Author: KESQ

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Film Festival unveiled the lineup Tuesday for the return of its Book to Screen program slated for next month.

Deadline’s Matt Grobar will moderate Q&As with directors and screenwriters responsible for bringing written stories to life on the big screen.

The first event will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 5 with Winnie Holzman, a screenwriter for :Wicked: For Good.” The film concludes the story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) in the land of Oz.

On Jan. 6 at 9:30 a.m., Grobar will talk with James Vanderbilt, the director and screenwriter for “Nuremburg.” Based on the book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist,” the film follows the story of chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon), tasked with ensuring the Nazi regime answers for the horrors of the Holocaust during the Nuremberg Trials.

The last event will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Jan .9 with “Train Dreams” director and screenwriter Clint Bentley and screenwriter Greg Kwedar.   

Based on the Denis Johnson’s novella of the same name, Netflix’s “Train Dreams” tells the story of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a logger in the early 20th century America, and his search for meaning.

The festival will run from Jan. 2-12. Watch our live coverage of the Film Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 3 starting at 5:00 p.m. on CBS Local 2.

More information can be found at psfilmfest.org.

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Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Public works crews in Cathedral City are working hard to make sure that the city’s infrastructure can handle the rainfall.

City officials told News Channel 3 typical trouble spots are checked and surveyed before each forecasted weather event. Crews also clear storm drains ahead of time.

Director of Public Works, John Corella, said his team has been taking the same steps as every forecasted storm.

“We treat every storm equally important with significance, just that we just as we prepared for [Hurricane] Hilary two years past,” he said.

About 50 different storm drains in known problem areas are cleared of debris. Crews also preposition barriers and cones in areas that may be closed due to flooding.

It comes after a storm in November caused mudflows on Varner Road at the northern end of the city. Other spots include the wash at Vista Chino. Crews were seen placing cones and barriers on the side of the road for easy access if the call is made to close the road due to flooding.

Corella said the wash is managed by different flood control agencies, like Riverside County Flood Control and the Coachella Valley Water District.

“We also look at other areas, stormwater channels, and see if there’s debris that we may need to talk to a local flood control agency to be able to clean out and manage that,” he explained.

He asked residents to also do their part to maintain drainage systems near the properties. “Make sure their rain gutters are clear, make sure the downspouts are clear, and then most importantly, It’s in our municipal code that they need to go out there and make sure their gutters, their curb and gutter is free of debris.”

Residents were also seen taking advantage of a sandbag filling area at Cathedral City Fire Station #2 (32-100 Desert Vista Road). Other cities are providing similar resources, like Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

In Palm Springs, sandbags are available for pickup at all five of the city’s fire stations, as well as City Hall.

🌧️ Storm Preparedness Update 🌧️

With several inches of rain expected over the next few days, select fire stations/locations will have sand available to help residents prepare for potential flooding.

🟤 Unfilled sandbags are available at ALL fire stations🟡 Sand is available… pic.twitter.com/zM9UxMXYj1

— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) December 23, 2025

Stay with News Channel 3 as we track the incoming storm and hear more from crews and residents on how they’re preparing.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Water District approved a new labor agreement during a special board meeting Tuesday, while also formally noting continued regional discussions over the future of the Colorado River.

According to the meeting agenda, the board approved a successor memorandum of understanding with the CVWD Employee Association, which represents certain district employees. The agreement is part of the district’s standard labor negotiations and is renewed every two years.

The agenda also included conference reports from district directors who attended the Colorado River Water Users Association conference held December 15 to 19 in Las Vegas. The conference brings together water agencies, state officials, tribes, and federal representatives to discuss Colorado River conditions and long-term management.

News Channel 3 will have more details tonight on the agreement and discussions over Colorado River management post 2026 tonight at 5pm and 6pm.

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Daniella Lake

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Olive Crest, a nonprofit focused on preventing child abuse in the Coachella Valley, received a $249,865 grant from the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation to support its crisis response team staff. The nonprofit hopes to stabilize families in crisis and prevent children from entering the child welfare system.

“If youth have structure, they have stability, they have safety, and they have support, this is probably the best ingredient for youth to show and demonstrate progress as they move into adulthood,” says James Philips, the program director for their transitional housing program. The program is designed for young adults who’ve aged out of the foster care system. They’re provided housing and other services up until the age of 21.

Olive Crest also has a 24/7 hotline, mental health counseling, an urgent needs pantry and a drop-in center where youth in crisis can decompress through arts and crafts, special theme nights and games.

