Author: KESQ

City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The Trump administration today asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay a lower court’s order preserving Temporary Protected Status for more than 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants, including a Culver City woman, who contend they are unable to safely return to Venezuela.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attempted to end the protections just days after taking office in January. However, a federal district court put her decision on hold pending a final resolution in the case, finding that the secretary’s decision appeared to be motivated by racial bias toward Venezuelans and violated the law governing TPS.   

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected the government’s stay request last month. If the Supreme Court grants a stay, Venezuelans who first registered for TPS in 2023 would immediately lose the interim protection provided by the district court’s order and face the prospect of deportation to Venezuela while the case proceeds.   

“The district court’s detailed, well-reasoned order allows the Venezuelan community to continue living and working in this country while the case moves forward,” said Ahilan Arulanantham of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law. “We hope the Supreme Court will see the government’s request for what it is: an attempt to seize power that neither Congress nor the Constitution allows it to exercise.”   

The lawsuit in which the National TPS Alliance and seven Venezuelans accuse Noem of illegally revoking an 18-month extension of TPS for Venezuelans that was granted by the Biden administration was filed in February in San Francisco.

After U.S. District Judge Ed Chen’s ruling in the Northern District of California blocked the government’s attempt to strip Venezuelan migrants of their lawful immigration status, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin blasted the decision.

“This is yet another example of an activist judge trying to obstruct President Trump’s agenda,” McLaughlin said in a statement sent to City News Service last month. “This unelected judge didn’t get the memo that on Nov. 5, the American people voted for reinstituting integrity in our immigration enforcement and mass deportations of illegal aliens.  

“Secretary Noem will continue fighting to return integrity to the TPS system, which has been abused and exploited by illegal aliens for decades. We will return TPS to its original status: temporary,” the statementcontinued.

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Jesus Reyes

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A theft in Mecca led to two schools being placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were serving a search warrant related to a theft in the 65000 block of Dale Kiler Road.

“Prior to the service of the warrant, four subjects left the location in a vehicle. Deputies attempted a vehicle stop, but the suspects ran from the vehicle,” a spokesperson for the agency told News Channel 3.

Deputies searched the area and located two suspects, but the other two suspects were not found.

Two schools in Mecca have been placed on lockdown, CVUSD Superintendent Dr. Frances Esparza confirmed to News Channel 3. Saul Martinez Elementary School and Mecca Elementary School are on lockdown as a precautionary measure because air support is above the campuses, Esparza said.

Esparza confirmed that all students were safe.

Esparza initially said the lockdown was related to a nearby train theft, however, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office did not confirm whether this was the case, only confirming that the search warrant was related to a theft investigation.

A News Channel 3 crew was at the scene of the search warrant service on Dale Kiler Road and 7th Street. Deputies were pulling out dozens of boxes.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Allie Anthony

At just 13 years old, Nehemiah Johnson is turning heads in Hollywood after landing a role in a horror film alongside actor Mekhi Phifer.

His journey began with the Young Creators Program, an expanded learning service at PSUSD that teaches students the art of filmmaking from directing, producing, filming and acting.

A simple social media post including Nehemiah led to his discovery by a film producer, marking the start of his acting career. This opportunity not only highlights his talent but also proves how programs like Young Creators can unlock real-world futures beyond the classroom.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from Nehemiah about the role he will play in the upcoming film.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In an effort to combat dangerous wildfires as temperatures start to rise, beginning Thursday, May 1 through July 31, the Palm Springs Fire Department will begin annual brush removal of 87 acres that cover 27 potential wildfires zones, determined by a recent Cal Fire fire hazard severity map.

Removal started in the Little Tuscany neighborhood, which officials say has seen the most brush fires in Palm Springs. Just last year, News Channel 3 reported on a fire on the hillside near the community.

“This is one of my most impacted areas by brushfires so it makes sense as fire chief to get after the area that we’ve had the most fires.” 

Paul Alvarado, PS Fire Chief

Firefighters and City workers will spend the next few months trimming trees and removing potentially hazardous brush that could spark a wildfire.

In addition, the Palm Springs Fire Department will begin public education asking residents who live in wildfire zones to help clear hazardous brush from 1,254 residential lots located in neighborhoods on the west and south sides of the city.

Officials recommend residents:

Make sure brush up to 100 feet from the home is at least 18 feet apart

Keep grass cut to three inches

Make sure trees are not hanging over roof

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Homeless Navigation Center has now been open for more than a year. So far, hundreds of people have used the new homeless resources. And as News Channel 3’s Peter Daut discovered, demand is so high the facilities are operating at full capacity.

