Author: KESQ

Cynthia White

 PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is sharing the tribe’s culture and history with community members and visitors this weekend at its seventh annual Kewet Native American Learning Day and Market.

 The educational cultural event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1st at Palm Springs High School, presented by the Tribe in partnership with the City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Unified School District.

Admission is free and there are many activities scheduled throughout the day for participants of all ages. Free tickets can be reserved at aguacaliente.org/kewet. 

Agua Caliente Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich, Palm Springs Unified Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marcus Funchess, and Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte will welcome guests at the center stage at 10:00 a.m. 

Kewet, the Cahuilla word for fiesta, will feature bird singers and dancers, demonstrations, and hands-on activities such as basket weaving, beading, gourd rattle making, and traditional games. There will also be food and a Native American Market. 

Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich says, “This learning day provides an opportunity for us to share our culture and history with neighbors and surrounding communities.”

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is interwoven in the community with its reservation spanning in a checkerboard fashion throughout Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and areas of unincorporated Riverside County. 

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Blake Arthur

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — It’s the final week of the regular season for high school football and there are plenty of storylines and rivalries.

La Quinta – 0
@
Palm Desert – 35
F

Rancho Mirage – 21
@
Palm Springs – 33
F

Xavier Prep – 7
@
Shadow Hills – 23
F

Coachella Valley – 37
@
Indio – 7
F

Twentynine Palms – 0
@
Yucca Valley – 49
F

/**/

Despite the majority of our local high school football games on Thursday this week, there are still some games on Friday, Oct. 31 (Halloween).

Here are the scores

Banning – 50
@
Desert Mirage – 22
F

Desert Hot Springs – 30
@
Cathedral City – 22
F

Desert Christian Academy – 48
@
Vasquez – 6
F

Desert Chapel – 48
@
Hamilton – 46
F

With the regular season in the books, some of our high school teams will play in the CIF-SS Playoffs. The playoff schedule will be released on Sunday, November 2nd.

KESQ News Channel 3 is your home for complete coverage of high school football in the Coachella Valley.

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City News Service

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – An injured hiker who sustained minor injuries was rescued today at the Pushawalla Palms Trailhead in Thousand Palms.   

The rescue was reported about 2 p.m. Thursday in the Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge, near Ramon and Thousand Palms Canyon roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.  

The agency said crews hiked out to the hiker, who was unable to make it back down the trail, and was taken to a local hospital by ground ambulance.   

He remained in stable condition, the department stated.   

The cause of the injuries was not immediately known.

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City News Service

COACHELLA (CNS) –  Blue Zones Project Coachella and Coachella officials will celebrate the city’s first approved healthy food truck next month at Veterans’ Memorial Park during their Fiestas Azules event.

The free celebration will be held at 10:00 a.m. on November 15th at 1500-1598 Fourth Street.

Fat Boys Tacos and Catering will provide healthy meals that co-owner Cesar Sanchez said can change a customer’s life for the better when choosing for healthier options. Fat Boys’ Blue Zone approved menu includes tacos with vegetables such as sautéed spinach, mushrooms, cactus, bell peppers, and more. Tostadas are also on the menu, with healthy ingredients including Peruvian beans, avocado, and fresh pico de gallo.

An initiative to provide residents with access to healthy food options led Blue Zones officials to work with city officials and Riverside University Health System to pass ordinances 1218 and 1219.

Ordinance 1218 states that at least 25% of a food truck’s menu must contain healthy ingredients, including seasonal fruits, vegetables, whole grains and rice, and less fried, sugary or ultra-processed foods, per the Blue Zones food guidelines. Ordinance 1219 adds to 1218 by allowing food trucksserving nutritional options to operate at local date farms.

“Fat Boy Tacos is more than just Coachella’s first approved healthy food truck — it’s proof of what happens when we bring policy, leadership and local businesses together for our community,” said Job Huerta, organizations and well-being lead for BZP Coachella.

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Daniella Lake

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Rancho Mirage unanimously approved a new mosque to occupy 69640 Highway 111. It’ll be the first mosque on the western side of the Coachella Valley.

“This building was once a restaurant, but now it has a chance to serve as something even more meaningful. A place of tranquility, a place that strengthens community ties, and a place that will add to the diversity and the spirit of the city,” says Dr. Iyoob Ilyas, a surgeon at Eisenhower hospital.

Dr. Llyas and other muslim doctors from Eisenhower brought forth the idea to have a mosque in Rancho Mirage. Dr. Llyas says that he used to drive all the way to the mosque in Coachella for daily prayer before he and his colleagues started using the interfaith chapel at the hospital.

