Author: KESQ

Shay Lawson

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ)  – La Quinta residents are receiving flyers in the mail from the city outlining how to report short-term vacation rental (STVR) violations and verify whether a property is properly permitted.

The informational card reminds residents that renting or advertising a STVR without a a valid permit is not allowed.

It also directs residents to the city’s STVR public portal map, where users can search a property address to confirm its permit status.

Olivia Rodriguez, Deputy City City, said it’s user-friendly.

“The public portal is an interactive map, so the interface itself can be zoomed into drag and you can kind of move along the boundaries of the city,” Rodriguez said.

The flyer also provides contact information for reporting disturbances or suspected violations, including a 24/7 STVR hotline and non-emergency police dispatch.

Complaints can be submitted anonymously, according to the flyer.

The outreach comes as festival season approaches in the Coachella Valley, a time when demand for vacation rentals typically increases and neighborhoods often see an influx of visitors.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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Timothy Foster

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – The countdown is on at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden as crews put the finishing touches on the 2026 BNP Paribas Open.

Qualifying rounds begin March 1, with main draw competition starting March 4. Tournament officials say excitement is already building as players arrive and fans prepare to return to what’s known as “Tennis Paradise.”

Philippe Dore, Chief Marketing Officer of the BNP Paribas Open, said organizers are putting the final touches on the site and are eager to welcome fans. He noted that players are already arriving and practicing, and that the tournament atmosphere is beginning to take shape ahead of Family Day events this weekend.

The tournament is coming off a record-breaking 2025, which drew more than 500,000 attendees. Organizers expect similar — if not higher — numbers this year as the event continues to grow in popularity.

This year’s tournament will feature more than 40 food and beverage vendors across the grounds. Returning favorites like Nobu and Porta Via are back, along with new additions and an updated Circle of Palms area. Fans can also enjoy live music, entertainment stages, and special events throughout the two-week competition.

New this year, attendees can use the BNP Paribas Open mobile app for schedules, scores, and dining information. Complimentary earpiece radios will also be available, allowing fans to listen to live match commentary while walking around the grounds.

On the court, the 2026 field is stacked with star power. Australian Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina headline the tournament, joined by Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Venus Williams.

Dore said the tournament experience extends beyond tennis, offering fans the opportunity to get close to players on 20 practice courts while also enjoying food, music, and entertainment throughout the venue. He added that the event is designed to be a full-day experience for visitors.

For first-time attendees, organizers recommend arriving early and planning ahead, noting that there is more to see and do than can typically be experienced in a single day.

The BNP Paribas Open is also expected to deliver a major economic boost to the Coachella Valley, with projections nearing $1 billion in total impact as hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to the region.

The men’s and women’s singles finals are set for March 15 in Indian Wells.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 3/2/26

A La Quinta man was arrested on suspicion of the deadly shooting.

Alex Anthony Uribe, 46, was arrested Friday and booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of murder, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, March 3.

Original Report – 2/25/26

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office renewed calls for information related to a 2002 homicide case out of La Quinta.

Hernan Marquez, 27, of Indio, was killed in a shooting in the early morning hours of August 11, 2002. Investigators determined that Marquez was attending a house party on the 52000 block of Avenida Mendoza, where an altercation occurred, according to the agency.

Marquez was shot as he was leaving the location. He then drove away at a high rate of speed, eventually losing control of his vehicle and crashing into several parked vehicles near Avenida Mendoza and Calle Durango.

Despite an extensive investigation, the case went cold. Almost 25 years later, the Central Homicide Unit recently reexamined the case, as part of the agency’s efforts to review unsolved homicide cases, RSO announced on Wednesday.

Through the review, investigators identified several potential leads and follow-up tasks, aided by advancements in forensic testing. Based on this information, the case was officially reopened.

In an effort to provide justice for Marquez and closure for his family, the Central Homicide Unit is requesting the public’s assistance. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to come forward.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Robertson or Deputy Lucifora at (951) 955-2777. Individuals can also submit information through the Sheriff’s Office Online Tip Line.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Peter Daut

PUERTO VALLARTA, México. (KESQ) – A birthday trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, took an unexpected turn for a Palm Desert man, who was supposed to return back to the U.S on Monday, but his flight was canceled after violence erupted there this week.

That unrest was in response to a Mexican military operation that killed a powerful cartel leader.

Right now, Tally Stevens is one of many Americans who remain stuck in the country.

Check Out: Reaction from locals, tourists still in Puerto Vallarta amid cartel violence over the weekend

A number of airlines have canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta, but those flights are expected to resume in the next few days.

Stevens hopes to finally get a flight out on Saturday.

