Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — As temperatures reach triple digits this week, locals are making a splash in the desert’s public pools.

However, a shortage of lifeguards is raising alarms among employees, who say the nationwide problem has hurt aquatics centers for decades.

“We are really encouraging our young people to join the swimming sport so that we’ve got lifeguards to put it in that chair so that it makes it safer for everybody,” Caylie Pasat, manager of the Palm Springs Swim Center, said.

Pasat says the problem is due to many factors including low pay, a lack of free training programs and a lot of people being unable to swim.

The solution may be smaller than you think, and it starts with the kids.

“When we don’t have enough emphasis on learning to swim and really pushing our youth to join swim teams and water polo, where else are our kiddos coming from? We need capable swimmers that can fit into these positions,” Pasat said.

It’s why the city is increasing outreach, upping pay and offering free swim lessons.

“Back in 2023, I know that this center was for having a really hard time staffing. But the City of Palm Springs stepped in, and they increased lifeguard wages, and they increased their net, trying to capture as many interested parties as we could. We’ve gone and talked to the high school and tried to recruit more youth,” Pasat said.

It’s an issue Jason Bitzer’s Never Off Duty nonprofit is also trying to solve.

“It was founded specifically to give at-risk youth first responder and lifeguard job training. So there’s no barrier to entry to fix a problem. There’s a national lifeguard shortage. What we want is safe facilities, safe beaches, safe pools. And to do that you need lifeguarding and need proper training,” Bitzer said.

Pasat says the center has scheduled events like free CPR training and swim lessons. For more information, visit: https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/swim-center

For more information on the Never Off Duty nonprofit, visit: https://neveroffduty.org/

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Allie Anthony

At Desert Mirage High School, Assistant Principal Gustavo Sandoval is being honored by the Walter Clark Legal Group and News Channel 3 for his commitment to students, both in academics and through the school’s folklórico dance club.

Sandoval used to dance himself, that’s what inspired him to start the club 14 years ago! Teaching students folklórico dance is a way for him to preserve cultural traditions while teaching responsibility and community values.

His mission goes beyond dance, ensuring all students, regardless of financial means, can participate fully. He helps students in their fundraising efforts to pay for costumes and shoes. Sandoval’s impact is evident in how students speak of the life lessons he imparts, offering hope and resilience beyond the classroom. “He tells us life happens but you shouldn’t let that control you, said Junior Ethan Zaragoza. “Although it’s cloudy today, tomorrow it could be sunny!” 

For his dedication, Sandoval received the “One Class at a Time” award, recognizing his tireless work to uplift and inspire. Thanks to the Walter Clark Legal Group, the folklórico dance club now has $777.77 to spend on new shoes and costumes so these students can perform at the best of their abilities.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – VEG ER for Pets is announcing the opening of its Palm Desert location, providing families in the community with “the highest level of emergency care.”

VEG ER for Pets was established in 2014 to help people and their pets when they need it most. Organizers say the group of hospitals has revolutionized the pet emergency experience with a customer-centered approach, rapid response times and emergency-focused staff.

The ER will provide veterinary medicine, including surgeries, ultrasounds, x-rays and more. It is the first VEG hospital in the Coachella Valley and the 12th VEG hospital in California. VEG says it reworks the emergency medicine experience but making the process work for people and their pets.

The Palm Desert pet hospital is open for emergencies 24/7, even on holidays. The new space will have an open floor plan, allowing pet parents to have “freedom of movement and to see life-saving heroics up close,” according to the press release.

Pet parents even have the opportunity to to stay with their pet through all stages of treatment, including surgery and overnight hospitalization.

Organizers will mark the opening of the VEG ER for Pets on May 14th with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. at 73495 CA-111 in Palm Desert.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from VEG medical directors about the new Palm Desert ER.

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Cynthia White

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Department of Social Services (DPSS) and Faith in Motion will be hosting a free community event on Monday, May 12, to recruit foster and adoptive families.

More than 3,300 children in Riverside County are in out-of-home care.

DPSS is working with non-profit Faith in Motion to present a panel discussion and question and answer session in both English and Spanish explaining how to take the steps toward changing a child’s life. Attendees will receive information on fostering, adoption, and volunteer opportunities to support children in need.

The location of the free event is at Southwest Church, 44-175 Washington Street in Indian Wells, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A light meal is provided, and registration is encouraged.

For more information, contact Faith in Motion Manager Irene Capen at 951-228-5553 or visit faithinmotionrivco.org.

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Cynthia White

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – There’s a new, updated and improved sign to welcome visitors to Thermal at the entrance to Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport.

The county airport’s management, the Aviation Division of the Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency, installed a new monument sign and is planning extensive landscaping around the main entrance.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez assigned county funding for the improvements to enhance the look of the airport as people arrive in Thermal.

Perez sees the possibility of major growth in the future, saying, “The Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport serves the Coachella Valley region and is one of our county assets and a key to our economic development future.” He added, “I have sought to champion updating this airport, and this is an investment. The new and beautiful signage modernizes the entrance to our Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in the Thermal community.”

