Author: KESQ

Tori King

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– Construction along El Paseo continues, as the project reaches a new milestone. This week, both sides of the road are back open from the 74 to Portola.

The City of Palm Desert has most recently completed the third phase of the El Paseo Street Rehabilitation Project. This phase included improvements to the westbound lanes, north side of El Paseo between San Pablo Avenue and Portola Avenue.

Immediately following completion of the north side, crews shifted the traffic control to the eastbound lanes, south side of El Paseo, between San Pablo Avenue and Portola Avenue. Crews are now working on pavement removal and asphalt installation for this segment, with work scheduled to take place through August.

The final phase will begin in September. Intersections at Portola and San Pablo will be done at night in September, and mid-block crossings will be added after all of the paving is complete.

For updates on the project click here.

News Channel 3’s Tori King is speaking with the city about this final phase, see her coverage at 4, 5, and 6.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect was arrested for allegedly assaulting an elderly person at a residence in Palm Desert, authorities said today.   

Deputies responded to call shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 73000 block of Santa Rosa Way regarding a report of battery, according to Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities learned that the suspect and the victim, who “live at the location,” were involved in an argument, Brito-Gonzalez said.   

The suspect allegedly “became physical” with the elder, who sustained injuries and was hospitalized with stable vital signs, the department said.

The man fled the scene before deputies arrived but later returned to the area and hid inside the residence, authorities said. Deputies located him and he was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of battery and elder abuse, Brito-Gonzalez said.

The identities of the two individuals were not revealed.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The boutique hotel industry is on a growth streak, with new data showing rising demand in California and across the United States as travelers seek out smaller, more personalized stays.

Globally, the boutique hotel market was valued at $25 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $40.3 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. In the U.S., the segment generated nearly $7 billion in 2024 and is expected to hit $10 billion by the end of the decade.

North America accounted for more than 40% of global boutique hotel revenue last year, driven by interest from millennial and Gen Z travelers looking for unique, immersive experiences, market researchers said.

California’s hospitality sector is a natural fit for the trend, with wine country getaways, art-forward desert retreats and a roster of Historic Hotels of America properties that attract visitors seeking local flavor.

In the Golden State, destinations like Palm Springs lead the pack with nearly 100 boutique hotels here alone, said Adam Gilbert, President of The Firm Brokerage.

“Palm Springs is known for its boutique hotels,” Gilbert explained. “We’ve really seen a growth in the boutique hospitality industry,” he explained. “You know, people want people to kind of move from the Airbnb, travel more to like a more catered boutique experience.”

Now, one of those experiences, the Exotic Dream Resort in Palm Springs, is on the market for $10.5 million. Gilbert, who is the listing agent for the resort, said the resort has deep ties in the Palm Springs area was previously the All World Resort, a very popular gay men’s resort where clothing was optional.

Today, Gilbert describes the Exotic Dream Resort is not only clothing-optional, but a swinger-lifestyle resort. He said it’s part of what makes Palm Springs market unique, offering investors both established clientele and properties with potential for reinvention.

Gilbert said properties run by smaller operators can sell for as low as $150,000 a room with opportunities to renovate and resell for double that price, or even more.

“If you’re able to get financials, if you’re able to fix it up, you can get close to 300 to 400,000 a room and sell it to a hospitality group or someone who wants to buy finished products,” he explained. “And so there’s been a huge, you know, influx of people buying these, you know, properties that need a little bit of love.”

Still, rising interest rates shifting consumer preferences means success depends on matching the right property to the right buyer.

“It has to make sense between seller and buyer,” Gilber said. “On what the buyer is buying it for, and what the seller is selling it for.”

The Exotic Dream Resort is still operating while it’s listed for sale. Meanwhile, we checked the long delayed Dream Hotel project here in Palm Springs.

The project, which was put on pause, due the pandemic and economic downturn since its inception in 2007. In Dec. 2024, News Channel 3 covered a groundbreaking ceremony celebrated by the hotel development team and city leaders ushering in reimagined plan for the project on the corner of Amado Road and Avenida Caballeros.

Developer Lori Kibby tells News Channel three the budget came in $80 million over, and they’ve been working to reduce costs, reconfiguring parts of the project and redoing drawings.

She also says the project is still moving forward with no change in ownership, and the dream brand remains part of Hyatt Hotel Group.

