Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KESQ) – The injured Big Bear bald eagle believed to be Jackie successfully received a life-saving transfusion earlier this week, according to the Ojai Raptor Center. The eagle remains in critical condition, and she continues to receive intensive care in the nonprofit’s urgent care unit.

“A treatment plan has been developed to ensure we are covering all bases while we work to determine the cause of anemia. She is eating well, perching, and remains bright and strong,” reads an update Thursday by the center. “While we are encouraged by the dedication and collaboration surrounding this case, it is still too early to predict the outcome. We know many of you are hoping for more answers, and so are we. Wildlife medicine often requires patience, and some answers simply take time.”

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According to the Friends of Big Bear Valley, the eagle continues to be alert, perching, eating both assisted and on her own. She is still severely anemic; they are unable to determine why.

The center said it expects to have another update on Monday.

The eagle was found injured over the weekend after being attacked by two other eagles.

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“The eagle was found hanging around on the ground. So when we say grounded, that means they’re not perched in a tree; it’s not normal behavior because they do want to be perched in trees,” said Jenny Vosard, of the non-profit Friends of Big Bear Valley.

On Monday, the Ojai Raptor Center confirmed the eagle is underweight but alert. She’s perching and eating with assistance.

Officials are awaiting test results to confirm whether the eagle is indeed Jackie. Based on information available and the circumstances surrounding the rescue, the patient is believed to be part of the well-known breeding pair from the Big Bear area.

If you would like to contribute to the eagle’s rehabilitation, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. (July 23, 2026) — A suspect accused of stealing a rare sculpture valued at approximately $3,600 from a Palm Desert retail business has been arrested following a multi-agency investigation that led authorities from the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles County.

The theft was reported on June 18, 2026, when deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to the 72000 block of Dinah Shore Drive after a business owner discovered the sculpture had been stolen. Deputies met with the victim and launched an investigation into the missing artwork.

The case was taken over by the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station’s Business District Team (BDT) and Robbery Burglary Suppression Team (RBST), who worked together to identify the suspect through investigative leads.

According to investigators, surveillance footage and public safety cameras played a key role in the case.

On July 17, 2026, investigators served a search warrant at a residence in the 1800 block of North Wilton Place in Los Angeles. The suspect was located and taken into custody without incident.

Authorities also served a second search warrant at a property in the 67000 block of Paletero Road in Cathedral City, where the stolen sculpture was recovered.

The artwork has since been returned to the Palm Desert business, where it has been placed back on display for sale. According to the business, proceeds from the sculpture will support a charitable cause.

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Tommy Gallegos

The crash occurred on Mountain View Road north of Club House Drive and involved two vehicles. According to California Highway Patrol, one vehicle crossed into the southbound lanes and collided head-on with another vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle that crossed the centerline, the sole adult male occupant, sustained major injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

The second vehicle was occupied by four people, including the driver and three juvenile passengers. CHP says the driver, identified by the Riverside County Coroner as Ashley Lopez, 37, of Desert Hot Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene. Of the three juveniles, one suffered minor injuries, while the other two sustained moderate to major injuries and were transported for treatment.Following the impact, both vehicles caught fire. Emergency crews responded to extinguish the flames, treat the injured, and secure the scene.

California Highway Patrol says that after the collision, good samaritans stopped as the vehicles were starting to catch fire, and pulled all occupants out of the vehicle.

Mountain View Road was temporarily closed at the location of the accident near Club House Drive, but has since reopened.

The Riverside County Coroner is on scene of the accident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officials have not released the identity of the deceased pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone with information about the collision is encouraged to contact California Highway Patrol.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM DESERT, CALIF. (KESQ)- A new LendingTree survey found 30% of Americans say they’ve shoplifted, up from 23% in 2024.

Among those who admitted to shoplifting, 90% said inflation or financial hardship played a role, with many saying they stole necessities like food and personal hygiene products rather than luxury items.

Indio police say that they are not seeing a big jump in shoplifting cases. Sgt. Abe Plata said when thefts do happen they involve items that are easy to hide or sell.

“It’s mainly over-the-counter medications, alcohol, clothing, tools, electronics. And other everyday consumer goods. Just simple things that they can quickly maybe sell” said Plata.

For some shoppers, higher prices are making them make tougher choices. The survey found that 28 percent of people who admitted to shoplifting cited financial struggles as a reason.

Steve Davidson, a resident said “It doesn’t surprise me in today’s market because people are, having a hard time, you know, with, with all the inflation and incomes.”

Another resident, Less Franz said “It’s just it’s a tough time to be in this situation.”

The survey also found that 37 percent of people who admitted to shoplifting said they did so within the last year.

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City News Service

MECCA (CNS) – A hiker was suffering from an unspecified medical emergency at a trail today in Mecca, prompting a rescue off the trail.

The “inaccessible rescue” call was reported about 12:45 p.m. Thursday at Box Canyon Road and Painted Canyon Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency stated that crews made contact with the hiker, whose name and age was not revealed, via an off-road vehicle and was taken to a local hospital.

It was unclear if the hiker sustained any injuries.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – Palm Springs residents were encouraged to fill out an online survey being made available today to help identify key characteristics and values for the city’s next police chief following the retirement announcement of current Police Chief Andy Mills.

“The city of Palm Springs is committed to a thoughtful, transparent selection process that identifies the right leader to serve our residents, support our organization and help shape the future of public safety in our community,” City Manager Scott Stiles said in a statement.

