Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Ashley Stein, co-owner of Palm Springs’ Saffron Restaurant and Lounge, says she found her restaurant listed for lease, after a battle with the landlord over a Pride poster.

News Channel 3 first followed this story early June, when Stein says she was instructed by her landlord to take down the poster or lose a lower summer rent rate. Amy Brinkman, one of the property’s co-owners, says they asked the poster be taken down because of lease provisions.

Now, Stein believes the listing could be linked to the debacle over the poster, which still stands.

“I don’t know how I could take it any other way,” Stein said.

The listing read at the time, “Currently occupied by Saffron Restaurant. Pleae do not disturb existing tenant. Contact listing agent for tours.”

However, Brinkman claims it was posted by an outside commercial realtor unauthorized by property management, and has since been taken down.

Brinkman says she believes the realtor posted it when they learned the restaurant was behind on their rent by $140,000.

News Channel 3 asked Saffron’s co-owners if they are behind on rent and if that could be related.

“That is not something that we are going to speak of at this time … They have said nothing about that [rent] to us. So this is obviously quite the shock,” Stein said.

In emails shared by Brinkman, News Channel 3 found property management claims that they did not authorize the listing, as well as the agent saying he had posted it to generate leads for the future.

However, Stein and her co-owners say it’s further strained their relationship with management.

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City News Service

DESERT HOT SPRINGS (CNS) – A series of road repairs in a community on the northwest end of Desert Hot Springs will begin next week, periodically interrupting travel for a few months but making for a smoother ride after the project is finished.

“This project will fix up a substantial number of streets in this unincorporated community (of Mission Lakes),” Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez said. “This road work is a significant improvement that will be long lasting after it’s completed.”

Perez’s Fourth District encompasses the Mission Lakes Country Club. According to his staff, a total of 25 streets covering 5.7 miles are due for upgrades as part of the Mission Lakes Area Resurfacing Project, which is slated to begin at 7 a.m. Monday and continue for about three months.

Crews generally will be on the job Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m and 6 p.m., officials said.

Jurupa Valley-based LCR Earthwork & Engineering Corp. was awarded the project contract, the total budget for which is $3.3 million, according to Perez’s office.

“This is very significant in our community’s over 50-year history that the roads are being totally re-done up here,” Mission Lakes Country Club General Manager Eric Charos said. “This will be a big improvement for our residents, and all who visit to golf, enjoy our restaurants and amenities, with some of the best views in the (Coachella) Valley.”

Officials said residents impacted by street repairs will be given 48 hours’ notice to ensure street parking doesn’t impede work and vehicles aren’t exposed to potential damage.

The anticipated length of travel delays, and on which roads, as well as possible detours, have not been announced yet.

The project’s funding originates from a mix of local sales tax revenue, Senate Bill 1, or Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017, grants and Mission Springs Water District allocations, though the latter will mostly cover expenses directly tied to rearranging utilities.

Officials noted that several other Mission Lakes streets east of the current project are expected to be repaired in future years during the next phase of work.

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Tommy Gallegos

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. — As Independence Day approaches, a growing debate has emerged in Big Bear Lake over whether the community’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular should proceed amid concerns about its potential impact on the region’s famous bald eagle family.

An online petition calling for the cancellation of the fireworks display has attracted thousands of supporters who fear the event could disturb Jackie, Shadow, and their surviving eaglet, Sandy. The eagles have become internationally recognized through the popular Big Bear Eagle Cam set up by Friends of Big Bear Valley, drawing millions of viewers who have followed the birds’ nesting seasons in recent years.

Petition supporters argue that loud fireworks could cause unnecessary stress to the eagles and other wildlife during a critical time of year. They are urging local officials to explore quieter alternatives, such as drone or laser light shows, that would allow the community to celebrate Independence Day while minimizing impacts on wildlife.

In response to the growing public concern, Visit Big Bear released a statement acknowledging the deep connection many people have formed with the eagles while reaffirming that the July 4 Fireworks Spectacular will move forward as planned.

“Visit Big Bear recognizes the deep passion people have for Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, Luna, and the bald eagles that have become such an important part of Big Bear’s identity,” the organization said. “We also recognize that people across the country have formed a meaningful connection to Big Bear through the eagle cam.”

The tourism organization emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration and cited the event’s longstanding importance to the local economy.

According to Visit Big Bear, the fireworks celebration supports local hotels, restaurants, recreation providers, retail businesses, and seasonal workers during one of the community’s busiest weekends of the year. Officials noted that after another low-to-no snow winter, many businesses are relying on summer tourism to help recover financially.

“This is not a choice between caring for wildlife and caring for local families,” the statement said. “We believe Big Bear can and must do both.”

