Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – A 32-year-old Beaumont man was killed in a crash on Saturday in Whitewater, the California Highway Patrol announced.

The solo-vehicle crash was reported just before 1:30 p.m. on Tamarack Road, west of Rushmore Avenue.

Police said the preliminary investigation suggests the man was driving at a high rate of speed, westbound on Tamarack Road. When he approached the Rushmore Avenue intersection, the driver failed to stop and proceeded straight through the intersection, where the vehicle overturned several times into the open desert.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

His identity has not been released by the coroner’s office.

The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to call Officer J. Vasquez, at (951) 846-5300.

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City News Service

MOUNTAIN CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – An autopsy was pending today on a 74-year-old motorist fatally injured after he crashed into an embankment along Highway 74 near Mountain Center.

The fatality occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday on the eastbound side of the highway, near the junction for Highway 243, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Ricardo Palomera said the victim, identified only as a Hemet man, was the sole occupant of the 2001 Honda Accord, traveling at an unconfirmed speed when he apparently lost control.

The sedan plowed into rising terrain.

“The driver was not seat-belted at the time,” Palomera said.

Reports from the scene indicated that the man may have been nude in the car.

No other vehicles were involved.

The victim was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he died a short time later.

“It is currently unknown if alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash,” Palomera said.

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to contact the CHP Beaumont office at 951-846-5300.

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Garrett Hottle

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) A cellphone video shows two men neighbors say are federal immigration agents pulling a kneeling young man to the ground and handcuffing him in the front yard of a Thermal mobile home park Friday morning. Neighbors say he is 14.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in an email to News Channel 3 it has no record of its personnel at the park on Oct. 2 and that no one in the video appears to be wearing a sheriff’s uniform. “Without better identification, I’m unable to advise on it any further,” the email said.

News Channel 3 sent the video to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and asked whether its agents were involved, but has not received a response.

The 32-second video was recorded through a sliding glass door from inside a home. It begins with the young man already on his knees on a patch of grass next to a dirt road. A man in an olive-green uniform and brimmed hat grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him over into the dirt, then rolls him onto his stomach and puts his weight on his back. A second man in black runs in. The two hold him face down for about 20 seconds while they cuff his hands behind him, then lift him to his knees.

The video shows no punches, kicks or drawn weapons. It does not show what happened before the young man was on his knees.

Neighbors told News Channel 3 agents had set up a checkpoint nearby and the teen sped toward the park trying to get home. They said his car was rammed and its windows broken before the video starts, and that he has since been released. News Channel 3 could not confirm those accounts with authorities.

A woman whose family lives in the home where the arrest happened asked not to be identified.

“We are left deeply traumatized and afraid I tell you, you aren’t even safe in your own home anymore,” she said. “We’ve been here about 20 years, but something like this had never happened before not once.”

Angel Ceja, who works at the property, said he had planned to be there Friday but went to clean his church instead.

“I feel blessed, thank God, because I didn’t have to work here that day only God knows the reasons why,” Ceja explained. “We were actually planning to come work here that day, but we decided not to because we were going to clean the church I attend. Later, the lady of the house called to explain the situation; I watched the video and realized that, truly, this was the place where it had happened right here where I’m working now.”

ICE’s use-of-force directive, which News Channel 3 reviewed, says officers may use force only when “no reasonably effective, safe, and feasible alternative appears to exist,” and only as much as is “objectively reasonable.” It lists takedowns among “hard techniques,” one level below deadly force, and says every use of force must be reported and reviewed.

The same directive says whether a person is “attempting to evade arrest by flight” and the person’s apparent age are both factors in judging whether force was reasonable.

This story will be updated with additional info as it becomes available.

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Raymond Kalra

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Republican candidates running for several of California’s top statewide offices gathered in Rancho Mirage on Monday, using a candidate forum to make their case to Coachella Valley voters ahead of the November election.

The event brought together candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor, state controller and other statewide offices.

