Author: KESQ

City News Service

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Environmental organizations sued the Trump administration today for approving a private company’s plan to resurrect a defunct oil and gas pipeline to transport and sell groundwater out of the Mojave Desert, a move the plaintiffs contend would devastate imperiled species like the desert tortoise and desert bighorn sheep.

In their Los Angeles federal court lawsuit, the Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club allege the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of the Cadiz water project pipeline ignores the project’s environmental harms and violates the National Environmental Policy Act and other laws governing public lands.

“BLM’s attempt to revive this inadequately studied project is another example of how the Trump administration is selling out the American people and our public lands to private industry hellbent on profiting from natural resources,” plaintiffs attorney Elizabeth Forsyth said in a statement. “It’slike Groundhog’s Day: they still haven’t corrected the legal errors previously identified by the court, and we’re filing another lawsuit to address the same concerns.”

The pipeline crosses Mojave Trails National Monument and other protected federal public land in southeastern California. Its operation would dry up freshwater springs that desert plants and animals need to survive, the suit said, resulting in devastation for imperiled species like the desert tortoise and desert bighorn sheep.

A message sent to the BLM seeking comment was not immediately answered.

“The Trump administration is once again handing out favors to its cronies determined to suck the Mojave Desert dry,” said Lisa Belenky, a CBD senior attorney. “Courts have repeatedly ruled against the Cadiz project and yet the federal government is ignoring the consequences of this disastrous groundwater pumping scheme. Desert creatures like the bighorn sheep won’t survive if key springs and seeps they need are lost. That’s why we are determined to keep fighting this ill-conceived project.”

Plaintiffs contend Cadiz plans to extract far more groundwater from the desert aquifers than is replenished naturally. The drawdown of the water table will deplete and expose desert playa lakebeds, resulting in air pollution from windswept sediments laden with toxic heavy metals, according to the suit filed in Los Angeles federal court.

In 2021, environmental groups sued the BLM when it approved the Cadiz project in the final days of the first Trump administration and in 2022 a federal judge vacated the approval.

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Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Board of Supervisors took up three items Tuesday that hit the Coachella Valley: new vacation rental rules, results from this year’s fireworks crackdown, and $325,000 for a Mecca sports park.

Vacation Rentals

Supervisors today tentatively approved a series of adjustments to the Riverside County ordinance regulating short-term rentals in unincorporated communities, as well as formally ending a roughly 16-month moratorium on the issuance of STR certificates in B-Bar H Ranch and Thousand Palms.

The board on Tuesday held the first of two public hearings on amendments sought by the Transportation & Land Management Agency to Ordinance

After taking public testimony over a nearly two-hour span, the supervisors voted 5-0 to accept most of the modifications — and directed TLMA to make several other revisions that they wanted regarding citations after listening to speakers.

“This has taken too long. I’m really just out of patience,” Supervisor Chuck Washington said before casting his vote. “Here we are still trying to find the recipe for the magic sauce. People have trusted us to get them the peace and quiet they deserve in their communities. Now we’re tweaking this ordinance more. We’ve got to be results-oriented.”

Until Tuesday, the STR ordinance hadn’t undergone significant changes since it was formally implemented in 2022.

On his and Perez’s motion, the board voted to revise the numbers to three citations leading to suspension, and five citations triggering revocation proceedings. They also directed TLMA to model the publicly accessible electronic complaint platform to match what San Bernardino County has, enablingpeople to view locations of STR complaints and read what, if any, actions have been taken by officers.

The approved change to officers’ hours of service and deployment to handle STR complaints will ensure two code representatives are on duty at the agency’s Palm Desert and San Jacinto offices 7 a.m. to midnight Thursday to Sunday, when complaint volume is highest. Previously, officers were off the clock by 10 p.m.

Another change eliminates the current “60-minute self-correction window” that has, up to now, permitted STR owners to address complaints themselves within an hour. Instead, TLMA now will have enforcement officers go directly to locations where complaints have been lodged and attempt “knock and talk” tactics that immediately make parties aware of noise, obstruction and related problems.

Notices, or administrative citations, will be issued where complaints are documented under the new changes. This will establish a gradual process for ticketing violators. However, under an “urgent circumstance,” where there’s a public health or similar issue, the noticing will be dispensed with inpreference to immediate suspension of an STR certificate and a cease-and-desist order mandating that actions be taken to correct the offense forthwith.

