Author: KESQ

Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Power outages, planned or unplanned, are an obvious inconvenience to residents impacted by them.

From food spoiling in the refrigerator to a lack of air conditioning for potentially hours at a time, utilities maintain it’s ultimately a necessity to keep the grid operating safely.

Over the past week, a number of residents, ranging everywhere from Palm Springs to the High Desert, have reported outages that left them with more questions than answers to our newsroom.

One of those residents, from the Yucca Mesa area, reported nearly daily power shutoffs that would happen for an hour or two, then turn back on. He reported his power company, Southern California Edison, didn’t notify him or his neighbors about the outages or any repair timelines.

Southern California Edison confirmed with News Channel 3 that those outages were unplanned, but crews have been working diligently to repair the issues. They said the outages can be caused by a number of factors, and repair timelines differ due to that variance.

We took those concerns straight to the utility company.

“How do you balance that summertime heat with keeping people safe?” I asked.

“It’s exactly that,” responded Scott Johnson, a spokesperson with Edison. “The balance to make certain that the infrastructure is in good working condition… We try to identify times and days that will be the least impactful upon our customers.”

Sometimes they have the luxury of being flexible to identify those times, but there are other circumstances where the utility can’t pick and choose.

“Obviously, to maintain a system as wide and vast as Southern California Edison is, it does take a amount of maintenance and project upkeep. In addition to that, we also implement what’s referred to as public safety power shutoffs, which are planned outages in the event that the conditions are possibly whether it be heat, the lack of of rain or humidity or dryness that could possibly lead to a fire,” said Johnson.

Other times, a power line can be damaged by things like wind, an animal, debris, or a person driving into a pole. Regardless of the cause, Johnson said teams are ready to respond as fast as possible around the clock.

He pointed to being sure you’re signed up with your utility company for notifications on planned outages and repair timelines. Those options include text or e-mail notifications and checking outage maps. The utility also sends letters to affected customers and lists planned outages on billing statements.

The utility company said the best practice ahead of any outage – planned or unplanned – is to be prepared, especially for our desert communities where temperatures soar well into the triple digits during the summer.

Edison listed a number of upcoming maintenance outages, including spots in Indian Wells, Cathedral City, and Palm Springs, that will impact residents this week. You can find more information on its outage map.

Edison provided a list of items that you should keep handy before an outage strikes. That includes an emergency kit, equipped with flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and of course, water. They also said a generator is a good idea. They suggest running it outdoors and keeping a heavy-duty extension cord handy.

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Kiera Seapy

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — A new SunLine bus is now hitting the road with a message of empowerment.

SunLine is unveiling a new “Butterfly Bus” that highlights the Ophelia mentorship program, which has helped thousands of Coachella Valley girls build confidence and leadership skills.

The Ophelia program was founded in 2002 and has since trained more than 1,000 mentors and impacted more than 7,000 girls in grades 8-12. The bus features local women leaders and former students who have gone on to successful careers.

The bus features local women leaders and former students who have gone on to successful careers. The story focuses on how mentorship can help young women reach their goals and why organizers hope the bus will inspire the next generation

The Ophelia Project is a team-based mentoring initiative by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation that empowers at-risk middle and high school girls (grades 8–12) in the Coachella Valley. It focuses on building leadership, self-esteem, and academic and career readiness to help young women break the cycle of generational poverty.

For some of the participants, the impact is personal… “It gave me a female role model I never had. And I got to be like, oh, that’s who I should look up to, it just gave me an opportunity to, like, know what I would be eventually in the future” said Alyssa Gunther.

She said Ophelia helped her find guidance and confidence during a rough time, and mentors say support is exactly what the program is designed to provide.

“We try to give them a safe space where they can talk about themselves and what they’re hoping to do.” said Diane Dykema, an Ophelia mentor.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A recent case involving NBC’s Savannah Guthrie’s mother is sparking conversations about senior safety and the challenges some older adults face while living independently.

In the Coachella Valley, where many retirees call home, News Channel 3 spoke with local seniors and a security expert about simple precautions, safety technology and ways families can help protect aging loved ones.

