Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ) – UPDATE 10/22: The man who died in a crash near the parking lot exit of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway last Friday has been identified as 74-year-old Donald Beeson of Tucson, Arizona, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.

Beeson died on Oct. 16, 2026, following a single-vehicle collision near the tramway’s exit shortly after 5:30 p.m.

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, officers responded to a report of a traffic collision shortly after 5:30 p.m. and found a man unresponsive inside the vehicle.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and assessed the man. Despite emergency response efforts, he was pronounced dead at 5:49 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

The coroner’s office confirmed Beeson’s identity and age in its final report. Next of kin have been notified.

“The circumstances leading up to the incident, including the cause of the collision and whether a medical emergency may have been a contributing factor, remain under investigation,” the Palm Springs Police Department previously stated.

The Palm Springs Police Department is investigating the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the collision is encouraged to contact the Palm Springs Police Department at (760) 327-1441.

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City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Prosecution testimony is slated to get underway Monday in the trial of a 44-year-old man accused of gunning down a one-time friend over money more than 20 years ago in the San Bernardino National Forest.

James Robert Landi of San Mateo was arrested last December following an extensive investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Cold Case Unit.

Landi is charged with first-degree murder, a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations for the death of 18-year-old Reynaldo Nino Burts in October 2003.

Superior Court Judge Mark Singerton seated a jury Thursday and ordered the panel to return to the Banning Justice Center Monday for opening statements and the first round of witnesses.

Landi is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, Landi and Burts had been friends for a time, but the relationship soured after Landi, then 21, discovered that the young man had allegedly swiped unspecified items from the defendant’s father’s property and failed to repay money he had borrowed.

Harboring ill will, Landi plotted to kill the victim during a hike in the mountains, prosecutors alleged.

The brief said Landi invited Burts and a mutual acquaintance, Oscar Celaya, to go trekking along the South Fork Trail, near Highway 74 south of Idyllwild and west of Mountain Center, during the first week of October 2003, though a specific date could not be established.

The defendant informed Burts that he would be taking along a .22-caliber pistol that he’d consider selling to the victim after they did a little target shooting on the trail, according to court papers. Burts had no reason to be suspicious and expressed interest in buying it, prosecutors said.

At some point during the excursion, Landi, who had already relayed his alleged intentions to Celaya, persuaded Burts to go off the trail with him to do a little recreational shooting, according to the brief. When they reached a dry creek bed, Landi took out the handgun and fired multiple rounds into Burts’ face, head and chest, killing him on the spot, prosecutors alleged.

Celaya assisted in moving the body to a less visible place a short distance away, but there was no attempt to bury the remains, according to the prosecution. Landi discarded the firearm and the clothes he had worn on the trek somewhere along the highway before returning home, the brief alleged. They were not recovered.

Several people who knew the defendant and victim learned of the alleged slaying within a month or two, but they did not go to the authorities, partly because the circumstances were unclear, with people pointing fingers in different directions, according to the brief.

A man hiking near the South Fork Trail on March 21, 2004, discovered Burts’ decomposed remains and summoned sheriff’s deputies. An autopsy soon confirmed the victim’s identity and the fact he had died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Central Homicide Unit detectives identified Landi as a person of interest early on, but due to conflicting details received from Celaya, who by then had ended up in the criminal justice system for robberies and burglaries, and other individuals, there weren’t sufficient grounds to seek a murdercharge, according to court documents.

The Cold Case Unit reopened the case in August 2025, tying up loose ends and uncovering evidence previously unavailable, leading to charges and Landi’s arrest in Northern California a few months later.

He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A local nonprofit is putting out an urgent call for volunteers to help raise the next generation of guide dogs. Guide Dogs of the Desert says it currently has nine puppies in need of temporary homes.

Volunteer puppy raisers take the dogs into their homes, typically from three months to 18 months of age, helping them learn basic obedience and social skills before they begin formal guide-dog training.

No prior experience is necessary and the organization provides training, veterinary care and ongoing support.

“I love the fact that the dogs live with me. And we spend all the time loving them, making them happy, teaching them, so they can be good guides going forward,” said Kerry Hopps, a volunteer puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of the Desert.

The organization provides guide dogs free of charge to people who are blind or visually impaired.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer puppy raiser, click here.

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Karen Devine

MENIFEE, Calif. (KESQ) – Lisa Marie Dominguez still made Valentine’s baskets for her grown children. She loved gardening, rescued animals, and treasured being a grandmother.

“My mom was a super carefree spirit. She was fun. She was like extremely loving,” her daughter, Lauren Dominguez, said.

