Residential fire breaks out in Desert Edge, one home affected

Haley Meberg

DESERT EDGE, Calif. (KESQ)– A residential fire in the unincorporated area of Desert Edge broke out Monday morning, affecting one home and multiple vehicles. 

CAL FIRE reports that they responded to a call for a residential fire on the 18000 block of Langlois Road and Clifton Street in the unincorporated area of Desert Edge Monday morning. 

After arriving at the scene, the first arriving engine company reported a one-single wide mobile home, in the Healing Sands Mobile home and RV Park, fully engulfed in flames extending out to multiple vehicles. 

CAL FIRE reports firefighters are still on scene with utilities requested. 

No further information about the incident has been shared at this time. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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Wallis Annenberg, CEO of the Annenberg Foundation, passes away at age 86

Haley Meberg

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif (KESQ)– Long time philanthropist Wallis Annenberg passed away from lung cancer at the age of 86 early Monday morning. 

Wallis Annenberg was the daughter of publishing magnate Walter Hubert Annenberg. Following her father’s passing in 2002, Annenberg entered the role of President and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation which was founded in 1989. 

Throughout her 16 years as the Annenberg Foundation’s CEO, she broadened the foundation’s philanthropic sights on media, arts and education to include animal welfare, environmental conservation and healthcare, benefiting multiple regions throughout Southern California. 

The Times reports that over her time at the helm of the foundation, Annenberg gave away an estimated $1.5 billion to thousands of Los Angeles County based organizations and nonprofits. 

In the valley, the Annenberg Foundation runs Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage, which was originally the official Annenberg Estate. Wallis Annenberg was the trustee of The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands and was an instrumental executing the mission to preserve the estate as a venue for addressing global and national concerns, and to open the property to the public.

Former President Joe Biden provided a statement, saying, “Wallis Annenberg was a remarkable person who transformed philanthropy in our Nation. Devoted to family and public service, she understood deeply that community is at the center of everything. She was a visionary giver and innovator who advocated for change with empathy and compassion. Her support for the arts, education, the environment, medical research, and social justice transformed countless lives by advancing, healing, and inspiring communities across America. Jill and I send our love and prayers to the entire Annenberg family. May God bless Wallis Annenberg, a trailblazer who was unlike any other.”

“Wallis Annenberg was a visionary who believed not just in a better world, but in a kinder one,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “She worked on broader societal issues, including funding medical research, economic development, and environmental protection, but she deeply believed in supporting the American right to the pursuit of happiness. She was always determined to find new ways to help people achieve a better, more joyful quality of life, and above all else, to help people connect with each other.” 

Wallis Annenberg is survived by her four children and five grandchildren.

Her children, Lauren Bon, Gregory Weingarten and Charles Weingarten, co-directors of the Annenberg Foundation and Trustees at the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, say, “To the public, she was a dynamic force in philanthropy. To us, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, and a force of nature whose life and family remain committed to honoring public service. Her generosity and commitment will be lifting people up for many generations to come.”

Future plans for the Annenberg Foundation have not been released at this time. 

You can visit the Annenberg Foundation website at https://annenberg.org/

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What burns in the east valley? Firefighters, residents react to mulch fires as Shady Fire reaches full containment

Gavin Nguyen

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Shady Fire in Thermal reached full containment over the weekend. But, in the aftermath of the 52-acre brush fire, residents are left wondering: what’s been burning on the land next to their homes?

The Shady Fire left behind thick, dark smoke that was visible throughout the Coachella Valley when it began burning on July 25th.

Fires in the area often involve large mulch piles, which can continue spotting and burning slowly for several days. Fire officials have said landscaping companies have a tendency to dump mulch in the area, which fuels these brush fires, like the Buchanan Fire that burned in Thermal in late March.

But aside from the mulch, fire officials told News Channel 3 that hazardous chemicals often present a challenge for firefighters.

“We have a lot of issues with illegal dumping in the area when the fires burn through them. And we have a hard time getting in there because of the chemicals and and the hazardous nature of that garbage,” said Captain James Lopez, with CAL FIRE’s Riverside County Unit.

That happened during the Shady Fire, according to Lopez.

“We had a lot of salt brush and some tamarisk burning through a lot of dumps from the garbage, and some car parts, some cars, vehicles that were burning through there. Some palm trees, palm tree fronds ran through that area pretty quickly and came up to the road,” Capt. Lopez explained.

When it comes to different types of smoke, Capt. Lopez said the thickness and color can be indicative of the fuels that are burning.

Thick, black smoke is often produced by structures or chemicals burning. Meanwhile, smoke that is a lighter black is produced by brush or trees.

Residents, like Raquel Canela, who live next to the property where the fire started told News Channel 3 over the phone the property became more of a fire hazard after it was sold.

Previously, it was “working land,” and the owners grew crops like okra. After it was sold, though, Canela said the area became grounds for dumping. Mulch, dry brush, and other fuels collected there until the fire tore through the area Friday.

Fire officials said the dumping problem has eased recently, attributing the change to increased enforcement from Riverside County. Capt. Lopez, though, said he hopes the problem continues getting better through better education and enforcement.

“I think people are … being more aware and there’s more county enforcement that [is] taking place to take care of that.”

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Rancho Mirage Community Park to shut down temporarily for updates to its sports courts

Tori King

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) — The Rancho Mirage Community Park will be shutting down for a month to undergo some updates.