Boutique hotels have been outperforming traditional properties in key areas, including supply growth and revenue recovery, even as operators face higher costs for insurance, utilities and labor, according to industry analysts.

Industry experts say the model’s focus on design, storytelling and localized service gives boutique properties an edge in a crowded travel market.

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Tenet nurses at JFK Memorial Hospital say they’re facing inadequate staffing, training and pay, pushing them to the picket line Wednesday.

Wednesday evening, registered nurses with the SEIU 121 union plan to host an informational picket at JFK Memorial Hospital protesting conditions they say have caused low staff morale, with many looking elsewhere for their future careers. To be clear, this is not a strike and there has been no work stoppage.

“Work life balance is an issue with some nurses on call up to 15 days or more. We have a lot of turnover and a lot of our nurses are leaving JFK to go over to desert for higher wages,” Tracy Pryor, an operating nurse of 28 years said.

Some of the union’s concerns are similar to those echoed by CNA nurses at the Tenet-operated Desert Regional Medical Center, who also called for safer staffing and more robust training.

According to Pryor, new college graduates are receiving half the training they did prior to the pandemic, with orientation decreasing from 12 to 6 weeks.

“You know the bookwork when you graduate, you have done some clinical assignments. To pull that into the real work space is what really matters,” Pryor said.

She also believes higher wages at nearby hospitals are increasing turnover among seasoned nurses. Pryor believes JFK Memorial may receive lower wages because it is a level four trauma center, compared to Desert Regional Medical Center’s level one standing.

News Channel 3 reached out to Tenet Health for their side of the story and were provided a statement:

“As always, we are committed to delivering safe, high quality care and an exceptional patient experience for the community we serve, as well as a positive work environment for our employees. We are currently involved in bargaining with the union and will continue to negotiate in good faith in hopes of reaching a successful contract. We are open for all services.”

Union organizers also hope the picket will renew negotiations at the bargaining table.

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

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A new chapter for the Best Bookstore in Palm Springs begins as it officially reopens at its new location after weeks of air conditioning issues forced the owners to leave its former space.

Last month, News Channel 3 spoke with Paul Carr, co-owner of the Best Bookstore, when the store’s A/C unit was vandalized. With no repairs made by the landlord, triple-digit heat and impact to business, he decided to relocate.

Carr credits the Palm Springs community for making the transition possible.

“We did like a moving fund where people could get their name on a mural which we’re going to paint in the back of the store… a thousand dollars each so that helped cover some of the costs. The community between that and smaller donations to get t-shirts helped us with that but just the support with folks coming in saying ‘we just want to check out the new place, buy some books.’”

Paul Carr, The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs Co-owner

While the move was challenging, Carr says the new space already feels like home.

“We have a great new landlord. We have a great new location. Amazing foot traffic… It is much cooler.”

Paul Carr, The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs Co-owner

Located at 113 La Plaza, just a few blocks from its original location, the new space offers a much cooler place for customers to browse, discover, and get lost in a good book.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – It’s not just students returning to school, officers are also back — patrolling campuses.

Brittnee Salazar, an Indio police department student resource officer (SRO), said safety is the top priority.

“Security and the SRO’s are constantly working with each other,” Salazar said. “If there’s any new developments or anything like that, we try to roundtable it and make sure that those issues are addressed.”

She said she’s spent 2 years assigned to Indio High School.

“The good thing about being a school resource officer is that most students, when they come into contact with law enforcement, it’s either on a traffic stop or a call for service,” Salazar said. “This allows us to be outside the norm of that, and we are more approachable.”

Emily Luna, student, said she does feel safe with the patrols, but has some concerns.

“I feel like there is a lot of assistance, but it’s not always available,” Luna said. “That’s an issue.”

News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson took this matter to Ephraim Jacobo, Desert Sands Unified School District security manager.

“Last year there was a shortage due to staffing,” Jacobo said. “However, this year we are excited to announce that we are expecting 4 school resource officers on the Indio side and we’re also expecting 4 on the La Quinta and Palm Desert side through the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.”

He said the district has new contracts in place with both the Riverside County Sheriff and Indio Police Department.

“We are expecting more presence at the schools.”

Jacobo said there’s many moving parts that go into the safety and security of the students.