At 55, Lisa believed she was taking an over-the-counter herbal supplement that made her feel good, according to Lauren. That product was kratom.

“She took it because she said that it made her feel good, and she said it was just an over-the-counter herbal supplement,” Lauren said.

Lauren said she noticed no change in her mother’s behavior. But in July 2025, unanswered calls and text messages began to worry the family. Lauren went to check on her.

“I just opened the door, and instantly I just saw her laying there,” she said.

Lisa was dead.

A family searches for answers

According to the family’s lawsuit, the Riverside County Coroner’s Office determined Lisa’s cause of death was acute mitragynine intoxication. Mitragynine is one of the active compounds found in kratom.

The family’s attorney, Michael Jeandron, said the toxicology and autopsy findings support their claim that kratom caused her death. Earlier reporting by ABC7 also identified chronic alcohol use as a contributing factor in the coroner’s report.

“We wanted more answers after. You know, like we couldn’t believe that that was even the cause,” Lauren said.

Lisa’s three children filed a lawsuit against Hundreds Premium, LLC, doing business as Exotic Blue Magic, and Almond Smoke Shop in Menifee.

The complaint alleges Lisa purchased Exotic Blue Magic kratom capsules at the shop. It alleges unsafe mitragynine levels, inadequate warnings and misleading claims about the product’s safety.

“They’re making it seem like it’s all just a happy, delicious herbal supplement. And they’re not telling the truth,” Jeandron said.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Jeandron said Blue Magic had hired an attorney and contacted him. At the time of the interview, he said the company had not yet filed a formal answer to the lawsuit.

“Blue Magic has responded. They’ve hired a lawyer. They’ve reached out to me,” he said.

What is kratom?

Kratom comes from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain active compounds including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly called 7-OH.

“It’s important to understand that kratom contains a couple of pretty powerful alkaloids,” said Michael Braun, the former chief of operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration distinguishes products containing added or enhanced levels of 7-OH from the trace amounts naturally present in kratom leaf. The agency describes concentrated 7-OH products as potent opioid products and advises consumers to avoid them.

The FDA has also warned against kratom use because of risks including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder.

The Dominguez family’s complaint identifies mitragynine intoxication as Lisa’s cause of death. It does not establish that the capsules she used contained added or enhanced 7-OH.

Braun said consumers should question what is inside products sold with reassuring packaging or claims.

“You’re really playing Russian Roulette because you have no earthly idea, you know, what is contained in that packaging,” he said.

Speaking out after a loss

For Lauren, sharing her mother’s story is about preventing another family from experiencing the same heartbreak.

“You shouldn’t profit from something that causes harm like this,” she said.

Lisa’s birthday brought another painful reminder of her absence. Instead of celebrating over dinner, the family visited her grave.

“My brother took off so we could go to the cemetery when we should be going to dinner,” Lauren said.

This report is the second installment of “Stronger Together: United Against Drug Abuse,” News Channel 3’s 12-part series in partnership with Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Before the official stages light up, before the parade steps off, and before the main festival weekend begins, Greater Palm Springs Pride starts on Arenas Road!

On Thursday, November 5, from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM, the iconic Arenas District transforms into a bustling, pedestrian-only festival street for the Arenas District Walkabout. The free event

As proud official sponsors of Palm Springs Pride, the beloved establishments along Arenas Road invite locals and visitors alike to take to the street, stroll the district, meet friends, grab drinks, shop local and kick off Palm Springs’ landmark 40th Pride celebration in style.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ACROSS THE ARENAS DISTRICT