Security expert Chris Maidan, CEO and owner of Desert Alarm, says many seniors assume they are safe because nothing has happened to them before — but he says preparation before an emergency is key.

Maidan says devices like wearable panic buttons, cameras and video doorbells can provide an added layer of protection and help seniors get assistance quickly during a security concern, fall or medical emergency.

“A simple panic button can save your life,” Maidan said. “If you need help, you just press the button.”

At the Cathedral City Senior Center, local seniors shared the steps they take to stay safe while maintaining their independence — including keeping phones nearby, locking doors and accepting help when needed.

Experts say the goal is not to make seniors feel afraid in their own homes, but to make sure they have a plan and resources available if an emergency happens.

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Athena Jreij

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s been over a year since Mary Martin took over the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Martin came into the role as the county recorded high euthanasia rates across four shelters, with a live-release rate of 71.6% in 2024. Data from the county shows the live-release rate has increased to 81% this year.

It comes as the county is working towards a 90% live-release rate to achieve a ‘no-kill’ status.

“Overall, we’re still trending the right way. This morning when I looked at live-release for the dogs, overall, we’re almost at 90, just under. Can we hold it? I don’t know. It will depend,” Martin said.

Martin credits the progress to more hires, with 17 new veterinarians on staff, transfer flights, 4,000 more spay and neuters in 2025, and increased adoption initiatives.

However, some kennels are still packed and the shelters remain at over 200-percent capacity constantly.

Some activists say the answer is more housing. Martin questions that, but says the county is working on a survey about increasing housing.

“There definitely is a conversation there. When people build housing without programs, then they fill up and we’re right back where we were. We have got to build the infrastructure to go with that space,” she said.

She says a larger issue is the length of stay for animals, who have a lower chance of adoption if they stay at shelters longer than 21 days.

Over the next year, Martin says their focus is finding new adoption programs to shorten length of stays, marketing, and increasing return-to-owner rates.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A man was rushed to the hospital after being injured in a shooting Tuesday evening in Coachella.

The shooting was reported just before 6 p.m., just east of 52nd Avenue and Cesar Chavez Street.

Deputies responded to the 51000 block of Tripoli Way and found a man with a gunshot wound. The man told deputies he was shot while driving, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to News Channel 3.

Authorities said the man is in stable condition.

Additional witnesses advised that the shooting occurred in the 85000 block of Araby Way, around the corner from where the victim was found. Deputies responded to Araby Way and located evidence of a shooting.

No additional injuries have been reported, and no suspect is in custody at this time.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- Palm Springs Surf Club partnered up today with LifeStream Blood Bank for community members to come together to donate blood.

The event was held at the Surf Club; all eligible donors were able to receive a complimentary weekday waterpark pass courtesy of Palm Springs Surf Club.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Palm Springs Surf Club representatives. “We’re proud to partner with LifeStream Blood Bank to host an event that brings people together while making a meaningful impact across the Coachella Valley.”

Blood donations are critical through the summer months. You are still able to donate, to learn more visit LifeStream Blood Bank.

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Kiera Seapy

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- Security experts say that thieves often take advantage of increased deliveries during major online shopping events, but there are simple steps consumers can take to protect their packages.

A former SWAT commander and security expert says thieves pay attention to delivery surges and look for easy targets.

SOT: GENE PETRINO- former SWAT commander and security expert

“All criminals look for opportunities, and they know that there is a surge in deliveries at this time. So they know that there’s more opportunity for the thefts,” Gene Petrino, former SWAT commander and security expert said

He said they have seen a dramatic increase during the week after prime days, upwards of 40% increase in thefts.

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Isabella Carballoso

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)— Families and seniors gathered in Indio this week to receive groceries at a community food distribution event, as many continue to feel the impact of rising food costs.

Helping lead the effort was Luis Yepiz, a Food Recovery Advisor with The Farmlink Project, whose work is also being highlighted in a documentary premiering at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.

“The Volunteer” follows Yepiz’s journey and explores the importance of giving back to communities facing food insecurity.

