Jesus Reyes
MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A paraglider was rushed to the hospital after crashing into power lines Monday afternoon in Mecca.
The crash was reported just before 5:10 p.m. on Johnson Street and Highway 111.
CAL FIRE said the person suffered major injuries and was airlifted to the hospital.
Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.
City News Service
THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Caltrans officials are expected tomorrow to officially designate Varner Road in Thousand Palms a “State Priority Safety Corridor,” targeting the street under a data-driven effort to reduce crashes and fatalities.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy, California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee and Office of Traffic Safety Director Stephanie Dougherty are among those set to take part in the announcement, which will be made at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sunline Transit Agency, 72420 Varner Road.
Varner Road will be designated as a priority corridor aimed to test, learn and make visible progress toward road safety in California, officials said.
According to state officials, there were 3,612 fatalities and 14,392 serious injuries in California on the state highway system and local road networks.
Jesus Reyes
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department released data on crime trends from 2024 to 2025, showing a reduction in most major crime categories.
According to the department, crimes against persons dropped by nearly nine percent, crimes against property fell by almost twelve percent, and overall crime decreased by eleven percent.
Arrests rose as well, driven mainly by proactive work in drug, DUI, and quality-of-life enforcement.
“These improvements don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of a community that stays alert, engaged, and willing to work with its police department. Your tips, your willingness to report concerns, and your partnership with your officers all play a major role in these results,” PSPD wrote on social media. “We also want to recognize the work of our team. By identifying crime trends early and setting focused goals, they were able to address issues proactively and prevent problems from growing. Their day-to-day efforts contributed to these reductions.”
Last month, city officials also touted new technology, including Flock cameras and drones, as another reason for the success in crime-solving rates.
PSPD did report an 8% increase in sex offense crimes from 2024 to 2025. Additionally, the department is handing out more hazardous traffic violations, at an increase of 400 to 1,500.
The department was down 12 officers at one point last year, but they’ve been able to fill most of those positions, News Channel 3’s Kendall Flynn reported last month. Officials said the process for those new hires to reach the station after the police academy in field training is about one year, so they hope those spots will be filled shortly so they can shift to a proactive response.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.
Shay Lawson
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – One year after 26-year-old Lorenzo Segoviano was fatally shot outside a Food 4 Less in Indio, his family said they are still waiting for justice as the man accused in the killing remains out on supervised bail.
“My son Lorenzo was a very happy person,” mother Veronica Segoviano said. “He was always happy, never angry, just happy living his life.”
Lorenzo Segoviano
She described him as a hard worker who loved his family, animals, helping people experiencing homelessness and a kind person.
News Channel 3 was first on scene when the deadly shooting happened in February 2025.
Gideon Gonzalez Jr. of Indio is accused of killing Segoviano. He faces charges including: murder, 2 counts of assault with a gun, and 2 counts of child cruelty, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
Segoviano’s family said their grief has turned into anger as the case drags on.
“It’s taking too long,” Veronica said. “They have everything they need. It’s not fair for the other guy to be at home. They caught him with evidence… I want justice for my son.”
A Riverside County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson said Gonzalez Jr.’s bail was originally set at $1 million. Prosecutors opposed the defense’s request to lower bail, but the court later ordered Supervised Conditional Bail set at $250,000 with specific conditions.
When she learned bail had been reduced, Lorenzo’s mother said she was angry.
“I’m not satisfied with the justice system at all,” Veronica said.
The family also points to court delays.
The DA’s Office confirmed the defendant’s preliminary hearing was continued from Dec. 19 to Feb. 20, 2026, at the defense’s request, with the court finding good cause.
“We don’t like it,” Veronica said. “We want it to hurry up.”
Ricardo Jimenez III, Lorenzo’s uncle, said the family feels the system has failed them.
“When you lose a child, it’s traumatic,” Jimenez said. “We’re still hurting. We’re grieving.”
Family members gathered Sunday for a remembrance honoring Lorenzo, drawing dozens of friends and relatives.
“The parking lot was filled,” Jimenez said. “That’s how much he was loved.”
Despite their anger and frustration, the family said they will continue pushing for accountability.
Jesus Reyes
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Reaction continues after a fundraising event in Palm Desert. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was the guest speaker of the event and News Channel 3 didn’t shy away from hard questions.
It was all part of the Starry Starry Night Gala for breast cancer awareness Sunday at the Chapperel Country Club.
Kennedy attended with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.
He told News Channel 3 the United States continues to lead in the fight against cancer. He said it’s important that research institutions have the needed funding to continue reducing cancer deaths.
We asked Kennedy about his controversial positions.
“What do you say to the critics when you’re here at an event like this, obviously in support of cancer research and, and the betterment of cancer patients?” News Channel 3 asked Kennedy.
Kennedy answered, “Like critics. I mean, I don’t know what, I, you know, we’re on the research agenda at NIH is stronger than it’s ever been. We’ve never cut any research jobs. We did a lot of administrative cuts to make the agency more efficient and more effective and allow us to spend less money on the bureaucracy and more on research.“
Kennedy’s visit didn’t come without protest. Dozens of people were out holding up signs along Portola Avenue with signs in support of science and vaccines.
