Author: KESQ

Kendall Flynn

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Desert Hot Springs in partnership with the Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies is opening its new Desert Community Animal Center Wednesday for all residents.

The City has not had a veterinary clinic since 2018, and pet owners had to travel far distances in a time or need or emergencies. Longtime resident Peter Carlson said this has been difficult to do, and he’s been waiting for a local clinic.

“We’ve not really had anything here, we’ve had to go to Thousand Palms, Palm Springs [and] Beaumont,” Carlson said. “We know we can come here and get the care for our family members. They kind of really are for us, so it’s about time.”

The animal center will provide low-cost services to all guests, which the Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies Executive Director Dan Rossi said was an important aspect of bringing it to the local community.

“Our services will be affordable,” Rossi said. “They’ll be on a sliding scale to help anybody depending on their income level.”

Desert Hot Springs Mayor Scott Matas said it will fill the needs of everyone in the community, including his own as a pet owner. Officials are unsure of how many animals they’re expecting to see at the facility, but they do anticipate being busy.

Matas also hopes the center will help with the City’s greater need for upgrades for its Animal Care and Control services. Desert Hot Springs announced this week on social media it will be slowly making changes to the care and control programs by creating a new strategy for pet adoptions.

While the animal center is not directly affiliated with either of the City’s Animal Care and Control facilities, officials hope the low-cost spay and neuter services will help reduce stray population and overall aiding the shelters cause.

“When it comes to your animals, just make sure that they’re spayed and neutered – they’re chipped” Mayor Matas said. “You have those opportunities here in Desert Hot Springs now to get that done at a very low cost rate that helps us control the population.”

DHS residents agree with this sentiment and hope it will also influence people to adopt pets from their local sanctuaries.

“Hopefully with this facility here and our animal shelter here, people will know that they have a place to bring a rescue,” Carlson said. “I think that knowing there’s a facility right next door that they can bring whatever animal they adopted, maybe they’re more likely to adopt.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from residents and officials on what this new animal center bring to Desert Hot Springs.

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Tori King

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)– Have you ever wondered what happens to all of the illegal fireworks that are confiscated by Police Departments on the Fourth of July?

According to Cathedral City Fire and EMS, they are collected by the Cathedral City Police Department and dropped off at Fire Station #2.

“Once the fireworks are seized from the homeowners, we transport them to the fire department,” said Nathaniel Hanley, a Police Commander with CCPD. “Because they have a safer place to store them than here at the police department, and they are more familiar with explosives and anything that can be flammable or spark a fire.”

From there, they are stored inside a safe room until CalFire is able to send a team to pick them up and destroy them.

This year, the pile of seized fireworks was the smallest its ever been.

“When I came in on Monday and looked at this, I was like, is this it,” Cathedral City Fire and EMS Chief Michael Contreras. “Because in previous years we had a lot more than this. And so it’s a good thing we had so little, it really means people are listening to the laws.” In year’s past, the amount of fireworks confiscated would fill several truck loads. This year, the tiny pile of mortars, sparklers, and fountains only fit inside a small trunk.

Officials, including Chief Contreras, believe the city’s aggressive and extensive marketing blitz all over town may have helped spread awareness of illegal firework prevention, as well as the consequences if caught with them in your possession.

“Our campaign that we put out on the bus stops, on the side of all Cathedral City vehicles, that completely focus on safety, it really paid off this year,” said Contreras. “Just says a lot to who we are as a city. We really focus on the safety of our people, and this is just an extension of that. We were successful this year, we’re probably going to have to step it up next year so that we continue to build a safe community.”

City leaders also credit the community with this year’s success, adding that residents made smart choices that kept their neighbors accountable, and their neighborhoods safe.

“In years past, we’ve had houses catch on fire, yards and trees catch on fire, and structures,” said Hanley. “This year we had none of that. So we’re extremely thankful to our community for listening.”

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City News Service

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KESQ) – The U.S. Department of Justice today sued the state of California, warning that by allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females in high-school sports, the state was putting billions of dollars in federal educational funding at risk in continuing a practice the Trump administration contends is discriminatory, demeaning and violates civil rights law.

