Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A skateboarder killed in a crash in unincorporated Desert Hot Springs Friday night was identified as Juan Mejia Calvillo Jr., 20, of Desert Hot Springs.

The crash was reported at around 6:20 p.m. near Mountain View Road and Dillon Road. Witnesses report that both northbound and southbound lanes on Mountain View Road were blocked off from Louisan Road to near the entrance of Mountain View Mobile Home Park. Mountain View Road remained closed in the area of the crash until 9:00 p.m.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers learned that a driver decided to pass a slower-moving vehicle over the solid double yellow lines and subsequently struck a pedestrian riding a skateboard.

The skateboarder was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as Juan Mejia Calvillo Jr, 20, of Desert Hot Springs.

The driver involved in the crash remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, CHP confirmed. It does not appear alcohol and or drugs are a contributing factor at this time.Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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KESQ-Newsroom

 

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Local Congressman Raul Ruiz was set to host his annual Veterans University on Saturday.

He said it was a great way to learn about the benefits and other resources for veterans, service members, and their families.

The event slated to bring organizations and experts together — helping to serve veterans.

Ruiz said the annual event has served thousands — with veterans receiving medals and essential records.

The event was set for Saturday, December 6th at 9:00 a.m. in Indio.

Attendees had to register for the event to get the address: ruiz.house.gov

 

 

 

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A star-studded lineup welcomed hundreds to Frances Stevens Park Friday evening for the city’s annual tree lighting.

The city lit up its new 26-foot holiday tree, towering several feet higher than last years. The celebrations included a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, free cookies and cocoa and arts and crafts.

There was also a Holiday Student Banner Awards ceremony before the tree lighting ceremony, where 15 students won award certificates for their art on Downtown Palm Springs street banners.

Stars at Friday’s tree lighting included:

Jada McLean, Palm Springs High School grad and star of “America’s Sweetheart,” a popular Netflix show about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. McLean fought and won a 400% pay increase for the squad

Scheana Shay, a part-time Palm Springs resident, star of Bravo-TV, favorite “Vanderpump Rules,” and NYT Bestselling author

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Matt Sorum, of Guns ‘N Roses

Mädchen Amick, part-time resident and actress, best known for her roles in “Riverdale” and “Twin Peaks”

Nelda Linsk, the First Lady of Modernism Week who was famously immortalized in the iconic Slim Aarons photograph “Poolside Gossip.”

The real holiday cheer was found in locals who say they come back every year for the celebration.

“We came to this last year. It was just such an amazing experience. We said, we have to do this again and it’s fabulous again,” Steve Pompeo, a Palm Springs resident said.

Santa Claus said the most popular gift requests this year are clothes, slime, Barbie dolls, and Playstation 5 gaming consoles.

If you missed out on the tree lighting fun, the annual Festival of Lights Parade kicks off in Downtown Palm Springs at 5 p.m. Saturday.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy who abused his authority and perpetrated felony and misdemeanor crimes while off-duty was convicted today of stalking and more than a half dozen other charges, though jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on one of them.

An Indio jury deliberated two days before finding 34-year-old Alexander Ravy Vanny of Hemet guilty of the stalking count, as well as possession of child pornography, unauthorized use of protected electronic data, maliciously destroying a wireless device, witness intimidation, illicit eavesdropping, using a concealed camera to invade privacy, illegal use of a tracking device, interference with a traffic controldevice and possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating a felony while on bail.   

The panel, which deliberated until well after 4 p.m. Friday, hung 10-2 in favor of convicting Vanny of kidnapping, but with the deadlock, Superior Court Judge James Hawkins declared a mistrial on that charge. It was unclear whether prosecutors intended to retry the defendant on that count.

Hawkins scheduled a status conference for Feb. 6, when the District Attorney’s Office will announce whether to proceed with a retrial, or settle for sentencing Vanny on the convictions, which may happen the same day at the Larson Justice Center.

The defendant remains held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.    Deputy District Attorney Jess Walsh told jurors in his closing statement Tuesday that Vanny was unquestionably guilty across the board, engaging in criminal conduct during his final year as a sheriff’s deputy, before being fired.  

