Author: KESQ

Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 has broadcast several special reports on air quality in the Coachella Valley since Hurricane Hilary hit back in August of 2023.

Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Vice President Greg Rodriguez says they continually see more patients with asthma problems. In fact, frequent exposure to poor air quality, such as ozone gas and floating particles can lead to coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks and even a variety of respiratory diseases.

To address the problem, the organization is teaming up with other healthcare providers and working to educate the community.

It’s called Healthy Desert, Healthy You Environmental Health Summit.

Last year’s Summit awarded one million dollars to providers to address environmental health concerns.

Rodriguez adds, “After Hurricane Hilary, we really saw an enormous increase in those particulates in cases of environmental concern. So the District felt that it was important to really build a collaborative approach with the organizations that were already doing great work in the valley around environmental issues. We brought together the that group and held our first Summit last year and really built a great collaborative approach.”

The Summit will be on September 11th and 12th. It will offer fascinating discussions and vendors exploring the challenges affecting health and wellness.

Topics will range from renewable energy to green technology.

For more information on the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Environmental Health Summit, visit healthydeserthealthyyou.com.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Two men accused with three others of gunning down a Mead Valley resident during a home invasion robbery that occurred almost two decades ago are slated to be arraigned Wednesday.   

DeShawn Cordell Hill, 36, and Kenneth Tucker II, 37, both of Riverside, were arrested in the last two weeks following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Unit investigation.

Their co-defendants, Keith Isaiah Crutchfield, 37, of Kileen, Texas, and brothers Dennis Jamal Haynes and Kenneth Lamar Haynes, both 37 and of Phoenix, Arizona, are awaiting extradition following their arrests since the start of the month.

All of the men are charged with first-degree murder and a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a robbery for the 2007 slaying of 51-year-old Andres Valdes. All except Tucker are additionallycharged with sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Hill is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside, and Tucker is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Their alleged cohorts are being held on no-bail extradition warrants at correctional facilities in their respective states.   

Hill and Tucker are set for arraignment Wednesday morning before Superior Court Judge Melissa Hale at the Riverside Hall of Justice.   

Sheriff’s Sgt. Jarred Bishop said Cold Case Unit detectives reopened the Valdes homicide case in February after it lay dormant for years.   

The victim was attacked late on the night of June 13, 2007, according to Bishop.

He said the Mead Valley man was home with several family members in the 19000 block of Mariposa Avenue, near Wood Road, when the armed defendants allegedly forced their way onto the property and confronted the victims.   

“Deputies learned the masked suspects entered … with the intent of committing a robbery,” the sergeant said. “Valdes became involved in a physical altercation with the suspects, when one of them shot and killed him.”

The defendants grabbed what valuables were in view and immediately fled the location, Bishop alleged.

Valdes died at the scene. Several others in the household suffered unspecified minor injuries.   

“This case unfortunately went cold without an arrest,” Bishop said.   

Renewed efforts to identify the assailants by the Cold Case Unit turned up additional evidence, culminating in arrest warrants being issued for all of the defendants this month.

Background information on the men wasn’t available.

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Zachariah Perez

PALM DESERT Calif. (KESQ) –The Berger Foundation Iceplex announced a new partnership and arrival of the Palm Springs Hockey Academy (PSHA).

The academy is a new elite high school prep program that will offer top-tier hockey training and  competition for elite-level players set to begin in September. It will bring an exclusive group of athletes from Europe, Canada, Los Angeles, and San Diego for a unique training experience in the Coachella Valley at the Berger Foundation Iceplex. 

The Palm Springs Academy players will receive elite-level training Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m, while also having educational support and partnership from Desert Christian Academy.

It will offer a flexible path designed for student athletes to ensure that they will have the tools to succeed both academically and athletically while balancing the training schedule.

“We’re thrilled to bring this level of hockey to the desert,” said Justin Reynolds, President and Co-Founder of the Palm Springs Hockey Academy. “Our partnerships with Desert Christian Academy and the Berger Foundation Iceplex create a one-of-a-kind environment where student-athletes can train like pros while receiving a top-tier education.”

The program will feature the following for athletes during their stay here in the Coachella Valley.

