Author: KESQ

Kendall Flynn

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s National California Date Month and the California Date Commission is making sure locals understand just how beneficial dates can be for their health. 

Officials say they are a heart-healthy, diabetes friendly super fruit packed with fiber, essential vitamins and minerals. They also say dates are a natural and healthy alternative to refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. 

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from officials on how dates could impact your health, and to see how they are grown in the Coachella Valley. 

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Garrett Hottle

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the devastating Palisades Fire that swept through Los Angeles in January 2025, claiming twelve lives and destroying thousands of homes and structures.

Federal authorities identified the suspect as Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former resident of Pacific Palisades who had relocated to Florida after the fire.

Rinderknecht was taken into custody near his Florida home on charges of destruction of property by means of fire, a federal felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could result in up to twenty years in prison if convicted.

The Palisades Fire initially ignited on January 7, following heavy winds which brought an underground blaze—known as the Lachman Fire, reported on New Year’s Day—to the surface. Investigators believe Rinderknecht started the original fire in the hillside above Pacific Palisades after working as an Uber driver on New Year’s Eve. Evidence gathered from his digital devices included an image he generated on ChatGPT depicting a city engulfed in flames, which investigators say supported the charges.

The Palisades Fire was among the most destructive in Los Angeles history, burning more than 23,000 acres and leveling over 6,800 structures, including numerous homes around Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

The tragedy forced tens of thousands of residents to flee, and the aftermath left a deep scar on the community. Authorities and officials hope Rinderknecht’s arrest and upcoming federal court appearance bring a measure of justice to the victims and affected families.

Law enforcement officials cited digital evidence, eyewitness accounts of Rinderknecht being agitated on New Year’s Eve, and his subsequent actions to support the arrest. He allegedly attempted to contact a former friend and took videos near the Skull Rock trail before the fire erupted. Prosecutors also allege he made false statements to authorities after relocating to Florida.

Jonathan Rinderknecht is set to appear in federal court in Orlando as the investigation continues to uncover further details about the cause and full scope of both the Palisades and related fires in the region.

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Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. – CAL FIRE is looking to bolster its ranks as the threat of wildfires in California continues to grow.

To do so, a collaborative effort between CAL FIRE and the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) to show hundreds of high school seniors possible careers in firefighting is being made in Indio.

The career expo comes on the heels of Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of Assembly Bill 1309, which could have raised the salaries for CAL FIRE employees.

The bill would have mandated CAL FIRE pay its employees within 15% of the average salary of 20 local fire departments across the state. 

News Channel 3 is asking officials the tough questions on hiring, careers, and wages within firefighting as they look to draw more hires. Stay with us for the latest. 

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In a show of unity, bars in the Arenas District have launched the “Skip the Line” fundraiser to support Greater Palm Springs Pride amid a $350,000 budget shortfall. The new initiative allows customers to purchase all-access passes that grant priority entry at participating bars, with 100% of proceeds going directly to Pride programming. The move comes as many LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide are facing financial cutbacks, with some cities canceling Pride events altogether.

Spearheaded by local businesses including Chill Bar, Hunter’s, Blackbook, and others, the campaign demonstrates the power of grassroots community support.

Greater Palm Springs Pride President Ron deHarte praised the partnership, calling it a lifeline for the organization.

To purchase a pass, visit https://bit.ly/arenasskip

Stay with News Channel 3 for more..

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Allie Anthony

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Indio is preparing to open a brand-new library next Wednesday. The library is part of Indio’s larger Civic Center Campus project aimed at revitalizing the area and strengthening community ties.

The new library is designed to be a hub for learning, creativity, and connection. Initial discussions for the project began in 2017, with construction starting in 2023.

The $4.6 million project was funded in part by Measure E and a major grant from the California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program. The grant supports critical upgrades in public libraries, including improved accessibility, energy efficiency, and expanded digital access.

This new facility will be part of the Riverside County Library System and serve as a centerpiece for the community. City officials say the library reflects Indio’s ongoing commitment to education and public services.

The library officially opens to the public on Wednesday October 15th.

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KESQ News Team

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. — A grieving family is speaking out and demanding accountability after 18-year-old Jaime Castro was struck and killed in a tragic crash on a dark and often dangerous stretch of Indian Canyon Drive.

The fatal incident occurred on September 30th near the intersection of Indian Canyon Drive and Pierson Road — a stretch of road that lies near the border between the jurisdictions of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Jaime’s parents say confusion over jurisdiction may have delayed the initial response from law enforcement. According to the family, officers could not confirm which agency was responsible for responding to the scene first.

Adding to their frustration, Jaime’s mother, Yahaira, says the area lacks proper street lighting and is notorious for speeding drivers — conditions she believes contributed to her son’s death.

News Channel 3 spoke with Desert Hot Springs Police Chief Steve Shaw, who confirmed that his department did not receive any 911 calls prior to the crash — only one after the incident had occurred.

When asked whether Indian Canyon Drive is considered a hazardous area, Chief Shaw stated that there have been no recent incidents reported prior to Jaime’s death.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A parolee accused of trying to kill a real estate agent checking a Banning house where the convicted felon had evidently camped out was charged today with attempted murder and other offenses.   

Daniel Moreno, 32, of Banning was arrested Thursday following a police chase from Banning to Moreno Valley.   

Along with attempted murder, Moreno is charged with assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily, attempted mayhem, false imprisonment, felony evading and parole violations.  

He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment Tuesday at the Banning Justice Center.

According to the Banning Police Department, shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday, the Realtor went to a vacant property in the 1200 block of Butterfly Way, near Eagle Drive, on the north end of the city, apparently to confirm everything was all right at the house, which is part of a new subdivision.

