Author: KESQ

Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Los Angeles Times analysis identified the City of Indio as a spot that saw some of the worst income growth of any community or city in the state from 2017 to 2022. That’s according to tax records from that time period, which compared the average adjusted gross income (AGI) of all communities in the state that submitted 3,000 or more tax returns.

This same report listed Thousand Palms and Indian Wells as seeing immense income growth during that same time period. News Channel 3 spoke with a realtor on the subject and broke down the numbers in those unincorporated places last week.

According to new numbers from Indio, both median household income and per-capita income have increased significantly in the post-pandemic years. Since 2022, an increase of nearly $20,000 (representing 24% growth) has occurred in median household income.

But aside from the numbers, Mayor Glenn Miller pointed out existing development and long-term investment that the city has made is inviting growth.

“We appreciate the Times putting out the information, but, you know, it just wasn’t accurate,” Miller said. “All you gotta do is look around through the city of Indio, see all of the movement from new buildings, from investment from the city, our business partners, the community.”

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Garrett Hottle

OAK GLEN, Calif. (KESQ) We’re learning new details as crews continue working around the clock to clear roads and assess damage after sudden, destructive debris flows tore through Forest Falls and Oak Glen late last week.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department confirms three single-family homes in Forest Falls were destroyed and eight others damaged when fast-moving mud and debris surged downhill Thursday.

Damage assessments for Oak Glen are still pending; News Channel 3 has reached out for those details.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says the storm’s impact was worsened by wildfire burn scars that left slopes unstable. Saturated hillsides collapsed under the weight of sudden rainfall, unleashing walls of mud, logs, and boulders.

As of Sunday night, several road closures remain in place. State Route 38 is closed from just east of Angelus Oaks at Mill Creek Road to Lake Williams Drive in Big Bear. Oak Glen Road is shut down from Chagall to Potato Canyon. Valley of the Falls Drive is also blocked at SR-38, with additional slides cutting off Forest Falls.

The National Weather Service reported that Forest Falls saw 1.5 inches of rain in just one hour, followed by another half inch soon after nearly triple the rate of a typical summer thunderstorm.

No injuries or rescues have been reported. Evacuation warnings that were issued for multiple mountain communities have since been lifted, but county officials urge residents to remain alert with cleanup ongoing and more rain possible this week.

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on one of the most common cancers affecting men. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 313,000 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025.

To help raise awareness and share the latest medical advancements, Desert Care Network is hosting a free seminar on September 23, from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Stergios Building on the Desert Regional Medical Center campus in Palm Springs.

Prostate cancer affects about one in eight men during their lifetime. Early detection significantly improves treatment success, and recent improvements in screening and non-invasive therapies are making a difference in outcomes.

The seminar will offer men in the Coachella Valley expert guidance on when and how to get screened, as well as an overview of the latest treatment options from local specialists. The event is open to the public.

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KESQ News Team

CALEXICO, Calif. (KESQ) – Imperial Irrigation District said crews were working around the clock to restore power to more neighborhoods following Thursday’s storm.

IID called the damage severe and unusual.

Large mobile generators were deployed in some hard hit areas.

After Thursday’s storm, IID reported 5,400 customers had been impacted by the storm, with about 100 power poles taken down between Holtville and El Centro.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest on this story.

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Kristen Outlaw

 

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Deputies made an arrest Saturday night after they reportedly found fentanyl intended for sale during a traffic stop.

The incident reported around 8:45 p.m. off Harris Lane and Washington Street.

Deputies with the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team arrested the subject, who was on probation.

The suspect was booked into John Benoit Detention Center, accused of possession for sale.

Investigators said fentanyl continues to be one of the most significant threats to community safety.

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s a girl! The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens announced a baby girl giraffe was born on September 7th.

The baby was born to Mama Vicki Lou at a whopping 6 feet already.

Zoo officials say the baby is alert, healthy and curious. They’re now inviting others to come check out the new addition to the zoo family.

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Timothy Foster

UPDATE: News Channel 3 and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter extend a thank you to all who turned out to support our first ever Cans ‘N Kibble event.

The community came through to show their care for the animals – donating over 8,000 pounds of kibble, 4,100 cans of pet food, and more than $16,000 in support.

Palm Springs Animal Shelter Executive Director Dan Rossi was grateful for the turnout, saying, “So to double, almost triple, what we thought we might get is just mind blowing and amazing for us. It’s amazing to see people, when the need is there, to step up and help.”

