Author: KESQ

Raymond Kalra

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Hot Springs Police Department has officially opened its new $7.26 million annex, giving officers and detectives additional space as the city prepares to expand its police force in the coming years.

City leaders, police officers and community members gathered Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the new facility.

The annex will house the department’s detectives and community response team (CRT) and includes new locker rooms, additional workspace and upgraded technology. Mayor Scott Matas said the investment comes after the city’s existing police facilities became increasingly crowded.

Police Chief Steven Shaw said officers had been without locker rooms for about three years, making even basic parts of their workday more difficult.

“It’s amazing how a simple thing, like just coming in and being able to hang up your vest and hang up your gun belt and have a place to put that is huge for an officer,” Shaw said.

New technology and more space

Beyond providing additional room, Shaw said the annex includes technology that will allow the facility to be used as an emergency operations center.

The technology also provides dedicated space for recorded interviews and interrogations, giving investigators additional tools to conduct their work.

Shaw said the department’s previous space constraints could also take a toll on officers over time.

“We run out of space so everybody’s shoulders, shoulders and elbows together and stuff like that trying to get work done,” Shaw said.

He said the new building represents a commitment from the city to provide officers with the resources and space they need.

Preparing for more officers

The opening comes as Desert Hot Springs prepares for another major change within its police department.

Matas said the city has committed to adding 10 more police officers over the next five years. The mayor said the city plans to add officers incrementally through future budgets.

City leaders say that expansion is tied in part to Desert Hot Springs’ continued growth.

“When you grow, you’ve got to have a safe community, right?” Matas said. “So you grow your fire department, you grow your police department to make sure that those services are kept up.”

The mayor said the city’s focus on public safety has also included opening a new fire station and increasing firefighter staffing.

Recruiting the next officers

For the police department, however, approving additional positions is only part of the challenge.

Shaw said Desert Hot Springs is competing with law enforcement agencies throughout the Coachella Valley, Riverside County and California for applicants.

He believes the new annex could become part of the department’s recruiting pitch, giving prospective officers a look at the resources and workspace available to them.

“This allows us to showcase Desert Hot Springs and what we have here,” Shaw said. “And it’s going to draw on those applicants.”

For Desert Hot Springs resident Daniel Medina, the opening is a milestone he said he has advocated for since moving to the city about eight years ago.

Medina said he has noticed a greater police presence in the community compared with when he first moved to Desert Hot Springs and hopes the continued investment will make residents feel safer.

Matas said the annex is ultimately intended to serve both officers and the public, including giving residents additional space to work with detectives when reporting or following up on crimes.

The city plans to continue adding officers over the next several years as the department works toward its staffing goal.

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Matthew Pearce

INDIO, CA (KESQ) – The Indio Police Department will host two community presentations this week to provide residents with information about Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras and their use in the community.

Indio Police held its first presentation on Tuesday, where police demonstrated a step by step walkthrough of what using the ALPR software looks like, giving residents a full transparent look at what goes on behind the scenes

Prior to the presentation, Chief Brian Tully noted before it started the importance of working with the community to find balance between residents and the police department.

“We’re in partnership with our community because this is technology that enhances our ability to do the job, but it also is important that the community understands what it is. We’re always interested in using technology for good and to balance the privacy issues with public safety,” Tully said.

Indio resident Richard Davis, who attended Tuesday’s presentation, said it was a great way for him to understand the full extent of what these cameras are doing in the city he calls home.

“All I knew was it was supposed to be something to help prevent crime in the city. Now I know exactly what it is. Like I said, it reads the license plate, usually the rear license plate of a vehicle going through past the camera,” Davis said.

Another presentation will be held on Thursday, September 24, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Public Safety Services Building Multipurpose Room, 46835 Bristol Street, Indio.

Residents are encouraged to attend and learn more about the technology and its role in local public safety.

The community meetings come a week after the Indio’s Chief of Police Brian Tully gave a presentation on the use of ALPR cameras within the city during the city council meeting on September 16th.

Chief Tully gives a presentation on ALPR cameras and the use of the technology during the City of Indio’s council meeting, September 16th 2026

Chief Tully noted the first ALPR camera in the city of Indio was installed in September 2022, and at the moment the city has over 72 ALPR cameras. “We evaluated the tech and found that is was a beneficial tool to solving crime,” said Chief Tully. During the presentation, Chief Tully highlighted moments the camera tech has been utilized to solve crimes or assist during investigations, and noted that the data collected is retained for 30 days then deleted.

