Author: KESQ

Kiera Seapy

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- A record number of people are expected to travel over the Fourth of July weekend, and downtown Palm Springs are hoping that means a boost in customers.

According to AAA, they say more than 72 million people are expected to travel this holiday weekend, which would set a new record.

Shops and restaurants say holiday weekends are an important time for sales, as visitors fill the downtown area to shop, dine, and explore.

Michelle Gonzales, the owner of “Oooh La La” says, “We are seeing more people from LA to the beach that don’t want to deal with the chaos of being out there. So they’re coming out here for a quieter, more calm experience.”

Gonzales also tells me that as small businesses downtown, they have to take their wins when they can, therefore her store is staying open later on the Fourth of July.

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Haley Meberg

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 45-year-old Palm Springs man was arrested after allegedly leading officers on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle and being involved in a hit-and-run crash, authorities announced.

Detectives from the Palm Springs Police Department Special Enforcement Unit were in the 68800 block of East Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City around 5:40 p.m. Wednesday when they observed the suspect and attempted to contact him.

SEU detectives briefly contacted the suspect, who quickly entered an older- model Toyota Tundra and drove away from the location, according to the police department.

Detectives began following the vehicle and requested that the Cathedral City Police Department conduct a traffic stop.

At the same time, the Cathedral City PD told SEU detectives that they had a pending call for service involving the same vehicle, which had allegedly been reported stolen.

SEU detectives followed the Tundra into Palm Springs, where a Palm Springs Police Department K-9 officer attempted a traffic enforcement stop, but the suspect allegedly failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated.

According to officers, the suspect initially drove at slow speeds before accelerating, prompting officers to terminate the pursuit due to public safety concerns.

The Palm Springs PD Real-Time Intelligence Center continued to monitor the vehicle through aerial surveillance as the suspect allegedly drove through multiple streets in Palm Springs, eventually returning to Cathedral City where he allegedly crashed the stolen vehicle into a used car lot.

The suspect allegedly fled on foot and ran into a nearby gas station after the crash.

SEU detectives and Cathedral City PD officers subsequently took the suspect into custody without further incident.

CCPD shared video of the incident on its social media page.

The suspect was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of unlawful taking or driving of vehicle, possession or receiving of a stolen vehicle, felony evading and theft-related prior conviction enhancement, the Palm Springs PD announced.

He is expected to appear in court on Monday at the Indio Larson Justice Center.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A convicted felon was arrested after Palm Springs police executed a search warrant that uncovered an arsenal of firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and suspected methamphetamine inside a Palm Springs residence, authorities announced.

The operation took place at approximately 5 a.m. on June 17, when members of the Palm Springs Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit, assisted by the Desert Regional SWAT Team, served a search warrant at a home in the 1200 block of Pasatiempo Road.

The warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation involving 60-year-old Palm Springs resident David Pringle.

According to investigators, Pringle exited the residence during the operation and was taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported.

According to court records, Pringle was formally charged on June 22 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 10. Court records also show he is currently out of custody after posting $30,000 bail.

During a search of the home, detectives recovered numerous firearms, including rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and assault-style weapons. Officers also seized high-capacity magazines, firearm precursor parts, and thousands of rounds of ammunition in multiple calibers.

Investigators additionally discovered suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the residence. The substance later tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine after being weighed and examined.

Authorities said their investigation confirmed Pringle is a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess firearms, ammunition, and firearm precursor parts under California law.

Pringle was initially booked at the Palm Springs Police Department on multiple felony charges, including:

Felon in possession of a firearm

Possession of assault weapons

Felon in possession of ammunition

Possession of large-capacity magazines

Possession of firearm precursor parts by a prohibited person

Possession of a controlled substance while armed

Possession of a controlled substance

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of a controlled substance with prior convictions

Police said the investigation reflects the department’s ongoing efforts to remove illegally possessed firearms, narcotics, and other dangerous contraband from the community.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-327-1441.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – Palm Springs officials invited local residents to share their input regarding the way in which a mayor is chosen as part of a series of meetings starting later this month.

The meetings will be held throughout the city, with the first set to take place from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. July 22 at Mizell Center, at 480 S. Sunrise Way.

According to a city staff report, a resolution passed in April 2019 stated that the mayoral position serves for a one-year term and rotates between the five sitting council members.

However, a citizens’ group pushed earlier this year to change the system to a directly elected mayor.

The upcoming meetings will allow council members to clarify the role’s responsibilities, legal authority and any other concerns from residents about the governance structure.

The schedule can be found at Mayoral Position Working Group & California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) Archive | City of Palm Springs.

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City News Service

BEAUMONT, Calif. (KESQ) – A 39-year-old pedestrian walking along a Beaumont street was fatally struck by a car, but there were no obvious signs of a crime, authorities said today.

Awoke Ayalew of Moreno Valley was fatally hit just after 4 a.m. Wednesday on East First Street, less than a half-block east of Michigan Avenue, according to the Beaumont Police Department.

The agency stated that Ayalew was walking in an unconfirmed direction on First when the vehicle impacted him.

The motorist, whose identity was not disclosed, immediately stopped and called 911.