At the outset of the trial, Walsh recounted the offenses involving the two principal victims, a former sheriff’s Explorer scout identified only as “Leslie,” and the defendant’s one-time fiancee, a mother of two identified only as “Madeline.”  

In the latter case, Vanny became obsessive, unable to cope with their split in the summer of 2024.

After she went out on a date, the then-lawman secretly followed her and the man, whose identity wasn’t disclosed, waiting until they were inside her Menifee residence, then setting up an audio device outside the bedroom window to record the sounds of her and the other man engaging in sex. After waiting a few moments, Vanny forced his way into the apartment and challenged the man to a fight, according to the prosecution.   

Court papers said when Madeline attempted to use her mobile phone to call 911, the defendant physically took it and damaged it.   

Among the most serious allegations was Vanny’s following Madeline to Chappies Bar in Hemet and demanding that she “leave and come home with him,” the prosecution said. When the woman rejected him, Vanny “forcibly threw her into his truck,” according to court documents.

“The defendant then drove her, without her consent, to his home … some 17 miles and 30 minutes,” the prosecution stated.   

Defense attorney Quintin Swanson presented a different picture, describing his client as the gallant type, rushing to “save” Madeline from drinking and driving after the two of them had a spat.

She filed a restraining order against him, but in defiance of that order, Vanny continued to carry around his personal firearm.   

Walsh said the deputy stuck “tracking devices” onto her car so he could monitor her travels at all times.

The defendant became sexually involved with 18-year-old Leslie, who looked upon him as a mentor, regularly exchanging texts with him, according to the prosecution.

Vanny procured video images of two teenagers engaging in sexual activity during a visit to an Orange County theme park and kept the matter, which was part of an investigation, on his personal mobile phone, intending to show it to Leslie, Walsh said.

He said detectives documented the laundry list of offenses perpetrated by the defendant, including threats against Madeline, whom he tried to intimidate by telling her, “If you call the police, you go to jail.”

“The question is not whether he’s the Cop of the Year,” Swanson told jurors. “The question is whether he’s done the crimes.”   

He acknowledged his client “started a stupid relationship with the cadet, who was an adult,” while engaged to marry Madeline. The two were living together at the time, and the cheating led to their breakup.   

Despite the separation, the attorney told the jury his client continued to pay some of his ex-fiancee’s expenses, including rent for her apartment.

Vanny was first arrested on June 22, 2024, and booked into the Banning jail but posted a $1 million bond and was released. He was initially placed on paid administrative leave, but within a few months, he was fired from the department.

While on bail, Vanny was separately charged with a slate of new allegations.

He had been a sworn peace officer since he was hired by the sheriff’s department in 2016.

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Kenji Ito

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Big changes are coming to this year’s Ironman 70.3 race in its sixth year. Instead of spreading across La Quinta and Indian Wells, this year will be all in La Quinta, which has made the race easier for all the competitors.

“The city of La Quinta has been so proactive and accommodating, and the communication has been great, but when you start a new event, you start off on the right foot,” IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta race director Ryan Jarrell said. “It does make things a lot easier.”

With the change to compete only in La Quinta. The race fixed one of the biggest issues in years past: traffic.

“Now that we’re staying within the city of La Quinta, we’re able to stay down here in the south end of La Quinta as well as the south end in the county, and that’s allowed traffic to flow normally,” Riverside County Sheriff Department Sgt. Mark Chlarson said. “Anywhere north of Avenue 52 is going to be wide open without any difficulty, with no traffic complaints.”

While it might be a half triathlon, the challenges in a full 140.6-mile Ironman still remain present in this race. 

“I’ve never been, you know, the best biker, the best swimmer, the best runner, but I’m good at doing all three, so you just got to tone it down and just do the pace that you can do,” participant from Fresno, Farron Reed. “Because you’ve got to finish all three of them.”

Ranging from professional to amateur competitors, it’s all about making race day a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“Don’t know if I’ll ever actually feel ready, but I don’t think anyone really will,” participant from Paso Robles, Courtney Lucas said. “I told my coach this week, and she had said to me, You’ve done the work, you’ve done all the preparation. Whatever you do this week is a bonus. All you need to do is just have fun.”