According to the complaint, filed in federal court in Santa Ana, California’s policies and practices “ignore undeniable biological differences between boys and girls, in favor of an amorphous `gender identity.’ The results of these illegal policies are stark: girls are displaced from podiums, denied awards, and miss out on critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition.”  

The suit accuses the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation of engaging in illegal sex discrimination against female student athletes by allowing males to compete against them. The DOJ alleges the state’s policies deprive girls of the equal education and athletic opportunities afforded to them by federal law’s Title IX prohibition against sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal funding.

“California is on the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of history,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said in a statement. “Women deserve dignity, respect, and an equal opportunity to compete on their own sports teams. The time for talk is over. California must comply with Title IX and end its civil rights violations against women. No person, no state, is above the law.”  

California officials deny the state’s policy is breaking the law. Earlier this week, the state refused demands by the Trump administration to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s school athletic teams. State officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The suit says that the U.S. Department of Education’s allocation of funds to California for the current year totals nearly $44.3 billion, of which about $3.8 billion remains available for use by the state’s education department.   

In June, President Donald Trump threatened California with possible fines and loss of federal education funds for allowing a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School to compete in a state track and field meet.   

“The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is `deeply unfair’ to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “But not only is it `deeply unfair,’ it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.”  

The DOJ contends that allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females “is not only illegal and unfair but also demeaning, signaling to girls that their opportunities and achievements are secondary to accommodating boys.”   

The federal government alleges that such competition “erodes the integrity of girls’ sports, diminishes their competitive experience, and undermines the very purpose of Title IX: to provide equal access to educational benefits, including interscholastic athletics.” Despite warnings from the U.S. Department of Education, the CDE and CIF “continue to require California schools to allow boys to compete against girls,” the complaint states.   

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon posted on X that “California won’t get away with allowing males to take girls’ athletic opportunities away.”

CDE has authority over CIF and local school districts’ interscholastic athletic policies, and CIF oversees 1.8 million students and over 750,000 student-athletes in grades 9 through 12, the lawsuit noted.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – City officials in Palm Springs and Cathedral City are set to vote on approving additional funds for homeless services Wednesday night.

The three-year agreements with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, or CVAG, will be handled by CVAG’s “CV Housing First” program. The program has been running since 2017.

Palm Springs will vote on approving $390,200 for the agreement, while Cathedral City will vote on approving $125,000 per year over three years, totaling $375,000.

City officials and homeless shelters are highlighting the importance of these services, especially when it comes to keeping people safe from extreme heat.

Data from Riverside County from this year shows 187 heat-related emergency department visits in the Coachella Valley so far. Data for heat-related deaths in 2025 is not yet available. The Coachella Valley’s unsheltered population is a group vulnerable to heat-related illness.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest.

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Luis Avila

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Work on the Highway 111 Pavement Rehab Improvement Project is underway, and the impacts are already being felt by commuters and surrounding businesses.

A vital, two-mile artery, thousands of commuters use highway 111 in La Quinta. Some say the once-smooth stretch of road has become a bumpy one, with potholes, uneven asphalt, and cracks. Drivers say improvements have been long overdue.

“Coming back to the area, a little shocked, disappointed. I remember the roads like 111 being a little bit smoother to drive on.”

Martha Black, La Quinta resident

“I’m actually glad to see some of those being repaired. I see that’s why a lot of the streets are being repaired. I’m excited about that.”

Michael Lacey, Indio resident

After months of delays, construction is taking place between west of Washington St to Jefferson St.

Work includes:

Pothole repairs

Repaving

Medium repairs

Landscaping improvements

This is welcoming news even for surrounding business owners. But with roads in the area impacted, this is bringing separate challenges.

“It does not help our business because we are already struggling with the heat so people not being able to come into our parking lot affects us as well.”

Heidi McArthur, Jadabug’s Kids Boutique

Business owners are doing what they can to offset some of the impacts.

“We’re trying to reward local people for shopping here, encouraging people to shop local as much a possible. Being cognizant of the construction going on and how it may be impacting local businesses and trying to shop there.”

Heidi McArthur, Jadabug’s Kids Boutique

At least one lane may be closed in each direction during construction, so drivers can expect traffic delays.

