Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Timothée Chalamet will be honored at the Palm Springs International Film Awards next month.

Chalamet will receive the Spotlight Actor of the Year Award for his performance in Marty Supreme.

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-12, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight. 

We’ll be live from the awards gala red carpet on Jan. 3, coverage starts at 5 p.m. on CBS Local 2.

“In Marty Supreme, Timothée Chalamet delivers a performance which marks a true milestone in his career,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “Within a dynamic struggle for glory, Chalamet’s portrayal of Marty Mauser transforms this narrative into a deeply human story of ambition and longing. This is one of his finest roles to date—and one of the best standout performances of the year, sure to be celebrated throughout the awards season. We are honored to present Timothée Chalamet with the Spotlight Actor of the Year Award, recognizing a remarkable artist at the height of his craft.” 

Chalamet stars in Marty Supreme, a bold, kinetic portrait of a fast-talking New York City dreamer, hellbent on turning an overlooked sport into his personal springboard to glory. The ensemble cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler Okonma (Tyler, the Creator in his feature-film debut), Kevin O’Leary, Abel Ferrara, Fran Drescher, Emory Cohen and a breakout turn by Odessa A’zion.

The A24 film is directed by Josh Safdie, who co-wrote it with his longtime collaborator Ronald Bronstein. The film was included on AFI’s and the National Board of Review’s Top 10 Movies of 2025. He has received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Actor. 

Two-time Academy Award nominee and five-time Golden Globe Award nominee Timothée Chalamet has collaborated with esteemed filmmakers Luca Guadagnino, Greta Gerwig, Denis Villeneuve, Adam McKay, Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan. Chalamet was the youngest “Best Actor” Oscar nominee since 1939 for his breakout role in Call Me by Your Name. He has starred in six “Best Picture” Oscar nominees: Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird, Little Women, Dune, Don’t Look Up and A Complete Unknown, for which he also received his second Best Actor Oscar nomination and received a Best Actor SAG Award. Additional credits include Dune: Part Two, Wonka, Bones and All, The French Dispatch, Beautiful Boy, The King and Interstellar. His next project is Paramount’s High Side, directed by James Mangold. Behind the camera, Chalamet served as a producer on Bones and All, A Complete Unknown and Marty Supreme.  

Chalamet joins this year’s previously announced honorees Michael B. Jordan (Icon Award), Leonardo DiCaprio (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Ethan Hawke (Career Achievement Award), Kate Hudson (Icon Award), Adam Sandler (Chairman’s Award), Amanda Seyfried (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), Rose Byrne (Breakthrough Performance Award) Frankenstein director Guillermo del Toro and actors Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth (Visionary Award), Hamnet director Chloé Zhao as well as actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal (Vanguard Award) and Sentimental Value cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning (International Star Award). 

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Athena Jreij

UNINCORPORATED RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – The family of 20-year-old Juan Mejia is sharing his memory after he was killed in a crash while riding his skateboard in unincorporated Riverside County.

Mejia was riding on Mountain View and Dillon Road when he was hit by a car the night of December 5th. California Highway Patrol says the driver decided to ‘unsafely’ pass a slower-moving vehicle over the solid double yellow lines and struck Mejia.  

News Channel 3 spoke exclusively with Mejia’s sister, Jacquelyn, who set up a memorial at the scene of the crash.

“He was always giving out candy. His favorite chips are right there. This is his favorite type of beer,” she said of the memorial adorned with pieces from his life, including the skateboard he died while riding.

His sister says Mejia loved watching cartoons, playing video games, and was beloved among community members as he rode across Desert Hot Springs.

“He was always on his skateboard riding around DHS. You know, I’m pretty sure, like, literally the whole city knows him because he was always on his skateboard,” Jacquelyn said.

Now, as the family works to process the news of his death, they say drivers and pedestrians in the area need to move forward with caution.

“I wouldn’t say this is the safest road to be walking by. It needs some light. It’s very dark here at night,” she said.