TRAFFIC ALERT:

The race begins at Lake Cahuilla at 7:00am and ends at SilverRock Park.

The following streets will be open for southbound/northbound travel: Washington St. Jefferson St. (north of Avenue 52), Adams St., Dune Palms Rd., Madison (north of Avenue 52), and Monroe (north of Avenue 52)

The following streets will be open for westbound/eastbound travel: Avenue 48, Avenue 50, Highway 111, Avenue 52, Miles Ave., and Fred Waring Dr. 

For more information contact IRONMAN at 760-239-9586

Stay with News Channel 3 for our annual coverage of the IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta triathlon.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted drug dealer who supplied a deadly dose of fentanyl to a 30-year-old Temecula man was sentenced today to 15 years to life in state prison.

A Riverside jury in September convicted Quinn Aaron McKellips, 39, of Winchester of second-degree murder for the death of Calin Sender in 2020.   

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Steven Counelis imposed the sentence required under state law on McKellips.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit filed by sheriff’s Investigator Robert Cornett, Sender and McKellips were longtime acquaintances, and the latter sold different types of narcotics to the victim for months.   

In the predawn hours of Jan. 17, 2020, deputies and paramedics were called to Sender’s residence in the 44000 block of Festivo Street after the owner of the property, who had been renting him a room, discovered him dead on the floor.

Cornett said deputies discovered two halves of fentanyl-laced M-30 pills, as well as two other whole pills and a dozen Xanax “bars,” in the room. An autopsy determined the cause of death was “acute fentanyl intoxication.”   

Detectives searched the victim’s mobile phone and uncovered a string of text messages between Sender and McKellips, including a communication in which the victim requested “supers” from the defendant. The reference meant Sender wanted a stronger M-30 pill, loaded with fentanyl, the affidavit said.

The investigation spanned over two years before the sheriff’s Overdose Investigations & Narcotics Unit compiled sufficient evidence to identify McKellips as the supplier of the fentanyl.

During an interview with detectives, the convicted felon was asked about “supers,” and he insisted they were Suboxone, which is used to treat narcotic addiction, according to the affidavit. He further stated he himself had been a fentanyl user since 2018, and “whenever he would sell a pill to someone, he would tell them to `quarter’ it and only take that piece.”   

“McKellips said he had lost four (acquaintances) to fentanyl,” the affidavit said.

The defendant was arrested without incident in September 2023.  

Court records show he had prior convictions for possession of controlled substances for sale, being a narcotic addict in possession of a gun, transportation of controlled substances for sale and domestic violence.   

Since February 2021, county prosecutors have charged almost 40 people in connection with fentanyl poisonings.   

In November 2023, the D.A.’s office closed the books on the county’s first fentanyl murder case to go before a jury, culminating in the conviction of 34-year-old Vicente David Romero, who was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the 2020 death of a Temecula woman. McKellips’ trial resulted in the county’s second jury conviction for fentanyl murder.   

Public health statistics indicated there were 349 known fentanyl-related fatalities countywide in 2024, compared to 579 in 2023, a 40% decline.

Fentanyl is manufactured in overseas labs, principally in China, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which says the synthetic opioid is smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border by cartels.

Fentanyl is 80-100 times more potent than morphine and can be mixed into any number of street narcotics and prescription drugs, without a user knowing what he or she is consuming. Ingestion of only two milligrams can be fatal.

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Garrett Hottle

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) One of the world’s largest winter show-jumping competitions is underway in the Coachella Valley as riders, trainers and veterinarians take added precautions following an equine herpesvirus outbreak traced to an event in Waco, Texas.

The Desert International Horse Park’s Desert Holiday Series draws competitors from around the world. Marketing director Emily Randolph said this week’s show features everything from youth riders to elite professionals.

“We have all levels of jumping competition going on all day, from pony kids competing under ten to… some of the top 20 riders in the world out here right now,” Randolph said.

