Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The 37th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) announced this year’s juried award winners.

Sirât Receives FIPRESCI Prize

Happy Birthday Receives FIPRESCI First Feature Film Prize

Nina Ye, Janel Tsai, Shi-yuan Ma and Milan Ondrík Receive FIPRESCI Acting Prizes

Sentimental Value Receives FIPRESCI Screenplay Prize

Natchez Receives Documentary Award

3670 Receives New Voices New Visions Award

Runa Simi Receives Ibero-American Award

Beloved Tropic Receives Desert Views Award

Remaining Native Receives Young Cineastes Award

The Festival took place from January 2-12, 2026, and screened 178 films from 72 countries and territories, including 53 premieres. The lineup includes 44 of the International Feature Film Oscar® Submissions along with Talking Pictures, New Voices New Visions, Modern Masters, Queer Cinema, True Stories, World Cinema Now, and more.

The jury award categories included the FIPRESCI Prize for films in the International Feature Film Oscar® Submissions program; New Voices New Visions Award for unique viewpoints from first- and second-time directors; Best Documentary Award for compelling non-fiction filmmaking; the Ibero-American Award for the best film from Latin America; the Desert View Award (Local Jury) for a film that promote understanding and acceptance between people; and Young Cineastes Award for a film chosen by the Youth Jury.

FIPRESCI PRIZEA special jury of international film critics reviewed 44 of the official submissions for the Academy Awards®International Feature Film category that were selected to screen at this year’s Festival. The films in competition were as follows:

● 100 Liters of Gold (Finland), dir. Teemu Nikki● 2000 Meters to Andriivka (Ukraine), dir. Mstyslav Chernov● A Poet (Colombia), dir. Simón Mesa Soto● A Sad Beautiful World (Lebanon), dir. Cyril Aris● A Useful Ghost (Thailand), dir. Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke● All That’s Left of You (Jordan), dir. Cherien Dabis● Belén (Argentina), dir. Dolores Fonzi● Beloved Tropic (Panama), dir. Ana Endara● Eagles of the Republic (Sweden), dir. Tarik Saleh● Familia (Italy), dir. Francesco Costabile● Father (Slovakia), dir. Tereza Nvotová● Franz (Poland), dir. Agnieszka Holland● Happy Birthday (Egypt), dir. Sarah Goher● Hijra (Saudi Arabia), dir. Shahad Ameen● Homebound (India), dir. Neeraj Ghaywan● It Was Just an Accident (France), dir. Jafar Panahi● Kokuhô (Japan), dir. Sang-il Lee● Late Shift (Switzerland), dir. Petra Volpe● Left Handed Girl (Taiwan), dir. Shih-Ching Tsou● Little Trouble Girls (Slovenia), dir. Urška Djukić● Magellan (Philippines), dir. Lav Diaz● Mr. Nobody Against Putin (Denmark), dirs. David Borenstein & Pavel Talankin● My Father’s Shadow (United Kingdom), dir. Akinola Davies● No Other Choice (South Korea), dir. Park Chan-wook● Orphan (Hungary), dir. László Nemes● Palestine 36 (Palestine), dir. Annemarie Jacir● Reedland (Netherlands), dir. Sven Bresser● Sentimental Value (Norway), dir. Joachim Trier● Sirât (Spain), dir. Oliver Laxe● Sound of Falling (Germany), dir. Mascha Schilinski● The Last Dance (Hong Kong), dir. Chan Mou Yin Anselm● The Love That Remains (Iceland), dir. Hlynur Pálmason● The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo (Chile), dir. Diego Cespedes● The President’s Cake (Iraq), dir. Hasan Hadi● The Sea (Israel), dir. Shai Carmeli-Pollak● The Secret Agent (Brazil), dir. Kleber Mendonça Filho● The Tale of Silyan (North Macedonia), dir. Tamara Kotevska● The Things You Kill (Canada), dir. Alireza Khatami● The Tower of Strength (Montenegro), dir. Nikola Vukčević● The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), dir. Kaouther Ben Hania● Traffic (Romania), dir. Teodora Ana Mihai● Under the Flags, The Sun (Paraguay), dir. Juanjo Pereira● Young Mothers (Belgium), dirs. Jean-Pierre Dardenne & Luc Dardenne

FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Feature Film: Sirât (Spain), Director Oliver Laxe

Jury Statement: “At a year when the competition featured such a strong presence for stories about children and their parents, this film thrillingly captured our attention with its portrait of a father’s devotion to his son and daughter, as well as the chosen family they encounter along the way. The techno beats by Kangding Ray make their quest exhilarating and enlightening, while the singular vision of director Oliver Laxe conjures an electric sense of aliveness as the journey ultimately asks us to confront death and the hereafter. Since Palm Springs is the ultimate film buff’s party in the desert where the mountains meet the sky, we feel it’s only appropriate to award the FIPRESCI Prize to Sirāt.”

