Author: KESQ

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Residents at the Ramon Mobile Home Park are grappling with the aftermath of a fire that damaged five homes Saturday afternoon. Some are now raising concerns about how the fire was fought.

Authorities say five fire engines and two ambulances responded to the scene, working quickly to contain the blaze, but not before it forced residents from their homes and led to the hospitalization of one person for smoke inhalation.

Residents recounting the moment the fire ignited.

“He realized those people were being notified but we weren’t being notified so he just banged on my door and was like ‘you got to get out, you got to get out now, your house is on fire, move your car.’ Then he took a hose and hosed that side and I took a hose and hosed this side.”

Ilene Wood, Ramon Mobile Home Park resident

“I was actually taking a nap and my partner said he heard two explosions and he looked out the window and he saw black smoke… We got the dogs and left.”

Jack Cline, Ramon Mobile Home Park resident

Some residents now questioning whether access to fire hydrants was needed.

“I know there’s no fire hydrants in this park and they had to get water at Sunrise over a thousand feet and that was a delay in fighting the fire because it took them a while to get the hose over there to this location.”

Jack Cline, Ramon Mobile Home Park resident

News Channel 3 took these concerns to fire officials on scene, who did not want to be on camera, hoping to get answers. They confirmed there are no hydrants within the park but along the outer perimeter. They also say the property was built prior to code requirements.

The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire. The cause is still being investigated.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Tori King

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — An Indio woman is looking for answers after her son, Caleb Garcia, was struck by a car while he was riding a bicycle.

The incident took place around 6:00 am on June 5th in Indio at Dr. Carreon Boulevard and Highway 111.

According to the Indio Police Department report, Garcia was hit by a car going eastbound as Garcia was attempting to cross Highway 111. The particular area where Garcia tried to cross does not have a crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene and was interrogated police officers, but was later released. “My son has a very long road to recovery,” said Michele Garcia, Caleb’s mother. “As of today he still is on ventilator and has no mobility of his lower extremities. This accident, has changed my sons life extremely.”

According to Garcia, Caleb had several operations at Desert Regional Medical Center following the accident, and was fighting for his life. Caleb suffered from several broken bones, a broken neck, three fractured vertebrae, and so far, Caleb has had a tracheostomy with a ventilator to help him breathe, a permanent pacemaker put in, and he is unable to communicate or move.

“Caleb is unable to speak, but able to get attention from family and nurses by clicking his tongue and mouthing his words,” said Garcia. “As of today, Caleb still does not have any movement in his hands are arms, he feels slight sensation with no mobility. Caleb is able to rock his leg once in awhile but doctors have informed us that they believe he will be paralyzed from waist down. Last Wednesday and Friday he went into cardiac arrest and nurses saved my son. I received call from the nurses that Caleb’s heart was dropping and was erratic through the night. Today, Caleb is having a pacemaker put in for his heart.”

He has since been moved to Kindred Long term acute care, where he continues to recover. The center is two hours away from Indio, and Caleb’s family is now paying out of pocket for hotel rooms to visit him throughout the week, causing a huge financial strain. Garcia and her family have started a GoFundMe page to help pay for the medical and travel costs.

The investigation into what caused the crash is still underway. Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Garrett Hottle

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) A first-of-its-kind desert escape is now open just outside the north entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. The Reset Hotel officially opened its doors Monday, becoming the first full-service boutique hotel built from the ground up in the high desert in more than 15 years.

Located on Split Rock Avenue in Twentynine Palms, the hotel consists of 65 design-forward rooms on 180 acres of raw desert land, and is the only hotel connecting directly to Joshua Tree National Park.

The newly open hotel is on Split Rock Avenue in Twentynine Palms, the hotel consists of 65 design-forward rooms on 180 acres of raw desert land. (KESQ)

The vision behind it all is as much about disconnecting from devices as it is reconnecting with nature.“We’re not just building a hotel,” said Benjamin Uyeda, Reset’s co-founder and designer. “We’re creating infrastructure that lets the desert speak for itself.”Uyeda says the idea behind Reset started with a trend he noticed nearly a decade ago.“I first became interested in Joshua Tree around 2017,” Uyeda said.