Victoria Scuro is the first person to ever live inside one of the modular units at the Navigation Center. It comes with its own bed, bathroom, kitchenette, and enough space for her two cats to live with her. The former County social worker from Bermuda Dunes said she lost nearly everything after covid left her disabled and unable to work. Before arriving at the Navigation Center in December, she had been living in motels and on the streets.

“You’re just one step away from becoming me. I had a savings account, I had a car, I had a very nice condo, I had clothes, I had a life. And it went away just like that,” Scuro said.

Scuro is one of nearly 90 people now living at the Center, which opened six months ago. The 80 units are meant to house individuals and families on a medium-term basis to help them find permanent housing. There’s a playground, dog park, computer room, and cafeteria that serves three meals a day. Scuro said her experience has been good: “There are rules, some I don’t necessarily agree with, but I know rules are for a reason. And if they’re explained to me, I go ‘Ok, I get it. Now I understand it.’ But most everyone here is very empathetic and very kind,” she said.

Palm Springs native Jeff Fischer said he had been living on the streets for the past five years as he struggled with substance abuse. The Center is now helping him to remain sober, as he searches for a job and permanent housing. “It’s like there’s a network of people that really want to see me do well. And I’m doing so much better than I’ve ever done in the last five years. I feel completely safe, and sheltered. And that’s what they do,” he said.

The campus on McCarthy Road also includes the Early Entry Facility, which opened a year ago. The overnight shelter provides up to 50 beds on a first-come, first-served basis, and it’s full nearly every night. Martha’s Village and Kitchen operates the Navigation Center, which cost about $40 million to complete.

“Are you pleased with how things are going so far?” Daut asked Chief Operating Officer Rosa Verduzco. “I think overall we’re very successful,” she said.

Here are the numbers: So far, the Early Entry Facility has served 275 homeless people with 41 successful exits, which means people have been reunited with their families or transitioned to other resources. The Navigation Center has served 86 people, with six successful exits into permanent housing. Nearly everyone was from the Coachella Valley.

“Not only are we transitioning people into permanent housing, but it is a meaningful transition. Meaning they stay in permanent housing and do not go back out in the streets once one type of service ends,” Verduzco said.

According to the County’s most recent homeless point-in-time count conducted in January, there are at least 982 homeless people in the Valley, up three percent from 2022.

“Is this navigation center really making a difference?” Daut asked Verduzco. She replied: “Yes it is. Based on the capacity of the folks we have in house, there’s less homeless individuals out on the streets.”

In addition the shelter, the Center provides wraparound services that include mental health support, job training, life-skills education and case management.

Meanwhile, people like Victoria Scuro are working to find a better life. “It does give you hope. It gives you a chance to think yes you have a future. You’re not going to be stuck in the streets or in a sleeping bag, or in the hot, hot summer with nowhere to go.”

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Jesus Reyes

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Indian Wells Tennis Garden and Desert Paws Sanctuary are teaming up to host a pet adoption event on Saturday, May 3.

Organizers said the event will give Coachella Valley residents a chance to meet rescue animals looking for a home.

Event attendees are encouraged to bring supplies to the event or donate online through the Desert Paws website to be entered for a chance to win tickets to the 2026 BNP Paribas Open.

When:            Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where:          Indian Wells Tennis Garden (West Gate); 78-200 Miles Ave; Indian Wells, CA 92210

Directions:   Enter Gate 7 off Miles Avenue and park in the West Lot.

Visit the Indian Wells Tennis Garden website for more information or call the pro shop 760-200-8200.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — “Talladega Nights,” a special enforcement operation targeting unsafe driving in Palm Springs, is cracking down on drivers.

As of Wednesday evening, the operation had served 234 citations, 2 custodial arrests and 2 misdemeanor cites, according to Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills.

“We have a lot of accidents, involving drunk drivers, speeding and just simple people not abiding by the traffic laws of the city,” Special Enforcement Detective Kyle Wilson said.

Chief Mills announced the enforcement period earlier this week via social media, “Sometime in the next week, PSPD will have a massive dragnet to stop and ticket as many speeders, light runners and stop sign rollers as possible. A maximum deployment including all command staff. You’ve been warned.”

Det. Wilson says the erratic driving comes from a combination of factors, including tourism and locals getting too comfortable. According to the department, nearly 60% of those ticketed are locals.