Visit Big Bear also outlined several measures intended to reduce potential impacts on wildlife. The fireworks display will be professionally managed from a barge on Big Bear Lake, approximately two miles from the Jackie and Shadow nest, according to a Google Earth measurement reviewed by the organization.

Officials said the show will last less than 30 minutes, will comply with all required fire safety regulations, and that organizers are working with the fireworks provider to reduce the loudest explosive effects where possible.

Wildlife advocates, however, continue to question whether distance alone is sufficient to prevent disturbance, citing research showing that loud, unexpected noises can affect birds even when they originate miles away.

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Kiera Seapy

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)- Hundreds of students from elementary school to middle school are watching the films they created on the big screen at Mary Pickford Theatre.

The event marked the ending of the two week Young Creators Summer Program, where about 600 students participated. This years theme was “Monster Summer” and inspired the students to use characters such as mummies, vampires, and others.

Students took on different roles as the program continued, such as acting, directing, camera operation, and props. Organizers say that the goal was to give students the hands on experience while working as a team.

Christian Sesma, the filmmaker, CEO, and founder of the Young Creators Student Film Program said they “provide really a truly Hollywood certified experience.”

He also added that its the only program in the state that has a progressed filmmaking program.

Michelle Castillo-Soto, A paraprofessional bilingual for Palm Springs Unified School district said this program with the children “has been a truly great opportunities watching them grow from….. seeing how much they’ve learned and expanded. It’s it’s been a true blessing.”

She also said how this program keeps students engaged over the summer because “students tend to start declining over the summer.” So this keeps their mind fresh on reading and math and also giving them the opportunity to grow and learn.

The goal is simple for the students, keep kids learning, creating, and exploring new opportunties.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As summer temperatures settle into the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs leaders are taking steps to better protect people experiencing homelessness.

City council members this week voted to expand hours at the Access Center, allowing unhoused residents to escape dangerous overnight heat. The proposal would extend operations into the night at an estimated annual cost of about $172,000, with council also requesting staff explore a 24/7 option.

News Channel 3 is speaking with an advocate who says the city’s efforts are a step in the right direction— but more support is still needed — and from unhoused residents seeking relief from the dangerous heat.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — While summer is typically one of the slowest seasons for tourism in the Coachella Valley, the Palm Springs International ShortFest is helping bring visitors to the desert.

The festival attracts filmmakers, industry professionals and moviegoers from around the world, generating business for local hotels, restaurants and shops during the summer months.

At Festival Theaters, General Manager and Programmer Zack Solomon said ShortFest has helped keep business strong as the summer slowdown begins.

“We’ve not only maintained how we’ve been doing, but it actually has been helping us quite a bit,” Solomon said.

Just down the street, local hotels are also seeing the impact.

Jilian Rodriguez, assistant general manager at the Hyatt Palm Springs, said the hotel is sold out for multiple nights because of the festival — a rarity for a summer weekday.

“Normally on a midweek we wouldn’t see a whole lot of sell out, and we are sold out for tonight and tomorrow,” Rodriguez said.

She said festival visitors are also staying longer, dining at hotel restaurants, ordering room service and supporting employees through increased business and tips.

Beyond the economic impact, organizers and local businesses say ShortFest helps keep Palm Springs on the map as a destination for filmmakers and creative talent from across the globe.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of Palm Springs International ShortFest.

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — American Legion Post 519 Renovating Historic Kitchen to Better Serve Veterans

American Legion Post 519 in Palm Springs is undergoing a major kitchen renovation this summer as part of a broader effort to improve services for local veterans and preserve one of the city’s historic buildings.

The project, funded in part through the City of Palm Springs’ Measure J program and support from local historic preservation partners, will replace aging kitchen equipment with modern commercial appliances, install the post’s first commercial dishwasher, upgrade flooring and walls, improve food preparation space, and expand storage capacity.

Built in 1948, the American Legion building is designated as a Class One Historic Site in Palm Springs. The post has long served as a gathering place for veterans, offering affordable meals, live entertainment, and a place to connect with fellow service members.

According to post leaders, the renovation will allow the kitchen to operate more efficiently and eventually expand meal service. Their goal is to have the kitchen open seven days a week for lunch, compared to the limited service currently offered only a few days each week. The upgraded kitchen will also better support weddings, community events, and other rentals that help generate revenue for the nonprofit organization.

Although the kitchen is temporarily closed, post leaders say they are committed to making sure veterans continue to have access to food throughout the renovation. The post is partnering with local food vendors, bringing in food trucks, and exploring additional temporary dining options while construction continues.

One of those partners is Dad’s Burgers, owned by Coachella Valley resident Daniel Sandoval. Sandoval has been serving veterans at the post during the renovation after previously providing meals at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Desert Hot Springs. He says many veterans depend on the American Legion not only for meals but also for companionship, making it important to continue food service while the kitchen is unavailable.

