Author: KESQ

City News Service

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A fundraiser benefiting hospitality management student at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus will he held later this month at Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage.   

“An Evening in Monte Carlo” masquerade ball will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive.   

The event will feature what is described as an elegant dinner, live entertainment and dancing.

All proceeds will go toward scholarships and educational opportunities.   

“An Evening in Monte Carlo is more than a celebration. It’s an investment in our students,” Joe Tormey, director of hospitality management program at the Palm Desert campus, said in a statement.

Anyone interested in purchasing tickets can go to www.csusb.edu/marketing/hospitality-management-program.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley is expecting rain to end the week, and with storms comes the potential for flooding in the desert.

Palm Springs is the only city in the Coachella Valley that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program/ Community Rating System (NFIP/CRS) which is a program implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

The program maintained Palm Springs association as a Community Rating of Class 6. This rating earns a 20% discount on flood insurance for its residents in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). There is also an option for residents bordering those areas for a 5% Preferred Risk Police (PRP).

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear what this means for residents, and if it’s something locals have considered.

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Patrick Evans

Remnants of former Hurricane Priscilla will move into SoCal and Southern Arizona today and tomorrow, bringing the chance of showers and thunderstorms. Due to the tropical nature of the moisture moving in, there is a chance of heavy downpours and flooding.

The Flood Watch up currently covers areas of the high desert, and then stretches out through Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. The bulk of the heavier rainfall will be East of the Coachella Valley.

We are tracking the potential for isolated heavier thunderstorms embedded in the tropical moisture, which could result in street, wash, and low-lying area flooding.

The best chance of showers will be later today, and into tomorrow afternoon.

Rainfall totals, barring a thunderstorm, will be very light here in the Valley.

A major storm in the Pacific Northwest will bringing cooler temps to the region by Sunday, with highs dropping to ten degrees below normal most of next week.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte marked 300 days in office Wednesday night, outlining major city updates and financial challenges during a town hall that drew dozens of residents.

The mayor touched on a wide range of topics, here are a few of the key updates:

Dream Hotel

The mayor began by addressing the long-delayed Dream Hotel, a $300 million project.

He said there’s been a loss of credibility within the community for this developer

“The developer hasn’t officially filed an extension notice with the city that they will not be able to complete the project in January 2027,” deHarte said. “Now, they haven’t filed that formal extension request. However, last Friday I met with the owner of Dream Hotel, in New York to express the city’s unwavering desire that we see a completed and successful project.”

He said after speaking with the owner and investors, he’s more confident that the funding is there and that he will continue to stay on top of them for “little things that make a big difference in the community.”

Orchid Tree Hotel

Mayor deHarte also said the city issued a default for failure of the Orchid Tree Hotel developer to meet key milestones.

“They submitted incomplete planning applications. They didn’t pay fees, and there’s no evidence from the city side that they have performed any of the stabilization requirements that they need to perform on any of the structures of the site,” deHarte said.

Zoning Code update

Turning to other concerns, deHarte sought to calm fears about the city’s zoning code update.

He said the zoning code update map that was published on the city’s website gave an impression that City Council has approved this zoning map that’s going to allow “five-story high-density buildings” in neighborhoods and established communities.

“That is far from the case,” deHarte said. “Council hasn’t even looked at the zoning code program.”

Citywide elected mayor

deHarte reaffirmed his support for the people to bring a ballot initiative to reestablish the citywide elected mayor.

“The one year rotating mayor is not effective and it’s not efficient,” deHarte said.

Budget

On finances, deHarte referenced the $172 million budget passed in June.

“I wasn’t happy with that. I don’t think the budget met the moment,” deHarte said. “I’m concerned that our costs are raising faster than our revenues. Temporary grants are expiring. Our pension obligations are growing. And we’ve planned for 1% growth in the market while Canada and international travel is down.”

He told News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson he will continue to raise awareness about it.

Attendees comments

After the mayor’s remarks came public comments that ranged from new development worries to calls for the council to revisit its 2023 resolution supporting Israel, following Hamas’ attack.

deHarte said Palm Springs is a city in motion — and the he’s full of promise for the future.

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Kenji Ito

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds are ready to hit the ice for their fourth season as a franchise.

Head coach Derek Laxdal enters his second season at the helm with one of the youngest teams in the American Hockey League.

Despite the young group, the mindset and standard still remain the same as in years past, which is to reach and win the Calder Cup.

The Firebirds will open their season at home against the San Diego Gulls on Friday, October 10th at 7 PM.

Past Records

24-25 season: 37-25-5-5 record. Made the Calder Cup playoffs, but lost to the Abbotsford Canucks in the Pacific Division Semifinals 3-1.

23-24 season: 48-15-6-5 record. Went to Calder Cup Finals, but lost to the Hershey Bears 4-2.

22-23 season: 48-17-5-2 record. Went to Calder Cup Finals, but lost to the Hershey Bears 4-3.

Be sure to stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

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Peter Daut

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation just presented another Impact Grant to a local nonprofit working to improve lives and help those in need. A $40,000 charitable gift was just awarded to Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert, which delivers valuable support directly to children and families throughout the Valley.

Kim Suarez is proud of the painting created by her three-year-old daughter, Nova. “I think she’s going to be a little artist for sure,” she said.

The single mom from Desert Hot Springs said Nova created it with Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert, which provides socially-inclusive activities for youngsters, including those with special needs. “It just helps my daughter be more social, and just find friends. We even invited one of her best friends to come, and he’s part of the program as well now,” she said.

Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert is dedicated to promoting the health, mobility, independence, and social inclusion of special needs and underserved children throughout the Valley. The nonprofit, which serves more than 7,000 kids per year, strives to help children experience all the joys of childhood while growing to become confident and independent.