FIPRESCI Prize for Best International First Feature Film: Happy Birthday (Egypt), Director Sarah Goher

Jury Statement: “The FIPRESCI Award for Best First Feature goes to Happy Birthday by Sarah Goher, for its endearing portrayal of contemporary Egypt through the eyes of a child who embraces life with instinctive freedom, unaware of the social boundaries that will soon confront her. With a gentle yet assured directorial hand that draws out a truly exceptional performance from young star Doha Ramadan, Goher’s first feature reaches beyond sentimentality to reconnect us with our own inner child, moving the viewer while quietly prompting reflection on the arbitrary hierarchies that shape—and constrain—the world we inhabit.”

FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Screenplay: Sentimental Value (Norway), Director. Joachim Trier

Jury Statement: “The FIPRESCI Award for Best International Screenplay goes to Sentimental Value, written by Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt — a tale where love, family, art, and memory infuse new meanings and make us dig deep into our choices, regrets, and mistakes. The film shares the big and small tragedies of our existence, often lived within the family house, yet approaches them with a pinch of humour and levity. Trier and Vogt show us the healing power of art at its finest, delivering a film that is moving and relatable, from Scandinavia to the world.”

FIPRESCI Prize for the Best Actress in an International Feature Film: Nina Ye, Janel Tsai, Shi-yuan Ma – Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan), Director Shih-Ching Tsou

Jury Statement: “To the powerful ensemble of Left-Handed Girl, Nina-Ye (I-Jing) and Shih-Yuan Ma (I-Ann), both in their feature acting debuts, d Janel Tsai (Shu-Fen) complement each other to create a cohesive family unit. Portraying three generations of women migrating to Taiwan to reconstruct their lives from the ground, their performances stand with admirable naturalism, immersing themselves in the relationship dynamics of the characters, while at the same time captivating the audience with subtle comedy and tenderness. A touching view of three different perspectives of women that made the perfect ensemble cast for this jury.”

FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actor in an International Feature Film: Milan Ondrík – Father (Slovakia), Director Tereza Nvotová

Jury Statement: “His performance captured our attention from the very first frame as a devoted fatherwho begins an ordinary day simply by bringing his daughter to daycare. However, when the father makesa devastating discovery, this performance brings to life a palpable sense of grief. Ondrik poignantlycaptures the consequences of contemporary workaholic culture and questions of burnout and mentalhealth while sensitively drawing attention to the reality of Forgotten Baby Syndrome and the manyfamilies that are ripped apart by the tragic loss that Father powerfully conveys.”

The FIPRESCI jury members were Davide Abbatescianni (International Reporter, Cineuropa), Fran Romero (Director of Spanglish Cinema/Film Critic) & Patrick Mullen (Publisher).

BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD The Documentary Award is presented to the director for the most compelling non-fiction filmmaking from among those selected to screen at the festival. The films in competition were as follows:

● 2000 Meters to Andriivka (Ukraine), dir. Mstyslav Chernov● ASCO: Without Permission (USA), dir. Travis Gutiérrez Senger● Cover-Up (USA), dir. Laura Poitras, Mark Obenhaus● The Golden Spurtle (United Kingdom), dir. Constantine Costi● Mr. Nobody Against Putin (Denmark), dirs. David Borenstein & Pavel Talankin● Natchez (USA), dir. Suzannah Herbert● Steal This Story, Please! (USA), dirs. Tia Lessin & Carl Deal● The Tale of Silyan (North Macedonia), dir. Tamara Kotevska● To the Victory! (Ukraine), dir. Valentyn Vasyanovych● Yanuni (Austria), dir. Richard Ladkani

Best Documentary Award: Natchez (USA), Director Suzannah Herbert

Jury Statement: “Many of the documentaries in this year’s competition show history as an ever-evolvingsite of contention. Natchez takes as its subject the bustling industry of Antebellum tourism on theMississippi, showing that the meaning of American history is anything but settled. Director SuzannahHerbert’s striking visual style and sharp eye for detail result in a film that is both formally and intellectually stimulating.”