The family claims deaths on Mountain View Road are all too common with low visibility and narrow lanes.

News Channel 3 has covered several crashes in the area, including a motorcycle accident earlier this week. We reached out to CHP for more information on the total number of incidents in recent years but have yet to hear back.

Now, Jacquelyn hopes others will learn their lesson before more lives are lost.

“My aunt was just driving, you know, we’re coming from church, and they crossed her on a double yellow on this road. I’m like dude there’s just an accident not even a mile away from here,” she said.

If you’d like to support Mejia’s family as they work to cover funeral expenses, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-juan-mejia

The family is hosting a food fundraiser at the Casa Del Sol Mobile Home Park Saturday December 20th at 4 p.m. to also support the funeral expenses.

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María García

Update 12/12/25

The pedestrian was identified as Marc Nolasco, 51, of Desert Hot Springs.

Original Report 12/11/25

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A pedestrian was killed in a crash in Desert Hot Springs early Thursday morning.

According to police, the crash happened at around 12:15 a.m. at the intersection of Pierson Boulevard and Western Avenue. Emergency crews responded to the scene, where the pedestrian was pronounced dead.

Police said the involved driver stopped at the scene, attempted to render aid, and contacted the police.

The Desert Hot Springs Police Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Based on information at the scene, investigators determined the pedestrian was in the travel lane of the roadway when he was struck. The driver is cooperating with police, and alcohol and driving actions do not appear to be factors in the collision. 

Pierson Boulevard was shut down for several hours, but the roadway has since reopened.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella City Council had a lot on their agenda Wednesday evening, from selecting a new Mayor Pro Tem to other appointments, but a no-show from Mayor Steven Hernandez delayed some of those votes.

The meeting addressed a key public health issue in a resolution authorizing an application to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the city’s Chromium-6 Treatment Project, and another resolution authorizing reimbursement for that application.

Drinking water in this part of the valley has been flagged for containing levels of naturally occurring chromium-6 that are above the state’s drinking water standard. Chromium-6 is a mineral known to potentially cause cancer if consumed in excess.

The Council also voted to move three items to its next meeting due to Mayor Hernandez’s absence.

This included the vote for Mayor Pro Tem, and the other two items were appointments to subcommittees.

Hernandez has made fewer appearances since being arraigned on perjury and conflict of interest charges in October.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs City Council agreed unanimously at its meeting on Wednesday to maintain the current resident golf rates and stay the implementation of increases at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, retroactive to December 1.

The decision to keep the current rates came after hearing residents’ concerns last month over the adopted green fee hikes of up to 73% at the resort.

Councilmember deHarte said, “Many thanks to the community members who spoke up and pled their case very eloquently. And appreciation again to the Parks and Rec[reation] team for going through the process and making a difference for those people who are active golfers at Tahquitz.”

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A major warehouse proposal on tribal land drew demonstrators Wednesday as the Palm Springs City Council voted to send a report of concerns and recommendations to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Dozens of demonstrators rallied outside City Hall ahead of the meeting, opposing the tribe’s proposed 217-acre Desert Mountain View Business Park. The project — planned between Highway 111 and Interstate 10 — would create a massive complex at the gateway into Palm Springs.

The Oswit Land Trust led the protest, arguing the review process was being rushed and that the project raises significant environmental and infrastructure concerns — including air pollution, potential harm to endangered species, and increased traffic congestion.

“Six days ago what the first time we learned about this project from the city when they posted it on the agenda — it seems to be the first time the city council learned about it. Yet, there are thousands of pages to analyze.”

Geoff Kors, Oswit Land Trust Board of Directors

During the meeting, opponents urged the council to reject the project. The council voting to compile a report with recommendations and send it to the tribe, along with a formal request for a joint meeting early next year to discuss concerns and needed infrastructure improvements.

Kors said that while the tribe has final authority over the project, it remains essential that they take community concerns seriously.

“There voice is important and we want to do everything we can to give the city council the information they need to make a smart decision and hopefully meet with the tribe to talk and address all these impacts.”