Hunters Palm Springs – 302 E. Arenas Rd.”Every Vibe. One Community. Since 1998.” Hunters is turning up the heat with Two Stages, Four Incredible Acts, and One Epic Pride Kickoff Outdoor Stage: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: POP ROYALTY — An electrifying live tribute celebrating Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, and Prince presented by Pulp Vixen and starring Jonesy Jones! (Tickets on Eventbrite) 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM: DJ Ray Rhodes keeps the party going under the desert stars. Indoor Dance Floor: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Resident DJ Devin starts Pride early. 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM: DJ Lalo takes over to keep you moving all night long. Chill Bar Palm Springs – 217 E. Arenas Road Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Pride with four full days of electrifying entertainment (Nov 5–8), Chill Bar invites everyone to experience its exciting new renovations under owners Randy, David, Justin, and Steven, alongside its world-class crew! Guests can party in the main bar, on the indoor dance floor, and on the giant outdoor parking lot stage. Thursday Kickoff: Dance under the stars with Dawna Montell from 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM. Featured Weekend Lineup: RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Sasha Colby, international recording artist Kristine W, and world-renowned DJs Abel, Nick Bertossi, Glovibes, DJ Irene, Tony Moran, Corey Craig, Josh Peace, Gracy D, DJ Redspace, and DJ Jeffery! Blackbook Bar and Kitchen – 315 E Arenas Road Located in front of the Main Pride Stage, Blackbook is the home of Boys, Booze, Bass, and Badass Food. Boys: The hottest boys at Pride return! The Prince Joshua, Jake, and Christian Michael are joined this year by Judas King, Jay Nova, and special guests. Bass: Firestarter DJ Scarlett BoBo returns alongside a stellar lineup of guest DJs to keep the music pumping. Booze & Badass Food: Voted a Best Bar and Best Restaurant in Palm Springs Life and The Desert Sun, come fuel your night with their famous original PS-Style Nachos and craft drinks. Dick’s Bar – 301 E Arenas Rd. Right in the middle of the Arenas Rd action, Dick’s brings the ultimate outdoor festival vibes with a giant party space and no cover charge! Enjoy indoor and outdoor DJ tunes, festive drink specials, cold beers, tasty bites, and great energy surrounded by community. Streetbar – 224 E Arenas Road As a cornerstone of the Arenas District celebrating its 35th Anniversary, Streetbar will welcome walkabout crowds all evening with cold drinks, warm community spirit, and classic Palm Springs hospitality.

The Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade and Festival will bring together residents, visitors, and advocates to celebrate diversity, equality, and community resilience in downtown Palm Springs November 6-8, 2026.

News Channel 3 is a proud sponsor of Pride. We will broadcast the parade on News Channel 3 and our website.

For festival information, updates, and ways to support Palm Springs Pride, visit pspride.org.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A San Diego County man accused of assaulting a sheriff’s deputy and trying to grab the lawman’s gun during a confrontation in Corona, culminating in the defendant’s girlfriend being fatally shot, must stand trial for murder, a judge ruled Friday.

Eric John Nourani, 35, was arrested in 2024 after the shooting that took the life of 30-year-old Jennifer Rose Dobbins of Imperial Beach.

Jennifer Rose Dobbins

Following a two-day preliminary hearing that concluded Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mary Fuller found there was sufficient evidence to bound Nourani over for trial on the murder count, as well as attempted murder, mayhem, resisting arrest and obstructing a law enforcement officer resulting in great bodily injury.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Oct. 30 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

The defendant is free on a $2 million bond.

The criminal complaint against Nourani alleges he was responsible for Dobbins’ death under a provision of California’s felony murder rule that allows for a party to be tried for causing a death when the fatality occurred as a result of an attack on a peace officer, even though the party did not directly inflict the wounds.

The murder rule was legislatively modified in 2018, making it harder to charge a person for a collateral death, but it still applies when a peace officer is the named victim of an attack.

According to sheriff’s officials, shortly after 1 a.m. June 11, 2024, a deputy working patrol in the unincorporated community of Coronita, a tiny hamlet within Corona, was traveling the Sixth Street corridor, near Lincoln Avenue. when he spotted “multiple subjects” and stopped to investigate what they were doing.

“The subjects took off running, and the deputy pursued them on foot,” according to a sheriff’s statement. “When the deputy turned the corner of a building, (Nourani) lunged at him, and a fight ensued.”

Sheriff’s officials alleged that while the deputy struggled with the defendant, Dobbins jumped into the fray and began “assaulting the deputy,” and she was shot by the deputy.

“The female suspect was struck by gunfire,” the agency stated. “The deputy continued to fight off (Nourani), who was attempting to take his firearm until good Samaritans arrived and assisted in detaining him.”

Dobbins was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where she died two hours later.

The deputy suffered unspecified moderate injuries that required medical attention, while Nourani was treated for minor injuries before he was booked into jail. He managed to post bail weeks afterward.

Nourani has no documented prior criminal history in Riverside County.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Job gains outweighed losses across the regional economy last month, pushing Riverside County’s unemployment below 6%, according to figures released today by the California Employment Development Department.

The countywide jobless rate in September, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 5.9%, compared to 6.2% in August.

According to figures, the September rate was two-tenths of a percentage point lower than the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment stood at 6.1%.

The latest EDD estimates indicated Coachella had the highest unemployment rate within the county last month at 11.7%, followed by Cherry Valley at 10.9%, Blythe at 10.7%, Rancho Mirage at 8.6%, and March Air Reserve Base at 8.4%.

