Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

ORDWAY, Calif. (KESQ) — Firefighters are battling hard into Sunday to strengthen containment and extinguish hot spots on the Oak Fire, officials said this weekend.

It currently stands at 46 acres with 50% containment.

Cal Fire Riverside officials say the blaze began shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday at Live Oak Canyon Road and San Timoteo Road in the community of Ordway, about 14 miles west of Beaumont.

There is no immediate structure threat or injuries reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Crews will remain on scene to mop up and improve control lines this weekend.

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

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Tori King

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)– One person was killed in an overnight shooting in Coachella, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

According to RSO, the shooting happened around 3:45 on Saturday morning near a residence in the 49000 block of Corte Molino. Officials say they were originally called out for an assault with a deadly weapon. When deputies arrived, they found three adolescent males with likely gunshot wounds.

Deputies rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived, but one person died at the scene. The other two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. No arrests have been made at this time, and according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation is ongoing.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Master Investigator Castaneda at (951) 955–2777 or Thermal Station Investigator Glasper at (760) 863–8990.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Shops at Palm Desert is hosting its second-annual “Wellness Day” for the community. Organizers say it’s an important moment for locals to refresh, recharge and refocus.

The event will showcase a talk on Lifestyle Medicine by Dr. Joesph E. Scherger, M.D., M.P.H., the founder and Medical Director of Restore Health and faculty member of Eisenhower Health. It will also bring together more than 30 local and in-center health focused organizations in a vendor fair for the community to enjoy.

It is a free and family-friendly event within the Main Court of the shops from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for what organizers call a “lively hub of holistic wellness, fitness and inspiration.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from local vendors on the importance of this event for the community. 

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Some local students are better prepared to head back to class next Wednesday in the Palm Springs Unified School District.

Friday evening, the Palm Springs Department of Parks and Recreation held a backpack giveaway and resource fair at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center.

Organizers say it’s a vital event for the community.

Some of the resources offered on Friday included health, legal and after school programs.

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Cynthia White

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The dedicated professionals who who help make meetings, conventions, and festivals across the Coachella Valley run smoothly were recognized in a celebration of appreciation on Friday evening.

Visit Greater Palm Springs offered a series of webinars all week for local event services professionals to stay on top of the latest trends at its 4th annual “National Celebrate Services Week,” ending with a special reception honoring the professionals who make those events come to life.

From luxury resorts to iconic venues, event service professionals were celebrated for their dedication and excellence.

Honoree Christopher Morrissey of the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage says, “I just love to work with people. It’s something that I’ve done for years, and it’s just fun to customize and create these events with a vision and bring that to life and just have them walk in [the] day of and not have to have a second thought and just enjoy what they envisioned come to life.”

Honoree Gabriela Rubio, Event Specialist at The Courtyard by Marriott in Palm Springs, has the same passion for working with people. She says, “My personal favorite is the growth, and the connection you make throughout the world – and just see them get a little piece of Palm Springs where I grew up, and [for] them to see why I love Palm Springs.”

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Cynthia White

Update:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – This morning, the Palm Springs Police Department confirmed four vehicles were involved in the crash, all of which were towed. Police also say that 7 people were transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Authorities found that one of the drivers involved in the crash was intoxicated and was cited for DUI.

Original Report:PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A multi-car crash in Palm Springs caused a temporary closure until tow trucks cleared all vehicles from the scene.

The collision happened around just after 8:30 p.m., near the intersection of E. Vista Chino and N. Gene Autry Trail, with closure along eastbound E. Vista Chino from Gena Autry Trail to Via Roberto Miguel.

Palm Springs Fire was called out for evaluation of several people for injuries.

At least four tow trucks were on scene to remove vehicles, and crews managed to get the scene cleared and the lanes open around 10:00 p.m.

The crash remains under investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates on this story.

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Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Drivers in Indio might notice a larger police presence Friday night. From 7 pm to 2 am, Indio Police will conduct a DUI saturation patrol, aiming to catch impaired drivers and keep roads safer.

News Channel 3 joined Officer Viktor Custic for a ride-along to see firsthand how the operation works. From scanning for erratic driving behavior to conducting traffic stops, officers remain vigilant throughout the evening. Custic noted that the operation is about more than making arrests, it’s about deterring dangerous behavior before it happens.

“More of a visibility and letting officers go out there prevent DUIs and be more proactive, suppression is the way to do this.”

