Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

Update 6/3/2025

As of 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Joshua Tree National Park officials report the Eureka Fire remains at 214 acres with 80% containment.

A chance of showers and thunderstorms through Wednesday morning may continue to help firefighters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

All non-local resources are expected to be released by Thursday morning.

Temporary closures within the affected areas of the park will last until June 5th, 2025.

UPDATE 6/2/2025 –

As of 6:00 p.m. Monday, Joshua Tree National Park officials report that the Eureka Fire remains maintained at 214 acres and is now at 75% containment.

They say crews will continue suppression work this week. Four engines and one hand crew are assigned for tomorrow, with all other resources released at this time.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and under investigation.

The temporary closures within the affected areas of the Park will last until June 5th, 2025:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the Park. 

Update 6/2/25

Containment on the fire has grown to 70%, authorities announced Monday morning. The fire remains at 214 acres.

There are temporary closures within the affected areas of the park while fire containment remains active. The closures will last until Thursday, June 5:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the park. 

UPDATE 6/1/2025 –

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Eureka Fire burning in Joshua Tree National Park has reached 214 acres and is 65% contained as of 11 a.m. Sunday according to park officials.

Fire crews worked overnight and successfully held the line, despite strong winds between 8 and 10 p.m.

Officials said control efforts are progressing well, with firefighters securing lines extending 50 to 100 feet from the line in most areas.

Crews will continue to monitor and extinguish smoke inside the containment line.

Closures remain in effect for parts of the park including:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the park. 

The fire’s cause is still under investigation.

UPDATE 5/31/2025 –

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Fire crews worked through the night on the Eureka Fire at Joshua Tree National Park, which is now 40% contained and holding at 212 acres according to Joshua Tree National Park officials.

They said a small 4 acre flare-up fire on the southeast side was quickly stopped early Saturday morning.

Crews from CAL Fire, U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Sheriffs and Fire Protection remain on scene, with 11 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 hand crews and 1 helicopter working throughout the day.

Several areas remain closed including:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the park. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

UPDATE 5/30/2025 –

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Joshua Tree National Park officials report staff has been responding to the Eureka Fire 3 miles northeast of Eureka Peak in the Covington Flats area of the Park.

They say crews from Bureau of Land Management, Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Protection are working with the Park in the containment of the fire. 

Officials also announce that there are temporary closures within the affected areas of the Park while fire containment remains active:

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Boulevard in the Park

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

They add the cause of the Eureka Fire is currently unknown and will be under investigation.

UPDATE 5/30/2025 7:00 P.M. – Watch Duty reports that the Eureka Fire is currently 175 acres and is 40 percent contained. Crews will be working through the night.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire has burned approximately 165 acres at Joshua Tree National Park Friday afternoon.

According to Watch Duty, the fire was initially reported around the area of Nolina Cove Road & Lower Covington Flat Road.

Viewer photo showing how the scene looks in Yucca Valley

By 12:30 p.m., the fire had burned 20 acres. By 1:45 p.m., the fire was mapped at 163 acres.

According to San Bernardino County Fire, there was no threat to structures as of 2:25 p.m.

Joshua Tree National Park (Update): #EurekaFire is currently holding within the retardant lines at 165 acres. No current structure threat. @CALFIREBDU @BLMca @JoshuaTreeNPS

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) May 30, 2025

Viewers in the west end of the Coachella Valley have reported seeing smoke.

Picture of smoke visible from Thousand Palms

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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City News Service

DESERT CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – A tractor-trailer overturned Friday on Interstate 10 west of Desert Center, injuring and trapping the driver, as well as prompting partial closure of the highway.

The rollover wreck was reported at 10:55 a.m. on westbound I-10, roughly halfway between Desert Center and Chiriaco Summit, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The agency said the big rig, hauling bales of hay, plowed into the guardrail on the north side of the interstate and overturned.   

No other vehicles were involved.   

Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the location within 20 minutes and discovered the trucker injured and pinned inside the cab of the semi.

CHP said the driver suffered major injuries to their arm.

CHP officers shut down the westbound slow lane to provide space for first responders to work, though most of the truck was displaced off the interstate.

Traffic was slow on both sides of I-10 due to the wreck.

There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the crash.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Desert man convicted of killing his year-old daughter and stabbing his pregnant wife after turning irate during a child custody exchange in Indian Wells received the death penalty.

An Indio jury in March convicted Adam Slater, 54, of Palm Desert of first-degree murder for the 2020 slaying of baby Madalyn.   

“I feel that after five years, five very, very long years. Justice was served,” said  Ashley Grome, Slater’s ex-wife.

Jurors additionally found Slater guilty of attempted murder, assault on a child resulting in great bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, child concealing, resisting arrest, a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a kidnapping and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon — a knife — in the commission of a felony and inflicting great bodily injury.

They unanimously recommended capital punishment.   

During a hearing Friday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling affirmed the jury’s recommendation.

Slater killed baby Madalyn in 2020 during an act of rage that included a severe assault on his estranged wife and knifing a good Samaritan.