While the forum included sharp criticism of Democratic leadership in Sacramento, much of the discussion centered on what the candidates say they would do differently if elected — including proposals involving affordability, housing, education, state spending and local control.

News Channel 3 spoke one-on-one with several of the candidates to ask what their proposals would mean specifically for people living in the Coachella Valley.

Hilton focuses on affordability, housing and energy costs

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton said affordability remains a central part of his campaign.

Hilton told News Channel 3 that he wants to reduce government fees and regulations tied to new housing construction. He said his plan would cap what he described as roughly $200,000 in government-related costs on a new home at $50,000.

“That immediately takes $150,000 off the cost of a new home,” Hilton said.

Hilton also said he is campaigning on a goal of bringing California gas prices down to $3 per gallon and eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of an individual’s income.

Those are campaign proposals and have not been independently verified by News Channel 3 as guaranteed cost reductions.

Hilton also addressed utility costs, an issue that can be especially significant for Coachella Valley residents during the desert’s hottest months.

He argued that California should make greater use of geothermal energy, hydropower and natural gas generation in addition to solar and wind power. Hilton specifically pointed to geothermal resources in Imperial County as one area he believes could be expanded.

When asked what his governorship would mean specifically for the Coachella Valley, Hilton said he favors giving cities and counties more control over decisions that affect their communities.

“I actually believe in local control,” Hilton said, adding that he would like to give local governments more authority and incentives on issues such as housing development.

Controller candidate Herb Morgan targets state spending

Republican state controller candidate Herb Morgan focused heavily on state finances and transparency.

Morgan told News Channel 3 that he believes California’s affordability problems are tied in part to how state money is managed.

He said his proposal would make state spending more accessible online and argued that stronger financial controls could reduce fraud and waste.

“With my plan for transparency to put all spending online to reduce or eliminate the fraud, I believe we can save about $80 billion a year,” Morgan said.

The $80 billion figure is Morgan’s estimate and was not independently verified by News Channel 3.

Morgan said he believes any savings could then be used to support tax reductions and lower other costs for Californians.

Asked to localize his campaign for Coachella Valley voters, Morgan pointed to infrastructure and education as two areas where he believes better state financial management could make a difference.

“Here in Coachella Valley, you’re like a lot of places. You want good infrastructure. You want education that works,” Morgan said.

Romero makes education a central issue

Republican lieutenant governor candidate Gloria Romero said education is among the biggest issues she is hearing about from voters.

Romero, a professor emeritus in the California State University system, said she wants the state to place greater emphasis on college readiness and objective measures in university admissions.

“If we don’t prepare students for the workforce or for college, we are going to lose our competitiveness internationally,” Romero said.

Romero also said she wants greater transparency in government and changes to how California approaches education policy.

She told News Channel 3 she believes voters should hold her accountable for “bringing back transparency in government” and for pushing to restore standardized measures such as the SAT in the college admissions process.

Hawkes raises concerns about state bond debt

Republican candidate Jennifer Hawkes focused on California’s bond debt.

Hawkes said she wants voters to pay closer attention to long-term borrowing and argued that the state relies too heavily on bonds.

“We have $71 billion worth of bond debt in the state of California, with another 37 sitting out there that’s already been approved,” Hawkes said, adding that she believes future generations will ultimately bear those costs.

Those figures are Hawkes’ characterization of the state’s debt picture and were not independently verified by News Channel 3 for this story.

Voters at the forum say they want change

People attending the event also spoke with News Channel 3 about what brought them to the forum.

John Gardner, who described himself as a Hilton supporter, said he believes California needs a change in direction.

“It’s time for a change in California,” Gardner said. He said he supports Hilton because he views him as someone coming from outside traditional politics.

Gardner also said he wanted to hear directly from candidates running for lower-profile statewide offices, saying he believes voters should pay attention to whether candidates have relevant professional backgrounds.

