Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – An 80-year-old Palm Desert resident wants to warn others about an email scam sent to his family and friends claiming he died.

John Fanning says the phishing scam sent an email to all his contacts in the form of a funeral invitation, but when users clicked a link to register for a ‘celebration of life,’ it compromised their computer.

“I had a neighbor come to the door in the afternoon and well, I opened the door and he was quite surprised. He says, oh ho, John, he was going to pay condolences to my wife with my passing,” Fanning said.

Fanning says he was first victimized by the scam when he received an email from a friend in Los Angeles claiming her father died. He believes when he clicked the link, the scam stole his information and enacted a similar scheme on him.

“We received an email from a friend, and the celebration of life was the lead in. Knowing that she had an older father that we know in his late 90s, I thought maybe he had passed away. You had to click on a green tab, and then there was another little block where you would check it to validate that you’re not a robot. I guess that caused this scam or whatever with their program to lock in to my email and get all of my emails,” he said.

Now, Fanning wants to warn others after it installed a virus on his computer, collected his contacts and he worries, may have compromised sensitive information.

Matt Disher at Southwest networks in Palm Desert says the ‘supply chain’ scam is common.

“One thing to be careful of when attacks like this happen is it may not just be his email that they got into. He could have got under the his files and pictures and bank accounts and everything else once they got access to that computer,” Disher said.

He says the scam can act as a trojan horse to access others information through you.

“A lot of people always say, ‘I’m not important. Nobody would want my data.’ You could be right, but they might want somebody’s data that you know or that you know of someone that knows them,” he said.

Disher also says these scams are only getting more advanced due to artificial intelligence.

As for Fanning, he says he’s consulted tech experts to clear his devices of any malware.

If you’re interested in learning more about Southwest Networks, visit: https://www.southwest-networks.com/.

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Peter Daut

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)– The Desert Recreation District is opening more cooling centers to help you escape the heat.

The cooling centers are open through October 15th at the Palm Desert Community Center, Mecca Community Center, North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, and the Jerry Rummonds Community Center in Thermal. The district says demand for these centers continues to grow in the extreme summer heat.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, sometimes your AC’s not working good or you have some issues. You just need a break and that’s what the community centers are there for,” explained Scott Sear, Public Information Officer for Desert Recreation District

Palm Desert and North Shore are open Monday through Friday, with Palm Desert also open on Saturday. The locations in Mecca and Thermal will be open Monday through Thursday.

Cooling Centers are available during these dates and times at the following DRD locations:

Palm Desert Community Center

43-900 San Pablo Ave, Palm DesertMon-Fri: 6am – 9pm / Sat: 9am – 2pm

Mecca Community Center65-250 Coahuilla St, Mecca

Mon-Thurs: 9am – 1pm

North Shore Beach & Yacht Club

99-155 Sea View Dr. North ShoreMon-Fri: 8am – 12pm & 4pm – 8pm

Jerry Rummonds’ Community Center, Thermal87-229 Church St, Thermal

Mon-Thurs: 9am – 1pm

For more information stay with News Channel 3.

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Tommy Gallegos

CAHUILLA HILLS, Calif. — Firefighters responded to a fully involved residential structure fire Thursday morning at a home southwest of Palm Desert in the Cahuilla Hills area, leaving one person injured and another displaced.

According to Cal Fire, crews were dispatched at approximately 10:47 a.m. to the 48000 block of Painted Canyon Road after reports of a residential fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-story, single-family home fully engulfed in flames.

The fire was knocked down at 11:29 a.m., according to Cal Fire.

One person was injured in the fire and was transported to a local hospital with injuries of unknown severity. Officials also requested assistance from the American Red Cross for one person who was displaced by the fire.

Cal Fire said both Southern California Gas Company and Southern California Edison responded to the scene to address potential utility hazards while firefighting operations continued.

Officials said fire crews are expected to remain on scene for several hours as firefighters extinguish remaining hot spots, overhaul the structure, and ensure the area is safe.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials have not released additional details about how the fire started or the circumstances surrounding the injuries.

This is a developing story, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs police say Flock cameras helped solve a recent burglary investigation in a matter of days, highlighting what they call one of the biggest benefits of the technology.

Investigators say images captured by Flock cameras identified a white pickup truck, connect the driver to similar burglary arrests, serve a search warrant, arrest the suspect and recover the stolen property.

Lieutenant William Hutchinson said the investigation likely would have gone unsolved without the cameras.

“This was done in a matter of days where without the system this likely would’ve gone cold and unsolved,” Hutchinson said.

He said the technology has become an important tool for the department.

“Without this technology, most of those crimes will go unsolved,” he said.

While police say Flock cameras are helping investigators solve crimes more quickly, some residents remain concerned about how the technology is used and the amount of information it collects.