Jurors convicted Slater of first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault on a child resulting in great bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, child concealing and resisting arrest. Jurors found true a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a kidnapping and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon — a knife — in the commission of a felony and inflicting great bodily injury, according to John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney’s office.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, in early 2020, the defendant and his wife, whose identity was not disclosed, separated, but the two shared custody of Madalyn. After keeping the year-old girl with him for an unspecified number of days, he and his wife arranged to meet outside the Southwest Church on Washington Street in Indian Wells, where the woman was to retrieve the tot.

However, after the woman took the girl from Slater and placed her in her vehicle, the defendant “suddenly attacked” the pregnant victim, the brief alleged.

“He pushed her into her car, and she fell to the floorboard,” the narrative stated. “The defendant stabbed her under her chin and abdomen with a serrated knife and punched her face. She screamed, and he covered her mouth with his hands. Good Samaritans began honking their horn to make noise to interrupt the assault, and the defendant grabbed Madalyn and placed her in his car and sped away.”

With the knife still protruding from her stomach, the victim called 911 to report the assault and abduction, according to the brief.   

While he accelerated away from the church westbound, Slater called his roommate and told her he intended to commit suicide, then hung up, according to court papers.

Slater steered his car onto two-lane Highway 74, heading into the steep hills that mark the start of the San Bernardino National Forest, going in the direction of Pinyon Pines, west of Palm Desert. The defendant stomped his accelerator and drove off a cliff into a ravine, where the vehicle overturned, prosecutors said.   

A motorist witnessed the crash and immediately stopped on the shoulder of the highway, making his way quickly to the bottom of the embankment, intending to help Slater and Madalyn, according to the prosecution.

“He rescued Madalyn from the vehicle and noted that she had a small bump on her head and was crying, but she was alert and breathing,” the brief said. “He reached out to assist the defendant, but the defendant stabbed him in the arm and grabbed Madalyn from him.”

The man’s shoulder was dislocated by the force of the child being ripped away from him.

“While holding Madalyn by one arm, the defendant stabbed her and threw her further down into the ravine,” court papers said.   

The wounded man returned to the roadside to call 911, which other motorists were already doing while observing the defendant grabbing rocks and piling them up where Madalyn had been thrown, the brief said.   

Sheriff’s deputies reached the location a short time later and spotted Slater still in the ravine. He attempted to run away from them but was quickly apprehended. They asked where he had put the baby, and Slater was evasive, saying only that he “messed up” and wanted “the death penalty,” according to the brief.   

Deputies and California Highway Patrol officers soon discovered the rock pile, noticing hair sticking out from under it. They removed the pile and found Madalyn dead. An autopsy later determined she had suffered “multiple stab wounds” to the upper body, according to prosecutors.

The baby’s mother ultimately recovered from her injuries, as did the man who tried to save the tot.

Court papers claimed Slater has been a serial domestic abuser, victimizing three women prior to the 2020 attack. He was convicted in 1995 of forcible sexual penetration and served two years in state prison. He was required to register as a sex offender following parole.

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Julia Castro

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters responded Tuesday morning to a serious two-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 10 near Haugen-Lehmann Way in Whitewater.

The collision was reported at 8:03 a.m. and involved major damage, impacting the center divider.

According to Cal Fire, one person was trapped inside a vehicle and had to be extricated by crews. That individual sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Drivers in the area experienced delays as emergency responders worked to clear the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Allie Anthony

Indian Wells Calif. (KESQ) – The world’s largest UFO convention is coming back to the Coachella Valley.  Contact in the Desert brings together researchers, authors, scientists, and seekers to explore some of the most profound questions facing humanity today.

Over 2,000 attendees can expect an agenda of keynote presentations, panels, and workshops from leading experts in their fields, fostering vibrant discussions that bridge science, philosophy, and the unexplained.

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Shay Lawson

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – California Indian Nations College (CINC) marked a historic milestone Thursday night, celebrating its largest graduating class to date during a heartfelt ceremony at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.

School officials said 27 graduates were honored.

The evening included blessings from tribal elders, traditional songs by the Morongo Bird Singers and a keynote speech by renowned Cahuilla artist Gerald Clarke.

Founded in 2017 with support from the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, CINC is the only accredited tribal college in California.

Officials said it serves Native and non-Native students alike, emphasizing cultural preservation through education.

Shawn Ragan, Executive Vice President at CINC, said while the school is proud of its growth, continued funding is key to keeping the mission alive.

“We are a public institution and so far as a public institution, we’ve received no ongoing federal or state funding,” Ragan said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s important for the college to stay open. We want to be here next year doing this.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from graduates at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Kenji Ito

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) Both the softball teams at Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City are only one step closer to their ultimate goal and are ready for their CIF title game.

In Division 7, the Rattlers will play Culver City at 1 PM on Friday.

In Division 8, the Lady Lions will play Hueneme at 1 PM on Saturday.

Rancho Mirage’s Journey to CIF title game.