“We need qualified people in there,” Gardner said.

A policy-focused message, with partisan differences still clear

The forum was clearly partisan, and several candidates sharply criticized Democratic leaders and policies throughout the event.

But much of the discussion also focused on the candidates’ own proposals and what they say they would change if elected.

During the forum, Hilton described the Republican candidates appearing together as a team and argued that they share a broader vision for changing the direction of the state.

As the election approaches, News Channel 3 will continue speaking with candidates from both parties and examining what their proposals would cost, how they would be implemented and what they could mean for communities across the Coachella Valley.

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Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Monday is World Teachers’ Day, highlighting educators and the many roles they play both inside and outside the classroom.

In the Coachella Valley, teachers like Evan Boomer at Katherine Finchy Elementary and Kristen Goerzen at Raymond Cree Middle School are helping students learn through hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities and more.

Boomer has been with Palm Springs Unified School District for 11 years. After teaching fifth grade at Bella Vista Elementary for six years, he became Finchy’s STEAM teacher.

Goerzen has taught with PSUSD for 23 years. She teaches eighth grade language arts and serves as Raymond Cree’s ASB advisor. She is also a PSUSD graduate who attended Raymond Cree as a student.

World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to recognize the work educators do beyond lessons and assignments, including preparing students, adapting to different learning styles and supporting students through extracurricular activities and leadership.

World Teachers’ Day is recognized each year on October 5 to highlight the work educators do and the role they play in supporting students and communities. In Palm Springs Unified, teachers say that work extends well beyond the classroom, from preparing lessons to supporting students’ individual needs.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — California’s senior population is growing quickly, putting more attention on the services older adults may need in the years ahead.

For the first time, Californians age 60 and older now outnumber children under 18. By 2030, about one in four Californians is expected to be 60 or older.

As that population grows, communities are looking at ways to support seniors with health care, transportation, food assistance and opportunities to stay socially connected.

Local senior centers and community programs can also help older adults stay active and independent.

Experts encourage families to start conversations about aging early, including where someone wants to live and what kind of support they may need in the future.

Stay tuned for the full story tonight on News Channel 3.

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Matthew Pearce

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — Summer temperatures are in the past, and cooler fall conditions are here, meaning the outdoor certified farmers market in La Quinta is back open.

Shoppers can find everything from fresh produce and flowers to artisan goods and more. According to the market’s website, all products are grown within 100 miles of the Coachella Valley.

News Channel 3 is speaking with organizers, farmers and shoppers to learn more about why this community gathering is important to them.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – College of the Desert has officially cut the ribbon and unveiled the new athletic stadium on campus. The celebration coincided with the homecoming game for the Roadrunners football team, kicking off a night of excitement.

“It’s just such a great opportunity to showcase who we are as a campus, but also let them know that we are still here for them and we support all of our community,” COD Superintendent and President Val Martinez Garcia said.

The new COD stadium complex project has been a long-awaited project, with the groundbreaking taking place in December 2024.

The $38.5 million dollar project was a part of a phased development plan identified in the 2020 Athletics Facilities Feasibility study.

The first phase involved the demolition of the existing football stadium to make way for a 20,000-square-foot stadium building, featuring team locker rooms, a 3,000-square-foot weight room, sports officials’ facilities, and auxiliary spaces such as equipment storage, laundry, video, and IT rooms.

The project also installed new sports lighting for the football and soccer fields and create newly landscaped and renovated parking areas.

Now that it’s complete, COD officials hope fans, alumni and student-athletes notice the college’s commitment to improving the future.

“This particular space is gonna give opportunities to our students to be able to be able to compete at the highest level possible, because they can train at the highest level possible,” Martinez Garcia said. “But also they’re going to be coached and taught at the highest level possible.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on College of the Desert.

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Matthew Pearce

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Palm Springs police released new details Monday about a vehicle that crashed into two businesses in downtown Palm Springs over the weekend.

