sheriff’s Department, which was formed by unanimous vote in July.

“Meaningful public engagement is a critical part of good governance,” Medina said. “We encourage residents to take part in this process and share their perspectives as we work toward recommendations that reflect the needs and values of Riverside County communities.”

The listening session on Thursday is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Coachella Valley Water District, Robbins Administrative Building, 75515 Hovley Lane.

One more session is planned, at 6 p.m. Monday, and that will be online at https://www.youtube.com/live/QY76h4d56HE, or for Spanish speakers at https://www.youtube.com/live/MPcf7i6qzmQ.

The committee will seek to address whether there’s a need for stronger oversight of the sheriff’s department, by way of an inspector general or other authority, and what legal, financial and operational considerations come into play if a higher level of independent oversight is implemented.

The department has long been a focal point of controversy, going back several administrations, mostly stemming from lawsuits tied to alleged excessive use of force tactics or deputy-involved shootings.

Under Sheriff Chad Bianco, complaints have increased, though most condemnations of the sheriff’s policies in recent years have evolved from in-custody deaths, the majority of which have been drug related.

The county’s 19-member civil Grand Jury determined in June that additional oversight and system-wide reforms are warranted and would benefit residents.

Bianco has regularly disputed allegations that sheriff’s tactics and policies are deficient, arguing that criticisms frequently emanate from anti-law enforcement activists.

A bill signed in September by the governor, Senate Bill 1379, will require the most significant reform to the sheriff’s agency in decades by mandating division of sheriff and coroner operations. By the start of the next fiscal year, the board will have to establish the Office of Medical Examiner, which will be entirely independent of the sheriff’s department.

Those who intend to address the committee Thursday were requested to fill out speaker cards in advance at https://rivcocob.org/form/request-to-speak-adhoc-oversight.

Comments may also be submitted to the committee in writing, without appearing in person. Details are also available at the preceding link.

The committee will return to the full board with a report on its findings at the end of January.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is preparing for its annual “Be a Hero for Kids” Halloween Bash this Sunday, Oct. 25, bringing the community together for an evening of costumes, entertainment and fundraising.

The event, held at the Hilton Hotel, is the club’s largest fundraiser of the year, with nearly 400 people expected to attend. Guests can enjoy live and silent auctions, food, drinks and a costume contest.

This year’s celebration will also recognize local community heroes, including Palm Springs Fire Captain Ron Skyberg.

Kevin Corcoran, president of the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs board, says the fundraiser helps provide vital resources and mentorship for local children and families in need.

The Halloween Bash runs from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Proceeds will support the club’s programs for children in the community.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Riverside County CalFresh recipients who lost food due to Post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel have until Oct. 30 to report their losses and request replacement food benefits.

The storm, which made landfall along the Southern California coast Oct. 10, brought heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, high winds and power outages that lasted several days.

The state approved an extension of the standard 10-day reporting period to 20 days for eligible households in disaster-impacted areas throughout Riverside County. State officials estimate that 18,471 households in affected areas receive CalFresh benefits.

Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez encouraged residents who lost food to contact the county Department of Public Social Services before the deadline to seek assistance.

CalFresh recipients can report food losses through the following options:

Online: BenefitsCal.com Phone: 1-877-410-8827 In person: Visit a Self-Sufficiency office. By mail or fax: Submit a food-loss report to the department.

Residents may also receive assistance at upcoming community outreach events.

CalFresh provides monthly food benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase groceries at participating stores, farmers markets and online retailers.

Residents who do not currently receive CalFresh but need food assistance can apply at BenefitsCal.com, call 1-877-410-8827 or visit a Self-Sufficiency office.

Eligible households are encouraged to report food losses as soon as possible to meet the Oct. 30 deadline.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ)— Riverside County’s first 21 vote centers will open Saturday, October 24, ahead of the November 3, 2026, General Election. Another 131 locations will open October 31, bringing the countywide total to 152, including five Super Vote Centers.

Coachella Valley Locations Opening October 24 Indio Library: 200 Civic Center Drive, Indio, CA 92201 La Quinta City Hall: 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253 Demuth Community Center: 3601 E. Mesquite Avenue, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Additional valley locations will open October 31, for a full list click here.

Voters may visit any available vote center to cast a ballot, return a completed vote-by-mail ballot, or register or update their registration if eligible. Options include paper ballots and accessible touch-screen voting units.

The county also has 107 official ballot drop-off locations available through 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

As of October 22, approximately 1,477,584 vote-by-mail ballots had been issued, with 151,289 returned.

For vote center locations, operating hours and ballot drop-box information, visit VoteInfo.net.

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