Author: KESQ

Kiera Seapy

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- Security experts say that thieves often take advantage of increased deliveries during major online shopping events, but there are simple steps consumers can take to protect their packages.

A former SWAT commander and security expert says thieves pay attention to delivery surges and look for easy targets.

SOT: GENE PETRINO- former SWAT commander and security expert

“All criminals look for opportunities, and they know that there is a surge in deliveries at this time. So they know that there’s more opportunity for the thefts,” Gene Petrino, former SWAT commander and security expert said

He said they have seen a dramatic increase during the week after prime days, upwards of 40% increase in thefts.

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Isabella Carballoso

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)— Families and seniors gathered in Indio this week to receive groceries at a community food distribution event, as many continue to feel the impact of rising food costs.

Helping lead the effort was Luis Yepiz, a Food Recovery Advisor with The Farmlink Project, whose work is also being highlighted in a documentary premiering at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.

“The Volunteer” follows Yepiz’s journey and explores the importance of giving back to communities facing food insecurity.

Yepiz says hunger affects more people than many realize, with rising grocery prices forcing families to make difficult choices between paying bills and buying food.

The issue is personal for Yepiz, who experienced food insecurity growing up. He says those experiences inspired him to dedicate his life to helping others.

Director Owen Dubeck says a portion of the film’s proceeds will be used to help provide food for families in need, extending the documentary’s impact beyond the screen.

To learn more on “The Volunteer” visit Palm Springs International ShortFest.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today formally adopted a $10.36 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, incorporating some new allocations deemed necessary during hearings on the proposed spending blueprint.

“The revisions represent targeted investments in priorities identified by the board,” county CEO Jeff Van Wagenen said in the final appropriations report received by the board Tuesday. “The 2026-27 budgetcontinues to prioritize preservation of core services, avoidance of widespread layoffs, maintenance of prudent reserves and gradual reduction of the structural deficit through active fiscal management.”

The board signed off on the spending plan in a 5-0 vote without comment. However, prior to the close of the public hearing, Moreno Valley resident and frequent board commentator Roy Bleckert told the supervisors the budget reflected their lack of “will to do what’s right.”

“Costs are rising higher than revenues,” he said. “But the county doesn’t have a revenue problem. It’s spending.”

Bleckert said the board’s priorities were off, such as making larger allocations to Housing First initiatives to expand affordable residential complexes that won’t “make this community safer” because vagrants will still be out on the streets, committing crimes and refusing any type of mental health treatment, he said. He complained that the board should have provided funding to fully open the Benoit Detention Center in Indio, only a quarter of which is operational.

Van Wagenen indicated during the June 8-9 budget hearings that layoffs may be unavoidable in some departments. He emphasized the hiring freeze initiated last year will continue, along with targeted spending cuts and controls, to mitigate deficit spending. According to the CEO, “just-in-time” funding will be available to meet specific needs as the board engages in unending “budget management” throughout the coming fiscal year.

At the end of the hearings earlier this month, the Executive Office returned to the board with $27.4 million in new allocations to at least partially satisfy agencies’ needs.

The augmented outlays include $8.5 million more for the county Sheriff’s Department, $679,000 more for the District Attorney’s Office and $250,000 more for the Department of Animal Services.

The increased allotment to the Sheriff’s Department remains well below what Sheriff Chad Bianco insisted he needed to preclude patrol deputy layoffs. He told the board that without another $250 million, he’ll end up slashing over 600 deputies from payrolls in the next few years.

“This is a massive number that we cannot recover from,” he said.

Bianco said roughly $138 million of the $250 million request that his staff submitted to the Executive Office, and wasn’t accepted, amounts to “stay flat funding” to keep the agency about where it was in staffing during the current fiscal year.

He asserted there would be major impacts to unincorporated communities as patrols are taken away to ensure the 17 municipalities that contract with the county for law enforcement services continue to receive protection.

“These are tough budget times,” Supervisor Jose Medina told Bianco. “The pain needs to be distributed across the county departments. As important as public safety is, it cannot be helped not to feel some of the pain (of spending caps).”

Supervisor Manuel Perez advocated for the quarter-million dollar increase in the Department of Animal Services’ budget, mainly for continuation of pet adoption campaigns intended to attain a near-term goal of turning the county’s shelters into “no kill” facilities.

As it stands now, the county has a projected $46 million structural budget deficit going into 2026-27.

The proposed $10.36 billion appropriations plan represents a roughly 3.5% increase from the 2025-26 budget, which totaled $9.98 billion.

The new blueprint indicated that 30% of allocations will be dedicated to health and hospital services, followed by 23% for public safety units, 19% for human services, 11% for public works, 9% for internal support to departments and 7% for agencies dedicated to various governmental operations, such as the Office of County Counsel.