Patrol officers and Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location within a few minutes, pronouncing the victim dead at the scene.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, there were no immediate indications that alcohol or drugs were factors in the collision,” the police department said in a statement Thursday.

The motorist was not arrested.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information was asked to contact the department’s Traffic Division at 951- 769-8500.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Health experts are encouraging men to get screened for prostate cancer as cases continue to rise nationwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among American men, behind lung cancer. Nearly 300,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this year.

Doctors recommend men ages 55 to 69 talk with their healthcare provider about a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.

Dr. Amir Lavaf, a radiation oncologist at Desert Regional Medical Center, says while a healthy diet and regular exercise support overall health, there is no proven way to prevent prostate cancer.

The average age at diagnosis is 67. Doctors say early detection through screening can improve treatment options and outcomes.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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Jesus Reyes

Update: 7/2/2026 : A 35-year-old Desert Hot Springs man accused of possessing hundreds of images of child sexual abuse material and attempting to meet minors in person remained behind bars Thursday after a judge postponed a hearing on a request to reduce his bail.

Ian Whitney was arrested on June 16 in Desert Hot Springs after an extensive investigation conducted by Desert Hot Springs Police Department detectives assigned to the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team.

At the Larson Justice Center in Indio, Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini had been set to hear a defense motion for bail reduction, but Whitney’s public defender asked for a delay in the hearing, so the judge rescheduled it to July 22. It was unclear why the matter wasn’t heard.

Whitney remains held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- A 35-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to various child sexual abuse charges after being arrested earlier this month in Desert Hot Springs.

Ian Whitney was arrested on June 16 in Desert Hot Springs after an extensive investigation conducted by Desert Hot Springs Police Department detectives assigned to the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team.

According to DHSPD, Detectives began investigating Whitney after receiving information that he was allegedly in possession of and distributing child sexual abuse material online. Police alleged Whitney was in “possession of more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material,” all of which was seized.

The defendant’s alleged efforts to meet up with minors were documented during his online activity, investigators said.

The basis for the indecent exposure count was unclear.

DHSPD released a video of Whitney’s arrest on its social media page on Tuesday.

Whitney was charged with Possess Matter of Minor in Sexual Act, Arranged Meeting w/Minor, two counts of Contact Minor w/Intent Commit Specific Crimes, and Indecent Exposure to Minor, court records show. There is also an additional enhancement of Possess Matter with Images Involving Minor Under 12 Years, and an aggravating factor of taking advantage of a position of trust.

Court records also show that the charges for crimes range from 2009 to May 2026.

Whitney pleaded not guilty to all the charges at his arraignment on June 18.

Riverside County court records

His public defender submitted a motion to Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini asking for a bail review hearing to determine whether the defendant might qualify for a reduction. The hearing is slated for Thursday morning.

Whitney remains in custody at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Animal shelters across the Coachella Valley are preparing for one of their busiest times of the year as fireworks celebrations often lead to a spike in lost pets.

Loud fireworks can frighten dogs and cats, causing many to panic, jump fences, slip out of collars, or bolt through open doors and gates. Local animal shelters say the days immediately following the Fourth of July are typically among the busiest of the year for stray animal intakes.

“It’s very stressful, right, the loud noises, the extra activity that is not typical for their routine,” said Veronica Perez, public information officer for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

At the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, staff say the shelter is already operating at more than 200 percent capacity, with some kennels housing three or even four dogs due to overcrowding. Officials say that makes preventing lost pets even more important during the holiday weekend.

Last year, Riverside County took in more than 1,200 dogs and cats during the Fourth of July holiday period, highlighting the annual surge shelters experience after fireworks celebrations.

Staff are urging pet owners to take steps now to help keep their animals safe and increase the chances of a reunion if they become lost.

Experts recommend:

Keeping pets indoors before fireworks begin.

Creating a quiet, secure space inside the home with familiar bedding and toys.

Ensuring pets wear collars with current identification tags.

Verifying that microchip registration information is up to date.

Exercising pets earlier in the day before fireworks start.

Never bringing pets to fireworks displays.

“Make sure if your pet does get out during the weekend, that the community can kind of help get those pets back to their homes before they even come to their shelters,” Perez said.

If a pet does go missing, owners should immediately contact their local animal shelter, file a lost pet report, check shelters in person, and post clear photos and contact information on local lost-and-found pet pages.

Officials say taking a few precautions before the holiday can help prevent a frightening experience for both pets and their families.

The Coachella Valley Animal Campus is also offering free microchips and ID tags through Saturday.

For more information and other resources, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The California Highway Patrol is increasing patrols across the state for the Fourth of July holiday weekend after last year’s holiday period saw more than 850 speed-related crashes statewide.

CHP Officer David Torres says officers will be watching for speeding, aggressive and impaired drivers.

The Maximum Enforcement Period runs from Thursday evening through Sunday. CHP urges everyone to slow down, buckle up and never drive impaired.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Hernán Quintas

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Students are out of school for the summer, and as food costs continue to rise, the FIND Regional Food Bank is seeing an increase in demand for food.

They’re seeing student families, seniors, and veterans who are all having trouble putting food on the table tonight, as our Telemundo anchor Hernan Quintas reports.

For more on the FIND Regional Food Bank, including how you can help, visit: https://findfoodbank.org/

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