The last part of Tuesday’s hearing involved termination of a temporary moratorium on STR issuances within the eastern Coachella Valley communities of B-Bar H Ranch and Thousand Palms. The moratorium was declared in April 2025, after a surge in boisterous parties at vacation rental properties throughout the areas, where there are a combined total of 59 STR properties.

However, during the Coachella Valley’s most popular fests — Coachella Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Music Festival, both in April — and in the two months following, less than a dozen complaints were fielded, and only one citation was issued, TLMA said, adding that the data supported a proposal to end the moratorium. The board agreed.

A vote to formally adopt the revisions is slated for Aug. 25.

Fireworks

Officers issued 212 citations over the Fourth of July weekend, up 22% from last year, and seized more than 2,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, according to City News Service, which reviewed the county’s after-action report.

In an unanimous vote without comment, the board filed the Executive Office’s “After-Action Report,” which showed that, compared to the same period last year, there was a 22% jump in the number of citations issued — 212 this past July 4 weekend, as opposed to 172 in 2025.

Those figures combine the aggregate citations handled by the county Sheriff’s, Fire and Code Enforcement departments.

The number of 911 fireworks-related calls for service and complaints also rose — 3,776 during the holiday weekend this year, compared to 3,696 last year, according to the narrative.

Authorities confiscated 2,105 pounds of alleged illegal pyrotechnics during operations earlier this month, a drop from last year, when 2,194 pounds were seized over the same period, the report stated.

County fire personnel were sent to 69 fireworks-related blazes during the most recent holiday weekend, a one-third drop from 2025, when they responded to 102 fires, officials said.

Fines in unincorporated areas run $1,000 to $5,000.

Mecca Sports Park

The county signed off on a $325,000 allocation to support a project at the Mecca Sports Park, enabling the addition of amenities intended to enhance the space.

In a 5-0 vote without comment Tuesday, the board authorized the Riverside County Executive Office to make the appropriation from the Unincorporated Communities Initiative Fund. An agreement between the county and Desert Recreation District, stipulating how the money can be used, was additionally approved by the board.

Under the new funding agreement, if contractors hired by the Desert Recreation District are unable to complete the project by June 30, 2027, the district must return any unspent county funds.

The park opened in October 2023, built for about $6.7 million most of it a $5.8 million state grant.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – With summer heat on full blast, many valley residents are looking to the pool to cool off.

But as the desert sun heats up pool water – and hot overnight lows keep that water from cooling down when the sun has set – a refreshing dip can feel more like a sauna.

The water temperature in your pool can easily climb well past 90°F during peak heat.

According to pool experts, excessively warm pool water, generally above 86°F, can accelerate bacteria and algae growth in the water. Swimming in water that’s too warm can lead to health impacts, like hyperthermia and heat stroke.

David Keyes, Aquatic Manager at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, agreed. He urged anyone swimming in hot water to never do so alone.

“Do not enter a body of water, especially a warm body of water alone, because that could that could lead to fainting,” he warned. “There’s no one there to to help you to call 911 or to pull you out of the water.”

And for those exercising in warm water, he said swimmers’ bodies can take them by surprise. “A lot of people assume, ‘Oh, I don’t – I’m not sweating while I’m in the water,’ but that’s still happening.”

At the Aquatic Center, they’re forced to close the pools if the water temperature exceeds 104°F. Even then, they generally start placing warning signs around lap pools and other areas where swimmers exercise if the water begins pushing up into the 90s.

“People go in and have strenuous activities, like lap swimming or even water exercise. Depending on how hard you’re going in the class, you could end up potentially having a level of heat stroke,” he warned.

The Aquatic Center maintains their pool’s water temperature by using three large chillers. It drastically cools water, then pumps it back into the system, in an effort to keep water temperatures regulated. With the chillers on, Keyes said the water temperature is usually kept, on average, near 85°F. They work like swamp coolers, so in the dry heat, they work effectively, but with extra humidity, they start to be less effective. When that happens, water temperatures can push into the 90s.

The pool’s carefully balance mix of chlorine levels, pH, and alkalinity, though, prevent any bacteria and algae from growing at the center, despite the hot temperatures.