“I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to share their input on the leadership qualities they would like to see in our next chief of police,” Stiles added.

Residents will have until midnight Aug. 14 to fill out a community survey in either English or Spanish that will take roughly 10 minutes to complete, officials said. The anonymous survey is expected to be a vital part of the city’s recruitment process.

Last Thursday, Mills announced on a social media post that he will retire on Sept. 5 after serving for 13 years in the role. He and his wife, Cathy, plan to move near his mother in the Sacramento area to support her.

The survey is available here.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As triple-digit temperatures continue across the Coachella Valley, many drivers are turning to window tinting to help keep their vehicles cooler and protect against the sun’s UV rays.

California law regulates how dark window tint can be, particularly on front side windows.

Local window tint installers say business tends to increase during the summer months as drivers look for ways to make their cars more comfortable. Experts say the type of film matters, explaining that ceramic tint can help block infrared rays, which contribute to heat buildup inside a vehicle.

However, window tint is not a complete solution for desert heat.

Before getting windows tinted, drivers should also know California’s rules. The law limits tint on front side windows, which must allow at least 70% of light to pass through. Rear windows have different requirements.

Law enforcement officials say overly dark tint on front windows can create safety concerns, especially at night, by making it harder for drivers to see and for officers to see inside a vehicle.

Experts say drivers should consider both comfort and safety when choosing window tint — making sure the film meets their needs while staying within California law.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — A nationwide Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated produce is prompting some Coachella Valley shoppers to think twice before filling their carts.

Local farmers say they’re seeing growing concern from customers who want to know more about how produce is grown, cleaned and handled before it reaches their tables.

At Temalpakh Farm in Coachella, Marco Giron, farm operations manager, says those conversations have become much more common in recent weeks.

“We’ve seen a lot of customers wondering or just curious about how we handle our produce,” Giron said. “We reassure them that the outbreak isn’t happening here.”

Giron says the farm is using the increased attention to educate customers about the food safety measures already in place.

“We have a whole process how we wash our produce,” Giron explained. “Since we are a 100 percent organic farm, there goes a little bit more into washing the produce. We have organically certified sanitizers and products that we’re allowed to use, and that gives us extra protection against bacteria, mold or fungus that can develop on our produce.”

He says food safety doesn’t end at the farm. Proper handling at home is also an important step in reducing the risk of illness.

“Wash thoroughly with clean, cool water, and make sure you wash your hands also before that because a lot comes from when your hands are not clean,” Giron said.

As questions about food safety continue, Giron encourages shoppers to buy directly from local farms and farmers markets whenever possible.

“For now, just be careful where you get your groceries from,” he said. “I suggest buying local. It’s a safer procedure rather than buying produce where you don’t know where it’s coming from.”

Health officials continue to investigate the source of the nationwide outbreak. Cyclospora can cause prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

UPDATE: From Cal Fire, “The fire remains 43 acres and is now 10% contained. One lane of Highway 371 will be opened, expect delays. The residents who were impacted by the localized evacuations may return to their homes. Please use caution when traveling through the area as firefighters are continuing to perform mop up and several fire engines are in the roadways. Firefighters will remain on scene for six-to-eight hours.”

ANZA (CNS) – A brush fire that erupted today south of Highway 371 in Anza charred roughly 12 acres and prompted a closure of the highway before the blaze was stopped.

The non-injury fire was reported at 10:07 a.m. Thursday in the area of Burnt Valley and Kirby roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate to the northwest — directly toward the 371.

Four Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher at 10:35 a.m.

The forward rate of spread was halted by 11:45 a.m., and crews had established hose lays around most of the brusher a short time later.

Full containment was expected by mid-afternoon Thursday.

No homes or other structures were threatened in the sparsely populated area.

However, the flames jumped the two-lane highway shortly before 11 a.m., prompting California Highway Patrol officers to shut down both sides of the corridor between Kirby and Terwilliger roads for public safety.

The fire that slopped over the 371 was quickly stopped in a dry wash adjacent to a solar farm, where several helicopters and bulldozer crews went to work on it.

The hard closure of the 371 was expected to be lifted early Thursday afternoon.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. The Anza Valley has been ground zero for unexplained wildfires every summer for the last decade.

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Tommy Gallegos

Petty Officer 1st Class Leslie Powell, a native of Indio, is celebrating a decade of service in the U.S. Navy, crediting the resilience and values learned growing up in the Coachella Valley for helping shape a successful military career.

A 2015 graduate of La Quinta High School, Powell joined the Navy seeking opportunities beyond the desert instead of attending college. Now serving as an aviation ordnanceman at Navy Munitions Command Pacific CONUS West Division Detachment aboard Naval Air Station Lemoore, Powell has advanced quickly, earning the rank of petty officer first class in just seven years and is now eligible for promotion to chief.

Powell was named Sailor of the Year for 2025, an achievement that reflects dedication and hard work while supporting one of the Navy’s premier aviation commands. Naval Air Station Lemoore is home to the Navy’s largest concentration of F/A-18 Super Hornets and the F-35C Lightning II, playing a vital role in national defense and global security.

Reflecting on the journey, Powell said serving in the Navy has provided a sense of family and purpose. Powell also expressed gratitude to parents Stephen and Carolina, as well as fiancé Brandon, for their unwavering encouragement throughout a successful naval career.

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