Best Documentary Award Special Mention: Yanuni (Austria), Director Richard Ladkani

Jury Statement: “This atmospheric and often-thrilling portrait of Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia deftlybalances the personal story of a tireless activist with the turbulent political context in which she works.”The films were juried by Sky Sitney (Co-Founder and Festival Director, DC/DOX), Will Sloan (Writer andCritic), & James Woolley (Executive Director, Miami Film Festival).

NEW VOICES NEW VISIONS AWARDThe New Voices New Visions Award focuses on films that the festival programming team felt represent the most distinctive new directors who have emerged in the last year. Each of the following ten films in competition represents the filmmaker’s debut or second feature:

● 3670 (South Korea), dir. Joonho Park● Broken Voices (Czech Republic), dir. Ondřej Provazník● Deaf (Spain), dir. Eva Libertad● God Will Not Help (Croatia), dir. Hana Jušić● Lucky Lu (Canada), dir. Lloyd Lee Choi● Mad Bills to Pay (USA), dir. Joel Alfonso Vargas● On the Sea (United Kingdom), dir. Helen Walsh● Silent Rebellion (Switzerland), dir. Marie-Elsa Sgualdo● The Nature of Invisible Things (Brazil), dir. Rafaela Camelo● The Negotiator (Italy), dir. Alessandro Tonda

New Voices New Visions Award: 3670 (South Korea), Director Joonho Park

New Voices New Visions Special Mention: Deaf (Spain), Director Eva Libertad

The films were juried by Gabor Greiner (Head of Acquisitions, Films Boutique), Justin Decloux(Writer/Podcaster/Filmmaker) & Abbey White (Contributor, The Hollywood Reporter)

Jury Statement: “This year’s New Voices New Visions competition presented an exciting collection of newadditions to the cinematic canon, with refreshing narratives that lent themselves to new discoveries aboutthe human experience. But 3670’s subversive and culturally distinctive take on the familiar coming outnarrative through the experience of its gay North Korean defector offered an illuminating, sensitive, andrelatable new chapter for queer and global cinema. This deftly layered cultural exploration offers newglimpses into what it means to find ourselves, love, and self-acceptance in worlds full of danger anduncertainty.”

IBERO-AMERICAN AWARDThe Ibero-American Award is presented to the best film from Latin America, Spain or Portugal selected to screen at the festival. The award aims to highlight the creativity seen in modern Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American films. The films in competition were as follows:

Beloved Tropic (Panama), dir. Ana Endara

The Condor Daughter (Bolivia), dir. Álvaro Olmos Torrico

Deaf (Spain), dir. Eva Libertad

Drunken Noodles (USA/Argentina), dir. Lucio Castro

It Would Be Night in Caracas (Mexico/Venezuela), dirs. Mariana Rondón & Marité Ugás

Maspalomas (Spain), dirs. Jose Mari Goenaga & Aitor Arregi

A Poet (Colombia), dir. Simón Mesa Soto

Runa Simi (Peru), dir. Augusto Zegarra

Sundays (Spain), dir. Alauda Ruiz de Azúa

Under the Flags, The Sun (Paraguay), dir. Juanjo Pereira

Ibero-American Award: Runa Simi (Peru), Director Augusto Zegarra

Ibero-American Special Mention: It Would Be Night in Caracas (Mexico/Venezuela), Directors Mariana Rondón & Marité Ugás

The films were judged by Sabrina Aviles (Founder/Executive Director, CineFest Latino Boston), Mariana Mijares (Writer & Journalist) & Javier Fuentes-León (Filmmaker).

Jury Statement: “We chose Runa Simi because it reminds us of the importance of being seen, and ofpreserving language, identity, and community. In its center is a remarkable protagonist, one who inspiresnot only future generations, but also future leaders. The film speaks to the universal need to expressoneself and to claim a place on equal footing with the stories traditionally told by major Hollywoodstudios, in this case Disney. In the current state of the world, it is deeply moving to encounter a story thatdoes not sugarcoat struggle yet still offers hope—reminding us of the power to fight for the causes thattruly matter.”