Geoff Kors, Oswit Land Trust Board of Directors

The meeting also included a leadership change at City Hall: Councilmember Naomi Soto was sworn in as the new mayor of Palm Springs, succeeding Mayor Ron deHarte, who will continue representing District 3.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Daniella Lake

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – Joy Potter, an Indian Wells resident and owner of the Robynn Joy Company, is creating a special Altadena collection to support Eaton fire victims. Potter attends several Coachella Valley markets each week, including the Indian Wells farmer’s market held on Thursdays.

Potter grew up in Altadena and lost her entire street to the Eaton fire. She says she reminiscenses on orange trees in her backyard and the pine trees that were all around the neighborhood, “I just had to capture that essence immediately.”

The Altadena collection features candles named after streets in Altadena, like Lake Avenue and Altadena Drive. 30% of proceeds from the collection go to organizations in Altadena. The collection will be available year round and Potter often sells at the Indian Wells farmer’s market and La Quinta farmer’s market.

Potter says that she started making candles as a form of creative therapy, after she lost her daughter, Robynn, in 2008.

“This is how I get to love her still every day. And it’s the joy of my heart. I love it. I love every minute of creating because it’s like she’s right there with me,” she says.

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Peter Daut

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The California Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement on Highway 74 to try to keep people safe ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

The new plan includes more enforcement patrols on the highway, additional training to detect commercial violations, and community meetings that CHP will host for residents to voice their concerns.

For years, News Channel 3 has reported on the numerous crashes along the mountain highway, known for its steep curves and narrow lanes.

CHP Officer David Torres says, “We want to make sure that everyone drives safe up there, we want to reduce the number of crashes that we have up there, and we want people to just follow the law and drive safely. It’s a beautiful highway, it’s fun to drive, as long as you drive in the speed limit and within your lane.”

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke in-depth with Torres about the CHP’s Special Enforcement Details, and how the CHP is trying to make Highway 74 less dangerous.

In a bipartisan effort, state lawmakers are also working on legislation to improve safety on Highway 74.

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City Police Chief George Crum will retire this month, city officials confirmed to News Channel 3’s Athena Jreij.

City officials said Crum will officially retire on Dec. 18 after 36 years of dedicated service in law enforcement. Cathedral City is expected to announce more details on an acting police chief on Dec. 18.

Statement from Crum on his upcoming retirement:

“I am truly honored to have served the citizens of Cathedral City as their Police Chief for over eight years. I would like to thank the community, elected officials, the city, and the men and women of the Cathedral City Police Department for allowing me the opportunity to serve as their Police Chief. The men and women of the Cathedral City Police Department represent the very best in our profession.”

Crum has served as the city’s police chief for a total of 8 years over two terms. He first served as Cathedral City’s police chief from 2014 until his retirement in 2017. He returned to the position in 2020.

Statement from Cathedral City:

“Chief George Crum has dedicated nearly a decade of service to the residents of Cathedral City, and his impact on our community is immeasurable. His community-focused approach to policing prioritized open dialogue and building genuine trust with the people he served.

Under his leadership, the department launched a Homeless Liaison Officer program, established a traffic bureau, and maintained one of the lowest crime rates in the Coachella Valley for the past six years. But beyond the programs and statistics, Chief Crum will be remembered for the relationships he built — showing up, listening, and making residents feel heard and safe.

Chief Crum leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, dedication, and genuine care for this community. He will be deeply missed. We thank him for his service and wish him all the best in this well-earned retirement.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – A hiker was airlifted after suffering a minor injury along the Bear Creek Oasis Trail in La Quinta Wednesday morning.

The incident was first reported at around 9:45 a.m.

“Firefighters were on scene of an inaccessible rescue involving a patient with minor injuries. CAL FIRE helicopter 608 hoisted the patient to awaiting paramedics and was transported by ground to a local hospital for further evaluation,” reads a post by CAL FIRE.

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