“Upon entering … the residence, the victim was attacked by a male, who was already inside,” police Capt. Brandon Smith said.   

He said the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered serious injuries and was robbed before the assailant fled. The party was able to call 911, and patrol officers converged on the location minutes later, along with paramedics.

The victim was taken to a regional trauma center for treatment and was in recovery on Tuesday.  

“While on scene, officers received information regarding a possible suspect vehicle, described as a Hyundai Elantra, fleeing the location,” Smith said. “Officers located a vehicle matching the description and attempted to conduct a traffic stop to contact the occupant. The vehicle failed to stop, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated.”  

The chase transitioned from city streets onto westbound Interstate 10, according to the captain.  

Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers joined Banning police in pursuing the driver, later identified as Moreno, into Moreno Valley via the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway.

“The pursuit ultimately terminated near Frederick Street and Atlantic Circle in Moreno Valley, when a sheriff’s unit successfully implemented a pursuit intervention technique, commonly referred to as a PIT maneuver,” Smith said.

Moreno was arrested without further incident. No one was injured during the chase.

The defendant has two prior strikes on his felony record, though they weren’t listed in court documents.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fundraiser benefiting Greater Palm Springs Pride will allow patrons to “Skip the Line” at six participating bars within the Arenas District, organizers announced today.

Participating businesses including Blackbook, Chill Bar, Dick’s, Hunter’s, Quadz and Streetbar collaborated to create a pass for purchase that will grants visitors priority access during Price Week.

“The Arenas District bars didn’t wait to be asked — we saw a need and stepped up,” Rob Giesecke of Chill Bar said in a statement.   

The promotion was created to help offset financial challenges facing many LGBTQ+ organizations, including a $350,000 shortfall this year.   

“While other cities are making difficult decisions to curtail programming, some are cancelling Pride events completely, Palm Springs is rising to meet the moment and creating space for the community to come together and celebrate,” the organization said.

The “Skip the Line” pass can be purchased online starting Tuesday, and it can only be used from Nov.6-9, officials said.   

“We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary level of support from each bar in the Arenas District,” President of Greater Palm Springs Pride Ron deHarte said in a statement.   

All proceeds will go towards Greater Palm Springs Pride programming.   

To purchase a pass, visit https://bit.ly/arenasskip.

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Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A West Hollywood resident was pronounced dead after a crash last week in Twentynine Palms, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Diego M. Thornton, 52, was pronounced dead after being struck by a vehicle Thursday, Oct. 2, just before 8 p.m. on Amboy Road, east of Mica Avenue.

The California Highway Patrol said the driver, identified as an Indio resident, was determined to not be impaired at the time of the crash.

The cause of the crash and the reason for the pedestrian being in the roadway remain under investigation

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Springs has finalized the $5.9 million payment settlement to the survivors and descendants of Section 14, officials told News Channel 3 Tuesday.

According to the city, the Section 14 Settlement Agreement was signed by the Section 14 claimants on September 4 and by the City on September 5.  The City has received nearly 1,500 signed release/waivers.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, as approved by the City Council unanimously in November (According to Palm Springs:

The City Council approved $5.9 million in direct financial compensation for eligible survivors and descendants. The payment was contingent upon receipt of at least 1,200 signed legal waivers. As of October 6, nearly 1,500 release/waivers have been received by the City.

The City Council voted to authorize the named claimant representing survivors and descendants and their attorneys the disbursement of individual payments once the required waivers were received. As with all settlements of claims or litigation, the City does not get involved in how the claimants and their attorneys share in the proceeds.

The settlement also includes $20 million in affordable housing programs to be implemented over the next decade, prioritizing access for former Section 14 families, along with $1 million in small-business support to strengthen economic opportunity in Palm Springs.

The City remains committed to establishing a public memorial and dedicating a future park to honor the families of Section 14.

In addition, the agreement provides that the City will offer support for a potential Section 14 Cultural and Racial Healing Center, which may include letters of support. The City is not obligated to fund any such center but remains committed to helping community-led efforts succeed.

“The City approached this settlement with care, transparency, and respect for everyone involved, said City Manager Scott Stiles. “Our goal from the beginning has been to resolve these longstanding claims in a way that is fair, equitable and with a focus on healing and progress.”

Not everyone is happy with the settlement. A petition signed by 37 people, including three survivors, who don’t think the settlement goes far enough, and it lists a number of demands.

Section 14 Attorney ResponseDownload

Section 14 is a one-square-mile tract previously held by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, adjacent to downtown Palm Springs. This area used to home hundreds of people, mostly minority families, until the 1950s and 1960s when they were evicted.

Section 14 became a prominent point of discussion of the Palm Springs City Council in June of 2020, when hundreds of people signed a petition to remove the statue of former mayor Frank Bogert in front of Palm Springs City Hall.

In September of 2021, the City Council voted to move forward with an apology for the city government’s role in the destruction of Section 14 more than 50 years ago. At that same meeting, city staff agreed to bring back budget proposals for reparations to those affected within the year. However, survivors of Section 14 felt as though conversations surrounding reparations began to come to a halt

As a result, the city of Palm Springs began facing legal action in November of 2022. The group of survivors, with the advice of economist Dr. Julianna Malveaux and lead attorney Areva Martin, began seeking direct payments for the racially motivated harm caused by the evictions, with damages ranging from $400 million to $2 billion. 

In a 3-2 vote in April of 2023, the City Council voted not to approve a consultant agreement to develop reparations program services like the survivors had long urged for.

Following a closed City Council meeting in January of 2024 in which Section 14 survivors rallied to discuss movement on the reparation plans, the Council issued a statement agreeing to several actions involving the issue in April 2024.

News Channel 3 has been covering the issue for several years. You can watch some of our reports below:

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