DESERT VIEWS AWARDAwarded by the Desert Views Jury made up of locals to a film that, in the spirit of neighborliness, promotes understanding and acceptance among people. The films in competition were as follows:

Beloved Tropic (Panama), dir. Ana Endara

The Tale of Silyan (North Macedonia), dir. Tamara Kotevska

Tow (USA), dir. Stephanie Laing

Yanuni (Austria), dir. Richard Ladkani

Desert Views Award Winner: Beloved Tropic (Panama), Director Ana Endara

The films were judged by Anne Grey (Rancho Mirage), Margaret Merciera (Palm Desert), Ed Motznik (PalmSprings), Lucinda Perez (Indio), Peet Smith (Joshua Tree) and Kathryn Tomasino (Palm Springs).

Jury Statement: “As a jury, we were deeply moved by the film, Beloved Tropic. Set against a stunning, lush landscape, the film’s natural backdrop mirrors the richness of Mercedes’ inner life, illustrating both abundance and fragility as her world slowly starts to shift. Ultimately, Beloved Tropic honors the quiet strength required to love and care for someone through their memory’s unraveling. It affirms that even in fragmentation, connection endures, and that caring for one another is the truest expression of community.”

YOUNG CINEASTES AWARD The Young Cineastes jury is composed of high school students with a passion for cinema. The films in competition were as follows:

Remaining Native (USA), Director Paige Bethmann

She Dances (USA), dir. Rick Gomez

Speak. (USA), dir. Jennifer Tiexiera, Guy Mossman

The Condor Daughter (Bolivia), dir. Álvaro Olmos Torrico

Young Cineastes Award Winner: Remaining Native (USA), Director Paige Bethmann

The films were judged by Sophia Alejandre (Indio High School), Pauline Amariah Brack (Indio High School), Ryan Blayse C. Bromley (Palm Springs High School), Carolina Cruz-Herrera (Indio High School), Carolina Ava Hyatt (Shadow Hills High School), Lillian Lorraine Lynd (Palm Desert High School), Bethany Mikrut (Palm Desert High School), Ella Rauschenberg (Yucca Valley High School) and Luiz Valdez (Shadow Hills High School).

Jury Statement: “We, the young Cineastes jury members, selected Remaining Native as the winner because of the compelling storytelling and cinematography. This story had aspects that nearly every teen could relate to, from making and achieving goals to learning about your own heritage.”

Save the Date – Palm Springs ShortFest is scheduled to return June 23-29, 2026

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Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds hosted the Henderson Silver Knights once again, but this time the Firebirds take the win.

Wednesday night Henderson beat Coachella Valley 5-1, but Saturday was a different story at Acrisure Arena with a final score of 3-2. The Firebirds came back from a two-goal deficit in the second period by scoring three times.

Henderson’s Jonas Rondbjerg was the first to score on the night, off the back bar, just 2:56 into the game. During the play, Firebirds’ goaltender Nikke Kokko left the game with an injury, and did not return. Victor Ostman replaced Kokko for the remainder of the game.

The Silver Knights final goal of the night came from Jackson Hallum just over halfway into the first period for 2-0.

The Firebirds regained their energy in the second period, something they seemed to have lost against the Silver Knights on Wednesday. They netted three goals to take a 3-2 lead, and it’s one they’d keep until the end with a scoreless third period.

Eduard Sale had the first score for the Firebirds over the glove of Silver Knights goaltender Cameron Whitehead. Caden Price followed soon after, with his first AHL goal, from the center point at 7:56.

Coachella Valley did not leave the game tied for long as a Jakov Novak goal attempt was shutdown by Whitehead, but the rebound was taken and launched in from Ian McKinnon for 3-2.

Ostman made 15 saves in the third period, helping to seal the win for the Firebirds. Coachella Valley moves to 17-12-4-0 on the season.

The Firebirds will hit the road and head to Cedar Park to face the Texas Stars. Stay with News Channel 3 for all of your Coachella Valley Firebirds coverage.