Viktor Custic, Indio PD traffic officer

Unlike checkpoints, officers in marked patrol cars will be roaming city streets, looking for signs of drunk or drugged driving — like swerving, speeding, or failing to signal.

The department says DUI incidents have seen an uptick in recent weeks, a trend they attribute to late summer travel and an increase in social gatherings.

During the patrol, one driver was pulled over for speeding, a common infraction that officers use to identify potential signs of impairment. Custic explained that subtle behaviors, like failing to stay in one’s lane or being unable to produce a driver’s license quickly, often signal deeper concerns.

“Most times they can’t focus… I look at their eyes, many can’t do multiple things at once.”

Viktor Custic, Indio PD traffic officer

The ultimate goal: prevention through visibility. Officers urge drivers to plan ahead — use a sober driver, call a rideshare, or stay put.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Garrett Hottle

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)– The magic of Disney met the curiosity of Coachella Valley kids during a special one-day event at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert Friday morning. 

During the magical one-day event, young imaginations were encouraged to dream big, build boldly, and ask a lot of questions.

In partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering, the museum welcomed dozens of children for a hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) experience that brought together creativity and cutting-edge tools.

At first glance you might think the kids are just playing, but if you look closer you’ll see a future engineer, designer, or maybe even a disney imagineer in the making.

Inside the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, it’s all hands on deck with Disney Imagineers leading the way.

“We combine creative storytelling and innovation to dream big, and then bring those dreams to life,” Caroline Boone, Executive Creative Director said. 

Friday morning’s event aimed to inspire the next generation of creators with a little help from lasers and a lot of answered questions.

The kids wasted no time designing houses, skyscrapers, and even water parks.

“We’re making a huge community… with houses on the sides of a pool!”

“It’s a water park! With a waterfall!”

The organization says this event isn’t just for little ones. The museum’s CEO says the goal is to grow with the kids adding spaces for older students to learn life skills, build podcasts, and launch big ideas.

“We really revolved this space around STEAM… so kids can have access to resources they may not otherwise get,” Cindy Burreson, CEO of the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert said. 

Thanks to a partnership with Disney, the living desert, and local boys & girls clubs, dozens of kids got a taste of what’s possible when you dare to dream.

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Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) brings back nonstop service from Palm Springs to Santa Rosa beginning October 26. 

PSP reports that through Alaska Airlines California residents will be able to travel directly between two of California’s most iconic destinations. The seasonal flight will run five times a week aboard an E175 jet. 

“We’re thrilled to see Santa Rosa return with Alaska, our largest carrier and one of our strongest partners,” said Harry Barrett, Jr., Executive Director of Aviation at PSP. “It’s a perfect match between two world-class destinations known for unforgettable hospitality.”

Along with the nonstop flight Alaska Airlines introduces their Wine Flies Free program for Mileage Plus members to check a case of wine with no baggage fees when customers fly from 32 of the West Coast cities. 

The nonstop flights to wine country are set to begin late October and run alongside regular seasonal services. 

For more information Stay with News Channel 3 

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Haley Meberg

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)– Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people in connection to an e-bike theft that occurred early June. 

Deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station say they responded to a call at about 11:50 a.m. on Saturday June 7, reporting a burglary at the 40 block of Via Del Rossi in the city of Rancho Mirage.

The victim claims on June 4, at approximately 2:25 a.m., an unknown male was caught on surveillance entering their home and stealing an electric bicycle. 

The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team assumed the investigation and determined the suspect to be a 42-year-old resident of Coachella. 

On Friday, July 25, at approximately 4:20 p.m. a search warrant was served at the suspects residence in the 51400 block of Ponderosa Drive in Coachella. The accused was taken into custody without incident.

A second male suspect was soon identified as another 42-year old resident of Coachella who was arrested at approximately 12:34 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. RSO reports when deputies attempted to serve the accused, he fled on an unrelated electric bicycle while discarding a bag with a loaded firearm and ammunition. 

When authorities apprehended the suspect they booked him without further incident. 

Both suspects were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center. 

The first suspect was booked in connection to aiding and abetting during the commission of a crime and grand theft and the second suspect was booked on suspicion of first-degree residential burglary, conspiracy, being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, obstruction, and multiple counts of committing a felony while out of custody on bail.

The investigation of this burglary is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Paull of the Palm Desert Station by calling (760)- 836–1600. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.  

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