The county’s composite reserves should top out at $584 million by the start the new fiscal on July 1. However, earlier projections had put the figure at $650 million.

More than two-thirds of the county budget is composed of programmed spending, including federal and state earmarks for specific uses, along with grants and related external source revenue. The board has little control over those dollars.

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Matthew Pearce

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Hiking is a prominent activity in the Coachella Valley, with people walking trails year round. However, during the summer months things can quickly become dangerous if you are not correctly prepared.

The Palm Springs Fire Department rescues people off trails year round, but these numbers spike during hotter times of year.

There are multiple ways to prepare for a hike from hydrating, proper clothing, monitoring symptoms and more. We caught up with Ronnie Skyberg of the Palm Springs Fire Department to hear more about how people should prepare so hikes can be enjoyable, not dangerous. Stay tuned for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Desert coffee shop has gone all-in on the World Cup!

Rutina Coffee, located along San Pablo Avenue in Palm Desert, just north of El Paseo, is Latin-owned. With the World Cup well underway, they’re fully taking advantage of the opportunity to provide a space for coffee lovers and soccer fans to enjoy the fun.

With flags hanging from the ceiling and a projector constantly lighting up the walls, customers have enjoyed every second of play since players took the pitch. The baristas set up a projector to play World Cup matches from open to close, so customers never miss a minute.

One college student, originally from La Quinta, made her first visit to Rutina on Tuesday. “This is actually my first time ever at Rutina Coffee. So when I walked in, it was a pleasant surprise to see the game being played,” said Avery Ballew, a big fan of Portugal’s soccer team.

She’s been following along closely, especially since she played during her time at La Quinta High School. Now in college, she was delighted to see Portugal win its match against Uzbekistan as she worked on assignments for summer courses.

It gets even more engaging, though, when fans show out for their favorite teams. The shop is hosting a watch party for Wednesday night’s match between Mexico and Czechia. Judging by the hundreds of likes on an Instagram post promoting it, it’s set to draw a big crowd. Rutina is even offering a discount for customers who walk in wearing a soccer jersey.

Gisselle Ortiz, the events coordinator at Rutina, was the one who came up with the idea. From a business standpoint, it’s been successful.

Caleb Calderon, the assistant to the manager, chimed in, “That’s drawn in a lot more people. I see a lot of jerseys in the morning and people head to work after that. So it’s nice to have something to excite people and bring them in.”

The staff at Rutina said the traffic they have seen through the first couple of weeks of World Cup play have been comparable to Coachella, where lines would commonly wrap around the building. They’re certainly enjoying the business boom, especially when the summer slowdown is a hurdle for any desert business.

Revenue aside, though, Ortiz said she was happy she was able to combine coffee with community and culture.

“This spot is super welcoming. So, like, all of our cultures, it’s been like that since day one,” Ortiz said. Gesturing to the flags hanging from the ceiling, “Front and center – [it is] just the first thing you see when you walk in. I think it is great, beautiful. It’s very simple but, you know, it represents everyone.”

And while soccer and coffee might be an unorthodox pair to some, Calderon said it represents Rutina’s roots, which are woven into the cafe’s menu.

“Our owners are very proud of their Latino roots. So I think the way we present our drinks and our recipes tie in pretty well,” Calderon explained. “I mean, I’d say soccer is a Latin-dominated sport, so it is a strange combination, but they end up mixing pretty well.”

From the customers who only briefly stop in and notice the World Cup decor to those who stay a while and soak in the atmosphere, the sentiment is clear: Rutina scored a winning goal by playing into the tournament buzz.

“The World Cup is heavily revolving around culture, and it’s the same thing with this coffee shop. So it makes you feel great that they’re able to merge both,” said Ballew with a smile.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)- For many teenagers, a summer job is a first step toward independence — a chance to earn money, gain experience, and build skills for the future.

But as summer gets underway, some teens say finding that first opportunity is becoming more difficult.

Across the country, young workers are facing a more competitive job market, with fewer traditional summer positions available and more applicants competing for entry-level roles.

Luis Cazares a freshman at College of the Desert, says he has applied for dozens of jobs this summer but has struggled to get interviews, especially for entry-level positions.

“I don’t have a summer job, and honestly it’s been kind of a struggle trying to find something, especially entry level,” Cazares said. “It’s like nobody really wants to hire people who don’t have experience.”

Cazares says he has applied to around 20 to 30 positions and is looking for work to help cover school, transportation, and everyday expenses.