Courtesy: Gry Space

“I saw this graph, and it was this perfect correlation between Instagram’s monthly active users and visitor shifts to national parks,” Uyeda explained. “And what I concluded was the more people were on their phones looking at content, the more they had this deep draw to stop doing that and go out into nature.”

“And what I concluded was the more people were on their phones looking at content, the more they had this deep draw to stop doing that and go out into nature,” Ben Uyeda, co-founder and designer of the newly open Reset Hotel in Twentynine Palms said. (KESQ)

“So I think in this weird way, the more we digitally consume, the more we value, like a farm-to-table experience…the more popular farmers markets will become, and the more popular national parks and getting out into nature will become.”

Uyeda lives in Twentynine Palms, a place he helped the project from and a place he believes is emerging as an unexpected hub for creatives.“

“I live here, and I’ve lived here for quite a while and love it,” Uyeda said. “And it even brought a lot of my friends and family out into this area. So I am an evangelist for this area. This area is one of the coolest places to live. In fact, I would clearly say and strongly believe that 29 Palms is the best place in California for creatives to live.”

From its custom-built steel-frame guest units styled to resemble shipping containers to its fire pits, private soaking tubs, and stargazing platforms, Rest leans into the natural landscape rather than competing with it.

Courtesy: Gry Space

Interior designers Emi Kitawaki and Jen Whitaker of Gry Space describe the style as deliberately minimal. “Very minimalist. Functional. Intended to be distraction-free,” explained Kitawaki. “Nature is your background.”

Despite the remote location, the hotel offers modern comforts like Wi-Fi, coffee stations, Flamingo Estate bath products, and a curated on-site bistro set to open in the coming months. The rooms feature private patios designed for stargazing, something Uyeda says is a big draw for guests.

Courtesy: Gry Space

“We’re sitting out on these patios staring at the Milky Way,” he said. “You don’t need a telescope. You can’t get that in L.A.”

Beyond the rooms, RESET’s 160+ untouched acres will feature evolving art installations and creative programming—offering what Uyeda calls “real experiences better than anything you can stream.”

Until recently, the group has focused on honoring the land and providing the local residents, as well as travelers, something other—and something central.

“We did not cut corners on zoning,” Uyeda explained. “We did it the proper way, and we’re proud of that.” 

To learn more about the Reset Hotel or book a stay, click this link.

On the agenda for this weeks Twentynine Palms City Council meeting is a proposed 152 acre resort in the Indian Cove area of Twentynine Palms. The meeting is scheduled for 6pm Tuesday, and can be viewed at the following link. for that information head online to our website at kesq dot com.

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John White

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A retired Judge has found in favor of Dr. Rick Loftus in a case against Eisenhower Health and Eisenhower Medical Associates that claimed Loftus was forced out in 2020 for raising concerns about COVID safety, and retaliation for reporting discriminatory behavior.

I-Team Investigator John White takes an in-depth look at the case and the first interview with Dr. Loftus on what was happening inside Eisenhower Health in the early days of the pandemic.

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María García

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Drivers heading westbound on Interstate 10 near Bob Hope Drive should expect delays today as Caltrans crews carry out asphalt repairs.

The westbound off-ramp at Bob Hope has been shut down since just before 8 a.m. and is expected to remain closed until about 2 p.m., according to Caltrans.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate exits such as Monterey Avenue or Date Palm Drive to avoid delays.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new updates.

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María García

UPDATE: 7/21/25 7:32 A.M. – All lanes are now open and SIG alert has been lifted.

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) — A semi tanker truck overturned early Monday morning on Interstate 10 in Banning, triggering a Sig Alert and causing major traffic delays.

The incident happened around 4:00 a.m. on the eastbound side of I-10 near Hargrave Street. According to initial reports, the overturned truck caused damage to a guard rail. As of now, only one lane is open in the area.

Drivers heading east through Banning should expect delays throughout the morning commute. Officials have not said how long the Sig Alert will remain in effect.

