Author: KESQ

Daniella Lake

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – U.S. consumers were projected to spend $1 trillion dollars this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. For those who put most of their holiday spending on their credit cards, News Channel 3 spoke with local independent financial advisor, Simon Hobbs, about the best way to tackle your credit card debt.

Here are Hobbs’ tips:

Keep track of and understand all your debts, whether that’s from credit cards or loans.

Write down the rate your paying on each debt.

Tackle the debt with the highest interest rate first. If you have an interest rate above 20%, you want to pay that down as soon as you can.

Hobbs also suggests that you first pay for the bills that sustain everyday life, like your mortgage and rent, electricity and gas bill. He shares that it’s best to automate those payments so “you don’t have to motivate yourself each month to make the payments you don’t really want to.”

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Athena Jreij

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – This week’s Christmas storm broke records across California, with the National Weather Service (NWS) dubbing it the wettest Christmas on modern record.

Parts of the state, including here in the Valley saw flash floods, muddy roadways and in the San Bernardino mountains, devastating damage.

The NWS reports the mountains saw anywhere from 7 to 14 inches of rain from Wednesday to Friday evening.

The worst was seen in Wrightwood, a small mountain community an hour northwest of Palm Springs, that received over 10.5 inches as of Friday night.

In parts of Los Angeles, cities saw more than 3 inches of rain.

Extreme weather impacts were seen when a man was rescued from the Ventura River below the 101 freeway, and an EF-0 tornado touched down in Boyle Heights Christmas day.

Locally, several roads in Palm Springs remain closed at the wash.

Gene Autry Trail and Indian Canyon Drive both remain closed Friday night, while Vista Chino reopened Friday morning.

Crews on Gene Autry Trail recorded mud piles up to 3 feet high.

Cleanup efforts are expected to continue through the weekend. Stick with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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John White

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The year is coming to a close, a year that’s included a number of political twists and turns on the national stage and here at home. News Channel 3’s John White looks back on the political battles of the past 12 months and what’s ahead for next year.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 7:15 p.m.

All lanes are back open.

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Several eastbound lanes of the I-10 are closed at Golf Center Parkway in Indio due to police activity, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The eastbound side is backed up from Golf Center through Monroe. The #1 and #2 lanes are closed. Details remain limited.

Traffic as of 5:20 p.m.

A SIG Alert was issued just after 5 p.m. and is expected to remain in place until at least 6:30 p.m.

SIG Alert 🚨

Major incident occurred on I-10 eastbound near Golf Center Parkway. The #1 and #2 lanes are closed, while the #3 remains open. Expect delays in the area.

— CHP Indio (@chpindio) December 27, 2025

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Bighorn Cares will award more than $800,000 in grants to 53 Coachella Valley nonprofit organizations next month in Palm Desert.

The funds will be presented at an invitation-only awards dinner Jan. 20 at The Vault, a state-of-the-art car museum inside the Bighorn Golf Club at 255 Palowet Drive, officials said.

This year, the grant program received $4.8 million in funding requests from 200 nonprofits across the region.   

“Every request represents important, meaningful work,” Kelly Levy, Bighorn Cares’ director of charities, said in a statement. “What made this year particularly challenging is how interconnected these organizations are in their efforts to strengthen our community.’  

Nonprofits selected to receive funding include Animal Samaritans, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert, Inc., Coachella Valley Repertory, Desert Arc, Galilee Center, Hanson House Foundation, Los Medicos Voladores, Mizell Center, Olive Crest, Palm Springs Public Library Foundation, Rancho Mirage Woman’s Club, Smiles for Seniors Foundation, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and Voices for Children.  

“Our goal is to invest in projects that deliver real, measurable outcomes,” Bighorn Cares Chairman Joe Kirby said in a statement. “These grants are a reflection of our belief in the local organizations doing essential work and our commitment to helping them build a stronger future for the region.”

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City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The California Highway Patrol today reminded motorists that a series of new traffic and safety laws will take effect in the new year, affecting everything from e-bikes to school zones and autonomous vehicles.

Under Assembly Bill 486, it will be a misdemeanor to possess a key-programming device, key-duplicating device or signal extender with the intent to commit burglary. Violators could face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

In response to the growing popularity of electric bicycles, AB 544 requires riders to outfit their bikes with a red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear at all times — not just during darkness as previously required.   

Minors cited for helmet violations will be able to meet safety education requirements by completing an online CHP e-bike safety and training program.

Another bill allows local governments to lower speed limits in school zones from 25 mph to 20 mph by posting signage.   

A separate law affecting autonomous vehicles authorizes law enforcement agencies to issue a “notice of autonomous vehicle noncompliance” to manufacturers when an autonomous vehicle allegedly commits a traffic violation.

Beginning July 1, AB 1777 will set requirements for how autonomous vehicles interact with first responders, including mandating that manufacturers provide a two-way communication system for emergency personnel.

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Kendall Flynn

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Members of the Yucca Valley community are holding a vigil for Michael Ramos Jr. on Friday. Ramos, 18, was taken off life support Friday after sustaining injuries from a shooting at a party on Dec. 22.

