Author: KESQ

City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Friends of the Desert Mountains will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument at the visitor center Friday in Palm Desert.

The festivities will take place at 8:30 a.m. at 51-500 CA-74, south of Highway 111. It will feature guided hikes, educational programs, youth activities, walking tours, giveaways and a time capsule installation.

Participating attendees will include Mayor Evan Trubee, former Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Manager Jim Foote and former Rep. Mary Bono, R-Palm Desert.

“We’re excited to bring our community together to celebrate 25 years of this extraordinary place,” Tammy Martin, executive director of Friends of the Desert Mountains, said in a statement. “The monument represents decades of dedication to protecting the land and connecting people with it. Theanniversary is an opportunity to celebrate what we’ve accomplished together and look ahead to the next 25 years.”

The monument was designated by Congress on Oct. 24, 2000 and protects roughly 280,000 acres of biological, cultural, recreational, geological and educational resources. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the USDA Forest Service and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

More information can be found at desertmountains.org.

Click here to follow the original article.

Matthew Pearce

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) — The conflict in Iran, along with tariffs, has contributed to rising inflation, particularly for diesel fuel.

Rising prices directly impact farmers across the nation, including those here in the Coachella Valley.

However, at a rally in Kansas on Monday, President Donald Trump announced that his administration would introduce an $8 billion aid package for farmers nationwide.

However, economists warn that direct subsidies may not fully offset higher fuel expenses that ripple through the food supply chain. Gbenga Ajilore, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, pointed out that diesel costs compound as goods move from fields to store shelves.

“So everywhere along the supply chain, diesel, higher diesel prices, higher prices is going to impact what we pay at the grocery store,” Ajilore said.

George Tudor, president of Tudor Ranch, tells News Channel 3 that diesel fuel is an unavoidable expense for daily agricultural operations.

“We don’t have a choice but to use our equipment to get our job done. So there certainly is a direct cost there with that diesel being so expensive,” Tudor said.

Additionally, Tudor noted that high freight costs leave domestic farmers at a distinct competitive disadvantage compared to foreign importers.

While agricultural producers appreciate federal support, many growers prefer long-term market stability over government intervention. Tudor expressed that farmers desire an economic climate where they can sell produce without relying on financial assistance.

“But I think I speak for all farmers when we would much rather be in an environment where we can be competitive, growing and marketing our crops, rather than suffering input cost increases and other things because of what’s going on in the world,” Tudor said.

For more information on the “harvest fuel relief program,” check out this article.

Click here to follow the original article.

Raymond Kalra

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – For some families across the Coachella Valley, putting food on the table has become a daily struggle. At the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, staff and volunteers are working to meet that need, serving hundreds of meals each day while preparing for an even greater demand during the upcoming holiday season.

On Wednesday morning, the organization distributed five pallets of food boxes to residents facing food insecurity. The supplies were gone within the first hour, despite the distribution typically being scheduled for a two-hour window.

Andrew Newton, who helps manage the kitchen at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, said the demand for food assistance continues to be significant.

“We’re seeing a lot of seniors coming through our lines,” Newton said. “Like this morning, we just gave away five pallets of food boxes this morning and they were gone within the first hour.”

Newton said the organization is currently meeting much of the demand, but some residents still leave without receiving assistance once supplies run out.

“There are still some people who show up and everything’s gone,” Newton said. “And so that’s hard to turn people away and to tell them, you know, try and be here earlier next week because there’s no telling how many people are going to show up.”

The mission typically distributes approximately 150 to 180 food boxes every Wednesday, providing groceries to families and individuals struggling to afford food.

Newton said the organization is seeing seniors, families with young children, pregnant women and other residents seeking help.

He pointed to the rising cost of everyday necessities as one reason people are struggling.

“Everything’s more expensive,” Newton said. “So filling your pantry now cost twice as much as it once did.”

Inside the kitchen: Preparing up to 1,200 meals a day

Beyond its weekly food distributions, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission operates a kitchen preparing approximately 1,000 to 1,200 meals every day for people staying at the facility and members of the surrounding community.

On Wednesday, kitchen staff worked along a food preparation line, placing hot dogs and tater tots into individual to-go containers for lunch.

Newton said each meal requires a significant amount of preparation, with the kitchen typically serving around 300 people per meal.

A normal morning can include preparing gallons of eggs and oatmeal, dozens of trays of bacon and hundreds of pancakes. Staff also prepare sandwiches, potatoes, meats and other food throughout the day.

Newton said the kitchen typically has between four and six people working behind the scenes, including individuals participating in the mission’s job skills training program and volunteers from the community.

However, the kitchen’s menu is often determined by the donations it receives.