The challenge comes as young workers across the country face a more competitive summer job market. Job announcements in industries where teens often find seasonal work, including entertainment and leisure, have declined compared to previous years, according to The Bureau of Labor and Statistics market data.

But some local employers say opportunities are still available.

The Desert Recreation District is hiring teens 16 and older for seasonal positions, including lifeguards and swim instructors. District officials say applicants do not always need extensive work experience to stand out.

They say a positive personality, a willingness to learn, and the ability to connect with the community can help young workers get their first opportunity.

For students like Cazares, the search continues as they look for a chance to gain the experience they need to take the next step in the workforce.

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Jesus Reyes

Rancho Mirage, Calif. – (KESQ) – The Walter Clark Legal Group’s Safe Ride Home Program will return for the Independence Day holiday.

The initiative offers free ride reimbursements to help prevent impaired driving and reduce motor vehicle accidents on one of the most dangerous nights of the year.

The Safe Ride Home Program will be in effect from 10:00 PM on Friday, July 4, 2025, through 3:00 AM on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Residents and visitors are eligible to receive a reimbursement of up to $50 for a ride taken home via Uber, Lyft, or traditional taxi service in the Coachella Valley, El Centro, Victorville, Banning and Beaumont, Yucca Valley, and Morongo Basin.

“Our top priority is to save lives and keep our communities safe during high-risk holidays,” said Walter Clark, founder of the Walter Clark Legal Group. “The Safe Ride Home Program is a small but meaningful way to prevent tragedies caused by impaired driving.”

Participants must register for a free reimbursement coupon before the holiday at walterclark.com/holiday and will be sent instructions on how to submit their request for reimbursement after the holiday.

According to the Walter Clark Legal Group, reimbursement is limited to single one-way rides taken to a residence or hotel during the designated program window within the designated geographical areas. Participants must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. Reimbursements are available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts.

The Safe Ride Home Program reflects Walter Clark Legal Group’s dedication to protecting the public from the dangers of impaired driving. Each year, alcohol-related crashes spike during the Fourth of July holiday, making this initiative a crucial safety measure.

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Tommy Gallegos

INDIO (CNS) – The city of Indio will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for a $45 million police headquarters later this week.

The ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at 46800 Jackson St.

The facility described by city officials as a state-of-the-art public safety campus will serve as a central hub for police department personnel and will feature locker rooms, workstations, offices, a gym, a training area, meeting and interview rooms and public spaces designed to enhance community engagement.

“Indio is a growing community, and we are committed to investing in the infrastructure needed to support that growth,” Mayor Elaine Holmes said in a statement. “This new police headquarters is a critical step in ensuring our city remains safe, resilient and well-prepared to serve our residents for generations to come.”

The project was expected to be competed by spring 2028.

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Tommy Gallegos

The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC has turned green with algae after it underwent a $16 million dollar renovation.

The project aimed to make the pool shine in what was described to be an “American Flag Blue” color. To better understand the problems that have risen with this renovation we spoke to Pete Anderson, the owner and operator of Desert Specialty Pools.

Anderson said that finding an exact cause would require a further in depth look into the water chemistry and the maintenance procedures. “They’re using hydrogen peroxide. It’s basically a BAQUACIL product. And if that’s not followed, to the T, you can have issues where you have green water,” says Pete Anderson.

The paint at the bottom of the pool after algae buildup has started peeling. Pete points towards the preparation of the paint rather than the chemicals, “Chemicals aren’t going to peel paint. If it was painted, and it’s failing, I would think that was more of a prep issue on the install.”

The National Park Service says that crews are continuing their efforts to restore the Reflecting Pool as they are racing to have the project completed ahead of the Fourth of July, a timeline that Pete says might be tough to meet. “It’s probably going to be tough to get cleared up. You know, draining the pool and starting fresh would probably be an easier option for them.”

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Kiera Seapy

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- With the Fourth of July just two weeks away, safety experts are warning that it is one of the most dangerous times of the year for teen drivers.

Susie Adams, Teens Road To Safety, Owner Operator said, “The importance of knowing what you’re doing and driving defensively is really important to us. We’ve seen so much death and destruction on the road. We want that to change with our students.”

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows more than 2,300 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver last year. Now more than half of those teen drivers who died in 2024 were not wearing a seatbelt.

Safety experts say that distractions, impaired driving, and failure to wear a seat belt are some of the biggest factors behind crashes.

Driving instructors also say distraction remains one of the biggest challenges for new teen drivers, especially phones, passengers, and in car music.

Jessica Jones from Miller’s Driving Academy said “a lot is being distracted by their phones, you know, and other things on the roads. So we try to make sure, you know, keep your eyes on the road for safety purposes and don’t get distracted by anything else on the road.”

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