Palm Springs resident Joshua Handrich says he supports public safety but believes stronger privacy protections are needed.

“I still think we should be leery of this technology, the companies who run it, and the abuses that can happen with it,” Handrich said. “Honestly a lot of these things, if these things were in-house and required a warrant, we’d be having a totally different conversation.”

He also questioned what the cameras are capable of recording.

“It is not just tracking cars and license plates either,” Handrich said.

Hutchinson acknowledged those concerns, saying they’re valid but often fueled by misconceptions about how the system works.

According to the department, safeguards are in place to prevent misuse.

“If I don’t have a legitimate reason to look for your license, I can’t arbitrarily search that. Our systems are built to prevent that,” Hutchinson said.

He said maintaining public trust will depend on responsible oversight.

“Implement good governance, implement good policy, we keep good technology to keep our community safe,” Hutchinson said.

To further its transparency efforts, the Palm Springs Police Department is inviting the public inside its Real Time Intelligence Center on August 20 from noon to 5 p.m. The open house will give residents an opportunity to learn how Flock cameras are used, see the technology firsthand and ask questions about the department’s privacy policies and safeguards.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Tommy Gallegos

UPDATE: Indio Police Department says the issue affecting 9-1-1 emergency phone lines has been resolved, and 9-1-1 is now fully operational.

Original Report

INDIO, Calif. — The Indio Police Department is alerting the public that it is currently experiencing an issue affecting 9-1-1 emergency phone lines.

Officials are asking anyone who needs immediate police or fire assistance to call 760-775-3730 while the outage is being addressed.

The department announced the issue in a public notice, stating that updates will be shared as soon as more information becomes available. No timeline has been provided for when normal 9-1-1 service will be restored.

Emergency Contact During the Outage:

Police/Fire Emergency Assistance: 760-775-3730

The Indio Police Department says it will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

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Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As students prepare to return to the classroom, Palm Springs Unified School District is updating its approach to cell phone use, joining school districts across California working to reduce distractions and increase student engagement.

The district’s updated policy limits student smartphone use during the school day, aiming to help students stay focused, interact more with classmates, and spend more time engaged in learning.

District leaders say the change comes as research has linked excessive smartphone use among adolescents with concerns, including higher rates of anxiety and depression. They say reducing phone distractions could help improve student well-being and create more opportunities for face-to-face interaction.

The policy still allows exceptions for emergencies, medical needs, Individualized Education Program (IEP) accommodations, and situations where teachers approve phone use as part of a lesson.

Palm Springs Unified is one of many districts making changes as California requires school districts to adopt policies limiting student smartphone use during the school day.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- Palm Springs Unified and College of the Desert is announcing the first Middle College High School in the valley launching in the 2027-28 school year.

This is the first middle college high school in the Coachella Valley, expanding local access to dual-enrollment opportunities and potentially helping students save time and money on college while preparing for future.

Students will be able to earn both high school and college credits at the same time with classes being held at the new College of the Desert Palm Springs campus. With the goal to give students a head start on college while completing high school.

The school’s principal will be Kim Ballard, who was appointed at Tuesdays PSUSD Board meeting.

Marcus Funchess, the Superintendent at Palm Springs Unified School District said “Our scholars are not only enrolled in our high school and attend school on a daily basis on our campus, but they will have an opportunity to walk right next door to College of the desert campus.”

The school will be right next to the College of the Deserts new Palm Springs campus, this makes it easy for students to move between high school and college classes daily.

District leaders are not sure exactly who will be able to attend and how they select students, but they say “we want to start with our ninth grade scholars, so that they can begin to get prepared for college and career with this opportunity,” said Funchess.

Kim Ballard, the Principal of Middle College High School and Career Innovation said “This is an opportunity for them to learn, grow, discover themselves, get some independence, but also just really become themselves.”

Val Martinez Garcia, serving as Superintendent/President of College of the Desert said, “There’s only a few across the state of California that have this partnership where the high school holds the middle college and the college actually supports the high school’s efforts.”

The district says more information about the application process will be released as plans are finalized.

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María García

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — A crash involving two semi-trucks closed Airport Boulevard and Highway 86 early Thursday morning after one big rig overturned and debris covered the freeway.

CHP diverted traffic off the freeway at Airport Boulevard and directed drivers to use State Route 111 while Caltrans and tow crews cleared the scene.

According to CHP, one person was taken to the hospital with back and neck injuries.

News Channel 3 has reached out to officials for more information.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – Student registration was underway today in the Palm Springs Unified and Desert Sands Unified school districts for the 2026-27 academic year, and officials said new educational options are in the works.

PSUSD classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 5, while DSUSD classes are scheduled to start Aug. 19. Officials from both districts urged families not to put off registrations, which are free and can be done online or in person, until the last minute.

