Author: KESQ

Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco endorsed Republican Michael Gates for California attorney general Tuesday during a campaign event in Riverside.

It was Bianco’s first public appearance since his campaign for governor ended after the June primary.

Bianco said Gates would bring a stronger focus on public safety and accountability to the California Department of Justice.

“Nothing will change in California until we elect Michael Gates to that office,” Bianco said. “Our next attorney general absolutely must be Michael Gates.”

Gates returned the endorsement, announcing his support for Bianco’s reelection as Riverside County sheriff in 2028.

“Your leadership and your unwavering commitment to protecting the people of California, your record of success in advancing public safety and your years of strong leadership are why I have endorsed you,” Gates said.

Bianco was first elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. His current term runs through 2028.

Gates served as Huntington Beach’s elected city attorney from 2014 to 2025. He later joined the U.S. Department of Justice as a deputy assistant attorney general in its Civil Rights Division.

During the event, Gates said he would focus on crime, government accountability and transparency if elected.

“I’m going to put the law above politics,” Gates said. “It’s about enforcing the law. It’s about putting people over politics.”

Gates is running against Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta in the November general election.

The two candidates also addressed the ongoing legal dispute over Bianco’s investigation into Riverside County election materials related to the 2025 Prop 50 Special Election. The case is currently at the center of supreme court fight between the current state Attorney General Bonta and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Gates said he supports allowing the investigation to continue.

“When I’m attorney general, I am going to make sure that Sheriff Chad Bianco can investigate and finish his investigation,” Gates said.

Bonta has challenged the investigation in court, arguing Bianco has not established evidence of an underlying crime sufficient to justify the review of election materials.

The case remains pending.

The general election for California Attorney General is Nov. 3rd.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — As storm season approaches, the Palm Springs Fire Department is encouraging residents to take steps to protect their homes from potential flooding by offering free sandbags at all five city fire stations.

Palm Springs residents can grab up to 10 empty sandbags per household at any of the city’s fire stations. A self-service sand filling station is also available at Palm Springs City Hall, making it easy for residents to prepare before heavy rain arrives.

City officials recommend gathering sandbags before storms are forecast, as demand can increase during severe weather events.

Residents can pick up empty sandbags at the following Palm Springs Fire Department stations:

Fire Station 1: 277 N. Indian Canyon Drive

Fire Station 2: 300 N. El Cielo Road

Fire Station 3: 590 E. Racquet Club Road

Fire Station 4: 1300 La Verne Way

Fire Station 5: 5800 E. Bolero Road

The Fire Department reminds homeowners that sandbags work best when used to redirect flowing water away from homes, garages, and other structures. While they can help reduce localized flooding, sandbags are not designed to create a completely waterproof barrier.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- The Palm Springs Animal Shelter has temporarily stopped accepting cats and kittens after an illness outbreak at the facility. The pause will remain in effect through July 27 while staff treat sick kittens and thoroughly clean and sanitize the shelter.

Officials say the closure is a precaution to help contain the illness and protect other animals. During this time, no new cats or kittens will be accepted, allowing staff to focus on the animals already in their care. The shelter plans to resume normal intake once veterinarians determine it is safe to reopen.

Dan Rossi, the Executive Director of Palm Springs Animal Shelter says, “currently we have a situation going on where, it’s mouth ulcers on tongues and mouths of, cats and kittens. It seems to be very, Transmittable between the animals.”

Rossi says summer is a very busy time for cat intakes and that leads to more animals arriving at the shelter vulnerable.

“So we have medications, and if cats or kittens are having difficulties eating, we may, syringe feed. We’re doing deep cleaning as well of all of our kennel areas to really stop the spread of this as well” Rossi said.

The shelter says staff are treating affected animals and deep cleaning cat areas, with the hope to reopen cat and kitten intake on July 27th.

Tanya Petrovna, the owner of Chef Tanyas Kitchen and owner of Chef Tanyas Kittens said “for keeping things clean, good old fashioned soap and water. You should always keep your pets with fresh water, especially now in summer to change those water bowls twice a day.”

Petrovna also recommends separating new pets before introducing them to other animals, “You should always have a 14 day period keeping that new cat in a bathroom or an isolated area.”