Desert Healthcare District and Foundation more than $1 million in grants to five nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley focused on mental and behavioral health services for families and youth.

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Hood Bar and Pizza, known for its drag bingo nights, karaoke, and live music, has been a staple in Palm Desert for years. But Brad Guth, owner, says personal health struggles have placed the bar in a difficult position.

Despite his health concerns, Guth continues to work long hours to keep the doors open, often taking on additional responsibilities after cutting back to reduce expenses.

“When you are in a situation where you are working 12-14 hours a day, it does take its toll on you… At a venue that really does cater to local clientele, if you loose that local clientele it’s very difficult in many cases to get them to return.”

Brad Guth, The Hood Bar & Pizza Owner

Helping keep the bar running is Lady Sham, a local drag queen and host of drag bingo at The Hood. She says inflation and increased costs for food and liquor have made running the business even more challenging.

“It’s the pinch that everyone’s feeling. Rising costs, we all are having problems making ends meet. Can you imagine running a business like this where you have to find food, liquor? You have to buy all these things that are marked up and way more expensive.”

Sham Ibrahim, Drag Queen

Seeing Guth struggle, Lady Sham decided to step in. She created a GoFundMe campaign aimed at helping him stabilize the business and take time to focus on his health.

While the future of The Hood Bar and Pizza remains uncertain, Guth says he’s hopeful the community that has supported the bar for years will rally once again.

“I’m still digging myself out of that hole and everyday I’m digging and working towards it.”

Brad Guth, The Hood Bar & Pizza Owner

For more information on how to help, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Tauli Anderson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Holiday travel is ramping up at Palm Springs International Airport, and officials are reminding travelers to plan ahead during this month’s peak travel period.

The airport expects to welcome more than 55,000 departing passengers between Dec. 20-28. The busiest travel days are expected to be Dec. 22, 26 and 28, with more than 6,000 departing passengers per day.

The busiest security screening times will be from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. during the peak period.

“Peak times 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We could see up to 700 passengers passing through the checkpoint an hour in those times. And so we really just want people to leave enough time to get through the checkpoint comfortably, be able to have a bite to eat and enjoy a PSP for all that we have to offer, and get to your gate with plenty of time to make your flight,” said Jake Ingrassia, PSP spokesperson.

Officials said passengers should plan to arrive 90 minutes before departure for people with carry-on bags and at least two hours before departure when checking bags.

During the peak travel days, main parking lots will fill spaces quickly and overflow parking will be available. Parking rates are $9 hourly.   

During security screening, travelers were advised to use gift bags instead of wrapping paper if bringing gifts, as wrapped items may be opened by Transportation Security Administration officials.

More information can be found at flyPSP.com.

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Peter Daut

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – News Channel 3 and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation presented Impact Grants to several Valley nonprofits in 2025, working to improve lives and help those in need.

At the beginning of the year, a $50,000 charitable gift was awarded to Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. The Impact Grant was used throughout the year to provide food, shelter, and programs for more than 100 seniors, one of the fastest-growing segments of the Valley’s homeless population. And that includes people like Ernest Gonzales from Indio. “I had no way out. Nowhere to go. And I felt like God led me here, pushed me towards this place. And I’m just so honored to be here,” he said.

In the spring, a surprise gift of $30,000 was presented to Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild, which is dedicated to supporting Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Cancer remains the leading cause of death from diseases among children and teens. Each year, more than 2,200 children from the Coachella Valley, including James Crieglow, receive treatment at Loma Linda. “They not only provide the treatment and care for him, but they also provide support to the families. Everything from the medications, the operations, the countless clinic visits and stuff, but they help with travel costs as well,” Jameson’s father Jeff said. Jameson is now doing much better, and in good spirits as he continues his recovery.

A $5,000 charitable gift was awarded to 29-PSP, which provides complimentary transportation for active-duty military members and their loved ones between Twentynine Palms and the Palm Springs and Ontario airports. The Impact Grant helped the nonprofit with insurance costs to rent 15 passenger vans for shuttle service. 29-PSP has provided nearly 1,500 rides to military personnel and their families, an increase of 35 percent from last year.

In the summer, Songshine Foundation in Palm Desert received a $10,000 Impact Grant to help with its ongoing program support and long-term sustainability. The nonprofit provides a music-based arts in healthcare program for those with Parkinson’s, stroke, or other neurological challenges. It’s fantastic, because I can tell a huge difference. When I don’t sing, my voice gets very quiet and people have a hard time hearing me. But when I sing, my voice gets stronger and it’s great. It’s made a big difference,” student Pamela Alms said.