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Dakota Makinen

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ)- PGA West is hosting a job fair at the Private Clubhouse in La Quinta, with a variety of seasonal positions available including golf operations, food and beverage, hospitality, and gold course maintenance.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and this will e an on-the-spot interviewing and hiring event.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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KESQ News Team

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Fire officials said the lessons learned from Tropical Storm Hilary are already shaping their response plans for a potentially strong El Niño season. It’s not just our local leaders — the state is urging all Californians to prepare now.

On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide state of emergency for the potentially historic El Niño season. The declaration enables agencies to stage flood-fighting equipment, accelerate permits, and mobilize the National Guard.

Cathedral City Fire says it’s important for residents to set up a plan before we even start seeing the impact.

“Preparation is going to be… if they wait until the storm comes, it’s going to be too late,” said Cathedral City Fire Dept. Chief Michael Contreras. “Make sure that you have an evacuation plan right now. If the rain is coming and you’re in a flooded area, make sure that you know where you’re going.”

Contreras added, “One of the things that I can’t say enough is if you see standing water, don’t drive through it.

Cathedral City was hit hard by Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023

Contreras said the department has spent the past year expanding its storm response capabilities.

More than two dozen firefighters are now certified in swift-water rescue thanks to a FEMA grant, and crews have been training on flood response, access points, and emergency operations.

The Palm Springs Fire Dept. is also part of stepping up swift-water rescue training as well.

Firefighters there also recently completed hands-on flood and river rescue exercises in the Coachella Canal, using real-world conditions to practice life-saving techniques and emergency response.

PSFD reminds residents to never drive or walk through flooded roadways or moving water.

For residents, you can sign up for Alert RivCo notifications to receive emergency warnings and evacuation information during severe weather events.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and the city of Coachella will expand services at the Coachella Community Business and Resource Center, giving local businesses and entrepreneurs greater access to training, workspace and other resources, it was announced today.

“This partnership gives us the opportunity to take what we have traditionally done for the Coachella business community and build something much more comprehensive around it,” Brandon Marley, president and CEO of the chamber, said in a statement.

The Coachella City Council recently approved an annual $50,000 service agreement for the expanded program, officials said.

Once the program is implemented, the center will operate four days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offer free access to shared desks and workspace, basic printing services, conference and meeting space and chamber staff who can provide business assistance and help connect users with resources.

“The goal is to make more of these services available locally, reducing the need for Coachella businesses to travel outside the city for assistance,” officials said.

Programming will focus on the needs of local businesses, with topics including marketing, workforce development, access to capital and technology, business growth, employment regulations and government contracting, officials said.

“The city of Coachella is excited to expand our partnership with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and provide our businesses and entrepreneurs with even greater access to resources in their own community,” Mayor Frank Figueroa said. “Creating a central location where businesses canreceive assistance, participate in training, connect with partners and have access to professional workspace strengthen(s) the support system available to both existing businesses and those looking to grow in Coachella.”

Officials said additional information about workspace availability, upcoming workshops and other resources will be announced later.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – More than 1,200 customers were left without power in Palm Desert Monday night.

According to the Imperial Irrigation District, as of 8:00 p.m., 1,232 customers are impacted from Sweetwater Drive to 38th Avenue.

IID’s map shows that the area includes the Avondale Golf Club and Palm Valley Country Club.

The outage was first reported just after 6:50 p.m. It was off the outage page by 9:00 p.m.

There was no word on a possible cause. We have reached out to IID for more information.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Organizers behind Desert X, a biennial international art exhibition held in the Coachella Valley, will partner with Parker Palm Springs beginning next month for a cultural series featuring artists of different mediums for live performances and conversations, with proceeds benefiting Desert X’s 10th anniversary in 2027.

The opening event of the inaugural Parker Sessions at the Amphitheater will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 16 at 4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive.

Nicholas Galanin, whose artwork installation “Never Forget” was a popular Desert X fixture in 2021, will be in conversation with art collector and philanthropist Nancy Magoon, in a discussion moderated by Bryan Barcena, West Coast editor of Artforum.

Following the conversation, Galanin will perform with his band, Ya Tseen.