“The biggest challenge is the amount of food that we have at hand, on hand at the time,” Newton said. “And that’s what our menu usually revolves around, is what we have on hand. And that’s dependent on what we get from donations from people around this valley.”

Newton emphasized that contributions from the community make the mission’s daily food operations possible.

“Those donations are absolutely vital,” he said. “They are the reason why we are able to make the meals that we’re able to make for the people that are living here and for the public out and around the valley that need to eat a meal.”

From receiving help to helping others

For Newton, working in the kitchen carries a deeply personal meaning.

Before helping prepare meals for others, he experienced struggles similar to those faced by many of the people now turning to the Rescue Mission for assistance.

“I know where these people are coming from. I know the hurt that they are going through,” Newton said. “I can sympathize and empathize with what these people are going through, because I also went through this situation myself.”

Newton said his own experiences have shaped how he approaches his work and interacts with people receiving assistance.

He said providing a meal is about more than making sure someone has something to eat. It’s also about helping them feel supported during a difficult time.

“I know how important it is to have somebody there that cares about your well-being and that will be there and listen to you and give you a shoulder to cry on and a nice meal to make you feel good,” Newton said.

He added that witnessing the progress of people participating in the mission’s programs is one of the most rewarding parts of his work.

Newton said he hopes those receiving meals feel welcomed, respected and cared for.

“I hope that they feel loved, and I hope that they feel comfortable, and I hope that they feel like they belong like that they matter because they do,” he said.

Preparing for an even greater Thanksgiving demand

With Thanksgiving approaching, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is preparing for a significant increase in demand for food assistance.

The organization anticipates potentially distributing close to 3,000 Thanksgiving food boxes in the days leading up to and on the holiday, according to preliminary estimates shared with News Channel 3.

Newton said the mission is preparing for holiday demand that could be nearly double what it has experienced in recent years.

“What we’re expecting this year is probably almost double what we have been receiving in the last few years,” Newton said. “At least that’s what we’re going to prepare for just so that we’re ready.”

In addition to its food assistance distributions, the mission plans to serve holiday meals to its clients and members of the public.

Newton said Thanksgiving breakfast service will begin at 6 a.m., with pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, sausage and fruit on the menu.

Later in the day, the kitchen plans to serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, candied yams, green beans and pies.

Preparing for Thanksgiving requires substantially more food than an ordinary day.

Newton said the kitchen may need to prepare several times its usual quantities to accommodate the additional people arriving for holiday meals.

“The difference is we have to prepare about ten times the amount of food because it is an unlimited service for a four hour window just for breakfast,” Newton explained.

The mission also expects to welcome family members of individuals staying at the facility, along with other residents seeking a holiday meal.

Volunteers play a critical role

As the mission prepares for Thanksgiving and Christmas, staff say community volunteers are essential to keeping operations running.

Scott Wolf, development coordinator at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, said hundreds of volunteers contribute their time each year, helping with everything from meal preparation to mentorship programs.

“Volunteerism and volunteers are the backbone of what we do here,” Wolf said. “We couldn’t do what we do without hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of volunteers coming here every year to serve, to mentor our clients, to teach classes, to help us in the kitchen, serve meals.”

Wolf said the mission is already operating at high capacity, and the holiday season brings additional demand for food and other services.

“We really highly depend on our volunteers and we cherish our volunteers,” Wolf said. “They really come together and they really make it special for us during the holidays.”

Volunteer opportunities extend beyond the kitchen.

According to Wolf, community members can help prepare and serve meals, mentor individuals participating in the mission’s long-term programs, teach classes or sort donations at the organization’s thrift store.

Wolf said the mission welcomes people with different skills and backgrounds who are interested in giving back.

How the community can help

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is appealing for additional food donations, financial contributions and volunteers to help serve residents in need.

Newton said every contribution, regardless of size, can help the organization continue its work.

“Any donation matters. Every donation matters, no matter how big or how small,” Newton said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s one can of food or 100 cans of food. Every donation matters and everything counts.”

The mission also wants people who may be struggling to afford groceries or meals to know that assistance is available.

“If you’ve never used this service before, come down, take a look, see what we can do for you,” Newton said.

For Newton, the mission’s work is about more than providing meals. It’s about giving people hope and a sense of belonging during difficult times.

And as the kitchen prepares for another busy holiday season, he hopes the community will continue supporting the people who depend on its services.

Residents interested in volunteering, donating or learning more about available services can visit the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission website.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of how local organizations are addressing food insecurity across the Coachella Valley.

Click here to follow the original article.

Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Proposition 44 asks California voters to set a spending floor for the nonprofit community clinics that care for low-income and uninsured patients.

If it passes Nov. 3, those clinics would have to spend at least 90% of their total revenue each year on providing health care services, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Everything else, including administrative costs, would be capped at 10%. The California attorney general would decide which expenses count.