Program Features:

Daily On-Ice Training focused on skill development, team systems, and hockey IQ at the Berger Foundation Iceplex

Academic Instruction through Desert Christian Academy, a respected faith-based private school in Bermuda Dunes, CA

Competitive Game Schedule against top North American prep programs, with 1–2 games per month scheduled for Saturday evenings

Mentorship and Development from experienced coaches, advisors, and scouts

Exposure to USHL, WHL, NCAA, and other junior programs

As the popularity of hockey grows in Southern California and the success of the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds, PSHA is in an ideal position to become a national leader in elite player development. 

With an addition of the PSHA the Burger Foundation will now offer a pipeline at all skill levels. This includes:

 Beginners: Learn to Play programs

Intermediate: Youth Rec leagues

Progressive: Jr. Firebirds Travel Hockey

Elite: Palm Springs Academy

“The launch of Palm Springs Hockey Academy has transformed the Berger Foundation Iceplex into a true center of excellence,” said Leslie Deason, Vice President of the Berger Foundation Iceplex. “We now offer a fully integrated developmental pipeline that supports every skill level, from Learn to Play for beginners to elite training through the Academy. This not only strengthens our commitment to player growth but also solidifies the Iceplex as a regional leader in hockey development.”

For recruitment and enrollment for the 2025–26 academic year is currently underway, with limited spots available visit pshockey.com or contact admin@pshockey.com.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for the Latest

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Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– LGBTQ+ trailblazer Mariah Hanson released the 2025 lineup for her epic Dinah Grand Finale full of rising stars, queer icons and aspiring LGBTQ+ talent.

The festival will take place September 24-28 at the Riviera Resort in Palm Springs, celebrating the long-lasting legacy Hanson has created with the iconic queer women’s festival.

The weekend-long celebration will feature stars like Crystal Waters, Princess Nokia, Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, SKYDXDD, MC Kaycee Clark, Mariah Counts, Only1 Theory, Nikki Holland and Velvet Dive. 

DJ’s Alex B, Lotus Banks, KG fresh, Les Ortiz, P Nasty, and Tatiana are also set to perform at this one-of-a-kind event providing pulse-pounding sets that will keep the crowd dancing. 

The event will open on Thursday night, September 24, with a nighttime dance party, followed by pool party celebrations and additional exciting nighttime events until Sunday, September 28. 

Hanson is the original founder and producer of the Dinah. She will be retiring after 34 years running the festival. Hanson stepping down does not mean the end for the festival. Organizers said Hanson is actively in talks with potential successors.

To celebrate her last year producing this groundbreaking event, the Dinah 2025 is an invitation to join Hanson in a powerful tribute to the legacy she created and to experience magic only The Dinah can deliver.

For more information on tickets and full event details, visit www.thedinah.com 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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Zachariah Perez

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Airport is being recognized as one of the best airports in the country. 

According to the Washington Post, Palm Springs International Airport was named the 35th best airport in the United States for 2025 best airports.

The beautiful breezy and warm sunshine, great food, relaxing environment and amazing shops, are some of the major factors that played a role in being ranked No.35th in the country. 

“Shoutout to everyone who voted and raved in reviews-we see you #35 and thriving” Said PSP via their recent Instagram post.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella FC announced a rebranding as part of its new affiliation with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer.

Coachella FC will now be known as FC Dallas FC, the team announced Monday on social media.

“We’re proud to announce that Coachella Football Club is now FC Dallas Coachella, an official MLS-affiliated academy and part of the FC Dallas Youth Network

This new chapter connects our players to one of the best development systems in the country, with a direct pathway to the pros, high-level tournaments, and national exposure.

While our name and badge have changed, our heart hasn’t. We’re still the same club, same community, and same passion, now with even bigger opportunities.

Welcome to FC Dallas Coachella.”

The now former Coachella FC was first formed in April 2024 as part of the United Soccer League’s second division.

The team won the regular season and division tities in the UPSL Premier SoCal North Division, where they won both the regular season and division titles with an undefeated record. The city of Coachella honored the team last month.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Coachella Soccer Academy (@coachellasocceracademy)

The team is the first pre-professional soccer team in the valley. 

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – One person was hospitalized for evaluation after a fire in Cathedral City Monday morning.

The fire was reported at around 10:30 a.m. on the 37100 block of Cathedral Canyon Drive.

Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and contain it to one unit.