The facility will be named the Islamic Society of the Desert. According to their website, they will offer daily prayers, dedicated spaces for women and children, Arabic classes and more. Their website also says they’re hoping to raise $2 million for the mosque, right now they’re 32% of the way there. 

“I feel very strongly that the Muslim community needs to expand and feel comfortable here…I really want us to think for a moment, has any house of worship ever done anything but good for a community?,” said one passionate attendee of the planning commission meeting.

The mosque will be in between a Christian church and the Jewish Federation of the Desert. Some community members expressed concerns amid tensions between Jewish and Muslim communities due to the war in Gaza.

“We love Muslims and everybody else. That’s not the issue. The issue is what kind of problem are we creating If we put a mosque right there where they want it? Next to the [Jewish] federation in one of the busiest intersections in the valley,” said rancho mirage resident, Rick Stein.

The city hasn’t announced the plans to open the new mosque outside of the planning commission meeting. Minor updates to the building and landscaping are already underway.

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Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — As Halloween approaches, police across the Coachella Valley are reminding parents to stay alert and carefully inspect their children’s candy before letting them dig in. While reports of fentanyl-laced treats are rare, law enforcement officials say the ongoing drug crisis warrants extra caution.

Indio Police Sergeant Abraham Plata says that simple precautions can go a long way in keeping families safe.

“Don’t let your children eat candy while they’re trick-or-treating. It’s dark outside, and they won’t be able to see what they’re ingesting. Go through the candy at home in a well-lit room. If anything looks tampered with or glued, just throw it away.”

Sgt. Abraham Plata, Indio Police Department

Plata says officers continue to encounter fentanyl during arrests and overdose calls across the valley.

“We periodically get calls for service involving fentanyl. Usually it’s related to an overdose, but we also find fentanyl on people during arrests.”

Sgt. Abraham Plata, Indio Police Department

Officials are also warning parents to look closely at candy packaging. Some items may closely resemble well-known brands but could actually be infused with harmful substances.

If someone finds something that looks suspicious or potentially dangerous, police urge them to avoid handling it and call 911 immediately.

By taking a few extra minutes to inspect candy and stay vigilant, families can help ensure a fun and safe Halloween night.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Athena Jreij

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — La Quinta City Councilman Steve Sanchez is running to represent the Fourth District of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

Sanchez made the campaign announcement first with News Channel 3’s Athena Jreij, announcing he plans to unseat Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, who was elected Supervisor in 2018.

The fourth district is the largest in Riverside County, covering the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County. The district extends from Blythe, to Palm Springs and up into the mountain community of Idyllwild.

In his first interview on the campaign trail, Sanchez says he is prioritizing infrastructure, job security and energy. He also wants to weed out corruption in local government.

“I have decided I am going to run for Riverside County Supervisor of the Fourth District, which encompasses the Coachella Valley, all the way to Blythe. My mission right here is with the residents of the Coachella Valley and Blythe, to be there for them and be their voice, and quite frankly, I think people want more integrity and accountability back in government. They want people that they can actually trust and count on,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez has served on La Quinta City Council since 2016 and ran for California’s 28th State Senate in 2022. He currently serves on the LAFCO Commission, Airport Land Use Committee and Southern California Association of Government’s Transportation Committee.

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Cynthia White

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – La Quinta High School students will be wearing their favorite jerseys or white shirts on Thursday in memory of Liam Cantu, their classmate who died last Friday after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Before Cantu’s death, La Quinta High School friends, family, coaches and teammates gathered on the school’s baseball field to send messages of hope and support last week.

La Quinta High School’s Associated Student Body announced via social media on Wednesday:

“This Thursday, we come together as a school family to honor the memory of our classmate, friend, and bright spirit, Liam Cantu. Liam was so excited to wear his Rams jersey for Spirit Day, and in his memory, we’ll be celebrating Jersey Day & White Out.Let’s wear our favorite jerseys or white shirts to show unity, kindness, and love for him and for each other. Let’s carry forward the light, joy, and positivity that Liam shared with everyone around him.We remember his smile, his laughter, and the energy he brought into every space. We remember Liam today and always. His spirit will forever be a part of our school family.”

Cantu, 14, was one of two teenagers riding bicycles along Highway 111 in La Quinta on Oct. 10 when they were struck by a vehicle. Authorities later identified the suspected driver as Jose Villegas Orbe, 47, of Palm Springs. He is accused of fleeing the scene following the incident. Cantu remained hospitalized in critical condition for two weeks.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Villegas Orbe was intoxicated at the time and is now facing charges including vehicular manslaughter, DUI, hit-and-run and probation violation.