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties — the Inland Empire — was 5.7%, down from 5.9% in August, the EDD said.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls increased by the widest margin in the public sector, mainly in education, as teachers and support staff at grade schools fully reintegrated into the workforce following summer break.

Additional gains occurred in the agricultural, health services and transportation sectors, which altogether rose by 2,500 positions, according to figures.

Payrolls shrank in the construction, financial services, hospitality, information technology and manufacturing sectors, which dropped by an aggregate 3,600 positions. Miscellaneous unclassified industries also contracted by 600 jobs, EDD said.

The mining and professional and business services sectors were unchanged.

The statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 5.1%.

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Jesus Reyes

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A local hockey organization hit the ice in a big way tonight. The Coachella Valley Pride Hockey Association is launching its first-ever independent Pride hockey league.

The first game kicked off Friday night at the Burger Foundation Iceplex.

Nearly 70 players across 4 teams will compete every Friday night through April. Organizers say the league brings together players of all skill levels, from newcomers to veterans with decades of experience, and everyone in the community is invited to watch and have some fun.

“We hope to have lots of fans in the stands. We’ll have music playing between stops in the play, we’ll have lots of fun before and after. It’s totally free, of course. No one has to pay for admission to the games or for parking at the ice plex. You can park there for free,” said Paul O’Kane, president and founder of the Coachella Valley Pride Hockey Association.

The four teams will play each other every Friday night.

There will be two games, one at 9:10 p.m. and one at 10:40 p.m.

Organizers say creating their own league allows them to foster community, promote inclusion, and ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all players.

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Jesus Reyes

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors proclaimed a local emergency throughout its service territory in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys following damage caused by Tropical Storm Rachel.

Tropical Storm Rachel hit the area on Sunday, bringing heavy rainfall and significant flooding that damaged electric transmission and distribution infrastructure in the Imperial and Coachella valleys.

Cleanup efforts continue in the East Valley community of North Shore after the storm impacted several homes, vehicles, and roads.

In Imperial County, the agency said storm impacts included desert runoff flooding into the Westside Main Canal, causing a breach in the canal, significant damage to canal banks, and washouts requiring extensive repairs to restore access.

“Declaring a local emergency allows IID to continue moving quickly with the repairs and recovery work needed following this storm,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “Our employees responded immediately to restore service and protect critical infrastructure, and this action helps ensure they have the resources necessary to continue that work.”

More than 2,300 electric customers were impacted by the storm, with service restored to all affected residential customers in less than 12 hours. The Westside Main Canal breach was also closed in less than 12 hours, while crews continued assessing damage and carrying out temporary and permanent repairs.

Officials said the emergency proclamation authorizes IID to continue expedited emergency protective measures, restoration and repair work, while also allowing the District to pursue available assistance through the California Disaster Assistance Act and other state or federal programs.

“Our focus remains on restoring damaged infrastructure safely and completely while continuing reliable service to our customers,” said IID General Manager Jamie Asbury. “This declaration gives the District additional flexibility as we move from emergency response into longer-term recovery.”

IID crews will continue assessing storm impacts, completing repairs and tracking recovery costs as restoration efforts move forward.

For more information about IID programs and services, visit www.iid.com.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS (KESQ)- Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado announced his retirement after 35 years in the fire service, including the past three and a half years leading the Palm Springs Fire Department.

His retirement will take effect Monday, November 2.

Alvarado joined the city in 2023 after previously serving with the Long Beach Fire Department.

During his time in Palm Springs, Alvarado led the department through several major emergencies, including Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023 and the terrorist bombing at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in May 2025.

“Chief Alvarado has dedicated 35 years of his life to protecting communities, and we are grateful for his outstanding leadership and service to Palm Springs,” said City Manager Scott Stiles. “I thank Paul for his dedicated service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Alvarado also reflected on his time with the department.

“Serving as Fire Chief of Palm Springs has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” Alvarado said.

As the department prepares for the leadership transition, Deputy Chief Jeff Van Lierop has been named interim fire chief. Van Lierop has served with the Palm Springs Fire Department since 2002 and will lead the department while the city determines its next steps in selecting a permanent chief.

Alvarado said he is confident Van Lierop will continue moving the department forward, citing their years of working together on administrative duties, operations and budgeting.

“I’ve worked with Deputy Chief Van Lierop since I’ve been here, and he’s a veteran of the Palm Springs Fire Department. And as my deputy chief, we’ve had an opportunity to work alongside each other through administrative duties, operational, budget. So I’m confident he’s going to take the department to the next step,” Alvarado said.

The city has not yet announced a timeline for selecting a permanent fire chief.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow developments as the city prepares for the leadership transition.

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