Mike Marshall, the Facilities Operations Manager at PDAC, has had more than three decades of experience with pools. He said homeowners in the desert often make these mistakes: “Everyone’s always looking to save a few bucks when it comes to at home operations. ‘Maybe I can run my pool a little bit less and save a few dollars, or maybe I cannot put as much chlorine in the water to save a few dollars.’ Those two X factors alone are the death of a swimming pool. Circulation is key.”

He also said testing your pool regularly can also prevent large algae blooms in the water. He also said purchasing a residential-sized chiller, like the ones used at PDAC, can be a good investment that will help regulate your pool’s temperature.

At the end of the day, he pointed to regular use and maintenance as the key.

“A pool that swam in is going to be much more easy to maintain and manage, as opposed to a pool that’s in a yard as a water feature,” he said.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect in a stolen vehicle was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Thousand Palms.

Deputies reported spotting a vehicle reported stolen shortly before 4 p.m. in the area of Varner Road and Monterey Avenue.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop in the area of Cook Street and Varner Road, where the vehicle yielded and the driver was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect was arrested on charges related to the stolen vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Jesus Reyes

BERMUDA DUNES, Calif. (KESQ) – An arrest has been made in a shooting 22 years ago that took the life of a 17-year-old Indio teenager.

The suspect, Eddie Zazueta Jr., 40, of Bermuda Dunes, was arrested on Friday, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced. County jail records show he is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Zazueta was officially charged with murder on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and is due back in court on Aug. 6 for a felony settlement conference.

Eddie Zazueta Jr. during his arraignment at the Larson Justice Center in Indio July, 28th, 2026

The shooting happened on July 5, 2004, along the 52400 block of Avenida Obregon in La Quinta. Daniel Medina, 17, of Indio was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

During the initial investigation, a person of interest was identified; however, at the time there was insufficient evidence to support an arrest, and the case eventually went cold, authorities said.

As part of the Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing efforts to review unsolved homicide cases, investigators recently reexamined this case. During the review, several leads and follow-up tasks were identified, and the case was reopened.

Through this follow-up investigation, additional evidence was obtained, and Zazueta was identified as the suspect.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Robertson or Deputy Lucifora at (951) 955–2777.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury was seated today for the trial of a felon accused of stabbing his girlfriend multiple times in an attack under an Indio bridge that he claimed stemmed from having a split personality.

Jamin “Jay” Demar Williams is charged with assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily injury and domestic violence, along with a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Laura Garcia swore in a panel Monday to hear the matter after three days of jury selection. The prosecution then summoned its first witness, who was set to return to the stand Tuesday.

Williams is being held without bail at the nearby Robert Presley Jail.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, on the afternoon of April 22, 2024, the defendant became irate with the victim, identified only as an area transient, for unspecified reasons.

The brief said Williams and the woman had sometimes shared her tent under the Golf Center Parkway Bridge in Indio, and their year-long relationship had involved acts of domestic abuse, though nothing comparable to April 22.

The victim later told Indio Police Department investigators that she was relaxing in her tent when the defendant rushed inside and accused her of “setting me up.”

He punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground, then kicked her as she attempted to get up, the brief alleged.

“After kicking and punching the victim, the defendant began stabbing her,” according to the narrative. “During the assault, the defendant told her, `I’m going to kill you today. I don’t give a (expletive) about you.'”

For over a half-hour, Williams allegedly held her inside the tent by threatening her with a six-inch knife, according to the prosecution. He inflicted a wound to the right side of her neck, stabbed her three times in the left arm and shoulder, and once behind the right ear, prosecutors alleged.

When the victim finally broke away, she fled to a nearby 7-Eleven and asked a clerk to call 911, which immediately brought patrol units to the location, court papers stated.

Officers detained the defendant under the bridge following a brief confrontation, during which he allegedly baited them to “shoot me, just shoot me then,” the brief said. No shots were fired during his arrest, and neither Williams nor police personnel suffered injuries.

The woman was taken to a regional trauma center for treatment of her wounds, from which she has since recovered.

Williams was interviewed by detectives that evening, telling them he had “three split personalities,” according to the prosecution. He named the personalities as “Jay,” “Ashad” and “Quick.”