The shelter is asking people to hold on to stray cats until intake reopens.

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Tommy Gallegos

Motorists traveling on Sunrise Way in Palm Springs should prepare for lane reductions beginning July 20 as construction gets underway for the Palm Springs Public Library Renovation Project.

Swinerton Construction will begin roadway improvements on Sunrise Way between Baristo Road and Camino Parocela to accommodate an expanded south parking lot, a new right-turn-only driveway entrance, and a landscaped median. During construction, Sunrise Way will be reduced to a single lane in the work area, with intermittent lane closures expected throughout the project.

Construction is scheduled to continue through November 13, 2026, with work taking place weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time, slow down in construction zones, follow posted signage, and consider alternate routes when possible.

During the renovation, the Palm Springs Public Library is operating from its temporary location at Rimrock Plaza Shopping Center, 4721 E. Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Gene Autry Trail and E. Palm Canyon Drive.

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Gavin Nguyen

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A new sales tax is on the agenda in Rancho Mirage.

The City Council will consider a one-cent (1¢) transaction and use tax at its next meeting on Thursday, July 16th. If the tax measure is approved, it would be added to the ballot for the November 3rd general election later this year to be considered by voters.

The city’s current tax rate is 7.750%, tied for the lowest in the Coachella Valley with Indian Wells. Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta, Indio, and Palm Desert sit at 8.750%. Palm Springs and Cathedral City have the highest rate of the valley’s nine cities with a 9.250% sales tax, according to data from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).

Tonight, we’re hearing from residents about what they think about this proposed tax increase. We’re also pressing the city for answers on why this sales tax is important for the city’s future and how they think this will impact its residents’ bottom line. Stay with us for our full report.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM DESERT, CALIF. (KESQ)- After recent humidity and monsoon moisture, many Coachella Valley residents say they’re hearing more cicadas than usual.

The Coachella Valley is experiencing higher humidity as monsoonal moisture moves into the desert. While many people associate cicadas with extreme heat, experts say humidity also plays a role in their emergence and activity. College of the Desert has previously explained that the desert’s annual cicadas typically emerge in July and August when humidity increases.

Venessa Frutos, a resident, “I thought they were like from the electricity poles, sometimes you can hear a buzzing from the lights. I thought it was that not really bugs.”

Alanne, a resident, is so used to the sound they have blocked it out “I actually haven’t noticed them this summer at all. I think I have some kind of a, an ear intolerance for them.”

Jose Aguilar, a technician for Renegade Pest Control said “Here in the valley, we get the annual cicadas. And those ones youre going to see them every year. But we have the periodical cicadas that they go every 13 years or 17 years as when they come out… But we don’t get them here.”

Aguilar also said “We get more cicadas when he gets humid because the soil gets soft. So they emerge from the underground. The humidity is what brings them from underground. But the heat is the one that he makes them make that noise because they’re cold blooded.”

The buzzing noise that the cicadas make has a purpose, and it only comes from males. The males do that noise so they can attract the females and the louder they get, the more chances they have to find the female.

Cicadas will not bite, sting and are not venomous. They also will not hurt like crops, trees, and any type of vegetation.”

Stay tuned for my full story at 5 to see if there actually more this year, or are weather conditions simply making them more active?

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — As concerns about cyclosporiasis continue to make headlines, Temalpakh Farms in Coachella is sharing how consumers can safely prepare fresh produce at home.

Health officials say washing fresh produce before eating or cooking it is an important step in reducing the risk of foodborne illness, including cyclosporiasis.

News Channel 3 will have more from Temalpakh Farms throughout the morning, including common mistakes people make when washing produce and simple food-safety tips families can use at home.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A person was briefly trapped under a vehicle after being struck Monday evening in Indio.

The crash was reported just after 8:30 p.m. on Chandis Way and Golf Center Parkway.

Police said the crash involved a Honda CRV and a person on an electric scooter. Firefighters used specialized lifting airbags to raise the vehicle and free the injured patient. The patient was then airlifted to a local trauma center.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

Northbound Golf Center Parkway to Avenue 44 remained closed until approximately9:50 pm., while officers documented the scene and collected evidence.