Yepiz says hunger affects more people than many realize, with rising grocery prices forcing families to make difficult choices between paying bills and buying food.

The issue is personal for Yepiz, who experienced food insecurity growing up. He says those experiences inspired him to dedicate his life to helping others.

Director Owen Dubeck says a portion of the film’s proceeds will be used to help provide food for families in need, extending the documentary’s impact beyond the screen.

To learn more on “The Volunteer” visit Palm Springs International ShortFest.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today formally adopted a $10.36 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, incorporating some new allocations deemed necessary during hearings on the proposed spending blueprint.

“The revisions represent targeted investments in priorities identified by the board,” county CEO Jeff Van Wagenen said in the final appropriations report received by the board Tuesday. “The 2026-27 budgetcontinues to prioritize preservation of core services, avoidance of widespread layoffs, maintenance of prudent reserves and gradual reduction of the structural deficit through active fiscal management.”

The board signed off on the spending plan in a 5-0 vote without comment. However, prior to the close of the public hearing, Moreno Valley resident and frequent board commentator Roy Bleckert told the supervisors the budget reflected their lack of “will to do what’s right.”

“Costs are rising higher than revenues,” he said. “But the county doesn’t have a revenue problem. It’s spending.”

Bleckert said the board’s priorities were off, such as making larger allocations to Housing First initiatives to expand affordable residential complexes that won’t “make this community safer” because vagrants will still be out on the streets, committing crimes and refusing any type of mental health treatment, he said. He complained that the board should have provided funding to fully open the Benoit Detention Center in Indio, only a quarter of which is operational.

Van Wagenen indicated during the June 8-9 budget hearings that layoffs may be unavoidable in some departments. He emphasized the hiring freeze initiated last year will continue, along with targeted spending cuts and controls, to mitigate deficit spending. According to the CEO, “just-in-time” funding will be available to meet specific needs as the board engages in unending “budget management” throughout the coming fiscal year.

At the end of the hearings earlier this month, the Executive Office returned to the board with $27.4 million in new allocations to at least partially satisfy agencies’ needs.

The augmented outlays include $8.5 million more for the county Sheriff’s Department, $679,000 more for the District Attorney’s Office and $250,000 more for the Department of Animal Services.

The increased allotment to the Sheriff’s Department remains well below what Sheriff Chad Bianco insisted he needed to preclude patrol deputy layoffs. He told the board that without another $250 million, he’ll end up slashing over 600 deputies from payrolls in the next few years.

“This is a massive number that we cannot recover from,” he said.

Bianco said roughly $138 million of the $250 million request that his staff submitted to the Executive Office, and wasn’t accepted, amounts to “stay flat funding” to keep the agency about where it was in staffing during the current fiscal year.

He asserted there would be major impacts to unincorporated communities as patrols are taken away to ensure the 17 municipalities that contract with the county for law enforcement services continue to receive protection.

“These are tough budget times,” Supervisor Jose Medina told Bianco. “The pain needs to be distributed across the county departments. As important as public safety is, it cannot be helped not to feel some of the pain (of spending caps).”

Supervisor Manuel Perez advocated for the quarter-million dollar increase in the Department of Animal Services’ budget, mainly for continuation of pet adoption campaigns intended to attain a near-term goal of turning the county’s shelters into “no kill” facilities.

As it stands now, the county has a projected $46 million structural budget deficit going into 2026-27.

The proposed $10.36 billion appropriations plan represents a roughly 3.5% increase from the 2025-26 budget, which totaled $9.98 billion.

The new blueprint indicated that 30% of allocations will be dedicated to health and hospital services, followed by 23% for public safety units, 19% for human services, 11% for public works, 9% for internal support to departments and 7% for agencies dedicated to various governmental operations, such as the Office of County Counsel.

The county’s composite reserves should top out at $584 million by the start the new fiscal on July 1. However, earlier projections had put the figure at $650 million.

More than two-thirds of the county budget is composed of programmed spending, including federal and state earmarks for specific uses, along with grants and related external source revenue. The board has little control over those dollars.

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