Sandoval has operated Dad’s Burgers for about five years as a pop-up business throughout the Coachella Valley. His long-term goal is to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Community members can follow @dadsburgers760 on Instagram for weekly locations.

Veterans who regularly visit Post 519 say the Legion provides far more than a meal. For many, it is a place to spend time with friends, stay connected to the veteran community, and find support from others who share similar experiences.

The kitchen renovation is expected to take approximately six to eight weeks, although post officials acknowledge the timeline could change as crews continue work inside the nearly 80-year-old historic building.

Despite the construction, American Legion Post 519 will remain open throughout the renovation. Leaders encourage veterans and community members to continue visiting for events, live entertainment, and temporary food service while the kitchen improvements are completed.

Once finished, officials say the renovated kitchen will help the post serve more veterans, expand community programming, and preserve the historic facility for generations to come.

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Jesus Reyes

ANZA, Calif. (KESQ) – A vegetation fire quickly burned 30 acres in Anza Thursday evening, before forward progress was stopped.

The fire was reported just after 6:30 p.m. in the 39300 block of Rolling Hill Road, south of Highway 371.

By 7:10 p.m., officials reported the blaze had burned 15 acres. As of 8 p.m., it is at 30 acres.

Timelapse of fire from 7:03 p.m. to 8:02 p.m.

An Evacuation Order was briefly issued for zone RVC-TABLEMT1-C, near the site of the fire, but that was lifted by 8:30 p.m.

Click on the photo for an interactive map

There are a few road closures in place:

Kenworthy Bautista Rd. and Burnt Valley Rd. to Terwilliger Rd. and Burnt Valley Rd.

Granite Gulley Rd. at Terwilliger Rd. to Rolling Hills Rd. and Granite Gulley Rd.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. — Two popular Palm Desert restaurants will be able to continue operating their outdoor dining decks after the City received the required property owner authorization letters, officials announced Thursday.

Officials say Kitchen 86 submitted its authorization letter Wednesday, while Little Bar provided its documentation Thursday afternoon, satisfying the city’s requirement for temporary dining decks located within the public right-of-way.

The dining decks are part of Palm Desert’s temporary outdoor dining program, which was first introduced in 2020 to help restaurants expand seating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, the Palm Desert City Council extended the program through June 30, 2027, allowing participating businesses to continue using temporary outdoor dining structures while the City develops a long-term program.

Skip Paige, owner of Little Bar, posted on social media June 23 that the restaurant was preparing to remove its outdoor dining deck at the end of June. Paige celebrated the update Thursday evening on social media

Under City requirements, businesses operating dining decks on public property, such as former on-street parking spaces, must obtain authorization from the property owner. The requirement also confirms that the business is responsible for the deck’s operation, maintenance, and any liability associated with its use.

City officials said the policy is intended to balance support for local restaurants with appropriate protections for public property and residents.

With the required documentation now in place, both Kitchen 86 and Little Bar may continue operating their outdoor dining decks under the temporary program.

City staff will continue working with business owners and property owners to develop a permanent outdoor dining program that officials say will provide a practical, consistent, and business-friendly framework once the temporary program expires in 2027.

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Athena Jreij

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Business owners along E. Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City say vandalism from nearby homeless communities is costing them thousands in repairs and driving away customers.

Owner Michael Azzarella of the Desert Jewelry Mart Plaza says he had two windows smashed in last week, he alleges by homeless individuals who congregate around the nearby Circle K. Beyond the damage, Azzarella says he is cleaning needles and urine near his store almost daily.

“As the new buildings go in with the Circle K open 24 hours, selling alcohol day and night, the homeless come around every day. They leave all their trash in front of our building, they break into our water, our trash,” Azzarella said.

He claims he’s spent $5,000 this year on repairs and cleaning, with $1,250 just last week to replace two shattered windows.

Azzarella’s not the only one. At Napa Auto Parts just steps away, employees say they’ve also suffered damage for the same reasons.

“It’s more of an inconvenience. I mean, thankfully, they don’t mess with any of our customers up front, but they do create quite a bit of property damage,” one employee said.

News Channel 3 reached out to Cathedral City Police who say they arrested someone for breaking several windows on E. Palm Canyon, as well as the police station’s.

While they’ve responded to several nuisance calls at the plaza, officers say sometimes the scene is empty when they get there. They also claim there isn’t much they can do about homeless sleeping in the area.

As they commit to more patrols in the area, Azzarella says he doubts how effective it will be at solving the real issue.

“I filled out a trespassing report with the local police, so they could charge them with trespassing if they come over here but they never do. They come over and they ask them to leave, and then they’re back the following night,” he said.

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