More than $100,000 was raised at the event. It all went to the Moore Cancer Center at UC San Diego.
Luis Avila
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire at Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs has prompted nearby residents to call for stronger fire prevention efforts, saying the damage could have been avoided.
The blaze broke out Sunday, scorching 3.5 acres and destroying nearly 100 trees, according to officials. Residents say the most alarming part is how close the flames came to nearby homes.
One resident criticized Oswit Land Trust, which owns the preserve, saying more should be done to protect surrounding neighborhoods. While supportive of the preserve, the resident said maintaining natural land comes with responsibility, including fire guards, irrigation, defensible space around the property, and access to fire hydrants.
Oswit Land Trust says the fire is being investigated as a potential case of arson and is asking the community to help with habitat restoration. The organization also says it has measures in place to mitigate risks.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
City News Service
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Sunnylands Center and Gardens will host “Family Day,” a free, family-friendly day of nature-related activities later this month in Rancho Mirage.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. Feb. 15 at 37977 Bob Hope Drive.
An assortment of activities will be during the day, including: — one-hour guided bird walks with expert birder Kurt Leuschner; — a collaborative cardboard Aleppo pine tree sculpture with the S.C.R.A.P Gallery; — creating Epsom salt bath mixtures with essential oils inspired by Sunnylands trees; — using origami-like techniques to transform a palm tree frond into a roadrunner; — learning to count rings on a real tree slice to solve mysteries; — creating canopy-themed lino prints on canvas totes; — wood art display by Desert Dude Woodworks, and — color in prints on wood rounds cut from eucalyptusm mesquite and olive tree found on the estate.
“We will be planting seeds of knowledge through fun, community-led activities,” Rhoda Coscetti, Sunnylands community programs specialist, said in a statement.
In addition, guests will be able to view the exhibit, “Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands,” which showcases photographer David Loftus’ work focused on the thousands of trees that shape the Annenberg estate. The exhibit will be on display through June 6, 2027.
Admission and parking are free.
More information can be found at education@sunnylands.org, or call 760-202-2255.
Jesus Reyes
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Cal State San Bernardino has extended the application deadline for undergraduate admission for the Fall 2026 term to Tuesday, March 31, for both the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses, officials announced on Monday.
The extension applies to first-time freshmen, lower-division transfer students and upper-division transfer students across most academic programs.
Students are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to secure their place for fall.
The priority deadline for pre-nursing majors has passed. All other majors remain open through March 31. Applications are submitted through the Cal State Apply website.
CSUSB offers a wide range of academic pathways with more than 70 baccalaureate and master’s degree programs, as well as credential, certificate and doctoral programs, across five colleges and the Palm Desert Campus. Programs span disciplines in the arts and humanities, business, education, science, social sciences and professional studies, providing students with flexible options aligned with their academic and career goals.
Daniella Lake
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Democrats of Sun City Shadow Hills, a political organization based in Indio, have several members from Minnesota who are speaking out against the Trump administration and recent ICE operations nationwide. This weekend, the group held their first “signs of fascism,” protest, which they say they plan to hold weekly until they see a change.
Dan Larkin recently moved to the Coachella Valley from Minnesota. He says friends and family back home are in a constant state of hyper vigilance.
“They’re all worried about when is the next murder going to take place? Who is it going to be? When are they going to kidnap a child from my school or from my neighborhood?,” he says.
Dan Larkin and his wife Mary Larkin say the with shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, along with ICE activity throughout the city, Minnesotans feel “terrorized.”
“It’s perpetually feeling as if you could be assaulted at any time,” says Mary Larkin.
The Larkins are encouraging others to support Minnesotans from wherever you are.
“Right now it’s a Minnesota problem. But tomorrow it’s coming to another city and it may be ours,” says Dan Larkin.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has put together a list of ways to support the Minnesota community.
Timothy Foster
PALM DESERT, Calif. — The red carpet was rolled out Saturday night for a celebration centered on inclusion, joy, and community.
The GALA Special Stars Come Out Tonight welcomed adults with intellectual, developmental, and neurodiverse disabilities to Palm Valley Country Club for an evening designed to make every guest feel celebrated and valued.
Participants arrived in limousines and specialty vehicles before walking the red carpet in formal attire. Guests posed for professional photographs and spent the evening enjoying dinner, dancing, and live music.
Earlier in the day, professional hair and makeup services were provided by local salons, helping participants prepare for the special night. Organizers emphasized the event was not a fundraiser, but a dignified and meaningful experience created exclusively for individuals with special needs and their families.
More than 300 guests attended the gala, which was hosted by Lisa Valerio of the Fenixia Foundation and Renée Griffin of Building Bridges for Special Needs. Organizers say the goal is to continue bringing the community together and creating memorable opportunities that promote inclusion and connection for people with disabilities.
