Author: KESQ

Daniella Lake

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Democrats of Sun City Shadow Hills, a political organization based in Indio, have several members from Minnesota who are speaking out against the Trump administration and recent ICE operations nationwide. This weekend, the group held their first “signs of fascism,” protest, which they say they plan to hold weekly until they see a change.

Dan Larkin recently moved to the Coachella Valley from Minnesota. He says friends and family back home are in a constant state of hyper vigilance.

“They’re all worried about when is the next murder going to take place? Who is it going to be? When are they going to kidnap a child from my school or from my neighborhood?,” he says.

Dan Larkin and his wife Mary Larkin say the with shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, along with ICE activity throughout the city, Minnesotans feel “terrorized.”

“It’s perpetually feeling as if you could be assaulted at any time,” says Mary Larkin.

The Larkins are encouraging others to support Minnesotans from wherever you are.

“Right now it’s a Minnesota problem. But tomorrow it’s coming to another city and it may be ours,” says Dan Larkin.

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has put together a list of ways to support the Minnesota community.

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Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. — The red carpet was rolled out Saturday night for a celebration centered on inclusion, joy, and community.

The GALA Special Stars Come Out Tonight welcomed adults with intellectual, developmental, and neurodiverse disabilities to Palm Valley Country Club for an evening designed to make every guest feel celebrated and valued.

Participants arrived in limousines and specialty vehicles before walking the red carpet in formal attire. Guests posed for professional photographs and spent the evening enjoying dinner, dancing, and live music.

Earlier in the day, professional hair and makeup services were provided by local salons, helping participants prepare for the special night. Organizers emphasized the event was not a fundraiser, but a dignified and meaningful experience created exclusively for individuals with special needs and their families.

More than 300 guests attended the gala, which was hosted by Lisa Valerio of the Fenixia Foundation and Renée Griffin of Building Bridges for Special Needs. Organizers say the goal is to continue bringing the community together and creating memorable opportunities that promote inclusion and connection for people with disabilities.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – A new public mural celebrating Indio’s history, culture and festival legacy is now complete at the corner of Avenue 45 and Jackson Street, marking a milestone for local artist Adam Enrique Rodriguez.

“This is my first large-scale public mural in the city of Indio,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to tell the story of where I come from. This is where I was born and raised, and I have a lot of pride in where I come from.”

He said the mural moves from day to night across the wall, weaving together Indio’s history.

Rodriguez said he incorporated recognizable imagery from the Date Festival to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

“I wanted it to be something that everyone in the Valley could kind of see themselves in,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he was selected from about 30 artists who applied from around the world.

He said his local roots helped shape his vision.

“I grew up here,” Rodriguez said. “I know exactly what my community would want to see and what they would respond to.”

He said the mural took about 3 months to complete, beginning in early November.

“Contributing to where I come from has been paramount for me as an artist,” Rodriguez said. “If I can reach even the students where I grew up and they can drive by and see this and this becomes part of their history too, it’s very important to me.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the mural is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the site.

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Timothy Foster

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Patrick Warburton is instantly recognizable for his unmistakable voice, bringing life to some of Disney’s most iconic characters, from The Emperor’s New Groove to the billion-dollar hit Zootopia 2. But beyond Hollywood and the big screen, Warburton says his most meaningful work happens far from the recording booth, right here in the Coachella Valley.

For nearly two decades, Warburton has been a passionate supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, hosting the annual Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament to raise money for children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. This year marks the tournament’s 16th year, an effort that has grown into one of St. Jude’s top fundraisers nationwide.

The inspiration began in 2010, when Warburton and his wife, Cathy, visited St. Jude and met young patients and the medical teams caring for them. With four children of his own, the experience left a lasting impact.

Warburton says seeing the work being done, and the families supported without ever receiving a bill, motivated him to get involved and help make a difference.

