Author: KESQ

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Hundreds of people gathering in Palm Springs to celebrate Fourth of July.

Events kicking off with a splash at the Palm Springs Swim Center, where a pool party helped attendees beat the heat.

From the pool to the baseball field. The Palm Springs Power facing off the Power Summer Collegiate League All Stars.

“I am here at Palm Springs Power Baseball Stadium to help the crowd celebrate by selling them hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and cold drinks.”

Sue Bergstrom, attendee

“I feel baseball is more Fourth of July very on theme so we’re happy to be here.” 

Shelby Kirkland, attendee

Assembly member Greg Wallis throwing first pitch. He says it’s a moment for the community to come together.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to get together as a community and get to celebrate 249 years of being a great nation. With all the issues going on around the world here it gets pretty special to come together as a community and be out here and celebrate.”

Greg Wallis, 47th District Assembly Member

That sense of community echoed by Nick Gonzalez, director of Palm Springs Parks and Recreation.

“We want to make sure is that community is having fun, uh, and we’re building community here by bringing people together in our park, um, and having fun with our pool party, or concert in the park, and then of course our fireworks show to end the night.”

Nick Gonzalez, Palm Springs Parks & Recreation Director

Visitors also getting to enjoy a concert at Sunrise Park, featuring Hard Days Night.

To close it all off, a spectacular fireworks show. Attendees say it’s a reminder of what Fourth of July is all about.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) -The CDC says prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer. With prostate cancer cases on the rise across the nation local health experts want you to know how critical it can be for men to get screened to catch potential cases as early as possible. 

About 313,000 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed this year. Doctors say men who are 55 to 69 years old should talk to their doctors about being screened for prostate cancer with what’s called APSA test.

Many wonder what they can do to prevent the onset of this condition. Official Dr. Amir Lavaf, the Radiation Oncologist at Desert Regional Medical Center explains, “Healthy diet and exercise is what we always recommend. But there is no one common intervention or pill or supplement that will actually prevent it.” 

The average age of men when they are first diagnosed with prostate cancer is 67 but healthcare officials say if you have symptoms that worry you, see your doctor right away. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more information on this topic.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Pyro Spectaculars is putting together a colorful fireworks display for the Palm Springs Department of Parks and Recreation “All American” Fourth of July events Friday night.

Robert Bronner, a pyrotechnic operator, said it takes nearly 20 hours to set up over 600 shells for the big display – something they put together with care and intention for the viewers.

“A well choreographed show invokes a beautiful memory to carry with you,” Bronner said. “And so you’re here to celebrate. Today, you want to go home with something that says, ‘Wow did you see that?’…We’re here to make sure that beauty is displayed.”

Bronner said Pyro Spectaculars hopes to give people an experience they won’t forget at Sunrise Park throughout the night. The fireworks show is set to start at 9:15 p.m. sharp, according to Parks and Recreation.

Residents and visitors can see the show from the “All American Pool Party” at the Palm Springs Swim Center, the concert in the park with Hard Days Night or from the Power Baseball game. All information for events can be found here.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from fireworks operators on the set up process and what it means to them.

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City News Service

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (KESQ) – A law enforcement operation in Lake Elsinore targeting suspects seeking illicit sexual services netted 20 arrests, authorities said today.

The Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the undercover sting at the end of June, with the goal of cracking down on individuals allegedly trying to procure prostitutes on the street.

“Prostitution is not a `victimless crime,”’ sheriff’s Sgt. Jarrod Meissen said. “Sex trafficking victims are subjected to not only severe forms of emotional, physical and sexual abuse … but are also physically andsexually assaulted by those who solicit them for prostitution.”  

The 19 men and one woman taken into custody included residents of Corona, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Los Angeles, Menifee, Murrieta, Perris, Riverside, San Jacinto, Temecula and Westminster.

Most of the individuals apprehended were booked on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution, pimping and pandering.   

Anyone with information regarding sex trafficking was encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County dropped today to its lowest Independence Day amount since 2021, decreasing eight-tenths of a cent to $4.392.   

The average price has dropped 10 the past 11 days, decreasing 8 cents, including six-tenths of a cent Thursday, according to figures from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. It dropped six consecutive days, rose three-tenths of a cent Monday and resumed decreasing the next day.

The average price is 4.6 cents less than one week ago, 17.1 cents lower than one month ago and 30.5 cents below what it was one year ago. It has dropped $1.981 since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5, 2022.   

“Oil prices continue to trade at about $65 a barrel after the Middle East ceasefire, putting downward pressure on gas prices locally and nationwide,” Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’scorporate communications manager, said in a statement. “While California’s fuel excise tax increased by 1.6 cents a gallon on Tuesday and a new state fuel air quality requirement also took effect Tuesday, pump prices have continued to drop.”

The national average price dropped for the ninth consecutive day following a run of 14 increases in 15 days totaling 10.5 cents, decreasing 1 cent to $3.152. It has dropped 7.4 cents over the past nine days, including nine-tenths of a cent Thursday.

The national average price is 5.5 cents less than one week ago and 36.2 cents lower than one year ago but eight-tenths of a cent more than one month ago. It has dropped $1.864 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — President Trump has signed his Big Beautiful Bill and some local servers could be cashing in on the ‘no tax on tips’ incentive.

The incentive was one of the President’s key campaign promises, drawing in voters with the promise to take home more cash.

