Author: KESQ

Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A healthy group of triplets have been delivered at Desert Regional Medical Center!

A Yucca Valley woman and her husband welcomed two baby boys and a baby girl on July 12th. The mom, Desiree Barrett-Wilson, says she’s excited to expand her family.

She and her husband, Waylon, named the three Harrison, Hudson, and Addison, who were born in that order.

It’s the first time it’s happened at the hospital in six years, and the hospital said triplet births occur in just one in every 10,000 pregnancies.

Maggie Stutz, the Director of Women, Infants, and Children at the hospital, said despite the rarity of delivering triplets, the hospital sees it as an exciting time.

“To us, our team sees it as a wonderful celebration. In reality, it’s just one extra baby … we’re delivering twins monthly here. So to have triplets is just remarkable,” Stutz explained.

Stutz highlighted the medical center’s Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) program, which handles high-risk pregnancies, as well as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses and the Labor & Delivery team.

Lori Umanzio, a neonatal nurse practitioner, described the excitement within the NICU: “I think ‘cause it’s multiples, you’re all excited to see what they look like, whether it’s boys or girls. And you’re excited for the parents because it’s not the norm.”

Four days after the triplets’ birth, mom, dad, and older brother Grayson were ready to go home, while the three new bundles of joy continued to grow in the NICU. They were born a few weeks premature, but the parents said they know the newest additions to their family were being cared for.

“We know our family is being taken care of, like, I know my babies are going to be good when we can’t be here 24 hours,” said Desiree.

Nurses said they expect the babies will stay in the unit until their initial due date draws closer. Until then, the nurses will watch over them and keep them connected to nutrition, oxygen, and more.

Desert Regional Medical Center said its Maternal Fetal Medicine program and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the valley allow them “to bring even the tiniest humans into the world and deliver multiples.”

As for the Wilsons, their new triplets don’t mark the finish line for growing their family. They plan for more in the future.

“We love having kids, and that’s like, we’re not even done. We’re not done having kids. We want more. And our families are like, ‘You’re crazy. You’re going to have your hands full.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, but it’s okay.’ So yeah, we’re we’re very, very happy, very excited to have all these, these little babies.”

They said they also hope their story can help inspire others looking to grow their families.

“We struggled with infertility, so having these babies was just…,” Desiree said, running her fingers through Grayson’s hair. “It’s just a blessing.”

“With one in ten thousand pregnancies resulting in triplets… does it feel like you won the lottery?” we asked.

“Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. The baby lottery,” the Wilsons beamed.

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Shay Lawson

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)  – Farmworkers across California are leading a three-day strike in protest of recent immigration raids that have left communities living in fear.

Flor Martinez Zaragoza, activist, said the strike is July 16th – 18th.

She said the grassroots movement is not union-led but organized by the workers themselves who are calling for a pathway to citizenship.

“Tomorrow’s strike is a result of the multiple raids that have been going on in the state of California and also across the country,” Zaragoza said. “And what happened recently has just been so incredibly unforgivable.”

She said a farmworker recently died after falling off a roof during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Camarillo, California.

“When things like this occur it’s important that we react, but we also are mindful of how we are reacting,” she said.

Zaragoza said she’s calling on consumers to boycott companies that rely on undocumented labor while simultaneously supporting anti-immigrant policies.

“The farmworkers might have started this three day strike,” Zaragoza said. “As consumers, we hold the responsibility to continue that as a boycott, because why do we keep putting our money into these corporations that are anti-immigrant.”

In the Coachella Valley, a local protest is scheduled Friday in front of the Border Patrol Offices in Indio.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates on this developing story.

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Tori King

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)—The city of Coachella is partnering with COFEM for a free Family Preparedness Webinar. The organization says families can “Learn how to protect your family in times of uncertainty, from creating a safety plan to knowing your rights during an ICE encounter.”