What started as an idea has since become a major philanthropic force. Last year alone, the tournament raised a record $6.5 million, pushing the event’s total fundraising impact to more than $38 million. Warburton credits the success not to himself, but to the generosity of the Coachella Valley community, the tournament’s leadership team, and longtime chairman Clark Rainey.

The event has drawn support from Hollywood actors, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists, and donors from across the country, all united by St. Jude’s mission to ensure families never have to worry about the cost of treatment, travel, housing, or food.

While his philanthropic work continues to grow, so does Warburton’s on-screen presence. He recently joined the cast of Disney’s Zootopia 2, voicing Mayor Wind Dancer, a character fans quickly recognized as quintessentially Warburton. The film became the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, surpassing $1 billion worldwide in just 17 days.

Warburton says joining an already beloved Disney universe made the experience especially meaningful, praising the filmmakers and creative team behind the project.

Looking back on his long relationship with Disney, Warburton reflects on how deeply the company shaped his childhood, from family movie nights to his first visit to a Disney park, memories that still resonate decades later.

At 61, Warburton is also expanding into stand-up comedy, recently wrapping his first nationwide tour and releasing his debut comedy special, Still Catholic, now streaming on the Angel app.

Despite a busy schedule, Warburton says St. Jude remains front and center.

For him, the goal is simple. Continue raising as much as possible to support the hospital’s lifesaving work and rely on a community that has proven, year after year, it is willing to show up for children who need it most.

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Bruno Lopez-Vega

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire that burned 3.5 acres and nearly 100 palm trees Sunday, is now being investigated as a potential case of arson, according to Oswit Land Trust.

The trust owns Prescott Preserve, where the fire ignited around 2 p.m. Sunday. City officials say no firefighters were injured and no structures were damaged.

Now, Oswit is speaking out on the fire, which they’ve called devastating.

“What makes this loss even more painful is that we can say with a high degree of certainty that this fire was human-caused. An arson investigation will be taking place this week. The trails on the east side of Farrell will be closed until further notice,” Executive Director Jane Garrison said.

Garrison went on to say there is still much unknown, but they are clarifying the fire was not caused by dry conditions.

She said in a statement:

“* It is important to be clear that this fire was NOT caused by dry conditions. The preserve is healthy and green. 

* We have not yet been able to assess how the turtle population fared ( or the owls, bats, coots, etc). 

Because the palm oasis was so well-established and thriving, it was not included in our restoration grant. As a result, all immediate response, recovery and replanting efforts will need to come from donations. 

We need help ASAP to cover the costs of:

1. Hiring people to immediately to clear burned vegetation and assess the damage. 

2.Removing damaged or hazardous trees

3.Replacing and expanding security camera coverage

4.Potentially replacing equipment that may have been damaged in the fire.

5. Ultimately, restoring and replanting this critical habitat.”

If you’d like to help Oswit’s rebuilding efforts, visit: http://www.oswitlandtrust.org/donate

Update 5:15 p.m. :

The fire has been extinguished as fire crews continue to mop up the area.

A cause of that fire has not been confirmed.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs firefighters are on the scene of a large brush fire burning on the Prescott Preserve, in the area of Ramon Road and Farrell Drive.

That fire was first reported just past 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, and quickly grew in intensity.

Firefighters have closed roads closer to the fire as they work to extinguish it.

Stay withy News Channel 3 for updates.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Volunteers gave their time to care for nature Sunday morning.

The City of Palm Desert and Friends of the Desert Mountains hosted a cleanup at Homme-Adams Park (72500 Thrush Road, Palm Desert, CA). The cleanup kicked off at 8:00 a.m.

Although National Public Lands Day traditionally happens in September, the city typically hosts the cleanup in November in favor of cooler temperatures. This year, though, they were forced to reschedule to February due to rain.

Volunteers assisted with trail cleanup and park maintenance, including removing dead plants, trimming bushes and trees, hauling debris and light grading. The event highlights the importance of environmental stewardship and caring for the Coachella Valley’s unique and fragile desert ecosystem.

