Author: KESQ

Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)— California is making changes aimed at classic car owners and the state’s lowrider community, with two new laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Newsom signed Senate Bill 1392, known as Jay Leno’s Law, and Assembly Bill 2541 on September 16. One changes smog-check requirements for certain collector cars, while the other establishes a specialty license plate honoring California’s lowrider heritage.

Jay Leno’s Law

Jay Leno’s Law creates a phased-in smog-check exemption for qualifying collector vehicles from the 1976 through 1985 model years.

The changes will not happen all at once. The first phase begins January 1, 2028, with additional model years becoming eligible over the following years.

The exemption is limited to qualifying collector vehicles. According to the state, eligible cars must be insured as collector vehicles or driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. The law is aimed at vehicles preserved for limited use rather than everyday transportation.

Local master auto technician Kyle Lafond said the change could have an impact on classic car owners in the Coachella Valley.

Lafond said some owners may be more willing to repair older vehicles that have been sitting in garages if they are able to qualify for the exemption and get those cars back on the road.

He also said that could mean additional work for local mechanics and auto shops that service older vehicles.

California creates lowrider specialty plate

A second new law, Assembly Bill 2541, establishes a specialized California license plate honoring lowrider culture.

State officials describe lowriding as a tradition with deep roots in Latino and Chicano art, identity and community across California. Money generated through the program will help support youth engagement along with lowrider-related arts and cultural programs.

The new law follows legislation signed in 2023 that removed state restrictions allowing local governments to ban lowrider cruising.

Lafond said lowriders have long been part of car culture in the Coachella Valley and said he already knows local car enthusiasts interested in getting the specialty plate once it becomes available.

Together, the two new laws could bring changes for classic car owners, local auto shops and lowrider enthusiasts throughout the Coachella Valley.

Stay tuned for the full story tonight at 10 and 11 on News Channel 3.

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KESQ News Team

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Law enforcement agencies made 20 arrests and issued 77 citations over two days as officers increased patrols during the Mongols motorcycle organization’s annual gathering in Cathedral City.

The Mongols are an international motorcycle organization that has previously held its annual meeting in Palm Springs. This year, the group is gathering in Cathedral City.

Cathedral City Police, along with several other law enforcement agencies, have been conducting high-visibility enforcement throughout the city and surrounding areas.

On Friday, Sept. 18, officers made 15 arrests involving narcotics violations, possession of stolen property, driving with a suspended license and outstanding warrants. Officers also issued 42 citations and stored or impounded five vehicles.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, officers made five additional arrests, including arrests involving weapons offenses. Police said three handguns were seized during Saturday’s enforcement operation.

Officers also issued 35 citations and stored or impounded nine vehicles Saturday.

That brings the two-day total to 20 arrests, 77 citations and 14 vehicles stored or impounded.

Cathedral City Police said enforcement efforts will continue through the weekend, with final results expected to be released Monday morning.

The operation includes assistance from the California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Desert Hot Springs Police Department, Palm Springs Police Department, Indio Police Department, Riverside County Probation Office and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation parole agents.

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Kiera McKinney

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. — Volunteers spent Saturday clearing illegally dumped trash from the Mission Creek area of Desert Hot Springs as part of National CleanUp Day.

The “Clean Our Watershed” community cleanup brought together local organizations, businesses, students and volunteers to remove appliances, tubs, plastic, wires and other debris scattered across the desert.

The event was organized by the Kiwanis Club of Palm Springs, New Earth Creator, BGB Environmental Services and Friends of the Desert Mountains.

“When I came out here, I didn’t think it would be this bad,” said high school junior Andrea Castro, who participated with Key Club.

Organizers said the cleanup is about more than improving how the area looks. Andres Marquez, founder of New Earth Creator, said years of dumping have created pollution near important local water resources.

“What we want to do is restore this environment back to natural conditions, because there’s been a buildup of pollution, and it interfaces with our local water systems,” Marquez said.

Mission Creek is part of the groundwater system beneath the Coachella Valley. Local environmental groups say trash and chemicals left on the land can eventually move into the soil and potentially reach water below.

“When trash sits on top of this land, it actually percolates down into the water,” said Karin Jaffie, marketing and communications manager for Friends of the Desert Mountains. “And at some point in time, that will impact us.”

Desert Water Agency says nearly all of the water used in the Coachella Valley comes from groundwater.

Wildlife is another concern.

Jaffie said surveys of the area have found protected burrowing owls, other birds and rattlesnakes.

“We’ve actually seen the burrowing owls nesting in dumps that were burned out, piles and trash like that,” Jaffie said. “And it could actually poison them or hurt them in some way.”

Volunteers said some of the debris went far beyond everyday litter.

“There’s a lot of trash,” volunteer Tammy Martin said. “Not only just trash and windblown things, but big, like refrigerators and tubs and everything.”

Organizers hoped to fill four local trash haulers to capacity by the end of the cleanup.

