Author: KESQ

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two drivers were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and 43 citations were issued during a weekend DUI checkpoint operation in Indio, authorities said today.   

The checkpoint was conducted from 6 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Saturday at Highway 111 west of Clinton Street, according to the Indio Police Department.

Citations were issued to 11 drivers on suspicion of operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license. One driver was arrested for “child endangerment,” police said.  

Funding for the operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Palm Springs Cultural Center is honoring Udo Kier, the legendary German actor and cult film icon, who died at 81 in November.

The tribute begins with a curated pre-show at 5 p.m. highlighting Kier’s artistic journey through film clips and archival moments.

Organizers said the pre-show traces the many personas that made Kier one of the industry’s most orginal actors.

At 6 p.m. the program continues with live remarks and dedications from friends, collaborators and admirers who knew Kier.

Afterwards, a screening of “Swan Song” will play  — Kier’s tender, funny and deeply moving late career piece that organizers said serves as a fitting farewell to an artist who spent decades redefining what it meant to live boldly on screen.

From European art films to Hollywood genre classics — Kier moved effortlessly between worlds never losing his edge or humor.

Kier also collaborated with other directors like Andy Warhol and Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing live coverage.

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City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A 46-year-old felon awaiting trial on arson and other charges died in his jail cell in Banning today, but authorities said there was no indication of foul play.   

Quadir Rafi Boykin of Menifee was discovered by correctional deputies unconscious in his cell at the Smith Correctional Facility shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The agency said on-site medical personnel were summoned and initiated “life-saving measures,” which county fire paramedics took over when they reached the location a short time later. However, the detainee was pronounced dead at the scene.

Corrections Central Investigations Bureau and Coroner’s Office staff were assigned to conduct a probe into the fatality.   

“There were no signs of foul play at the scene,” according to a sheriff’s statement. “Boykin’s family has been notified of his death.”  

No other details were provided regarding possible circumstances associated with the fatality.  

Court records showed Boykin was arrested by Riverside Police Department detectives in June following an arson investigation, which culminated in the defendant being charged with arson of property and a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating an act with an incendiary device in an area under a state of emergency from a past event. Specific details were unavailable.

Boykin was a prior-strike felon who had served time in state prison, according to documents.

The sheriff’s department has been sued in state and federal court over alleged civil rights violations, failure to disclose data and related deficiencies tied to in-custody deaths. The agency is among the most targeted in civil actions among more than three dozen county agencies.

Sheriff Chad Bianco has defended his deputies’ handling of correctional operations and has repeatedly pointed to the smuggling of dangerous illicit drugs — often fentanyl — into the jail system through extraordinary means as the principal reason for deaths in detention facilities countywide.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – California Highway Patrol officers will ramp up operations again beginning Wednesday night to crack down on drunken and drug-impaired motorists throughout the Inland Empire and statewide as part of a New Year’s anti-DUI campaign.  

The CHP will initiate its New Year’s “Holiday Enforcement Period” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, when all available officers will deploy to catch impaired motorists, speeders and other traffic violators. The campaign, which replicates a 30-hour HEP that occurred during Christmas, will continue until late Thursday night.  

“We’re entering a New Year, but our message stays the same: Driving under the influence increases the risks on our roads, raises the chance of a crash and puts lives in danger,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. “We encourage everyone to do their part in keeping our roads safe by making responsible choices behind the wheel.”  

Officers from the Riverside, Blythe, Indio, San Gorgonio Pass and Temecula CHP stations will be on Inland Empire freeways, highways and unincorporated roads, looking to snare suspects.

The 2024-25 New Year’s HEP netted 481 arrests statewide, compared to 892 during the 2023-24 campaign, according to the CHP. As in the case for this year’s deployment, last year’s campaign was bridged due to the holiday falling midweek. However, in 2023-24, the effort spanned three full days and nights because it was a holiday weekend.

The end-of-year crackdown coincides with anti-DUI campaigns involving the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and multiple municipal law-enforcement agencies countywide.

Deputies and officers have been conducting saturation patrols and staffing sobriety checkpoints to catch intoxicated drivers. Those operations will conclude this weekend.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 1/2/26 19-year old Michael Dodd was charged with one count of murder and arraigned on Friday.

Dodd is accused of killing 34-year old Francisco Lemus last Sunday night. Dodd is expected to be back in court on January 13th.

Update 12/30/25

A 19-year-old man from Lancaster has been arrested in connection with the shooting, police said. Jail records show he was arrested Tuesday morning in Lancaster. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

The man killed was identified as Francisco Lemus, 34, of Riverside County.

Original Report 12/29/25

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A man was killed in a shooting Sunday night in Desert Hot Springs, police said.

The shooting was first reported at around 7:30 p.m. in the 66000 block of Avenida Cadena.

Police responded to reports of gunshots heard in the area. Officers arrived on scene and found a man who had been struck by gunfire while inside a vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. His identity was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The investigation was ongoing.   

Anyone with information was asked to contact Det. Celia Romero at 760- 329-6411, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.

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Daniella Lake

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The DMV of California announced several new laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that will go into effect in 2026.

These new laws include a law that will extend the probation period for those convicted of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated from two years to between three and five years. 

“This penalty I think adds some consequences or gets people second guessing or second thinking about driving impaired,” says Officer Jesse Yuhas with Indio police department.

Another new law will require vehicles to move over and slow down for any vehicle that has hazard lights turned on, not just emergency or law enforcement vehicles.