“There’s a lot of drills, a lot of training and extensive personnel. Not just on the district side, but also collaborating with Indio PD, CAL FIRE and RSO,” Jacobo said. “The goal in mind is keeping the campus safe, the students safe and assuring the community and all stakeholders that this is our number one priority.”

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

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Tori King

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ)– A brand new Chick-fil-A is coming to La Quinta. It’s set to open up in just a few days, and News Channel 3 got an inside look. The new restaurant is located just off Highway 111 and Dune Palms Road.

This franchise will become the second Chick-fil-A location to open up in the Coachella Valley, with the only other one being in Palm Desert. Tuesday morning, local officials and the owner of the restaurant hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the big occasion.

La Quinta City Council Member Steve Sanchez attended the event, saying the city of La Quinta is pro-business, and constantly growing. He also says the council always looks forward to bringing in more opportunities and revenue to the area.”For months now, I’ve had friends and just random people asking when will it open up,” said Sanchez. “It’s really great not just for the community who loves Chick-fil-A, but great for commerce and great for the area. We’re grateful that Chick-fil-A chose La Quinta. It’s the gem of the desert for a reason. We welcome businesses. We work together. It’s a partnership. It is a family, our residents and our businesses and our visitors. It’s all a family.”This new location is also creating dozens of jobs for local residwnts. As of Tuesday morning, the company has hired over 100 employees, and they expect to hire even more in the coming days.The official grand opening is set for Thursday at 6:30 a.m.

If you dress up as a cow, you can also get a free meal, which is all part of their ‘Cows Eat Free’ event for the grand opening.

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Tori King

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)– The City of Rancho Mirage is warning its residents about a concerning new report of aggressive solicitors in the area. News Channel 3’s Tori King reached out to the city about these incidents, Rancho Mirage official released this statement:

“Rancho Mirage is a safe and welcoming community, and while these recent solicitor reports are unusual, they’re happening across the valley, not just here. We take them seriously and urge residents to stay alert…by working together, we can help keep our community safe.”

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, there has been a recent influx of residents experiencing these incidents. Authorities also say some people are being dropped off at night especially in the Magnesia Falls Cove neighborhood, and they’ve been seen entering people’s back yards and refusing to leave the property when asked. There have also been some reports of residents being threatened.

News Channel 3 spoke with RSO, who had tips for residents on how to stay safe. Here are some practical tips on what to do if someone encounters an aggressive solicitor:

1. Stay Calm: Remain composed and avoid escalating the situation. Take deep breaths and try to keep your tone calm.

2. Assess the Situation: Determine if the solicitor is being overly aggressive or if their approach is simply persistent.

3. Set Boundaries: Politely but firmly let the solicitor know that you are not interested. You can say something like, “Thank you, but I’m not interested in what you’re offering.”

4. Avoid Engagement: If the solicitor continues to press, avoid engaging further. Walk away or close the door if you’re indoors.

5. Document the Encounter: Take note of any details about the solicitor, including their appearance, the nature of their solicitation, and any aggressive behavior. This can be useful if you need to report the incident later.

6. Inform Neighbors: Share your experience with neighbors or local community groups to raise awareness about aggressive solicitors in the area.

7. Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with local laws regarding solicitation, as there may be regulations that protect residents from aggressive sales tactics.

8. Use Community Resources: Encourage residents to reach out to local community organizations or neighborhood watch groups if they feel threatened or need advice.

9. Trust Your Instincts: Always trust your gut feelings. If a situation feels wrong, prioritize your safety and remove yourself from it.

10. Report Suspicious Activity: For non-emergency situations, contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department dispatch line at 760-836-3215. In any situation involving an immediate threat, call 911 without delay.

When reporting, provide dispatch with a detailed description of the individuals involved and any associated vehicles, including license plate numbers if available. Accurate and timely information helps law enforcement respond effectively and strengthens ongoing investigations.

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Allie Anthony

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is hosting its annual Backpack Bonanza this Thursday.

According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school costs are projected to average $875 per student. To help ease the burden for low-income families, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is giving stuffed backpacks to local students. The event will begin at 6:30 AM on Thursday.

Backpacks and supplies can also be dropped off at the CVRM located at 47470 Van Buren St. in Indio.

Backpacks, spiral notebooks, yellow highlighters, pencil sharpeners, lined paper, and all other related supplies are needed. Donations of backpacks and supplies are welcome until August 13. Children must be present to receive a backpack.

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