“The defendant stated neither Jay or Ashad harmed the victim and were unaware of what happened,” the brief said. “The defendant stated he does not talk to Quick, and Quick did not want to speak with defendant or the police. He told police he knew the woman but never lived under the bridge. He was unsure how he obtained blood on his clothing and body.”

Court records indicated Williams underwent psychiatric evaluations throughout 2024 and was determined to be competent to stand trial.

He has documented prior convictions for making criminal threats and first-degree burglary, resulting in prison time.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Three people were taken to the hospital after a multi-vehicle crash Monday evening in Coachella.

The crash was reported just before 6:20 p.m. on Van Buren Street and Avenue 53.

Police said three vehicles were involved. Details on what led up to the crash were not available.

One person was airlifted to an area trauma center with serious injuries. A second patient suffered minor injuries, and a third patient suffered moderate injuries.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Desert Hot Springs man has been sentenced for his role in a shootout that ended with injuries to a deputy and suspect in a Thousand Palms business area in 2023.

Jose Eduardo Rosales Perez, 37, was sentenced to 7 years in prison after being convicted of accessory to escape arrest/trial and possession of a controlled substance, county court records show.

Rosales was previously charged with multiple other felonies, including attempted murder on a peace officer/firefighter, but those charges were dismissed. There was no additional information on why those charges were dropped; we’ve reached out to the District Attorney’s office for more information.

Rosales’ co-defendant, Kristian Galeana, 30, remains charged with two felony counts of attempted murder on a peace officer, along with one felony count each of being a convicted felon and narcotic addict in possession of a firearm and possessing ammunition. He additionally faces two sentence-enhancing allegations of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury.

Kristian Galeana

Galeana’s trial is scheduled to start on September 9 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, court records confirmed. He remains in custody on $2 million bail.

The shooting happened on Oct. 18, 2023, in the area of Ramon Road and Robert Road. Deputies initially responded to the area in search of a felony hit-and-run suspect. Deputies stopped a vehicle with two people inside — Rosales behind the wheel and Galeana the passenger.

“While detaining the driver of the vehicle, the passenger fired at deputies, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” a spokesperson for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office wrote at the time of the shooting. “The suspect barricaded inside the vehicle and refused to follow commands.”

Galeana and a deputy were injured in the shooting. Galeana was booked into jail after being released from the hospital. There have been no updates on the deputy, but shortly after the shooting, they were described as being stable and showing improvement.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

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Luis Avila

UPDATE 7/28 7:26 A.M.: According to SCE, the maintenance outage has been rescheduled for August 9 at 10 PM due to customer concerns.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some Palm Desert residents are questioning why a planned overnight power outage is being scheduled during one of the hottest stretches of summer.

Southern California Edison has scheduled a maintenance outage affecting approximately 878 customers in Palm Desert. The outage is expected to begin at 10 p.m. Tuesday and continue until 7 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Fred Warning Drive and Monterey Avenue.

Residents say they understand maintenance is necessary to keep the electrical grid reliable, but they believe the work could have been postponed until cooler months.

“Last week it was 116. It’s supposed to be 112,” said Palm Desert resident Darby Bressler, one of the customers expected to lose power during the overnight outage. “That’s hot. Even though it’s between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., you have to sleep through that.”

Getting answers, News Channel 3 asked Southern California Edison why the work couldn’t wait.

“Maintaining the electric system is a year-long process, and we need to stay on top of this work even during the summer,” said Edison spokesperson Diane Castro. “It’s just crucial to keeping the power flowing reliably, and we don’t want to delay the outages, which could cause equipment to fail, especially during long periods of heat.”

For Bressler, the concern goes beyond just the heat.

“There are elderly people out here too who are on health machines that require electricity,” Bressler said. “They say after four hours you need to get rid of anything that has eggs, cream, dairy, milk, condiments, salad dressing.”

Southern California Edison acknowledged planned outages can be disruptive but says they take several steps to reduce the impact on customers.

“The crews know exactly what needs to be updated,” Castro said. “They are prepped and ready to go, and the outage is typically much shorter… We do send a letter in the mail. We also send it via text. We notify all the affected residents in advance.”

As the outage approaches, Bressler says she’s taking extra precautions to minimize the impact.

“My daughter suggested we get dry ice for the fridge,” she said, adding that her family is also considering sleeping downstairs where temperatures may be cooler.