The Soroptimist House of Hope received a $50,000 charitable gift. The residential addiction program in Desert Hot Springs is helping women to establish and maintain sober and healthy lives. The Impact Grant contributed to the nonprofit’s capital campaign to transform its new ranch into a 14-bed residential facility.

And finally this year, Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert received a $40,000 Impact Grant to support satellite offices in Mecca and Desert Hot Springs to bring services directly to these communities.

So add everything up: This year, Impact Grants totaling more than $186,000 were presented to six Valley nonprofits. The grants are awarded on the concept that through service, funding, and awareness we are making a difference together. And in 2026, Impact Grants will continue to improve lives and help those in need!

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Jesus Reyes

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – In an effort to crack down on excessive speeding and prevent deadly vehicle collisions, the California State Transportation Agency announced a pilot program today to immediately review drivers cited for driving more than 100 mph.

The state transportation agency is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol on the initiative known as Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets, or FAST. It’s part of a statewide effort to reverse what state officials describe as an alarming rise in traffic fatalities.  

Under the pilot initiative, citations for excessive speeding will be automatically forwarded to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch — no matter their prior record. The DMV will then review the case and the driver’s history to determine next steps, which could include suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.  

This administrative process can happen independently of any court conviction, according to CalSTA.

The pilot program builds on the DMV’s existing Driver Safety Branch enforcement and Negligent Operator Treatment System partnership with CHP.   

“The FAST pilot reflects our commitment to innovation, accountability and prevention — using real-time information to intervene before dangerous driving turns deadly,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said in a statement. “This is about protecting lives and delivering on our shared responsibilities to make our roads safer for everyone.”   

According to CalSTA, CHP officers issue about 1,600 citations per month to drivers caught speeding more than 100 mph. In 2024, CHP officers issued more than 18,000 of such citations.

The CHP recently deployed a new fleet of low-profile specifically marked patrol cars on the state’s busiest and high-risk roads, in part, to catch speeding drivers.

“We want to take immediate action against dangerous drivers before their carelessness leads to a deadly crash,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a statement. “We’re being proactive, and together with our CHP partners, we’re ready to put the brakes on this reckless behavior.”  

Speeding remains a major factor in traffic deaths statewide, contributing to 32% of all fatalities, according to CalSTA officials.   

The DMV will evaluate the program’s impact by comparing citation and outcome data to the same period in the previous year.

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Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Reports of immigration enforcement in Cathedral City had local Hispanic communities reacting Monday. Multiple viewers reported ICE activity near the Target and Cardenas shopping centers.

Details remain limited; we’re working on getting additional information. Cathedral City issued a statement to News Channel 3:

“The City is not involved in any federal immigration enforcement activities and, in compliance with California state law, does not coordinate with, assist in, or receive advance notice of such operations.

The City of Cathedral City has been classified as a Sanctuary City since 2017, following a City Council vote that limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Cathedral City Police does not enforce civil immigration laws, nor do officers ask about an individual’s immigration status when responding to calls for service. Our focus remains exclusively on local public safety.”

ICE has appeared to be very active in the Coachella Valley over the past week, with reports throughout cities including Palm Springs, La Quinta, and Indio.

On Friday, a crash scene a vehicle that was being followed by ICE agents crashed into a wall.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 47-year-old man was arrested after a traffic stop in Yucca Valley led to law enforcement seizing ghost guns, drugs, and suspected explosives.

The traffic stop happened on Dec. 17 near the intersection of Twentynine Palms Highway and Kickapoo Trail.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies determined that the driver, identified as James Gagnon, was out on bail for possession of a controlled substance while armed.

“During the investigation, Gagnon was found to be in possession of a “Ghost” firearm with an extended magazine, ammunition, an AR-15-style “Ghost” rifle, an electronic vehicle key-cloning device, and suspected methamphetamine,” reads a news release by the agency.

Based on the information obtained during the traffic stop, detectives and deputies continued their investigation into Gagnon. 

Investigators served a search warrant at Gagnon’s residence and located several rounds of ammunition, rifle magazines, suspected controlled substances, and suspected explosive materials. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Bomb and Arson Detail responded to the residence and recovered the suspected explosive materials.

Gagnon is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center without bail.

He was officially charged Monday. His charges include Possession of Destructive Device in a Private Habitation, Felon/Addict/Etc Possess Firearm, Possess Controlled Substance While Armed With Loaded/Etc Firearm. Gagnon pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 26.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Deputy R. Quiroz or Detective Tyler A. Bengard at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station, at (760) 366 4175. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.

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