Beginning the 2026 tax year, tip-reliant workers can deduct up to $25,000 if they make under $160,000 annually. Meaning if you work 5 days a week and deduct $25,000 a year, you’re likely to be going home with nearly $100 in untaxed tips a day.

However, some servers and restaurant owners in Palm Springs are still weary on the incentive’s benefits and are unsure about enforcement.

“The other part that, concerns me a little bit is we do automatic tips and our servers want us to include automatic gratuities on parties of eight or more, which we do, and we pay sales tax on that amount. That is not included in this benefit. So I’m not quite sure,” Willie Rhine with Eight4Nine said.

Rhine also said, ““How is this actually going to be enforced? It doesn’t apply to automatic gratuities, and we don’t track how much of the tips are automatically added for parties of eight or more. How will they determine if 100% of cash tips have been reported? There are a lot of unknowns, and it’s unclear whether employers or employees will be responsible for tracking this information.”

“When you really look deep into that bill, it’s not at all what we were sold,” Amanda Martinez with Sancho’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina said.

Martinez says most of her wait staff don’t even make enough money in tips to pay federal income taxes.

“I just see a lot of our servers right now as it is, you know, with business being a slow season and not many travelers coming in at all. So it’s hard for all of us to be able to walk away with anything,” Martinez said.

Her and other industry workers question how much money they’ll actually go home with, since they still pay into Social Security and Medicare.

For one business owner, he worries what the bill’s other measures, including ramping up immigration enforcement, could mean for sales.

“A lot of things that are very threatening to us. Some of the immigration stuff. As an industry, we rely on immigrants,” Dean Lavine at the Blackbook said.

The ‘no tax on tips’ rebate will run through 2028.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s the Fourth of July and Palm Springs is ready to welcome nearly 10,000 people between its three events. The Department of Parks and Recreation has planned a weekend full of fun festivities for all residents and visitors.

All city organizers are urging people to attend fireworks shows Friday night rather than sparking their own at home. Fireworks illegal in California without a “safe and sane” seal from the Office of State Fire Marshalls or a permit.

The Palm Springs Department of Parks and Recreation has made sure community members have fun filled and safe activities throughout Friday. If people don’t want to wait until nighttime to start the Fourth of July celebrations, they can head to the Palm Springs Swim Center for an “All American Pool Party.”

The swim center will have inflatable slides, food, games and more for all residents and visitors. They can even stay in the pool all night and watch the fireworks show, starting at 9:15 p.m. until 10 p.m.

If people want to take a break from the pool or come later in the evening, Parks and Recreation is holding a concert in the park at 7 p.m. with live music by Hard Days Work. The Sunrise Park event will see the same fireworks show as the pool party.

Both events within the park are free for entry, and parking will be open for every lot except the lot in front of the Palm Springs Pavilion at the front of the swim center and skate park. Pool capacity is limited to 500 people, so organizers suggest getting there early for space.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is also overseeing the Power Baseball game, while tickets are not free, organizers say the field will be a great place to view the fireworks.

If you want more information on the Palm Springs event go to https://engagepalmsprings.com/fourthofjuly and for other events in the Coachella Valley go to kesq.com

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from organizers of what you need to know before heading to the Palm Springs Swim Center or Sunrise Park.

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Shay Lawson

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)  – Just days after a shooting near Bagdouma Park, the city of Coachella moved forward with its annual Independence Day celebration Thursday night — complete with food trucks, carnival games and a firework show.

Despite safety concerns, many families still showed up to celebrate.

“I am really happy to be here,” Dulce, an attendee said. “I think it’s the best celebration.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department increased patrols for the event, deploying its Coachella Community Action Team to monitor entrances and exits and maintain a visible law enforcement presence.

Others noted a quieter turnout than usual, pointing not to recent violence, but fears surrounding immigration enforcement.

“There’s a lot less people than last year,” said Victor Yrra, another guest. “I think people are scared to show up because of ICE.”

Yrra said he chose to choose celebration over fear.

“We’re going to have to prevail no matter what,” Yrra said.

For a full list of Fourth of July celebrations happening Friday across the Coachella Valley, click here.

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio Police Department is seeking the help of the community to identify the person responsible in a series of recent burglaries at businesses around the city.

They say the suspect in the burglaries is described as a black male adult around 5’8″ to 6’0″, wearing a dark hoodie with an emblem on the back, dark pants and shoes, white gloves, and a face mask.

The man was captured on video surveillance cameras, with footage showing him breaking windows with rocks and targeting cash registers, tip jars, and small cash boxes.

The burglaries happened over a 24-hour period, and the suspect looks to be wearing the same clothing in each event.

Indio Police ask anyone who recognizes this person or who may have surveillance video or experienced a similar crime to contact Sgt. Traynham at 760-541-4522 or at btraynham@indiopd.org. Police add that you may remain anonymous.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people were hospitalized after a hit-and-run crash involving a semi-truck and an SUV Thursday morning on Interstate 10 in Indio.

The crash was first reported at around 11 a.m. on the eastbound side on the I-10, west of Monroe.

According to the California Highway Patrol, an SUV was traveling in the slow lane when it collided with a Semi. The impact caused the SUV to lose control and overturn onto the right shoulder.  

The driver and a passenger were transported to a nearby hospital after complaints of pain.

It is unknown who is at fault at this time, police said.

CHP is investigating the crash as a hit-and-run, as the semi truck did not stay at the scene.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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