The city of Rancho Mirage released an announcement, saying it will be temporarily closing the tennis courts, basketball courts, two pickleball courts, and practice courts at Rancho Mirage Community Park beginning Monday, July 28th for scheduled court resurfacing. According to the city, the recently renovated pickleball courts will remain open for play during the project.

Rancho Mirage says the closure is expected to last approximately one month while the court surfaces are renewed to enhance overall quality and user experience.

For updates or questions, the city says to please contact Richard Grimaldo at (760) 343-0561 Ext. 534.

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Semi-truck fire slows down I-10 east in Indio

Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A semi-truck caught on fire on the I-10 Eastbound in Indio Sunday afternoon.

Around 4 p.m. Sunday, CHP and fire crews responded to the truck fire just before Monroe Street.

The fire slowed down traffic for hours as crews put out the flames and cleaned up the mess.

News Channel 3 is working to confirm with authorities if any injuries were sustained in the crash or the cause of the accident and fire.

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Traffic Alert: Highway 111 and Washington Street intersection to closed for construction

Athena Jreij

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The intersection of Highway 111 and Washington street is fully closed to all traffic from 5 a.m. Wednesday July 30th to 5 a.m. Thursday July 31st, as crews continue work on the Highway 111 pavement rehabilitation project. 

All businesses in that area will remain open during the intersection closure.

Detours will be clearly marked and drivers are asked to plan ahead and use alternate routes. 

During the 24 hour closure, crews will work to repair potholes, roads, mediums and to improve landscaping.

For more information on the road closure, head to https://www.laquintaca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/16422/287?backlist=%2Fbusiness%2Fcity-clerk%2Fstatements-of-economic-interest.

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Coachella Valley Women’s Clubs Celebrates Years of Leadership and Service

Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) —  A major celebration of leadership and volunteerism took place this weekend as more than 20 presidents and past presidents from four Coachella Valley women’s service clubs gathered for a special luncheon honoring their contributions.

The event, organized by the Woman’s Club of Indio, brought together leaders from clubs in Indio, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Desert Hot Springs. Together, these organizations represent more than 337 years of continuous community service throughout the region.

The luncheon was held at the Classic Club in Palm Desert and marked the first time these clubs formally joined forces to recognize their collective impact. In total, the women in attendance represented over 3 centuries of leadership and volunteer commitment.

The Woman’s Club of Indio, established in 1912, is the oldest service organization in the Coachella Valley. Last year alone, the club recorded more than 7,500 volunteer hours and awarded over $60,000 in scholarships and community grants.

Other clubs shared similar legacies, with years of service focused on educational support, literacy programs, youth needs, and family assistance. Some members have served their organizations for decades—one for over 50 years.

The event was designed not only to celebrate long-standing service but also to open the door to future collaboration. Club leaders expressed interest in supporting each other’s fundraisers and building stronger networks between their communities.

Organizers hope this luncheon will become an annual or semi-annual tradition. They also emphasized that all clubs are open to new members—both women and men—who want to contribute to their communities through volunteer service.

Each club continues to play a vital role in improving the lives of children, families, and individuals across the Coachella Valley.

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Cathedral City Boys & Girls Club seeks help after $8,500 in damage from tree roots, burst pipe

Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City CEO is asking for community support after unexpected facility damage from a burst pipe and strangling tree roots that left the organization with more than $8,500 in urgent repairs.

Scott Robinson, CEO, said it happened on the first day of summer, with over 100 kids at the club.

“Our big tree decided it was going to eat through the pipes and knocked out our restrooms,” Robinson said. “Fortunately, I have an amazing staff that adapted.”

He said since then, the restrooms have been repaired but that the fights not over yet.

“There’s still about $3,000 more of cement work that needs to happen,” Robinson said.

Despite the challenges, Robinson said the organization continues to provide a safe and enriching space for children.

He said the nonprofit is now reaching out to the public for help to offset the repair costs and ensure the site remains open and operational.

 To donate to the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Cathedral City Boys & Girls Club seeks help after $8,500 in damage from tree roots, burst pipe

Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City CEO is asking for community support after unexpected facility damage from a burst pipe and strangling tree roots that left the organization with more than $8,500 in urgent repairs.

Scott Robinson, CEO, said it happened on the first day of summer, with over 100 kids at the club.

“Our big tree decided it was going to eat through the pipes and knocked out our restrooms,” Robinson said. “Fortunately, I have an amazing staff that adapted.”

He said since then, the restrooms have been repaired but that the fights not over yet.

“There’s still about $3,000 more of cement work that needs to happen,” Robinson said.

Despite the challenges, Robinson said the organization continues to provide a safe and enriching space for children.

Screenshot

He said the nonprofit is now reaching out to the public for help to offset the repair costs and ensure the site remains open and operational.

To make a donation visit this website: https://bgcccity.org/donate/.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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PetSmart in Palm Desert teams up with local shelters to host National Adoption Week events

Tori King

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — The PetSmart in Palm Desert hosted a National Adoption Week event, teaming up with local shelters and organizations to help dozens of local animal get adopted.

Some of the adoptable animal came from organizations like the Tender Loving Critters, Coachella Valley Animal Campus, and Animal Samaritans.

National Adoption Week is taking place between July 1st and July 27th. According to PetSmart, every 38 seconds a pet is adopted at a PetSmart store. The adoption week is hosted by PetSmart Charities, in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. You can donate pet food, toys, and treats at the PetSmart location in Palm Desert at 34900 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92211, or you can make a donation online.

If you missed out on the adoption event don’t worry, PetSmart also has some animals available for adoption year-round inside store locations.

For more information on PetSmart National Adoption Week, click here.

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