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KESQ News Team

CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIF. (KESQ) – One person was transported to the hospital with moderate injuries following a two-vehicle crash in Cathedral City Tuesday evening.

The collision happened just before 6:30 p.m. near 30600 Landau Boulevard, in a residential area of the city. According to police, two vehicles collided with each other before both crashed into a nearby wall.

Emergency crews responded to the scene and evaluated multiple people involved in the crash. Officers say one person suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital, while the remaining individuals were treated for minor injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Luis Avila

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Acrisure Arena is gearing up to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community with its annual Pride Night, bringing inclusion both on and off the ice.

For Matt Kenny, however, this year’s event has a deeper meaning.

Kenny grew up playing hockey before having to step away. He says it became difficult to balance the sport he loved with his sexuality.

“I had to leave the game before going any further because I didn’t really think that the game would be able to love me back the way I loved it,” he explained.

He thought he would never return, until watching Heated Rivalry, a popular Canadian show that follows a romance between two professional hockey players competing on opposing teams. That’s when he found the courage to lace up again and hit the ice at the Berger Foundation Iceplex.

Kenny recalls, “I legitimately broke down, it cracked me wide open, I had a panic attack, I couldn’t breathe and like twenty years of memories and trauma came back and, I don’t know why, but my gut told me the only way that I could heal this was to repair my relationship with hockey.” He adds, “For the first time in over a decade, I grabbed some skates and put them on. It felt amazing.”

Paul O’Kane, founder of Coachella Valley Pride Hockey, says Pride Night sends a message of hope to those facing similar challenges.

“When a young person sees someone like the Firebirds celebrate Pride, celebrate diversity in our community, it really means so much,” O’Kane says. “It tells that young LGBT kid or that young female kid or even older adult who hasn’t played, that hockey is for me too.”

Since sharing his story on story media, Kenny has been able to connect with others who relate to his experience. He hopes he and events like Pride Night can help change the game.

Pride Night will feature special performances, LGBTQ+ youth initiatives, and a game-worn jersey auction to benefit Palm Springs Pride youth services programs.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds will face off against the Henderson Silver Knights, with puck drop set for 6 p.m. tomorrow at Acrisure Arena.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man who sold fentanyl-laced pills that caused the overdose death of an active-duty San Diego-based U.S. Marine was sentenced today to 20 years in prison.   

Nameer Mohammad Atta, 25, was found guilty by a San Diego federal jury of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death for selling pills that killed the victim identified by prosecutors only as C.M.R., a 26-year-old active-duty lance corporal.  

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, C.M.R. was found in his barracks at Miramar in May of 2020 “in the midst of an overdose.” Fellow service members and responding paramedics tried in vain to revive him.  

Prosecutors allege Atta, who was 19 years old at the time of C.M.R.’s death, sold the victim dozens of counterfeit pills in April and May while knowing they contained fentanyl. He also told buyers on social media that his pills were the “most trusted” in San Diego, while texting others to say his were the “most trusted” and “most potent” in the area, prosecutors said.

Atta was arrested in 2021 following an investigation that included a search of the victim’s phone and the discovery of communications between C.M.R. and Atta.

The victim’s father made a statement during Friday’s sentencing hearing in which he told Atta, “My son trusted you at your word while desperate, in pain and making a mistake. You deserve this sentence because you just did not care who you impacted.”

Defense attorney Anthony Colombo said his client intends to appeal the conviction.  

The attorney said he advised Atta not to make a statement at the hearing while the appeal is pending, but told U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro that Atta considered the victim a friend and that he was “genuinely remorseful” and “not a day goes by that he doesn’t wish this didn’t happen.”

The 20-year sentence is the mandatory minimum term for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.  

Atta was convicted in 2022, but the sentencing saw numerous delays over the next few years as Atta’s attorneys filed ultimately unsuccessful motions for a new trial.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have selected a date of June 3 to hold a joint meeting regarding a controversial proposed warehouse project.

The tribe’s proposed 217-acre Desert Mountain View Business Park is planned to be built on Highway 111 at Tipton Road. The project would include four warehouse buildings ranging in size from 248,000 square feet to 1.14 million square feet. An environmental impact report found that there will be “significant and unavoidable” air quality impacts.

The meeting will be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros. The public is invited to attend.