Comments under Chief Mills post also indicated driving conditions were a concern for locals.

For Charlie Rosenberg, the enforcement is much needed.

“So you’ll have people going 30 in a 50 mile per hour zone, but you’ll also have people going 65 to 75 in a 50, you know, whizzing around and just no enforcement anywhere,” Rosenberg said.

The local survived a car accident last year, and says it’s been tough getting back on the road.

“The freeway combined with Ramon Road is a nightmare. By the time I’ve gotten here, I’m just shaking because it’s just people whizzing through lights, just driving recklessly,” Rosenberg said.

Palm Springs Police say they plan to periodically conduct similar operations each week. Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on these traffic operations.

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Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Residents in the Verano Neighborhood in Cathedral City are dealing with mass sand accumulation after three to four weeks of strong winds in the Valley.

The north end of the neighborhood faces and unconstructed area of sand, which is easily picked up in high winds. Residents say the fences that once held back the sand, have since broken and let the sand into the street.

Residents are unable to drive on both sides of the road, turning it into a one-way pass. The sand has also overcome their sidewalks, backyards and filters into their homes.

They say it’s not only a safety hazard for cars as they park along the street, but it’s also a health hazard. One resident says his wife has gotten sick from the dust, and it has caused issues in their pet dog’s fur.

After conflicting responses while reaching out to Cathedral City officials and the Home Owners Association, residents are calling for help. In a community update email, HOA officials said the streets were the City’s but the blow sand would remain until September because of weather and burrowing owl mating season, which is halting construction to the area.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from Cathedral City officials and residents on the ongoing issue.

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Gavin Nguyen

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A private school teacher is facing multiple child sex charges after being arrested at his Yucca Valley home on Tuesday.

While the teacher, 43-year-old Stephen Spurlock, has not been convicted, events like his arrest can be a difficult topic to navigate for parents and their children.

“It’s hard because then everything they ever did that could have been good gets painted bad. Was this interaction suspect? Was this suspect? And they repaint every moment, every time, every comment,” says Dr. Matt Larsen, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.

Dr. Larsen says the best thing that parents can do when approaching their children about topics like these is to remind them they’re not responsible for others’ actions.

He also says you should show your children that you can help them handle the situation without a big, emotional reaction.

“They need to see their parents don’t have a big emotional reaction [that is] over the top or out of control, because then they learn, ‘I can’t talk to my parent about that, they will overreact,'” Dr. Larsen explains.

Palm Valley School writes in a statement to News Channel Three:

“Yesterday afternoon, the Interim Head of School PVS was notified by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office (Morongo Basin Station) that Stephen Spurlock, a Palm Valley School third grade teacher, was arrested in San Bernardino County and charged with sex against a child. The Sheriff’s office confirmed the incident did not involve a Palm Valley Student, nor did it occur on Palm Valley School property.

Stephen Spurlock was immediately placed on indefinite leave.

In adherence to our commitment to child protection and accreditation standards, Palm Valley School maintains a stringent policy mandating background checks for all individuals working in proximity to students. We emphasize our steadfast dedication to the safety of children, and this commitment remains unwavering.

We extend our gratitude to law enforcement authorities for their diligence in this matter. The well-being and safety of our students are paramount. We are focused on supporting our students, families, faculty, and staff at this time. We will continue to take all necessary measures to support our community and cooperate with law enforcement.”

Francene Fisher, Interim Head of School at Palm Valley School

Dr. Larsen says parents and children should be ready to speak about these topics.

“We can train our kids how to avoid it and we can train all of us how to handle it better when it happens so it doesn’t traumatize us forever.”

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Cynthia White

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – La Quinta and other Coachella Valley leaders gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of the long awaited Dune Palms bridge, which runs across the wash and connects La Quinta High School to Highway 111.

The project took more than two years to complete, with delays due to Tropical Storm Hilary back in August 2023.

The new 86 foot wide bridge includes four traffic lanes, bike paths, a walking path, and a dedicated CV Link underpass. It cost just over $30 million and replaced the city’s final low water crossing, which will improve traffic flow in the area.

CVAG Executive Director Tom Kirk says the project is critical for the community as the bridge is a key north-south connection in the city and the prior flooding caused delays in travel time that could affect emergencies.

La Quinta city leaders are now looking ahead to the next major project starting soon – which will redo the roadways on Highway 111 from Jefferson Street to Indian Wells. The cost for that project will run about eight million dollars.

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