“I think that if it’s about safety, it’s probably good for us to do. I think in a place like the Coachella Valley, it’s probably more doable because there’s a lot more space,” says Gloria Perez, an Indio resident.

Here’s a link to the full list of new laws from the DMV.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Law enforcement agencies in the Coachella Valley are expressing some concern over a federal drone ban.

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ban of Chinese-made DJI and Autel Robotics drones in the United States went into play last Tuesday. While older models already approved for sale and those already in use are excluded from the ban, all new drone models are now blacklisted.

The ban comes after years of scrutiny from the government over security concerns. DJI has pushed back against claims that its drones have sent sensitive flight data back to China in years past.

“We stand ready to work with you, to be open and transparent, and provide you with the necessary information to complete a thorough review,” wrote Adam Welsh, DJI’s Head of Global Policy, in his latest letter to American officials earlier this month.

DJI drones are widely used among local police’s drone programs, including the Palm Springs and Indio Police Departments.

A DJI drone atop an Indio Police Department cruiser

“Our entire drone fleet is comprised of DJI technology,” said Lt. Gustavo Araiza of PSPD.

Lt. Araiza said there are concerns in the mid to long-term as parts and supplies for the drones become more sparse. And as critical firmware and software updates are blocked by the ban, there’s worry that the agency’s drones could face some serious hurdles soon.

A Palm Springs Police Department drone being launched

“When you talk about the serviceability, even though I say mid to long term, I mean that mid to long term might be within a few months,” Lt. Araiza explained.

If the department’s drone fleet is rendered inoperable by the ban, Lt. Araiza said the alternatives would be expensive. Whether it’s moving back towards a reliance on other agencies’ helicopters or moving to U.S.-made drones, high costs could be on the horizon.

A carrying case for a DJI Matrice 4T drone on the hood of a Riverside County Sheriff unit in La Quinta

News Channel 3 is highlighting the problems the ban is creating for local law enforcement tonight. Stay with us for the latest.

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Luis Avila

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A controversial residential development planned next to the Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage has been approved by the city council, despite concerns from residents who fear the project could have lasting impacts to their community.

The development, located in the foothills above Rancho Mirage, will include more than 100 residential units, event space, additional amenities, and an underground parking structure. City leaders approved the project following public discussion that highlighted a divide among residents.

Some community members voiced worries about increased traffic during construction and once the project is completed.

“There will be more traffic that’s for sure, which means we have to be careful driving up and down. There’s so many people who don’t live here who like to walk up and down this road already. I would see that more of an impact.”

Kristi Richardson, Rancho Mirage Resident

While Richardson acknowledges the inconvenience the project may cause, she says development is inevitable in a growing city.

Other residents raised concerns about environmental preservation and the expansion of the project footprint into land previously designated as mountain reserve.

“You don’t destroy that habitat. You have responsible development that maintains the integrity of the environment also the wildlife.”

Michael Harrington, Rancho Mirage Resident

Harrington has started a petition to raise awareness about what he believes could be irreversible damage to wildlife habitats. He says public response to the petition has been largely supportive as awareness grows.

Supporters of the project argue the development will bring economic benefits to the city.

News Channel 3 reached out to the City of Rancho Mirage for comment multiple times, including prior discussions with the city’s Director of Marketing and sharing questions in advance. However, the city ultimately said no one was available to comment.

Despite differing opinions, some residents believe the community will eventually adapt, though they hope city officials remain mindful of their responsibility.

The project will now move forward to the permitting and construction phases

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Police say an elderly woman died in a car crash Sunday afternoon.

Officers responded to the crash at South El Cielo Road and Kirk Douglas Way near the Palm Springs Airport.

The 93-year-old was traveling southbound in a Honda, and attempted to make an eastbound turn going left, when they entered the path of a Mazda driving north. The woman was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries where she later died.

The coroner’s office identified her as Dell Morgan, 92, of Palm Springs.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments on this story.

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Timothy Foster

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Dozens of residents gathered in Cathedral City Sunday afternoon to protest reported immigration enforcement activity in the Coachella Valley, saying the reports have sparked fear and uncertainty within the local Hispanic community.

The protest took place outside the Mary Pickford Theatre after multiple viewers contacted News Channel 3 reporting possible ICE activity near the Target and Cardenas shopping centers in Cathedral City. Federal officials have not confirmed the reports, but demonstrators say the concern has already affected daily life for many families.

Protesters held signs and shared personal stories to highlight the fear they say immigrant families are experiencing. Many attendees said they came out to show solidarity and support for those who may be afraid to speak publicly.

Samantha Rodriguez, the founder and organizer of the protest, said the demonstration was organized in response to recent immigration enforcement activity reported across the valley, particularly during the holiday season. She said families are fearful of leaving their homes or going to work and that the protest was meant to reassure the community they are not alone.

Several protesters told News Channel 3 they are children of immigrants and feel a responsibility to speak up for parents and relatives who fear detention. Volunteers Marlene Aguilar and Roxana Romo said the issue is deeply personal, noting that many families in the Coachella Valley have long-standing ties to the region and depend on daily work to support their households.

Demonstrators also emphasized the valley’s agricultural roots, pointing out that immigrant labor plays a significant role in the local economy. Some protesters said immigration enforcement actions disrupt families and contribute to widespread anxiety throughout the community.

Organizers said they plan to continue holding protests and sharing resources to help families understand their rights and access support during immigration encounters.

Another protest is planned for Monday in Palm Springs, where organizers are encouraging community members to attend and continue showing support for immigrant families.

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