Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) — A motorcyclist died following a pursuit with Riverside County Sheriff deputies Saturday night.

According to RSO, deputies tried to stop the rider on suspicion of driving under the influence and a vehicle code violation, near Highway 111 and Deep Canyon Road in Palm Desert.

The rider fled the area and officers began pursuing.

The motorcyclist then drove through a red light and crashed into another car at the intersection of Country Club Drive and John L Sinn Road in Rancho Mirage.

Paramedics and officers performed life-saving measures, but the rider died at the scene.

No other injuries were reported and the motorcyclist has not been identified yet.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this story.

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Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 61st Annual Golf Cart Parade, drawing thousands of residents to the streets of El Paseo.

Dozens of decorated golf carts, sports cars, and marching bands participated in this year’s parade, which carried the theme “California Dreaming.” Many parade-goers adorned their carts to represent iconic California landmarks and scenery while celebrating the Coachella Valley.

The event began at 8 a.m. with a community breakfast, followed by the parade kickoff at noon. Local news personalities were also spotted riding on some of the golf carts, joining in the festivities.

Attendees praised the parade as a celebration of community spirit. residents say the event exemplified the strength and togetherness of the area, noting that all it takes is a few golf carts to bring everyone out. Julie Castellano described the parade as fun and colorful, highlighting the creative floats and beautiful weather.

Several prizes were awarded this year for the most creative carts, including Best Overall Cart, the Mayor’s Award, and the School Spirit Award. Organizers said the annual parade continues to be a highlight of the community calendar, bringing residents together to enjoy a day of fun and celebration.

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Timothy Foster

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)  – East Coachella Valley Pride returned this weekend, marking its ninth year of celebrating love, culture, and community in the heart of Coachella.

The annual event, held at Coachella Library Park and Gardens, brought together hundreds of residents for a day filled with live performances, art, food, and local resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. This year’s theme, “Orgullo floreciendo sin fin” or “Pride Blooming Without End”, symbolized the ongoing growth of acceptance and connection within the East Valley.

East Coachella Valley Pride first began in 2016 after local high school students conducted a survey that found one in ten young people in the area identified as LGBTQ+. The results inspired a community effort to create more safe spaces, support groups, and opportunities for connection in the eastern part of the Coachella Valley, where access to LGBTQ+ resources has historically been limited.

Miguel Navarro, Director of East Valley Programs at The LGBTQ Center of the Desert, said the event provides life-changing access to local LGBTQ resources and safe spaces for young people, allowing them to feel supported and not alone.

Over the years, the festival has evolved into more than a celebration. It has become a source of hope and belonging. With partnerships from organizations like Alianza Coachella Valley, the Youth Leadership Institute, and Planned Parenthood, the event continues to provide essential services and support to those who need it most.

Organizers said the mission behind East Coachella Valley Pride remains clear. They want to ensure everyone, no matter where they live, has a place to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

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Shay Lawson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is celebrating the spooky season ahead of Halloween.

This weekend, the zoo is kicking off its Howl-O-Ween event.

It runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday and Sunday.

The event features trick or treat stations, face painting and brand new limited edition animal trading cards.

Organizers encourage guests to come dressed in their costumes and bring their own candy bags to help the Coachella Valley stay green this Halloween.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Over 200 people gathered for an “Out of the Darkness Community Walk” at Civic Center Park Saturday. Each came to walk for suicide prevention, education and mental health awareness.

Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health hosted the event in partnership with the Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

For attendees, the walk brings them together for a common cause of remembrance and action to address suicide. Participants were able to honor loved ones lost to suicide, talk with local resource and raise money for resources.

The walk raised over $26,000 so far, but organizers said money can still be raised until the end of the year.

Since 2019 Riverside County has seen a 16% decrease in suicide rates, which local officials said is sign of progress by sustained education and prevention efforts. The decrease comes from the latest data provided by RUHS-Public Health Epidemiology and Program Evaluation.

Volunteers with the community walk said the decrease is promising, but they won’t stop until suicide rates are at zero percent. For them, education and continued awareness are the keys to reaching that goal.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from volunteers and walkers about the importance of this event for suicide and mental health awareness.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – Family, friends and coworkers of late mail carrier Jose Daniel Piña gathered at a car wash on Saturday to raise funds for his funeral expenses and his infant daughter.

As News Channel 3 reported this week, Piña worked as a mail carrier in the Coachella Valley and was known around town for his friendly demeanor and consistent service.

He died earlier this month from ongoing health issues.

In response, family and friends organized a fundraiser car wash at the 7-Eleven in Indio.

“We’re doing a car wash for my brother,” said Esperanza Tapia, his sister. “We’re trying to raise funds to lay him to rest and after we pay that fee, then the rest will be going to his baby girl that was just born 2 days after his passing.”

Tapia said the community turnout was overwhelming and emotional.

“It’s a beautiful feeling,” Tapia said. “My brother would be very happy knowing that everybody’s coming out to support him and show him a lot of love.”

Along with the car wash, she said the family has organized other ways the community can help.