She added that the venue’s main arena hosts the biggest classes, where riders compete under the lights and crowds swell on weekend evenings.

With increased attention on equine herpesvirus type 1,. or EHV-1, competitors say they are staying vigilant. Irish rider Conor Swail, who returns to the park each winter, said biosecurity is a shared responsibility.

“It’s very important that we… make sure that the regulations are keeping it all enclosed, and everyone does their part to make sure that it doesn’t spread,” Swail said.

He noted that many riders travel the same competitive circuit throughout the winter season, meaning any outbreak can quickly affect multiple events.

Organizers at the horse park say horses arriving from states where cases have been confirmed are being housed in separate stabling areas and monitored closely. Staff have not reported any symptomatic horses on site.

Veterinarians at the event are watching for signs of both respiratory and neurologic disease. Dr. David Runk,the horse parks biosecurity officer, and the attending veterinarian overseeing screening on the grounds, said the neurologic strain can be severe.

“In most cases the horses will go down and not be able to move… a lot of times they’re euthanized,” he said, calling the circulating strain’s mortality rate “very high.”

He urged owners to coordinate with their regular veterinarians when traveling or returning from shows.

“Just working with your veterinarian and making sure… they understand what you’re doing and can give you guidance,” he said.

State officials say no EHV-1 or neurologic EHM cases have been confirmed in California in connection with the current outbreak. They recommend a 21-day isolation period, twice-daily temperature checks and avoiding shared equipment for horses that recently traveled to affected states.

The Desert Holiday Series continues through the month, with organizers maintaining heightened precautions until the national outbreak stabilizes.

The series is also free to the public to attend, 

Local veterinarians say that while the virus remains a concern elsewhere, the horse park has not reported any suspected cases in the Coachella Valley.

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Tauli Anderson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A beloved tradition celebrating culture, family recipes, and, of course, plenty of mouthwatering tamales.

Indio is being transformed into a vibrant celebration of flavor and community. Streets will be lined with rows of vendors preparing to serve up their signature tamales. 21 Vendors, from classic styles passed down through generations to new and unique creations, festival-goers can discover for the first time.

The fun doesn’t stop at the tamales.

Families can also enjoy Santa’s Village, live entertainment, and even carnival rides. It’s a great blend of holiday cheer and community spirit

City officials encourage attendees to plan ahead. Designated festival parking lots will be available throughout the area.

The festival runs Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Miles Avenue Park in Indio

 

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Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A major road improvement project on Gerald Ford Drive in Palm Desert is causing frustration among nearby businesses and residents, who say the timing and limited notice are creating unexpected challenges during the valley’s busy season.

The project — which stretches from Cook Street to El Paseo del Corazón — has closed all eastbound lanes and reduced westbound traffic to a single lane. The city says the work includes new pavement, upgraded sidewalks, improved traffic signals, and underground utility upgrades.

But for some businesses in the affected shopping centers, the construction is already taking a toll.

“So far it seems like business slowed down a little bit. We were already hard to find… I know it’s going to be crazy for traffic because we have these businesses here, Acrisure and everything so definitely think it’s bad timing.”

Antoinette, Palm Royale Collective Assistant Manager

Other business owners say they received less than a week’s notice about the closure and have had to warn customers about delays and detours. Many worry the impacts could worsen as the busy season ramps up.

Getting answers, Thomas Soule, Palm Desert Public Affairs Manager, says the city takes communication with businesses seriously.

“I can’t speak to the specific timeline of that but we can say the city takes our communication with the businesses very seriously. We have a fantastic team that’s dedicated to going out and speaking with business owners individually.”

Thomas Soule, Palm Desert Public Affairs Manager

City officials acknowledge the disruption but say the timing is unavoidable. Soule says the city must stagger its construction projects throughout the year.

“If you take all the projects that we do in a year on our streets, if we did them all during the convenient time of the summer, those of us who live here probably wouldn’t be able to get around.”

Thomas Soule, Palm Desert Public Affairs Manager

Soule also emphasized that the work on Gerald Ford Drive is essential for long-term growth, including infrastructure needed for the new Fire Station 102 currently under development along the corridor.