A clinic falling short would pay the state an amount equal to the gap. It could get the money back by meeting the requirement within five years. If not, the state would keep it for clinic workforce programs. Clinics could ask for a temporary waiver in some cases.

The measure applies to private nonprofit safety-net clinics, known as federally qualified health centers. California has about 2,000 safety-net clinics, and the analyst’s office says they report spending an average of about 80% of revenue on care.

Opponents include the California Primary Care Association, the California Medical Association, the California Hospital Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and both the state Democratic and Republican parties. A study commissioned by the primary care association estimates clinics would owe $1.7 billion in penalties in the first year and says many could close.

Supporters had reported raising about $16.9 million and opponents about $34.9 million as of Aug. 2, according to the secretary of state. A September Public Policy Institute of California poll found 34% of likely voters support it, the lowest of any measure on the ballot.

The analyst’s office estimates state enforcement would cost in the low tens of millions of dollars a year, paid for by fees on the clinics.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Pickleball players in Palm Springs have a new place to play, as the city celebrated the grand opening of a 22-court complex at Demuth Park.

The $5.1 million project, funded in part through Measure J, includes new courts, shade structures, seating areas, drinking fountains and sports lighting.

The grand opening celebration was held at 4 p.m. at Demuth Park, 4365 E. Mesquite Avenue. The event featured a ribbon-cutting, demonstrations, open play, music, refreshments and giveaways.

The new courts will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. All courts will be available for reservations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. After 3 p.m., one court per skill level will remain available for reservations, while the remaining courts will be designated for open play.

The complex is designed to expand recreational opportunities and give players of all ages and skill levels a place to stay active and connect with the community.

For more information, visit the City of Palm Springs Recreation website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Pickleball fans get ready to serve up some fun! The city of Palm Springs is celebrating the grand opening of its brand-new pickleball complex at Demuth Park on Wednesday.

The facility features 22 courts, which will open to the public following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m.

And the national pickleball league champion, the “Coachella Valley Scorpions,” will be part of the celebration.

Players will put on an exhibition, offer tips, and even hit the courts with members of the community.

There will also be giveaways, raffles, and free refreshments.

“Initially, we had 12 pickleball courts and we needed more. And that’s why we’ve unveiled now 22 new courts, and we’re already seeing a lot of interest about new leagues, new tournaments, and just other people wanting to host more events and have more open play available for pickleball,” said Nick Gonzalez, director of the Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department.

The event is open to everyone, and you’re encouraged to bring your paddle.

Click here to follow the original article.

Garrett Hottle

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The La Quinta City Council voted to remove Sean Webb from the city’s arts and community services commission.

The vote was 3 to 2, with Mayor Linda Evans, Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Fitzpatrick, and Councilmember Steve Sanchez voting to remove Webb.

Webb was not present during Tuesday’s council meeting, but councilmembers said they extended an invitation for him to join, but he was not available today. Councilmembers John Pena and Deborah McGarrey voted No on the proposal, mentioning that they wanted to hear from Webb before voting.

Webb is currently on your ballot right now, running for a seat on the Desert Recreation District board.

As News Channel 3 Luis Avila reported on this earlier this month, Webb is accused of leaving required information off his financial disclosure forms, including his spouse’s income, and running a business in La Quinta for years without a license.

A complaint was filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission last month.

Webb says he considers the issue a non-issue, telling News Channel 3 that he corrected the paperwork immediately after learning about what he described as an inadvertent administrative oversight. He also says he completed the necessary paperwork for the business license.

La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans, however, told News Channel 3 the issue raises concerns about Webb’s approach to required disclosures, calling the situation “sloppy and unacceptable.”

“It’s just shocking that somebody who is a self-proclaimed community guy, community leader, didn’t follow the instructions that were on the first page. Over and over again,” Evans said in an interview last month.

The FPPC has not announced any findings in the case, and there is currently no set date for action.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

Get the News Channel 3 app here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Project leaders hosted information sessions for the public about the Ramon Road Bridge Project, which is set to start this winter on the border of Palm Springs and Cathedral City.

The bridge project has been years in the making. News Channel 3 has been following the needs for this project for months, as well as the concerns from motorists and pedestrians in the months leading up to the project.

The Ramon Road Bridge will be widened from four lanes to six lanes, providing three lanes in each direction.

Cyclists and commuters in attendance for Tuesday’s information session voiced their thoughts on the two-year projecs, some concerned about detours and traffic.

“I’m sure there’s seismic improvements and other things that need to be done, and that’s all good. I’m all for that. I just want to see what the impact is going to be to other people like myself, who are active cyclists,” said John West.