Southern California Edison encourages customers to prepare for planned outages by keeping flashlights, extra batteries, drinking water and a first aid kit readily available. Customers with medical needs are also encouraged to have backup plans in place in case power is interrupted.

Residents can check Southern California Edison’s outage map for the latest information on scheduled maintenance outages in their area.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) A former senior executive at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is suing the Palm Desert institution, alleging she was fired in retaliation for raising concerns about animal deaths, alleged cover-ups and internal misconduct, claims the zoo forcefully denies.

Allison Krupp, who spent two years as The Living Desert’s vice president of marketing and communications, filed the lawsuit in March in Riverside County.

According to her attorneys at Shegerian & Associates, the complaint alleges Krupp, was directed to misrepresent the causes of animal deaths, reported undisclosed animal welfare incidents and potential misuse of organizational funds, and was ultimately terminated.

The lawsuit asserts claims including whistleblower retaliation, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and defamation.

In an interview with News Channel 3, Krupp’s attorney, John David, said his client joined the zoo believing it was a place with “a deep concern and care for animals,” but grew alarmed by what she saw.

“What she realized when she got there was that it’s no different from a lot of big corporations,” David said, alleging the organization put profits and financial gain above animal health and well-being.

Among the allegations in the complaint, David said, Krupp was asked to push forward false statements including characterizing suspicious animal deaths as congestive heart issues.

He said a Mexican wolf died at the facility and Krupp was told to put out a false statement about the death.

He also pointed to what he described as dozens of other animal deaths, including approximately 26 African birds he said died because of faulty facilities.

“Repeatedly over the time that she worked for this organization, she learned of severe animal abuse issues and escalated them and refused to go along with it,” David said, adding that she was terminated in part for raising those issues despite what he called her stellar performance.

When News Channel 3 asked David for evidence supporting the claims, he cited the departure of the zoo’s CEO, Allen Monroe. David said his team had scheduled Monroe’s deposition for next week, and that Monroe announced his departure after the deposition was noticed. “I don’t think that’s just coincidence,” David said. Mr. David further explained the deposition is being rescheduled and that he expects more to emerge as the case moves through discovery.

The Living Desert disputes that characterization and rejected the allegations in a statement provided to News Channel 3 through its outside general counsel. The statement reads in full:

“The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens unequivocally rejects the allegations made by former employee, Allison Krupp. The claims are entirely unfounded, lack any factual basis, and distort the organization’s actions and intentions. We are confident these assertions are being advanced to create financial pressure, and we will not be drawn into false narratives or unsupported demands.

“The Living Desert further clarifies that its CEO is not resigning from the organization. As previously announced, the CEO’s departure is the result of a planned retirement following years of dedicated leadership and service to The Living Desert. Any suggestion that this retirement is connected to these allegations is false and misleading.

“The Living Desert remains firmly focused on its mission of desert conservation, education, and exemplary animal care. We operate with transparency, integrity, and a long-standing commitment to responsible stewardship. We stand behind the professionalism of our team and the rigor of our practices.

“While we cannot discuss specific details of the matter at this stage, we are fully prepared to address these baseless claims through the appropriate legal channels as our record will withstand any scrutiny this process brings. The Living Desert has spent decades earning the trust of this community, and we intend to defend that trust without hesitation.”

The case is in the discovery phase, and no trial date has been set. David said he expects to receive documents from the organization and take depositions of its executives in the coming weeks.

News Channel 3 is reviewing The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ federal inspection records as part of our effort to independently verify allegations made in a lawsuit involving the zoo.

USDA inspection reports reviewed by News Channel 3 show federal inspectors cited The Living Desert three times during the past year and a half.

The most serious finding was classified as a “critical” citation in June 2025 after two bat-eared foxes escaped through a gap in their enclosure fencing. According to the inspection report, one fox was recaptured, but the other was never found.

Federal inspectors also cited the zoo for inadequate shade in a camel enclosure and after a hornbill escaped from its enclosure. The bird was recaptured four days later off zoo property, according to the report.

The inspection records show the zoo took corrective action following each citation.

The Living Desert’s most recent USDA inspection, conducted in April, found no violations.

This is an ongoing legal case, and many of the allegations have not been proven in court. News Channel 3 will continue asking both the plaintiff and the defendant to provide evidence supporting their respective claims as we follow the case and report new developments.

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