“Who would be the person that would care for your children, your finances, your bank accounts,” said Claudia Armenta, the Immigration Integration Program Assistant for COFEM. “We’re going to teach you all of that in this meeting. We’re also doing this online because of the current political climate. We want to be able to reach more community members and that they’re able to join and share this information without fear of their own safety.”

The organization says now more than ever, informational sessions like this one are needed, especially in the Coachella Valley, which houses three sanctuary cities and has a very large Latino and immigrant populations.

“We’re encouraging the community to show up because we don’t want to wait for the last minute in case there is an emergency,” said Armenta. “Often times we see families didn’t prepare and they are struggling to try to have all these documents ready. When you have kids, you prepare documents for them to go to school, go to the doctor. This is also an an educational workshop on preparing to make sure you have all your documents ready for your children in case of an encounter.”

The valley and surrounding desert cities also have an agriculture-driven economy, with lots of families who are farmworkers.

“In this area, the eastern Coachella Valley, we have the packing companies, the agriculture companies,” said Armenta. “These past few months, we know that in the Coachella Valley, we have been impacted.”

The event will take place July 19th from10 a.m. to noon. For more information you can call 213-417-8390. Organizers ask that people interested in watching the webinar register here.

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Jesus Reyes

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (KESQ) – A nurse employed at multiple hospitals in Riverside County has been accused of having inappropriate contact with an unconscious patient.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit received information in June regarding a “hospital employee who was having inappropriate contact with an unconscious patient.”

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified the suspect as Lauro Gonzales Jr., 40, of Lake Elsinore. Investigators learned that Gonzales was employed as a nurse by multiple hospitals within Riverside County.

Gonzales was arrested on Tuesday after a traffic stop in the area of Interstate 15 and Temescal Canyon Road.

A search warrant was served at his residence, where additional evidence was located, authorities said.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone with more information regarding this investigation to contact Investigator J. Lee at (951) 955-1718 or Sheriff’s Dispatch by calling 951-776-1099.

Gonzales was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center and faces charges of sexual penetration of an unconscious person. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters are working to contain a potential agricultural fire on the border of La Quinta and Thermal Tuesday afternoon. A large smoke plume is visible is parts of the Coachella Valley.

The fire was first reported after 3:15 p.m. on Van Buren and 59th Avenue.

CAL FIRE officials said the fire is roughly two-acres with a moderate rate of spread. As of 4:05 p.m., there is no threat to structures.

Additional engines are arriving at the scene.

News Channel 3 crew are at the scene working to gather more information.

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Haley Meberg

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – County officials report Riverside County Animal Shelters are operating in a state of emergency as capacity numbers reach 221% for unhoused dogs leading to possible euthanasia. 

During the month of July, Riverside County Animal Shelters reached 240% capacity for dogs with numbers fluctuating over 200%. These facilities are seeing more dogs come in than being adopted, reunified with owners or fostered. 

Riverside County Animal Services Report Card 7/14/25

With more than 1,000 dogs in their system, officials say a drastic change must be made for the RivCo Animal Shelters to make space in their severely overcrowded kennels. 

Without the proper space or resources to care for these four-legged friends Animal Shelters report that the heartbreaking reality to the overcrowding is the euthanasia of these unhoused dogs.

RivCo Animal Services is continuing to call out for community outreach to help combat this rising issue. 

July 19, Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight to help get pets placed with adopters and fosterers. 

Along with the event Animal Shelters are offering more lifesaving opportunities to take advantage of like waived reclaim fees for all lost pets, $50 gift cards for pet supplies to adopters who adopt a dog 40+ lbs from San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus and provided available resources for all fostered pets. 

RivCo Shelters are participating in the national BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event running through July 19, offering free adoption for all dogs and cats at all locations. 

Each adoption comes with free spay/neuter surgery, microchip, vaccinations and ID tags to help minimize financial burdens on all looking to adopt. 

To learn more about getting these pets out of kennels and into homes visit https://www.rcdas.org

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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KESQ News Team

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – A resolution to honor three fallen CAL FIRE heros has been signed into law.