The crash happened Saturday afternoon at the La Plaza complex. Police said officers were called at approximately 3:26 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of a vehicle crashing into a building.

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, the male driver was attempting to maneuver out of a parking stall when his foot reportedly slipped onto the accelerator.

Police said the vehicle went over a curb and onto the sidewalk, striking the glass storefronts of two businesses before hitting a structural pillar and coming to a stop.

Gallivant and Bill’s Pizza sustained damage in the crash.

No pedestrians, customers or employees were injured. Police said the driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Officers also evaluated the driver for possible impairment. PSPD said alcohol and drugs were determined not to be factors in the crash.

News Channel 3 is continuing to follow the impact of the crash on the affected businesses.

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Raymond Kalra

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – National Night Out brings families, first responders together in Palm Desert

Families from across the Coachella Valley gathered at Palm Desert Civic Center Park Saturday evening for National Night Out, an event aimed at strengthening relationships between residents and the first responders who serve their communities.

The event brought together the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department and other local agencies, along with families, vendors and community organizations.

Organizers said the goal was to give residents a chance to meet first responders in a relaxed setting — rather than for the first time during an emergency.

Daniel Hurtado, a senior management analyst involved with the event, said National Night Out is supported by Palm Desert, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage, which contract with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and CAL FIRE for law enforcement and fire protection services.

“The biggest takeaway is to really get out here and communicate with our first responders to see, hey, they’re human as well. They’re just like us,” Hurtado said, adding that the event is meant to “humanize the badge.”

Families had the opportunity to meet deputies and firefighters, see emergency equipment up close and take part in games and other activities.

For some parents, the event was also an opportunity to introduce their children to first responders in a positive environment.

Ashley Acosta said she enjoys bringing her children to community events and making memories with them. With law enforcement in her own family, she said she believes it is important for her children to be exposed to the work first responders do.

Acosta said events like National Night Out also help her family feel more connected to the community.

“We’ve always had good experiences and everyone is always so kind,” she said.

Other attendees said meeting first responders outside of a stressful situation can help residents see the people behind the uniforms.

One attendee, Alexa Velasquez, said it is important to see first responders “as real people as well.”

For attendee Ava Masterson, the importance of teaching children how to interact with first responders is personal.

Masterson recalled experiencing a fire in her home when she was young and said she did not know how to call 911 at the time.

“When I was young, we actually had a situation where it was me and my brother, and there was a fire in the house. I didn’t know how to call 911,” Masterson said. She said that experience showed her the importance of teaching children at a young age how to seek help during an emergency.

CAL FIRE officials said that type of education is one of the reasons the department participates in National Night Out.

Chief Greg Roberts with CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire said the department brought personnel, fire equipment and its law enforcement bureau to the event so residents could meet firefighters before an emergency happens.

“They have a chance to meet their local fire department before there’s an emergency in a positive manner and get to know us,” Roberts said.

The department also offered information on home fire safety, including creating an emergency exit plan, maintaining smoke detectors and properly storing flammable materials. Roberts said families should have an evacuation plan in place before a fire occurs so they are not trying to figure out how to get out of their home during an emergency.

He also encouraged residents to regularly check smoke detectors and replace batteries, while keeping general fire safety in mind around the home.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said the event also gives deputies an opportunity to show residents a different side of law enforcement.

Captain Jason Sexton with the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station said deputies want residents to understand that they are members of the community as well.

“We want them to recognize that we’re people just like they are, that we care about them,” Sexton said. “This shows the other side of law enforcement.”

Sexton said National Night Out allows deputies to engage with families in a setting without the stress that can accompany calls for service.

He said the department hopes those interactions help build trust and remind residents that deputies are there to protect and help the community.

“We want them to have trust in us, to know that we’re going to do the right thing for them,” Sexton said.

For first responders and families alike, the evening centered on creating connections before an emergency ever happens — with organizers hoping those relationships continue well beyond National Night Out.

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