“We reach into the areas where there are gaps in services to help children with mobility if they have special needs, with inclusion and activities for children of all ages and all abilities, and so much more,” Executive Director Heidi Maldoon said.

That includes events like the recent Fall Carnival Resource Fair in Cathedral City, which introduced dozens of families to the organization’s core programs. The rising demand for services has pushed Variety to expand in Mecca and Desert Hot Springs, where it is reaching families who have never accessed developmental services or behavioral health resources before.

And so, the Berger Foundation and News Channel 3 stepped in with a special gift! The $40,000 Impact Grant will help Variety to provide more in-depth case management, support, and follow-up services for Valley families.

“Honestly, $40,000 is enormous. It will help us so much, and specifically help us get into these underserved areas in Desert Hot Springs, Mecca, the surrounding communities. We’re so grateful to be able to be in those communities, but now engage even further and have more impact. It’s life changing for our organization,” Maldoon said.

And also lifechanging for Kim Suarez, who said her daughter has blossomed since getting involved with Variety’s programs. “This really just helps her to be around kids, and just be more social with them,” she said.

For more information, head to varietyofthedesert.org.

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Jesus Reyes

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – A man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after a shooting in Cabazon Wednesday afternoon.

The shooting was first reported at around 2:10 p.m. on the 49000 block of Seminole Drive.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

“Deputies obtained a description of the suspect vehicle and searched the area. The suspect was later located and taken into custody in the area of Seminole Drive and Malki Road,” reads an email from the Riverside County Sheriff’s office.

The suspect, identified as a 43-year-old man from Chino Hills, is being held on $1 million jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.

The investigation remains ongoing. Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Greater Palm Springs Pride unveiled an eight-foot-tall monument commemorating the contributions of the LGBT community in the Greater Palm Springs area.

An unveiling ceremony was held Friday morning at Frances Stevens Park near the corner of Alejo Road and Indian Canyon Drive.   

Attendees included Mayor Ron deHarte, Al Jones, president of the Pride monument Board of Directors, Gary Armstrong, Palm Springs Art Commission chair, Palm Springs Human Rights Commission Chair Hugo Loyola, sculpture artist Jim Isermann, community members, activists and supporters.

“This monument is more than just an incredible piece of art, it is a permanent and visible symbol of our community’s history, courage and unwavering spirit,” deHarte said in a statement.

The mayor added that the monument also serves as a gathering place and an educational tool highlighting the contributions of the LGBT community.   

The stainless steel sculpture, created by Isermann, features three symbols of solidarity, including lamba, triangle and the rainbow.   

The monument measures 14 feet at its widest point, and includes 720 stainless steel modules painted in different colors that form a single structure.  

It will also feature a triangular design inspired by the pink triangle used during the Holocaust that was reclaimed as a symbol of gay liberation in the early 1970s.

Its color scheme is inspired by Gilbert Baker’s 1978 rainbow flag design.   

The ceremony markedthe formal donation of the monument by the organization to the city’s permanent public art collection, officials said.

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Jesus Reyes

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A 28-year-old man faces the death penalty after pleading guilty to five gang-related murders, along with an attempted murder, in Banning between 2015 and 2020.

A jury returned a death penalty verdict for William Arnold Armendariz III on Tuesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice. He is due back in court on Dec. 12 for an official sentencing.

According to Banning police, all homicides involved multiple members of a criminal street gang.

One of the cases that William Armendariz has pleaded guilty to was a triple homicide at a Banning cemetery in Aug. 2020. Felicia McCafferty, 48, Theresa Sanchez, 43, and James Lara Jr., 53, were killed in a shooting.

After the shooting, William Armendariz was on the run for several days along with his brother, Christopher Armendariz. They were located and captured in Illinois five days after the shooting.

Christopher Armendariz eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter and a criminal street gang enhancement. He was sentenced to 11 years in State Prison

Police said after his arrest, Banning detectives were able to connect William Armendariz to the murders of Charles Neazer in 2015 and Bradley Cunningham in 2018, as well as the attempted murder of Cunningham’s friend, who survived the incident.

Other suspects were also identified during the investigation.

Samuel Vasquez was identified for the murder of Neazer and Henry Waters Jr. in Feb. 2017. Vasquez was convicted his role in the murders of Charles Neazer and Henry Waters Jr, as well as several other attempted murders, assaults with a deadly weapon, and criminal street gang enhancements. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in Jan. 2023.

Jovanny Martinez and Brandon Hylkema were identified as additional suspects for the murder of Bradley Cunningham. Hylkema pleaded guilty to manslaughter and a criminal street gang enhancement and isawaiting sentencing. Martinez is currently awaiting trial.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – 9 years ago on this day, Palm Springs police officers Jose “Gil” Vega and Lesley Zerebny were killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call.

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Vega, 63, was a veteran cop who was killed just months before he was set to retire after 35 years of service, five years past his retirement eligibility. He had planned to retire in 2018. Vega had eight children, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Zerebny, 27, had been with the department for 18 months and had just returned to duty following maternity leave, having given birth to a daughter, Cora, four months earlier.

In 2021, a mural of Vega and Zerebny was unveiled to the public. The mural is located at 169 N. Indian Canyon Drive.

Vega and Zerebny were the first Palm Springs police officers killed in the line of duty since Jan. 1, 1962, when Officer Lyle Wayne Larrabee died during a vehicle pursuit. The only other death in the department was that of Officer Gale Gene Eldridge, who was fatally shot on Jan. 18, 1961, while investigating an armed robbery.

John Hernandez Felix, the man who shot and killed officers Vega and Zerebny, was convicted for their murders and sentenced to death. It is unlikely Vega will be executed anytime soon because of a state moratorium on capital punishment that remains in effect.

Additionally, even before the moratorium, California has not executed a prisoner since 2006.

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