ACR 37 designates a portion of I-10 in Riverside County as the Assistant Chief John Bischof, Captain Tim Rodriguez, and Pilot Tim Sousa Memorial Highway. All three were killed in a helicopter crash while battling the Broadway Wildland Fire in Cabazon in 2023.

The resolution was authored by Assembly member Greg Wallis.

In a statement to News Channel 3, he says in part:

ACR 37 is a profound sign of gratitude and respect for our hometown heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice… Their courage and dedication will forever inspire those who travel this route, serving as a lasting reminder of their bravery to protect our communities.

Assembly member Greg Wallis

The memorial is planned to be completed by the fall.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Garrett Hottle

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The Hi-Desert 29ers are an amateur team training in the summer months – and competing with passion. This summer is different though, players are taking the field, with the larger goal of bettering their community and in memory of a fallen hero.

Back under the bright desert sun again, the Hi-Desert 29ers have arrived. Starting a new season at  Luckie Park, they’re welcoming anyone with ambition to play and will to win.

“We typically recruit those players coming straight outta high school, players who had hopes of playing college ball but they never had a shot. Players just sitting on the couch just learning football,” team founder Shaka Gray explained. “This is a community team — of the community, by the community.”

Their roster is composed of military personnel, locals, and first-time players aged 18 through 52. These players play throughout the year at times in triple-digit heat with a goal greater than the scoreboard.

“Passion is off the charts,” Gray explained. “Because at a specific practice, say this time of year, it’s probably 95, heading into 100 degrees. Well, when we’re practicing at 5:00, it’s 106 degrees.”

However, this season is with a heavy heart. They still grieve the loss of Sgt. Robert McDonald — a Marine, a coach, a friend  who was shot in an unprovoked attack last year.

News Channel 3 first reported on McDonald’s death in May 2024.

“We just finished constructing a banner that is going to be carried at our next game,” Gray explained. “And it’s just devoted entirely to him. It’s going to be at every single one of our games. Regardless of whether things go right or things go wrong, we know he is with us when we’re playing on the football field. That’s how moved we are.”

For Gray, who grew up in foster care, it is not just a football team. It’s a foundation, a family, and a place where everyone gets a shot.

“We’re in a great place because the community understands our passion,” he said. “There is no question in the players’ minds, in the minds of the city councilmen, in the minds of community members — they know this program is going to be here.”

For more information on the Hi-Desert 29ers and how you can participate, click this link.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Three adults and a child were displaced following a structure fire Tuesday morning in Indio.

The fire was first reported just after 4:50 a.m. at a single-story tri-plex on the 83100 block of Sonora Avenue.

According to CAL FIRE, the first arriving engine company reported a heavy fire showing from two units. The fire was contained by 5:10 a.m.

“Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the units of origin and smoke damage to a third,” reads an email from CAL FIRE spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa.

There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Red Cross is assisting the people displaced.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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City News Service

MENIFEE, Calif. (KESQ) – A motorist involved in a road rage confrontation that began on Interstate 15 ended with the suspect fatally shooting the other driver at a Menifee intersection, authorities said today.

The suspect, a 47-year-old Menifee resident, was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta late Monday night on suspicion of murder. Dabe is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

According to the Menifee Police Department, shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, the suspect was on northbound I-15 in Murrieta when he apparently became incensed at a 36-year-old man in another vehicle for reasons still unclear.   

The ensuing confrontation lasted for minutes and continued into Menifee, where the suspect and victim, whose identity was not disclosed, exited onto Scott Road, police spokesman Chase Coburn said.

“Near the intersection of Scott and Haun Road, (the suspect) discharged a firearm, striking the other driver,” Coburn said.   

He said Dabe immediately pulled over and waited for patrol officers, who took him into custody without incident.   

Riverside County Fire Department paramedics arrived a short time later and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.  

Detectives questioned Dabe for almost three hours before booking him on the murder allegation.  

Background information on the suspect was unavailable.   

Anyone with information was asked to contact detectives at 951-723-1500.

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