“I think there’s a lot of people that just want to get home at this point, but everyone’s been courteous, everyone’s been trying to make us comfortable is the best way to put it,” Stevens told News Channel 3’s Peter Daut.

Right now, it appears the situation in Mexico has calmed down, and most airports in the country are now operating normally.

Watch the full interview tonight at 4:00 p.m. on News Channel 3.

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Athena Jreij

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – You may have noticed higher prices at the pump.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), within the past month, gas prices have increased by almost 40 cents in California.

Officials say the state’s refinery capacity, environmental regulations, taxes and fees are contributing to the rise.

This comes as state lawmakers introduced a bill on Tuesday to temporarily suspend the state’s gas tax.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Daniella Lake

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Amazon is opening a new 635,000 square foot facility in Desert Hot Springs. Officials say the facility will create more than 2,000 local jobs.

“We have over 10,000 people leave our community every day to work somewhere in retail, medical, hospitality. And so having these jobs local for a working community is huge. They don’t have to travel as far,” says Mayor Scott Matas.

The facility is called an inbound cross dock, meaning employees sort and organize inventory before sending it off to fulfillment centers, which then ship packages to customers.

“From here it will go to 40 of the fulfillment centers for Amazon,” says Bharat Thakre, the site leader for the facility.

Thakre says around 70 trucks will arrive at the facility each day and that Amazon has worked closely with the city to mitigate potential traffic issues.

“The idea is to be a step ahead of it and preempt any of the conditions and concerns that might show up eventually,” says Thakre.

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Garrett Hottle

EDITORS NOTE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Abraham Feinbloom pleaded guilty to a identity theft related felony in a 2014 Imperial County case. Court records reflect he pleaded to a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code 530.5 on Nov. 18, 2024. Ms. Melanie Roe was not Feinbloom’s counsel at the the time of that plea. 

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KESQ) — A Salton City man charged in the death of 17-year-old T’Neya Tovar returned to court for a brief hearing at the Imperial County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Abraham H. Feinbloom, 51, is charged with one count of murder under California Penal Code 187(a), along with a firearm enhancement. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bail.

Wednesday’s appearance was a preliminary hearing setting, which is different from the preliminary hearing itself. The hearing took about five minutes, with Defense attorney Melanie Roe confirmed as Feinbloom’s attorney.

At a preliminary hearing setting, the court typically confirms defense counsel, addresses scheduling and sets a future date for the evidentiary preliminary hearing – where prosecutors must show probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.

Roe told News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle that once her office receives discovery from the District Attorney’s Office, she will review investigation reports and warrants before making tactical decisions.

“It goes without saying that I will challenge any and all evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution,” Roe wrote.

When asked about the firearm enhancement attached to the murder charge, Roe said any challenges would depend on whether she believes the evidence was constitutionally obtained.

Roe also addressed Feinbloom’s prior cases in Imperial County.

In 2018, Feinbloom was charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment. Court records show the case was dismissed in January 2019. Roe stated the dismissal occurred before the preliminary hearing commenced and said the decision to dismiss was made by the District Attorney’s Office.

On Feb. 11, News Channel 3 first reported that T’Neya Tovar’s remains had been identified after speaking with her mother, Charro Tovar.

New timeline, digital evidence raise questions after arrest in T’Neya Tovar investigation

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office formally confirmed the identification the following day, Feb. 12, stating that DNA testing matched remains recovered Dec. 21, 2025, less than a mile from the Harlequin Court home to the missing teen.

On Feb. 13, 2026, investigators with the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the FBI, served a search warrant at a residence in the 2800 block of Harlequin Court in Salton City. Authorities arrested Abraham Feinbloom that morning.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and that it will not release additional information related to the case at this time.

The FBI is also investigating and is seeking information from the public. They are offering a $10,000 reward for “information leading to a resolution of the case.” Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this case.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Free dog adoptions at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival will conclude this weekend, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services announced today.

Adoption specialists will be on-site Thursday through Sunday at the county fairgrounds, 46350 Arabia St., to help prospective adopters choose from dogs of various breeds and sizes.

“Our commitment to saving lives means making the community part of the solution,” county Supervisor Manuel Perez said in a statement. “The fair has always been about bringing families together, and this is another meaningful way to do just that.”

Adoption hours are scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.   

Officials said adopters must be at least 18 years old. Each adoption includes spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, a microchip and an engraved ID tag.

A total of 43 dogs have been adopted at the fair so far, according to the agency.  

“We’re excited to help families find their new family member and seeing new connections between people and pets is especially magical at the fair,” Jaclyn Schart, the agency’s deputy director of programs and operations, said in a statement.

More information is available at rcdas.org.

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