While the event ended at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, the shelter says there’s always a need for volunteers, and pet food and money donations are always accepted at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is calling on the community to help keep pets with their families during hard times through its upcoming Cans ‘N Kibble Pet Food Drive — a one-day event designed to collect essential pet food for families facing financial hardship.

Join News Channel 3 live at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. The drive will take place on Friday, September 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with donation sites set up at multiple locations across the Coachella Valley. In partnership with News Channel 3, the shelter is aiming to collect both wet and dry dog and cat food.

The focus is on essentials only — no treats or specialty diets — to ensure every donation goes directly to families who need it most.

Jack Hagerman, Associate Executive Director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, explained that the primary goal of the food drive is to help people avoid surrendering their pets during times of crisis. He emphasized that the shelter is committed not only to finding homes for animals but also to helping families keep the pets they already have.

According to Hagerman, keeping people with their pets is central to the shelter’s mission, and one of the most impactful ways they achieve that is through their pet food bank.

The Rick Erwin Pet Food Bank, launched in 2015, currently distributes more than 20,000 pounds of pet food each year. However, Hagerman noted that demand for this service has surged recently, growing by 33 percent in just the past three months.

As the shelter struggles to keep up with that increased need, this food drive represents a critical opportunity to restock supplies and support more families.

For those interested in donating, pet food can be dropped off on September 26 at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter on East Mesquite Avenue, the Desert Community Animal Center on Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs, the Sun Community Federal Credit Union on Avenue 42 in Indio, or the Rancho Mirage Library on Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. Volunteers will be on-site at each location to accept donations throughout the day.

Hagerman explained that the food collected will be distributed quickly. The shelter operates on a weekly distribution schedule, so donations received during the drive will be out the door and into the hands of pet owners in need almost immediately.

He added that if someone cannot make it to one of the locations on the day of the event, they are welcome to drop off donations at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter or the Desert Community Animal Center at any time.

For those unable to donate physical pet food, financial contributions are also encouraged. Monetary donations help the shelter purchase exactly what is needed and can be made online. The donation portal can be found at psanimalshelter.org/petfood.

Hagerman stressed that pets are family, and no one should have to experience the heartbreak of giving up their companion because they can’t afford to feed them. He said that just like food banks that serve people, a pet food bank plays a vital role in stabilizing families during difficult times.

Through this community effort, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter hopes to make a real impact by keeping pets in their homes and out of the shelter system. Every donation, no matter how small, helps make that possible.

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Athena Jreij

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities are investigating a homicide in Coachella after a man was shot dead Sunday.

Riverside County Sheriff’s responded to the 85000 block of Calle Limon in Coachella shortly after 11:30 a.m. when they found an adult man suffering from a gunshot wound.

Family members of the victim on scene told News Channel 3 crews that the shooting began with an altercation.

The victim died at the scene. He was identified as Enrique Arrieta, 51, of Coachella.

No other injuries were reported.

Deputies say no suspects have been arrested yet.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation. Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – One person was arrested for arson Saturday after authorities allege they set a car on fire in front of the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

According to Indio Police, officers and the California Department of Forestry responded to a vehicle fire at 46200 Oasis Street around 1 a.m. to find a car fully engulfed in flames near the court’s front entrance.

No one was injured, but investigators did determine the fire was intentionally set.

At 3:29 a.m., officers responded to a nearby gas station in the 82000 block of Indio Boulevard for calls of a suspect who refused to leave and was carrying a firearm.

Officials say that suspect was arrested while carrying a gun, and confirmed to be the owner of the vehicle set on fire. Evidence collected also found they were responsible for the arson.

The suspect was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on arson charges.

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

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Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a block party and resource fair at City Hall. The celebration was created with the help of the Cathedral City Senior Center.

The senior center is also celebrated it’s newly-added bilingual programs to accommodate more residents in their space. They said hosting an event like this was important to them to show the community they have continued support, especially as the hispanic community faces uncertain times.

A Sept. 8 U.S. Supreme Court ruling voted in favor of continuing “roving patrols” in Southern California for immigration enforcement. Officials with the Cathedral City Senior Center said they heard from residents who were afraid to attend the heritage event because of the latest ruling.

Just over 100 people attended the block party and resource fair event, and organizers said it was fewer people than they expected. However, they said it was still important to hold the event and show their continued support.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from organizers and locals about the Hispanic Heritage Month event and it’s importance.

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