One person was displaced. There were no other injuries.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A high school in Indio will plant 22 trees in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, thanks to a grant from the Imperial Irrigation District, the district announced today.

Amistad Continuation High School, 83501 Dillon Ave., was named a recipient of a Public Green Space Grant. The program will fund the planting of roughly 1,000 shade trees across Imperial and Coachella valleys.   

“We are pleased to partner with each grant recipient to invest in a greener future for our communities, ” Gina Dockstader, IID board chairwoman, said in a statement.

District officials said the project is expected to eliminate more than 1.6 million pounds of carbon emissions for about 40 years and save an estimated 4.9 million kilowatt hours of energy.

The agency said it will distribute $507,501 to its recipients upon project completion.

Richard Pimentel, principal of Amistad High School, said the campus will replace trees destroyed by storms.   

Funding was provided by the district’s Tree for All program, supported by state-mandated Public Benefits Charge.

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Haley Meberg

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ)– Riverside County Department of Animal Services is partnering with PetSmart to bring adoption events to the valley for National Adoption Week. 

National Adoption Week takes place July 21-27, bringing adoptable pets to the Palm Desert and Hemet PetSmart’s to help them find their forever homes.

“Partnering with PetSmart Charities allows us to get more pets into the community to help them find their forever homes,” said RCDAS Public Information Officer Veronica Perez. “We are grateful to be part of this important event that helps connect loving families with pets who need a second chance.” 

Throughout the summer, RivCo Animal Shelters have been operating at critical levels of overflow with the most recent numbers being updated at 199% capacity. 

Earlier this year, RivCo animal shelters placed a no-kill policy to ensure that 90% of pets entering shelters leave alive. However, with this overcrowding issue still at play euthanasia numbers are still fluctuating. 

The adoption events give the public the opportunity to spend time with pets of all different ages, breeds and temperaments in spacious areas to find just the right match. Adopting pets saves more than one life. Every pet who finds a home frees up space for shelters to help the next animal in need.

“Animal shelters and rescues are doing incredible work to save pets each day, but they can’t do it without the community’s support,” said Heidi Marston, director of Pet Placement Initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “Adopting or fostering a pet can be an incredibly enriching experience and is the best way to support your local organizations. We all have a role we can play in helping pets in need, so please join us this National Adoption Week to show your support.  We’re proud to work alongside partners such as RCDAS, whose team makes meaningful connections, giving more pets in need people to love.”

Adoption events are located at 34900 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92211 and 2153 W Florida Ave, Hemet, CA 92545

To learn more information visit www.rcdas.org and stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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Haley Meberg

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– Acrisure Arena announced they are bringing back the Acrisure Series to the Coachella Valley during Thanksgiving week. 

For its third consecutive year, the Acrisure Arena is welcoming back the Acrisure Series, the largest multi-team college basketball event in the nation. 

The arena will host 20 NCAA Division I basketball programs the week of November 25-28 to compete at the highest level for this in-season tournament. 

Tickets include access to all games on your chosen day, drawing national attention with elite college programs, unforgettable matchups, and an electric atmosphere unlike any other. 

Tickets for the 4-day hoops showcase go on sale July 25 at 10 a.m. 

Check out the full list of teams and schedule below. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates 

Tuesday – 11/2510:30 AM – San Jose State vs. Tulsa1:00 PM – Northern Iowa vs. Loyola3:30 PM – Cal Baptist vs. San Diego6:30 PM – Iowa vs. Ole Miss9:00 PM – Grand Canyon vs. Utah

Wednesday – 11/2611:00 AM – Loser GM1 vs. Loser GM21:30 PM – Winner GM1 vs. Winner GM24:00 PM – Fresno State vs. Pepperdine6:30 PM – Winner GM4 vs. Winner GM59:00 PM – Loser GM4 vs. Loser GM5

Thursday – 11/2711:00 AM – Colorado vs. San Francisco1:30 PM – Washington vs. Nevada4:00 PM – Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara6:30 PM – Minnesota vs. Stanford

Friday – 11/28

11:00 AM – Loser GM11 vs. Loser GM121:30 PM – Winner GM11 vs. Winner GM124:00 PM – Winner GM13 vs. Winner GM146:30 PM – Loser GM13 vs. Loser GM14

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