Friends and family gathered to share memories of Ramos and speak about who he was as a person, his coaches taking an extra step to remember his life.

“To see everybody that cared so much for him, you know, he touched a lot of lives and for everybody to keep his spirit alive like that. The coach says they’re going to keep him his 13, retire his jersey for the 13,” said Christina Barreto, Ramos’ grandparent.

The shooting was reported Sunday at around 9:50 p.m. on the 57000 block of Chipmunk Trail.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting was at a party. Ramos was involved in an argument with another man, identified as Nicholas Daniel Lee, 29, of Yucca Valley. Lee allegedly shot Ramos and fled the location.

Lee was found hiding in the area and arrested. He was charged on Wednesday with murder, attempted murder, among several other charges, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday. Lee remains in custody on $2 million bail.

After the shooting, Ramos was placed on life support, where the family reported through a GoFundMe page that he was not expected to survive. During the vigil, it was announced he was taken off life support.

“I left him a voicemail too. On his phone and he put it on his Instagram when I heard it the other day, it kind of like hit me hard, but you know what he’s he’s in a better place right now,” said Anthony Morales, Ramos’ grandparent.

The family says they’re unsure of what the future looks like, but they hope the community continues to remember this hometown hero. Live life to the fullest.

“Live life to the fullest. That’s what Michael would want, AKA Froggy. Live life to the fullest. That’s, that’s it. Live the way he lived,” said Jesse Barreto, Ramos’ grandparent.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on the case.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – If a holiday gift didn’t fit quite right—or arrived broken—you’re not alone. The day after Christmas marks the start of gift return season, and retailers and shipping stores across the Coachella Valley are preparing for a surge of post-holiday returns.

Local shoppers wasted no time heading back to stores to exchange unwanted items. Some came prepared with receipts and credit cards in hand, hoping to make the process as smooth as possible. Others opted to ship their returns instead of returning items in person.

At AIM Mail Center, Matt Sater, owner, says the weeks following Christmas are among the busiest of the year.

“The big volume comes in after Christmas. Obviously people got something that they need to exchange so in the month of December our returns, our drop offs double or triple in size depending on the store.”

Matt Sater, AIM Mail Center Owner

Clothing and electronics top the list of most-returned items, mainly due to sizing issues or duplicate gifts. But many shoppers are caught off guard by an added expense—returning items can cost money.

According to the National Retail Federation, nearly three-quarters of retailers charge some type of return fee, especially for online purchases. Sater says customers are often surprised to learn that shipping isn’t truly free.

“Understand what you got. Shipping isn’t free. When you buy it they hide that shipping cost so they believe it’s free. So understanding that so when you get here you know that it’s going to cost you a little bit of money.”

Matt Sater, AIM Mail Center Owner

There is some good news for shoppers who need extra time. Many retailers offer extended holiday return windows.

Key Retailer Deadlines:

Apple: Most items through Jan. 8, 2026

Best Buy: Most items through Jan. 15, 2026.

Target: Most items through Jan. 24, 2026.

Amazon: Most items through Jan. 31, 2026

Macy’s: Most items through Jan. 31, 2026. 

Walmart: Most items through Jan. 31, 2026

Shipping experts say preparation can save both time and frustration. Having items packaged properly, labels ready, and receipts available can speed up the process and help avoid delays.

Shoppers are also encouraged to act quickly and double-check receipts for exceptions or special conditions.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission served more than 600 meals to those in need this Christmas during their annual holiday breakfast and dinner.

The meals were free and open to the general public, serving a wide range of clients from those experiencing homelessness to others living paycheck to paycheck.

For many, it offered more than just a hot meal, but a sense of community.

“It’s about family, friends and in my heart it’s about being with the less fortunate,” Richard Otero, a volunteer at the mission said.

One Salt Lake City family said volunteering at the mission has become apart of their Christmas tradition.

“My brother passed away about ten years ago, and so to honor him, we wear this little bell necklace on Christmas and do something to serve other people in his memory,” Mindy and Nick Rich said.

For many clients working to rebuild their lives at the mission, helping serve the meals is a stepping stone in their recovery.

“Maybe we didn’t do the same things, but we all met the same demise, right? So it’s beautiful that we can all bond over that and just better ourselves in the end … Working here in the kitchen four days a week has helped me get a new job outside of here and stuff and just rebuild my life completely,” Leah Juarez said.

To learn more about the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s programs, visit: https://cvrm.org/.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Well in the Desert partnered with Oscar’s Palm Springs to help provide free breakfast meals to those in need of one during the holiday.

Oscar’s has been continuing this annual tradition since 2016.

“It’s the least I can do as a community member is get back to the community, and especially people that in need, especially on a, on a holiday like today. It’s, it’s, it’s important,” said Dan Gore, owner of Oscar’s.

The event provides not only hot meals but also gifts cards, clothes, and what members of Oscar’s say, lots of love for those in need of it for the holidays.

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