The improvements continue as 20 damaged palm trees will be replaced beginning next week. More landscaping will be added in the fall/winter season after the summer heat.

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Angela Chen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Maintaining mental health is important, especially in the formative years. To recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, Indio High School hosted a special event in the gymnasium for students on Thursday.

Kids walked in to a sound bath by The Healing Collective, which was one of 30 booths offering resources at this inaugural mental health fair focused on promoting social and emotional well-being.

School staff say more than 300 students stopped by during their lunch hour to learn about ways to reduce stress and anxiety.

This event comes as teens face increasing pressure and often self-esteem issues because of social media.

This fair was made possible by a state grant. Staff say mental health awareness is one of Desert Sands Unified School District’s top priorities in its educational goals.

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Peter Daut

California Senate leader Toni Atkins is hoping to be the state’s first female and LGBTQ governor.

The San Diego Democrat made history as the first out lesbian to be assembly speaker, as well as the first woman and LGBTQ person to lead the senate.

Atkins is hoping her long resume in elected office, coupled with her boundary-breaking profile, is the winning formula to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom next year.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut sat down with her today at the “Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast” in Palm Springs.

“I want to continue to work on things that matter to everyday Californians: cost of living, affordable housing, cost of healthcare, and of course, making sure we respect everyone’s rights to be who they are and to live a good quality of life in California,”

Atkins was honored today with the “Harvey Milk Leadership Award.”

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The sound of church bells ringing across the Coachella Valley, signaling the dawn of a new papacy.

American cardinal Robert F. Prevost elected as the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV.

Church-goers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church filled with emotion.

“I am so excited. I just got out of tennis and I was going to go to the office of Sacred Heart and just so excited we have a new pope. And he’s American.”

Isabel Chapman, Indian Wells resident

“I was in my car. I was waiting. We were all on standby today because this seems to be the magic day.”

Debby Aiton, Palm Desert resident

Many eager to see how the new pope will lead the church. Pastor Gregory Elder says you don’t have to look far beyond his chosen name, Leo, to understand the kind of pope he intends to be.

“That tells me that this gentleman has chosen that name because he is forward looking and willing to embrace new ideas.”

Pastor Gregory Elder, Sacred Heart Catholic Church

And the influence he’ll bring to the Catholic Church.

“I’m glad we have someone who is open to other people, and open to new cultures and ideas. The fact that he’s American yet fluent in Spanish is a thing that is very important. Latin American church is very significant. We also have a large Spanish language community in this country. So he’s going to be familiar with that, and that’s a wonderful thing.”

Pastor Gregory Elder, Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Allie Anthony

The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast was held Thursday morning at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The event honors the legacy of Harvey Milk — the first openly gay elected official in California — and serves as a powerful reminder of his enduring message of hope, courage, and equality.

Held each year, the breakfast is a time to reflect on Milk’s trailblazing work in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, while also spotlighting leaders and advocates who carry his mission forward today.

This year’s celebration included special recognition of two prominent figures: Holly Near, a renowned singer, songwriter, and activist, and Toni Atkins, a longtime public servant and champion of equality, was honored with the Harvey B. Milk Leadership Award. Atkins has been instrumental in shaping inclusive policies throughout her career in California politics.

The breakfast also featured an uplifting performance by the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. Beyond the awards and performances, the breakfast serves a greater cause. Proceeds from the event support LGBTQ+ youth programs across the Coachella Valley, helping to empower and uplift the next generation of leaders. On average, the event draws around 300 young attendees each year, providing them with encouragement, visibility, and community support.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS Calif. (KESQ)  – As federal support for the arts faces uncertainty, one Palm Springs festival is showing that creativity — and community — are still going strong.

Founded in 2000, the annual Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival opens Thursday night with a renewed call to support the arts.

Organizers said the festival spotlights classic noir films from the 1940s and ’50s — including some that haven’t been shown in theaters in decades.

The event comes just as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) begins notifying some organizations of grant terminations, tied to President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, which would eliminate the NEA entirely.

The administration says it wants to shift federal funding toward programs it believes better reflect its national priorities. 

The NEA is a government agency that helps fund and support arts programs across the country — everything from museums and theater to community projects and local festivals.

In 2024, the NEA awarded nearly $200 million to nonprofits, arts organizations and public agencies according to the National Endowment for the Arts.

Local organizations like Desert X and The Palm Springs International Film Society have been among the recipients. 

News Channel 3 reached out to both for comment and is awaiting a response.

One Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival organizer said while this year’s event hasn’t been directly impacted, it highlights what’s at stake.

Still, the organizer said the festival remains a bright spot, with stronger post-COVID attendance and a full weekend of screenings ahead.

The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival continues through Sunday at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

To wrap up the weekend, director Guillermo Del Toro and co-writer Kim Morgan will present an exclusive extended cut of Nightmare Alley.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 and 11 p.m.

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