There’s no word yet on whether anyone was injured.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Timothy Foster

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ)–A golden retriever named Max. He’s been the town’s official “Mayor Max III” since 2022, and his popularity is undeniable. While most cities have human leaders, Idyllwild’s leadership is a bit more… fluffy.

The tradition of electing a dog as mayor began back in 2012. It started with a local animal rescue group that thought the town needed something special—an animal mayor. Max I, the first golden retriever to hold the title, won the election by a landslide. He didn’t just win hearts—he also raised more than $21,000 for animal rescues in the process. The idea was simple: use the power of a pet to raise awareness for animal welfare. And it worked.

“I didn’t even know there was a Mayor Max at first,” one local resident shared. “We came up here with the kids, and they knew all about him. He was so sweet.”

After Max I passed away in 2014, Max II took over, and today, Max III continues the family tradition. Max’s role might seem ceremonial—showing up at festivals, visiting schools, or attending community events—but in truth, he’s so much more. He’s a symbol of community spirit, kindness, and unity.

Max’s influence goes beyond town events. He’s visited hospice patients, offering quiet comfort in tough times. According to Phyllis Mueller, his human chief of staff, “Max is more than a mascot; he’s the heart of this place. He’s a peace dog, a dog of the community. He’s not just ours—he’s everyone’s.”

People love Mayor Max for his gentle, calming presence. Visitors from all over come to Idyllwild just to meet him. Phyllis often tells people, “He’s your dog too.” Max has this rare ability to bring people together, even in the hardest moments. “He can lie in a hospital bed and just be there with you. He has this magic,” Phyllis says.

And it’s not just about lifting people’s spirits. Max is helping the town’s economy, too. Tourists come to see him, and while they’re in town, they explore local shops and enjoy Idyllwild’s charm. It’s a win for businesses and the community alike.

Whether he’s at a local event or just strolling through town, Max is a reminder of the power of kindness and how little things—like a friendly dog—can make a big difference. He’s not just a dog; he’s a leader, and he’s become the heart of Idyllwild.

So, if you’re ever in town, be sure to stop by and say hello to Mayor Max III. He’s a dog that unites people and makes the world a little better, one wag at a time.

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Shay Lawson

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – As immigration enforcement intensifies across the Coachella Valley, Father Francisco Gomez, S.T. Priest at Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church said fear is gripping the faith community.

“This is not right,” Father Gomez said. “It is not right what is taking place. It is affecting everything.”

Father Gomez said some of his parishioners are afraid to go to school, the grocery store or even attend Mass.

“Usually 1:00 p.m. Mass would have been about 1,500 people,” Father Gomez said. “Today we only had about 1,000 people. There’s a decrease.”

He said some church volunteers are delivering groceries to families too scared to leave home.

Father Gomez said the Bishop of San Bernardino issued a letter saying people should not feel obligated ti attend Mass if they’re afraid.

“If you don’t come to church because you’re terribly afraid — stay home,” Gomez said. “We do broadcast Mass at 9:00 and 11:00 in the morning every Sunday. Give us a call if you need us, and we’ll find a way to reach out to you.”

To recognize those who’ve been deported, Father Gomez is having a vigil on July 21 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Isaiah Mora

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – One woman is dead after a rollover crash in Indio Saturday night.

Shortly after 9 p.m., the Indio Police Department responded to a crash in the desert canyon area located southwest of Dillon Road and west of Fargo Canyon Road.

For reasons still under investigation, a Jeep Wrangler traveling through the desert terrain at unknown speeds rolled over multiple times.

A 47-year old woman was ejected from the car during the crash. She was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center where she later died. passenger was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and sustained life threatening injuries.

The driver, a 47-year-old male, was also transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

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Tori King

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)– Today is National Ice Cream Day and Brandini Toffee is serving up something sweet. The company announced it’s offering free ice cream at its Rancho Mirage location.

The company says if you swing by Brandini’s Rancho Mirage location this Sunday, July 20th from 12–4 PM, you can get a free toffee ice cream bar, all you have to do is show your Brandini Rewards account or sign up for one on the spot.

The store is located at 42-250 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage.

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