“It’ll increase my time to get to work,” said Alexandra Garcia.

Project leaders took residents through a presentation and poster boards and fielded questions from the audience. They also urged residents to sign up for construction alerts.

In response to their concerns, they said they were taking steps to reduce the impact.

“We want to just emphasize to everyone that we are going to keep traffic flowing. We’re going to keep two lanes open in each direction,” said John Zipperman, who was part of the Project Outreach Team. “We really want this project to go as smoothly as possible and go as quickly as possible.”

A second information session will be held in Cathedral City on Wednesday, hosted jointly by Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Wednesday’s session is only available in-person and will run from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with the project team to receive the latest project updates, learn about construction phasing, sign up for alerts, and join the “Business is Open During Construction” program.

Project leaders will have a presentation for attendees, where they’ll talk more about the project’s details, including timelines and expected impacts. After the presentation, several tables and booths have been set up for attendees to ask questions directly to the project’s directors.

For more on the Ramon Road Bridge Project, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A felon who joined his friend in a fatal attack on a 24-year-old Cathedral City man in 2020 was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder.

A Riverside jury deliberated roughly a day before finding Johnny Ramirez, 34, of Escondido guilty Tuesday in the deadly assault on 24-year-old Ricardo Gallardo in 2020. Jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on a sentence-enhancing weapon allegation, and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Matthew Perantoni declared them deadlocked on that count, which will likely be dismissed.

The judge did not immediately schedule a sentencing hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice. Ramirez is being held without bail at the nearby Robert Presley Jail.

His co-defendant, 33-year-old Edgar Navez of Desert Hot Springs, is charged with first-degree murder and a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Navez allegedly fled before a warrant could be served on him and has been at large since that time, whereabouts unknown.

Edgar Navez

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, Navez and Ramirez were driving around Cathedral City with little to do on the evening of Nov. 23, 2020, and Ramirez parked his car near the intersection of Aliso Road and Avenida Del Yerma, where he and Navez got out and walked around.

Moments later, Gallardo passed by them, triggering a shouting match, mainly between him and Navez, the brief said. It was unclear what prompted the hostility, though investigators later confirmed the defendants had some type of gang affiliation.

Navez allegedly pulled a knife, leading the victim to run away, with the defendant close on his heels and Ramirez trailing both of them by a second or two, according to the prosecution.

Navez quickly caught Gallardo, knocking him to the ground, at which point he started stabbing him, the brief alleged. A low-quality security surveillance video from a nearby business captured part of the ensuing attack. The tape indicated that Ramirez allegedly “either also stabbed the victim, or punched him,” the narrative stated.

Gallardo suffered a total 11 puncture wounds to his head, chest and stomach, according to the brief.

When Navez and Ramirez fled the scene, the victim was able to stumble toward Ramon Road and Avenida Del Yermo, attracting the attention of multiple people, who called 911, according to the prosecution.

The young man was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he died that night.

Investigators alleged Ramirez dropped his mobile phone in front of a store while running from the scene, and a clerk spotted it on the sidewalk after passers-by began gathering around the mortally wounded victim. The man pointed it out to patrol officers, who seized the device and turned it over to homicide detectives.

“The cell phone … could not be downloaded until 2023, when technology improved,” the brief said.

A search warrant was obtained to access the phone’s contents, and detectives uncovered a video allegedly showing Ramirez driving his vehicle, with Navez in the passenger seat, eight minutes prior to the deadly attack. Other videos also allegedly showed Navez and Ramirez posing with handguns and flashing gang signs.

Ramirez was ultimately arrested without incident on Aug. 8, 2023, in Escondido. Navez is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Details on Ramirez’s prior conviction, which did not occur in Riverside County, were unavailable.

Get the News Channel 3 app here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio police K9 Hoki died on Monday, the department announced on its social media pages.

Details on Hoki’s death were not available.

In February, Hoki’s partner and handler, Officer Moran, suffered significant injuries after a suspected impaired driver struck a parked patrol vehicle. Hoki was not injured.

News Channel 3 did a report on Hoki and Officer Moran just over a year ago after the duo made a major fentanyl bust. Hoki was featured on IPD’s social media pages over the past three years with various drug busts and community events.

Hoki joined the Indio Police Department in late 2023 before entering the academy on January 13, 2024, and successfully graduating in March 2024.

“Cross-trained in patrol, tracking, and narcotics detection, Hoki served our community with exceptional dedication, bravery, and loyalty alongside his partner and handler, Officer Moran,” reads IPD’s announcement on Hoki. “Beyond his duty to the department and the City of Indio, Hoki was a cherished and loved family member in the Moran Family. His energy, loyalty, and affectionate nature left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @indiopolicedepartment

Click here to follow the original article.