The Indio Police Department is handling the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has a dashcam camera or surveillance video related to the incident is encouraged to contact Indio Police Department Traffic Division at (760)-391-4057 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (760) 341-STOP.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a string of burglaries in Twentynine Palms, including one where he entered a room where two children were sleeping.

The suspect, identified as Anthony Isaiah Irvin of Twentynine Palms, was arrested on Thursday. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and attempted burglary.

The first burglary was reported on July 1 on the 7000 block of El Sol Avenue. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a report of a man who reached through an exterior glass window and attempted to take a wallet located on an interior table. During the investigation, a deputy found an open sliding glass window and a damaged screen consistent with the reported attempted burglary.

Deputies later responded to the 6000 block of Estrella Avenue regarding a male who removed a Ring camera from the exterior wall of a residence and fled the area. During the investigation, deputies reviewed surveillance footage from the Ring camera, which showed a man walking back and forth near the residence, concealing himself underneath a window, and removing the Ring camera from the wall before fleeing the area with the device.

While deputies were conducting an area check in an attempt to locate the suspect, deputies were notified of an additional burglary in the 6000 block of Aline Avenue.

During the investigation, deputies learned a man wearing a cover over his head and pajama pants entered the residence through a rear sliding glass door. The suspect removed a blanket from the victim, opened a bedroom door leading into a room occupied by two children.

The suspect immediately fled the residence after being startled by the family’s barking dog.

Irvin was later identified as the suspect. He was contacted near the area of the reported burglaries on the same day. Evidence obtained during the investigation further linked Irvin to the residential burglaries.

Investigators authored an arrest and search warrant for Anthony Isaiah Irvin and his residence, which was approved by a magistrate within the Joshua Tree Superior Court.

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, at approximately 11:34 p.m., detectives and deputies served the search warrant. During the warrant service, investigators located and arrested Irvin. While conducting their search, investigators located evidence directly related to the residential burglaries.

Irvin was subsequently booked at the Morongo Basin Jail and is currently being held on $500,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — More than four decades after a woman’s remains were discovered in a shallow grave in the mountains of Riverside County, investigators have finally restored her identity.

The Riverside County Coroner and the Riverside Cold Case Homicide Team (RCCHT) announced that a female homicide victim, known only as “Jane Doe” for 45 years, has been positively identified as Thelma Gaston, bringing long-awaited closure to a case that dates back to 1981.

On November 28, 1981, passersby searching for firewood near Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Pinyon Crest community discovered a shallow grave containing the severely decomposed remains of a woman. Due to the condition of the remains, investigators were unable to determine her identity despite extensive investigative efforts.

For more than 40 years, the victim remained unidentified.

A breakthrough came after the Riverside County Coroner received funding in 2022 through the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains Grant, allowing investigators to revisit cold cases using modern forensic techniques. Combined with significant advances in DNA technology, the funding created new opportunities to identify previously unknown victims.

In May 2026, investigators used investigative genetic genealogy, along with dental records, to positively identify the victim as Thelma Gaston.

Authorities determined that Gaston was the victim of a 1981 homicide originally investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department. According to investigators, the suspect, Lawrence Remsen, falsely portrayed Gaston as a missing person after killing her.

A Newport Beach man originally pleaded innocent to charges he murdered Gaston, at the time his 80-year-old companion, to gain control of the woman’s multimillion-dollar estate.

Remsen eventually entered pleas to charges of murder, forgery, grand theft, and attempted grand theft in the disappearance of Gaston.

Remsen, described by police as the widow’s ‘sometime companion,’ was arrested in Eagle Rock, Texas, after Gaston’s business associates received allegedly forged letters naming Remsen as the man to whom her $20 million estate was to be entrusted.

Although Gaston’s body had never been located at the time, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted Remsen in a rare “no-body” homicide case. Remsen was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

“The identification of Ms. Gaston represents the dedication and perseverance of everyone involved in this investigation,” the Riverside County Coroner said in a statement. “Together, these efforts have ensured that Ms. Gaston has her name—and her story—returned to her.”

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