“We have a GoFundMe right now that’s happening, it’s under Esperanza Cisneros,” Tapia said. “Then we also have 3 raffles going that you can find on my Instagram page. It’s Epiiii___ — and you’ll be able to find the raffles right there and also the GoFundMe link.”

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Cynthia White

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Liam Cantu, a 14-year-old La Quinta High School freshman, has died in the hospital after being struck by a drunk driver, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Cantu was one of two teens riding their bikes on Highway 111 in La Quinta when a driver, later identified as 47-year-old Jose Villegas Orbe of Palm Springs, fled the scene.

Statement from La Quinta High School Principal O’Mara

Authorities said the other teen victim has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.

Villegasorbe is now facing charges including vehicular manslaughter, DUI, hit-and-run and probation violation.

The news comes just days after the community held a prayer ceremony for Cantu at the La Quinta High School baseball field, who was fighting for his life at the hospital.

The collision happened two weeks ago, on Friday, October 10.

Shortly after the collision, News Channel 3 spoke exclusively with Cantu’s parents as they pleaded for prayers and support.

Cantu’s parents described their son as someone who is funny, outgoing, loved to dance and had an impact on everyone in his life.

They also said the crash came as Cantu was excited to join the La Quinta High School baseball team.

The Sheriff’s Office says this remains an active investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy Martinez at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station or call anonymously at 760-341-STOP (7867).

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Cynthia White

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday an arrest has been made in connection with a deadly shooting that happened last month in Coachella.

Investigators say they identified the suspect as a 59-year-old Coachella man. He was located Wednesday and arrested near a home off Nile Lane and Genoa Street in Coachella.

Investigators add they are not looking for any other suspects in connection with the investigation.

The shooting was reported back on September 21st in the 85000 block of Calle Limon near Genoa Street. 51-year-old Enrique Arrieta of Coachella died at the scene.

Family members of the victim at the scene told News Channel 3 that the incident began as an altercation.

RSO officials say the investigation is ongoing.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates on this story.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs is known for tourism and being a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community.

Tourism leaders from around the world are in Palm Springs this week to promote destinations known for inclusivity. They say their work is about more than selling vacations.

The goal for hundreds of travel professionals gathering at the Palm Springs Convention Center this week is to improve LGBTQ tourism around the world.

Ace World Travel Founder Aurelio Giordano wanted to make sure he had the right resources for his LGBTQ clients to experience safe traveling, so he’s been attending the convention for the past decade.

Giordano says, “The number one thing is always safety, right? Am I going to be safe there if I decide to hold my partner’s hand while we’re walking down the street or even just down the hallway of the hotel? Are we going to feel okay doing that?”

This year, with a volatile political climate, there was a record-breaking turnout.

International LGBTQ+ Travel Association CEO John Tanzella says, “We do feel like in this country we’re kind of going backwards on a lot of LGBTQ rights. It’s becoming much more difficult for LGBTQ visitors to America, which is really challenging, particularly for the transgender community.

Between 2024 and this year, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) found there were over 900 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the U.S. – That’s almost three incidents every day.

Visitors say that rainbow banners, decorations, and open displays of pride in and around the Palm Springs area truly make them feel welcome and safe here.

Giordano remarks, “I’ve been hearing about Palm Springs for a long time, being here, experiencing it. There’s just so much literal and figurative warmth, you know, from the people, smiles everywhere. . . I just love that, you know, people are just here, just living their lives in peace and freedom.”

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – In the past week, local business owners claim nearly 10 small businesses in Indio have been broken into and vandalized.

At CV BBQ in Indio, owner Sean Smith says their front glass door was broken earlier this week. The perpetrator stole the cash register and electronics in the restaurant.

“Intruder came in, decided to break-in through our door here and then proceed to take our cash box items inside, do damage and take off vandalism and take off,” Smith said.

Smith says this is the second time this year that vandalism has occurred on the property and that it’s happened consistently for the past 3 years, with no arrests. 

CV BBQ is just one of several businesses targeted this week, along with Indio Florist, who also had their door smashed through. 

Owners say Daily Grind Coffee and Juicing, and a Mexican restaurant were also vandalized, along with several others bringing the total to 10 businesses.

Jennifer Colin-Ortiz with Indio Florist says it’s also not their first time being targeted.

“The last couple times we had our vehicle battery stolen, we had our catalyctic converter stolen. We’ve had our air conditioning unit vandalized, our windows broken, and merchandise as well,” Colin-Ortiz said.

For business owners who love the community they serve, the smash and grabs have hit them hard both emotionally and financially.

“It’s something that no one looks forward to finding out when you come to work. You really put your blood, sweat and tears into your business. Just bringing what you do to the small community. Being a small business owner, it just brings joy to bring something uplifting to this area,” Smith said.

He estimates he spends between $500 and $1,000 on a new door every time it’s vandalized. Colin-Ortiz says that price ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 for their floral shop.

Now, they’re asking for accountability and persistence from local authorities.

“This is our livelihood. This is where we eat, this is how we eat. Financially, emotionally, it’s very distressful,” Colin-Ortiz said.

Indio Police said in a statement they are aware and investigating recent burglaries, and that officers have increased patrols in the downtown area.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057 or call Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP to provide information anonymously.

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