Officials said more time is needed for the developer to resolve a number of technical items related to the project. A June meeting will also provide both the public and City Staff additional time to review the project and the complex environmental documents so that the meeting can be as productive and informative as possible. 

While the City’s role is limited, the Joint City Council/Tribal Meeting will allow the public to learn more about the proposed development as well as provide feedback directly to the Tribal Council, who will ultimately make the final decision on the project later this year.

Last month, the city council voted to send a report of concerns and recommendations to the tribe regarding the project. The Oswit Land Trust led a protest before the meeting, arguing the review process was being rushed and that the project raises significant environmental and infrastructure concerns — including air pollution, potential harm to endangered species, and increased traffic congestion.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) –  Coachella officials will host a solar showcase installation on a residence under the Coachella Prospera initiative designed to reduce energy costs and increase resilience during the valley’s extreme heat, slated for next week.

The event will take place Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 84712 Calle Pino.

Coachella Prospera was formed through a community planning process led by the city’s Economic Development Department. Residents, local businesses and other public agencies participated in workshops and meetings to identify projects that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The city secured $22 million from the California Strategic Growth Council through the state’s Transformative Climate Communities Program.   

The Calle Pino residence will be the first residential solar installation under the Transformative Climate Communities funded Coachella Prospera initiative.

“We are celebrating more than the start of a solar project,” said Yoselyn Eckert, director of Outreach for GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, said in a statement. “This installation reflects a vision for Coachella where families can lower their energy bills, breath cleaner air and access new opportunities.”  

In partnership with Grid Alternatives Inland Empire, a nonprofit solar installer and workforce development organization, the city will celebrate in launching what officials refer to as a community-led energy investment.   

For the next three years, Grid Alternatives will install solar systems to roughly 75 homes at no cost to income-qualified Coachella Prospera households. With each installation, it will include workforce training and youth education.

“This first solar installation demonstrated what is possible when residents, the city and community partners work together,” said Councilwoman Denise Delgado. “Through Coachella Prospera, we are delivering climate solutions that reduce pollution, support local workforce development and directly benefit the neighborhoods most impacted by environmental and economic challenges.”

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Police issued an advisory to the community after an apparent mountain lion was spotted in a Palm Springs neighborhood Friday morning.

The adult mountain lion was reportedly seen between approximately 6:00 and 6:30 a.m., near the Upper West Vista Chino area, in the vicinity of the 500 block of Vista Chino. The reporting party later lost sight of the animal, the Palm Springs Police Department announced.

PSPD’s Animal Control Officer followed up on the incident, officials said.

Wildlife officials have been notified and are aware of the activity in the area. Police said the situation is being monitored.

Police reminded residents that wildlife does frequent in the desert community.

“We encourage everyone to remain aware of their surroundings when outdoors. Residents with pets are advised to keep them supervised and within view when outside, rather than allowing them to roam unattended,” reads a PSPD announcement. “If you encounter a mountain lion or other wildlife, sightings should be reported directly to the Wildlife Incident Reporting System at wildlife.ca.gov. This allows wildlife officials to track activity and determine if further action is needed.”

The Palm Springs Police Department can also be notified at 760-327-1441 so they are aware and can assist if necessary.

Additional resources can be found at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Living-with-Wildlife

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City News Service

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – A mulch fire that erupted today in Thermal was contained.

The non-injury blaze was reported shortly after 5:30 a.m. Friday in the 82200 block of Airport Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.  

The agency stated that crews contained the 100-by-100-foot fire shortly before 9:50 a.m.  

Mop-up was expected to last for a few days.  

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

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Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) A Riverside County veteran, Charles Hunter, remains hospitalized in the Philippines, where his family says a dispute over medical bills is preventing him from returning home for continued care.

The veteran became critically ill while visiting the Philippines, suffering what relatives describe as a severe foodborne infection. He is currently in an intensive care unit, on a ventilator, according to the family.

Relatives say the hospital has declined to release him because his California-based insurance is not accepted overseas and outstanding medical costs continue to grow. The family says his visa has also expired, complicating efforts to bring him back to the United States.

Family members are working to raise money to cover medical expenses and transportation costs. If you want to help you can visit this link.

News Channel 3 will be speaking with the veteran’s family later today to learn more about his condition, the financial hurdles they are facing, and what help they are seeking to bring him home.

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