One of three groups hikes to their cleanup spot at Homme-Adams Park

Executive Director of Friends of the Desert Mountains, Tammy Martin, said of the event, “You want to do the cleanup. You don’t want the trash choking out things. You just want your nature to to be able to breathe, not to be choked out by debris and all that kind of stuff. So just keeping it natural and beautiful is our goal.”

Dozens of volunteers were split into three groups. Many of them collected trash, including broken glass, old metal cans, construction debris, plastics, and chunks of concrete.

Before the cleanup started, a park bench was also dedicated to former Palm Desert Councilman Buford Crites, a longtime advocate for trails, parks, and open space.

Palm Desert Mayor, Evan Trubee, and Friends of the Desert Mountains Executive Director, Tammy Martin, lead a ceremony dedicating a bench to Buford Crites

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Friends and family members held a vigil this morning for Ricardo Marano, a 56-year-old man who was killed by a hit and run crash on January 18th on Vista Chino.

The vigil began on Hermosa before attendees walked to Ruth Hardy Park.

Marano was known in the community for taking walks in the neighborhood.

Loved ones have also set up a memorial along Vista Chino.

Police have seized a car matching the description of a suspect vehicle in Thousand Palms, but have not announced an arrest

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Isaiah Mora

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)- Two people are in the hospital with serious injuries following an overnight rollover crash in Coachella on Sunday morning.

Around 12:37 a.m., Firefighters responded to a reported vehicle rollover near Airport Boulevard and Grapefruit Boulevard. Upon arrival, fire crews reported seeing one vehicle with major damage and two patients that required extrication.

Both patients were extricated from the vehicle and were transported to a nearby hospital, with serious injuries. We’re told one patient was airlifted to the hospital.

California Highway Patrol is investigating what led up to the crash, so make sure to stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Gavin Nguyen

INDIO HILLS, Calif. (KESQ) – A magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck at 1:20 a.m. early Sunday morning.

The small quake was centered in the same area as previous quakes in recent weeks, like a M 4.9 earthquake that rattled the Coachella Valley on January 19th.

We’re keeping a close eye on any other tremors in the area. Stay with us for the latest.

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Athena Jreij

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Dozens of locals and visitors are exploring some of the best natural mineral hot springs in the world right here in the Coachella Valley.

At the Miracle Hill Spa Tour, attendees can tour 13 spas and experience over 80 activities, including yoga, meditation, workshops and spa treatments.

As the event sells out, Tourism Development Liaison, Rayce Jonsrud, says it’s a testament to the city’s increased presence in the wellness space.

“I would say that that the the people that come here are all interested in what spas offer, which is relaxation, a chance to chill, and in a way to kind of set your clock back a little bit and just kind of relax,” Jonsrud said.

The water comes all the way from Mount San Gorgonio to reach the city.

“This hot water comes up from San Gorgonio. It takes about seven years to get here. That comes out of the ground pretty hot from 105 to 175, and they cool it off with the other mineral water that’s cold.”

From small boutique stays like Miracle Manor, to world-class resorts like Two Bunch Palms and Azure Palm Hot Springs, there’s something for everyone.

At Azure, you’ll find the only Himalayan salt room in Coachella Valley, reaching up to 110 degrees. Laying in the salt is supposed to help with lymphatic drainage and clear your respiratory system.

In the same resort, you’ll also find the 29 degree ice room, which is supposed to reduce inflammation and soreness and increase one’s blood flow. The concept is halotherapy, meant to shock your body from extremely cold to hot temperatures.

Others say soaking in the mineral springs can reduce joint pain, muscle tension and soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

It’s a form of self care that also goes back into the community.

“It supports all the things that we do here, and this is a community on the rise. When I came here 20 years ago, it was a little bit different. It just feels different now. We’re putting in curb and gutter where we’re doing all kinds of road improvements, and it just feels good,” Jonsrud said.

For a full list of the hotels featured and more information on the tour, visit: https://m.miraclehillspas.com/spa-tour/

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