Desert X will mark its 10th edition from Oct. 30, 2027, through May 7, 2028.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/parkerpalmsprings/2408894.

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Jesus Reyes

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Two hikers were rescued after getting lost while on the Big Morongo Canyon Trail near Desert Hot Springs Monday afternoon.

The incident was first reported at around 3:20 p.m. in the area of N Indian Canyon Drive and Worsley Road.

“The Sheriff’s Aviation Unit also responded to assist and located two hikers on Big Morongo Canyon Trail. The Aviation Unit retrieved the hikers from the trail and transported them to a waiting ambulance,” reads an email from CAL FIRE.

Paramedics evaluated both hikers at the scene, and no injuries were reported.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit added that the hikers were “feeling the effects of heat-related injuries.”

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — J.R. Roberts is stepping down from the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation and his position as president of the board, marking the end of a six-year tenure with the organization.

Roberts has been involved with the foundation since its earliest days, helping lead efforts to raise the funds needed to restore the historic Plaza Theatre. Roberts said the timing was right to step aside and allow new leadership to take the foundation into its next chapter.

“I think the way we keep boards fresh and inspired is by turning them over and giving other people the opportunity for leadership,” Roberts said. “Having said that, is my heart broken? Yes. I love my board. Stepping off the board is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

Roberts will remain in his position through the foundation’s October 14 board meeting.

During his tenure, Roberts helped guide the organization through its fundraising efforts and ongoing work focused on restoring the historic theater.

The Plaza Theatre has been a longstanding part of downtown Palm Springs, and efforts to restore the venue have centered on preserving the theater and returning it to its former glory.

Roberts said leaving the board is an emotional decision, but believes bringing in new leadership can help keep the organization and its board energized.

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Gavin Nguyen

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Monday, September 21st marks the International Day of Peace.

Conflict rages on in the Middle East. The war in Ukraine continues. A number of civil wars and armed conflicts are happening in Africa. These conflicts are all being tracked with the Council on Foreign Relations’ Global Conflict Tracker, found here.

27 conflicts being tracked on the Global Conflict Tracker as of 09/21/2026

Amidst the backdrop of these conflicts, this year’s International Day of Peace brought a renewed call for an end to such wars.

On the local front, a number of veterans and local leaders gathered in Desert Hot Springs to call for change. The event entered its 21st year and took place at the Miracle Springs Resort & Spa. It was a way to honor those in the military, present and past, and to call for peace. From prayers to songs, the veterans and local leaders in attendance had a common goal.

Tom Swann Hernandez, who worked to organize Monday night’s ceremony, acknowledged the ongoing conflict in Iran.

“America’s at war again. And you see our banner over here to support the troops,” he said, motioning to a large banner taped to the wall that read “SUPPORT THE TROOPS” and “BRING THEM HOME.”

He echoed, “Bring them home. We’d like for them to come home, they’ve been gone a long time.”

“We support our country. We committed to defend our country, but all in the name of peace. We would love to have peace, to end war and to get along,” said Josephine Keller, a veteran of the Air Force and a Junior Past Commander within AMVETS. She was at the ceremony with her husband, also an Air Force veteran.

“I’ve already put in my time in service, I am here to support those that are going out to continue defend our country and to do the job that they have sworn to do. And I will continue to support them until they all come home,” she continued.

Keynote speakers, including Reverend Mark Kotlarczyk of Yucca Valley’s St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church, offered a message of peace – not just on the global scale, but in our own homes.

“It’s got to start with me, and it’s got to start with you,” he emphasized.

He said finding ways to be sincere to the people around us – from neighbors to family – is the key: “If we can have a peaceful home, peaceful neighborhood, a peaceful place of work, you know, then we can see that begin.”

A subsequent awards ceremony honored leaders of local cities and nonprofits.

Honorees included the following:

Rita Lamb, Cathedral City Council Janet Weil, Code Pink Mark Westwood, Yucaipa Mobile Home Residents Association Lynn Mallotto, Rancho Mirage Mayor Faye Chow, National Active & Retired Federal Employees Barbra Matis, Tesla & Pop Up Protests Tom Swann Hernandez, AMVETS CA. Post Commander of the Year

Singer and actor Prince Fleet Easton, who sang the national anthem and other songs advocating for peace during the ceremony, put it plainly: “We all are in this game together here on this planet, and we need to all come together and work together and not be adversaries, but work together as companions.”

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