The project, which costs $7 million, is expected to run from June 23, 2025 to October 2025.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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KESQ News Team

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) — Four people, including two adults and two children, were rescued Tuesday from an area of Ladder Canyon in Mecca, according to CAL FIRE Riverside County.

Firefighters responded to the scene with assistance from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Star 9 aviation unit and a specialized rescue cart. The group was in rugged terrain.

Officials said the rescue was successful and no injuries were reported.

Authorities are reminding hikers to stay hydrated and take precautions when exploring remote areas, especially during extreme heat.

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Cynthia White

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of La Quinta is announcing a 24-hour closure of the intersection of Highway 111 and Washington Street July 30th through July 31st as part of the city’s Highway 111 Pavement Rehabilitation Project.

The intersection will be fully closed to all traffic starting at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30th, and is scheduled to reopen at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31st.

The City says detour routes will be clearly marked, and motorists are advised to plan for delays in the area. Using alternate routes, such as Avenue 42, Adams Street, and Jefferson Street, is recommended during the closure.

City officials also say that local businesses along Highway 111 will remain open and accessible, and they encourage the community to support these businesses during the construction period.

Officials add that the city of La Quinta understands the inconvenience the closure may cause to residents, businesses, and commuters, and they will make every effort to minimize disruption.

For more information and to stay updated on the city’s Highway 111 Pavement Rehabilitation Project, including detour maps and weekly construction updates, visit lqhighway111.com.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (CNS) – The Palm Springs Library will host a family-friendly event next week before closing for renovations.

The conclusion of its reading program will take place from 1:00 -2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 19th at 300 S. Sunrise Way, on the corner of Sunrise Way and Baristo Road.

The free event will include grand prizes and giveaways for program participants, provided by Friends of the Palm Springs Library. Prizes include a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, $100 Amazon gift card and a pickleball match or lesson with Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills. Additional prize drawings will also be held.

From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., the library will hold a “renovation celebration and closing party” featuring guest speakers, ice cream, face painting, custom poems and the opening of a time capsule.

The library will close from July 20th to July 31st to pack for its move to a temporary location at Rimrock Plaza within the city. It is scheduled to reopen the first week of August at 4721 E. Palm Canyon Drive, where all essential services will continue.

Renovation work at the original location is expected to be completed by March 2026.

For more information regarding the library, call 760-322-7323, or visit www.palmspringslibrary.org.

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Cynthia White

Update 7/9/25

The Palm Springs Public Library has reopened as the air conditioning system has been successfully repaired.  To allow the building time to fully cool, the library will reopen from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The pool remains closed.

Original Report 7/8/25

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Power issues continue to keep several Palm Springs venues in Sunrise Park closed again on Wednesday. The city of Palm Springs sent out a notice Wednesday that the Community Pool Remains temporarily closed for safety maintenance. And for the second day in a row, the Palm Springs Library is closed due to an air conditioner malfunction.

The City says the pool at the Palm Springs Swim Center will remain closed due to continued necessary maintenance, water quality balancing, and cleaning following the recent power outage. “We are taking the time needed to ensure the pool meets important water quality safety standards,” said Nicholas Gonzalez, Director of Parks and Recreation. “The goal now is to reopen the pool tomorrow (Thursday) as soon as it is safe to do so. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to welcoming the community back to the Swim Center soon.”

As for the library, programs on Wednesday and Thursday will be moved to the Demuth Community Center at 3601 East Mesquite Avenue.

Wednesday, July 910:30 a.m. – Draw Along with Kyle (all ages)11L30 a.m. – Make a Vision Board (program for adults)2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Open Play Mah Jong (program for adults)

Thursday, July 1010:00 a.m. – Preschool Story Time11:00 a.m. – Baby Story Time3:30 p.m. – Teen Taskmaster Challenge

Updates for the reopening of the Pool and Library will be shared as they become available. For more information, contact the Demuth Community Center at 760-320-6430.

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Allie Anthony

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The grass isn’t always greener on the other side – unless the other side is a golf course.

Greater Palm Springs is the golf capital of the world.

Our blistering heat makes the job of the groundskeeper an especially tough one.

News Channel 3’s Allie Anthony takes us behind the scenes at the Trilogy Club in La Quinta where groundskeepers work to keep the fairways looking lush even in the summer heat.

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