Defeated Hamilton 2-0 (Round 1)

Defeated Hesperia Christian 23-10 (Round 2)

Defeated Edgewood 10-8 (Quarter final)

Defeated Westminster 10-4 (Semi-final)

Cathedral City’s Journey to CIF title game

Defeated Santa Clarita Christian 11-0 (Round 1)

Defeated Bethel Christian 15-6 (Round 2)

Defeated Orange 3-1 (Quarter final)

Defeated Lennox Academy 12-1 (Semi-final)

Kenji Ito will be at both games in Irvine and will have the coverage for you then.

KESQ on the Road! 🚙🥎🏆@KenjiitoKESQ is making the trip to Irvine to cover our two teams in the @CIFSS softball championships later this week. Kenji will head out Friday for RMHS game, stay overnight in OC, and cover CCHS game on Saturday. @KESQ @CCHSAthletics23 @RMHSAD pic.twitter.com/Ptt7h52mGz

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) May 29, 2025

Be sure to stay with us here at News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of high school sports across the valley.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A motorist who killed a 36-year-old woman whose sedan he rear-ended while driving under the influence in Palm Desert was bound for state prison today to serve a sentence of 15 years to life behind bars after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Alberto Lopez, 28, of Coachella admitted the felony count Wednesday under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. No charges were dismissed.

The plea was announced at the start of a pretrial hearing in the Larson Justice Center. Superior Court Judge Arthur Hester immediately imposed the sentence required under state law.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Don Olson, about 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2023, Lopez was driving his Dodge Durango eastbound on Country Club Drive at high speed when he encountered stopped traffic at the intersection of Country Club and Cook Street.

The drunken defendant did not hit the brakes on his SUV, plowing into the back of a Hyundai Elantra driven by Sara Ahmadie of Palm Desert, Olson said.

Deputies and paramedics reached the location a short time later and discovered Ahmadie dead in her vehicle. She was the sole occupant.   

Lopez, who was not injured, exhibited obvious signs of intoxication and was taken into custody without incident, according to investigators.   

Court records indicated he had a prior DUI conviction, though the circumstances were not detailed.

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Athena Jreij

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) — The Riverside County Department of Animal Services says it is in urgent need of the public’s help, as its shelters are at 220% capacity this week.

Officials say this has resulted in multiple dogs per kennel and a decrease in the quality of life for pets.

Some would say the numbers are stacked against the county, as they’ve consistently accepted more animals than have been adopted.

County data shows that since May 1, 776 animals were adopted, 427 were euthanized, and 2,636 were accepted into shelters.

“It’s terrifying of course. I thought the numbers coming in must be way higher than they’ve been in the course of the last few years. It’s not true. They’re actually dropping. So our real problem is more about how do we get them out and finding them homes,” RCDAS Director Mary Martin said.

The biggest problem? Large dogs, and Martin says it’s something they can’t adopt their way out of.

“Hiring people and improving our foster program, improving our rescue outreach, lots of things we can do. So I don’t want to sound helpless, but what I’m seeing here and through my colleagues everywhere else is the same problem, which is finding homes for the large dogs.”

The county is pushing fosters and rescues, but says they need more help from the public.

“A weekend out of the shelter can save a life if it happens to get seen at the coffee shop and get adopted, or even if it just had a few days just to de-stress out of the shelter two weeks a month. We need them to understand that anything is better than being left in a kennel day after day, after day,” Martin said.

In some CVAC kennels, you’ll find 3-4 large dogs. Some of those who’ve been in the shelter for nearly a year.

“It’s not okay, it’s completely inappropriate. We need to be a resource and have space to help our community,” Martin said.

It’s why officials say they’ve faced the difficult decision to euthanize some animals for space. Within the past week, 152 animals have been euthanized, while 821 have been recorded as intake at all four campuses.

For animal advocates like Jessica Klein, changes still need to be made.

“It all needs to happen quicker, and it needs to happen with more transparency. I wonder why are they paying the consultant $2.5 million? Take that money and enlarge the shelter,” Klein said.

Now, they’re waiving all adoption and return-to-owner fees, as well as extending hours, in hopes of getting more animals out. San Jacinto Animal Campus will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight this Saturday to encourage adoptions.

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

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Allie Anthony

During the hot summer months, dawn and dusk are popular times for hikers to get out on local trails. However, these are also the times that mountain lions are most active.

As summer temperatures rise, more hikers are heading out during the early morning and evening hours to avoid the heat. However, these are also the times when mountain lions tend to be most active.

Recent sightings have been reported along popular trails like the Bump and Grind.

“I personally have not seen them, but I hike with a young woman who did spot them several weeks ago,” said Barbara Forgeron, a local hiker. “She was hiking up there in the dark. She saw the eyes of the pup. She knew the mom wasn’t too far, so she got very frightened, backed off, and fortunately for her, there were people behind her who also had seen them and helped escort her down the hill.”

If you encounter a mountain lion, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends the following:

Remain calm

Maintain eye contact

Make yourself appear larger

Make loud noises to scare it away

While attacks are rare, knowing what to do can help keep you safe during those early morning or evening hikes.

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