The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy Martinez at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station or call anonymously at 760-341-STOP (7867).

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Halloween excitement isn’t just for kids — adults are gearing up to join in the festivities as well. One of the valley’s biggest hotspots is downtown Palm Springs, where large crowds are expected to fill the streets this weekend.

Hundreds of attendees are expected at the Halloween block party on Arenas, prompting law enforcement to increase patrols and implement safety measures.

“We’ll have additional staff that will be down there. The roadway will be closed off, there will be some barricades that will be set up and we’ll also have personnel on site providing security and we’ll actually have some personnel doing overwatch of the event.”

Lt. Gustavo Araiza, Palm Springs Police Department

With large gatherings often come other issues, particularly when alcohol is involved. Local bar owners, like Dean Lavine at Blackbook, are also stepping up to ensure visitors celebrate responsibly.

“All of our staff is responsible for taking training which is serving alcohol with care… We want to make sure that everyone who comes here to dine or drink is in a comfortable, safe environment.”

Dean Lavine, Blackbook Bar Owner

Lavine emphasized that keeping Halloween safe is a team effort.

“We work together all of the bars with the city and police department to ensure that we have a safe event down here.” 

Dean Lavine, Blackbook Bar Owner

Officers will maintain a strong presence throughout the weekend, as other major events, including Gay Leather Pride, draw additional crowds to the area.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Registered nurses at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs joined their colleagues at five other Tenet-operated hospitals in the state on Thursday for a one-day strike to protest what they call a refusal by ownership to improve patient care and staffing.  

Nurses began striking at 7:00 a.m. Thursday and plan to continue until 7:00 a.m. Friday at the hospital, located at 1150 N. Indian Canyon Drive. A total of 3,100 nurses at six hospitals are expected to take part in the strike, according to the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United union.   

Desert Regional Medical Center issued the following statement:

“Desert Regional Medical Center and Hi-Desert Medical Center will continue to provide quality, compassionate patient care during a strike called by the California Nurses Association, the labor union representing our nursing staff. The hospitals will remain fully operational during the strike, and our staff’s focus, as always, will be on providing exceptional quality patient care and service.

Patients and their loved ones can be assured that our hospitals will be staffed with qualified and experienced replacement nurses as well as all of our other caregivers through the strike’s duration.

The union’s action is related to contract negotiations between the hospitals and the union. We are disappointed that the union is taking this strike action, which in our view is not constructive or necessary. We have been negotiating in good faith with the union to reach a new contract and even proposed to the union that the parties engage in a mediation to attempt to resolve any differences. Rather than engage in productive mediation and negotiations, the union provided us with its intent to strike. 

Our focus will now shift to ensuring that patients will continue to receive the high-quality care they are accustomed to during the strike, and we stand ready to resume good faith negotiations at the strike’s conclusion. We remain focused on providing safe, quality care to our patients, just as we do every day.”

At Desert Regional Medical Center, union officials contend staffing has been cut below state-mandated patient ratios in the neonatal intensive care unit. Union officials say the hospital received a state waiver that is usually only granted in emergency situations to operate below the mandated staffing level.  

“We demand safe staffing for our precious babies and that Tenet live up to its stated values of acting with integrity and the highest ethical standards, always,” Deb Edwards, a registered nurse at Desert Regional, said in a statement.

The nurses also call for:   — guaranteed meal and rest break coverage;   — improvements in recruiting and retention of experienced nurses;   — dedicated staff for the task of lifting patients to help reduce injury to patients and nurses; and   — safe staffing at all times. 

Desert Regional Medical Center Nurse Linda Serrano joined fellow nurse co-workers on the picket line, saying, “We were very disappointed that Tenet . . . canceled our bargaining this last meeting in October. We’re urging Tenet Corporation to come back to the bargaining table with us so we can seal and vote on our next contract.”

Serrano also says Tenet nurses have been locked out due to the strike – meaning they will not be able to return to work until Sunday.  

Union officials said Tenet Healthcare Corp. made $4.1 billion in profits last year and CEO Saum Sutaria made more than $24 million as the highest-paid health care CEO in the county.

“It’s clear to the nurses that Tenet is prioritizing profits over patients,” Joeton Labos, an ICU nurse at San Ramon Medical Center, said in a statement.

CNA has been in contract negotiations with Tenet since February.

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