New educational initiatives will be presented this academic year and next with the intent of sparking students’ interests, according to representatives from the two districts.

DSUSD spokeswoman Janice Diaz said the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program will feature a variety of activities this year.

“Programs include skateboarding classes, American Youth Soccer Organization clinics, an Elite Cosmetology program, a (drone) Flight Academy and a Paint & Fire ceramics program,” Diaz told City News Service.

PSUSD spokeswoman Joan Boiko told CNS the district is looking forward to partnering with College of the Desert to establish the Middle College High School, now slated to begin in the 2027-28 school year.

Boiko said the program will enable students to earn high school and transferable college credit simultaneously through concurrent enrollment. The PSUSD is also introducing Vision 2031, focused on improving academic achievement, student belonging and organizational excellence.

Superintendent Marcus Funchess said recently that the effort is part of a “promise that PSUSD will continue striving for excellence in ways that are bold, inclusive and student-centered.”

Officials said registration requirements for the upcoming school year haven’t changed. Enrollment requires presentation of a birth certificate, proof of residency and immunization records. The DSUSD also requires a dental assessment for kindergarten students, Diaz said.

Families without a student’s birth certificate may provide alternates, including a passport or hospital certificate of live birth, officials said, adding that families will not be asked for documentation regarding immigration status.

The academic calendar allows for a week-long break during Thanksgiving recess, followed by winter break beginning on Dec. 21. PSUSD students return Jan. 8, while DSUSD students return Jan. 3.

Boiko and Diaz said their respective districts are prepared for potential weather-related disturbances.

PSUSD schools could close or dismiss students early if severe weather causes unsafe conditions, Boiko said.”If we had a power outage for an extended period of time, or we experienced extreme flooding, then the schools would either be closed or end in early dismissal,” she said.

The DSUSD has heat mitigation plans and emergency weather protocols in place, according to Diaz. “Schools would close only because of extreme weather, or other healthand safety concerns,” she said.

The PSUSD also will implement a new cell phone policy this school year, based on state legislation. “The school board has officially adopted the Mobile Communication Devices Policy,” Boiko said.

Under that policy, elementary school students must have their phones silenced and stored away throughout the school day. Middle school and high school students must also have their phones silenced and stored away during instructional time but may use them during breaks.

Additional information about registration, school requirements and calendars can be found at psusd.us/, and dsusd.us/.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A cyclist is recovering after being struck in a hit-and-run while riding on the CV Link in Coachella over the weekend, and now he and other riders say the crash underscores a growing safety concern: vehicles driving on the pathway.

The crash happened on the CV Link between Dillon Road and Avenue 50. The cyclist, who asked not to be identified, told News Channel 3 he was riding with a friend when the incident unfolded.

“I could hear the engine roaring behind me, he hit the bike,” the cyclist said. “He [friend] yelled at me, ‘There’s a car behind us.’ He yelled multiple times because we were fighting the wind and I couldn’t hear him, and as soon as I looked back I had the vehicle right behind me.”

Despite trying to avoid the vehicle, he said the driver struck him before speeding away without stopping. The crash left him with scrapes, a swollen leg and knee, and damage to his bicycle.

The cyclist says the hit-and-run is part of a larger problem. He and other riders say they frequently see unauthorized vehicles driving on the CV Link, which is intended primarily for pedestrians, cyclists and other authorized users.

“There was a story about a car driving on the CV Link before dawn with a worried parent looking for a child,” another cyclist said, referring to an incident on the Palm Springs section of the CV Link near Vista Chino on Wednesday.

News Channel 3 asked the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department about patrols and enforcement along the pathway.

“Coachella deputies patrol that area and when they pass the CV Link, they obviously take a look and make sure there are no cars or vehicles that are not supposed to be on the pathway,” said Deputy Paul Abrego.

Abrego emphasized that vehicles are not permitted on the CV Link. When asked why more physical barriers are not installed at entrances, Abrego said officials must also consider cyclist safety.

Still, the cyclist believes more visible law enforcement patrols could help prevent future incidents. He says he rides the CV Link several times a week but rarely sees deputies.

Abrego said the Sheriff’s Department does what it can to patrol the CV Link, but residents can help by reporting suspicious activity so deputies can increase patrols when needed.

“I think we need to have the public be more vigilant, watching that CV Link. Help us be our eyes and ears on that roadway because we are in the city handling all the stuff. We look at the CV Link, but some of that area is desolate,” he said.

The cyclist hopes his experience leads to increased enforcement before someone is seriously hurt.

“If we have more patrol in the area, you’re going to see less out there, like assaults or… even somebody getting killed by a car like I almost did,” he said.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says the hit-and-run remains under investigation. Investigators say they are looking for a small white Honda believed to have been involved in the crash.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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