Some business owners say they understand the necessity — they just hope the temporary setbacks are worth the long-term improvements.

The Gerald Ford Drive project is expected to be completed in May, aligning with the planned opening of the new fire station.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A San Rafael-based press freedom advocacy group is suing Riverside County for alleged violations of a state law intended to ensure timely access to documents tied to in-custody deaths, based on significant delays in responding to media requests and other deficiencies, it was announced today.   

“Transparency in government is always essential to the functioning of a democracy,” First Amendment Coalition attorney Aaron Field said. “But it is particularly important when it comes to deaths that occur while in the custody of law enforcement. Disclosing records about these deaths empowers the public to hold law enforcement accountable.”  

FAC filed its Public Records Act civil action in response to the experiences of New York Times and Desert Sun journalist Christopher Damien, who has focused on procuring autopsy reports, jail management records, jailhouse security surveillance videos and other materials since last year.

The suit is predicated on Senate Bill 519, which the state Legislature approved and the governor signed into law in 2023. The measure stemmed in large part from the elevated death count — 19 — in Riverside County’s correctional system in 2022, according to the plaintiffs. Lawmakers mandated via SB 519 that authorities fulfill California Public Records Act requests related to in-custody fatalities in 45 days.

“The county slow-walked the production process; withheld, redacted and delayed the disclosure of records related to several deaths … and omitted responsive records from its production,” according to the plaintiffs’ suit. “In defiance of SB 519, the county is continuing to withhold records related to 13 (custody) deaths and is standing by numerous improper redactions.”   

FAC’s attorneys also noted the “county spent months seeking to charge petitioners processing fees that the Public Records Act does not allow.”   

In an email to City News Service Friday, Sheriff Chad Bianco said that the “lawsuit is about as legitimate as the articles Chris Damien writes: Fictional pieces based on his own biased, anti-law enforcement opinions.”

The sheriff said that he would not “comment on the specifics” of the civil suit because it’s pending litigation.

Damien’s feature story on the jail system earlier this year uncovered instances where “detainees were assigned to cells that put them at greater risk, contrary to standard practices of separating detainees by race, sexual orientation and other factors … that could stoke conflict.” The Times’ investigation further established that the sheriff’s department allegedly provided paperwork with “inaccurate timelines” and docs which “omitted relevant facts and sometimes added false information, including a security check that never happened.”   

More than a dozen families have filed wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits against the county, and more particularly the sheriff’s department, stemming from the in-custody deaths. As of last April, just over $13 million had been paid out by the county’s liability fund following multiple case settlements, according to the plaintiffs.   

“When people die in the government’s custody, their relatives and the public have the right to review the government’s investigation of that death,” Damien said. “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has withheld details about these investigations for far too long. California law is clear: these are public records.”   

The sheriff’s correctional operations have come under scrutiny by the California Department of Justice and other entities.   

The sheriff’s department regularly takes the lead among county agencies in answering lawsuits — and making seven-figure payouts of taxpayers’ money.

In July, Supervisor Jose Medina, the only Board of Supervisors’ member not to have received an endorsement from the sheriff’s union, sought to establish an ad-hoc oversight committee monitoring sheriff’s operations, as well as an inspector general’s office to conduct independent inquiries of residents’ complaints. The effort would have replicated policy changes in Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Clara and  Sonoma counties.

The proposal, which Medina’s fellow board members declined to support, elicited sharp criticism from Sheriff Chad Bianco, who derided it as “a divisive solution to a non-existent problem.”

The Republican gubernatorial candidate blamed most of the difficulties in the county correctional system on drug smuggling, saying “we cannot be held responsible for inmates smuggling fentanyl into jails through their anal cavity or other orifices and then using the drugs later (with sometimes fatal consequences).”

He insisted the department, under his watch since 2019, is “the most transparent law enforcement agency in the country.”

The plaintiffs are seeking a release of all requested documents stemming from the Times’ investigation, findings that the county has violated the state Government and Penal codes by failing to respond to records requests and the recovery of all fees incurred by the plaintiffs in the civil action.

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