Berlinda Blackburn, principal owner of Blackburn Environmental Services, said residents have legal options for disposing of large or hazardous items.

“Call your local trash service provider,” Blackburn said. “They can arrange bulky item pickup, hazmat pickup. There’s opportunities to dispose of trash legally.”

Organizers said Riverside County also has resources available for reporting illegal dumping. Marquez said the long-term goal is to prevent more trash from ending up in the desert.

“I suggest you just don’t do it,” Marquez said. “You don’t understand the impact that you are presenting, not just to the wildlife, to our water, but also to the community.”

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KESQ News Team

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — A local conservation event brought the Coachella Valley community together Saturday to support wildlife protection efforts thousands of miles away.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens hosted its Wildlife Ranger Challenge, raising money and awareness for the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit, an all-female ranger team working to protect wildlife and habitats in South Africa’s Greater Kruger region.

Participants took part in a 2.1-mile walk and run, inspired by the 21-kilometer challenge completed by wildlife rangers around the world.

The event also featured a presentation from Black Mambas founder Craig Spencer, followed by a virtual question-and-answer session with members of the ranger team in South Africa.

The Black Mambas are known for their work protecting wildlife while also educating communities about conservation and the importance of protecting natural habitats.

The Living Desert says the event was part of its broader conservation work around the world. The organization partners with more than 105 conservation projects across 12 countries.

The event also came just days before World Rhino Day on September 22, putting a spotlight on the ongoing effort to protect rhinos and other threatened wildlife from poaching and habitat loss.

Organizers said all net proceeds from the event would be matched, helping increase the support going toward conservation programs and the Black Mambas’ mission.

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Matthew Pearce

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — The Desert Recreation District collaborated with the Riverside County Emergency Management Department and the City of Palm Desert to host a community disaster preparedness gathering. The event focused on educating local families on how to remain ready for unexpected emergencies.

Organizers staged the event because severe catastrophes can overwhelm emergency personnel, leading to delayed response times. To help residents build readiness, participating organizations established informational booths on safety procedures and emergency supplies.

Educational booths set up by various participating groups covered a wide range of safety topics, including different categories of fires, seismic hazards, proper techniques for bandaging injuries and guidance on what items families should keep in reserve.

For more information, stay with News Channel 3 live tonight.

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Hernán Quintas

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – September is Hunger Action Month, and staggering numbers show that 1 in 6 people experience food insecurity in the Coachella Valley.

For Hunger Action Month, FIND will once again join Feeding America’s 200 partner food banks across the country for the annual campaign to spread awareness and engage the public in the movement to end hunger.

Hunger Action Month brings attention to the reality that in every community in America, people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families; yet in 2025, 44 million people in 7 people—experienced food insecurity.

“Hunger Action Month is a time when our community comes together to raise awareness about hunger and the challenges many of our neighbors continue to face,” shares Lorena Marroquin, FIND’s Interim President & CEO. “The rising cost of food, housing, utilities, and other everyday necessities continues to put tremendous pressure on household budgets, forcing too many families to make difficult choices just to make ends meet. Hunger Action Month reminds us that we all have a role to play. By volunteering, donating, advocating, and raising

awareness, our community can stand together with our neighbors experiencing food insecurity, not only during September, but throughout the year.”

As our Telemundo anchor Hernan Quintas reports, the FIND Regional Food Bank is finding new ways to try to help fill the gap as those numbers grow.

FIND’s Hunger Action Drive is Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Palm Springs Police Headquarters on 200 S Civic Drive and the Palm Desert YMCA. The event at both locations will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For appointments, call 800-879-4484 or visit lstream.org/rotarycv

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A 22-year-old man who gunned down a shopper at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon with the help of twin brothers, all of whom wanted the victim’s Rolex wristwatch, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Reginald Charles Trice, 22, of Victorville, was convicted of murder, as well as attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit crime, person under 30 possess a firearm, sentence-enhancing Use Firearm w/Specific Felony and Discharge firearm causing GBI.

Reginald Charles Trice

Michael Moser, 66, was killed in the shooting on March 24, 2022.

Michael Moser, pictured on the far left

Elijah and Emanuel Burt were each sentenced in recent years for their roles in the murder. Elijah Burt was sentenced to 11 years in state prison in Aug. 2025. Emanuel Burt was sentenced to six years in Nov. 2024.

Emanuel and Elijah Burt

The trio, longtime friends from Victorville, arrived in Riverside County on March 24, 2022, in Trice’s Jeep Cherokee, seeking out targets of opportunity, heading directly to the Cabazon mall in the 48600 block of Seminole Drive, just off of Interstate 10, in the late afternoon, prosecutors said.

Trice allowed Emanuel Burt to drive the SUV, and while they waited at a pedestrian crossing, Moser passed in front of the vehicle, talking on his mobile phone and walking into the mall, according to the brief.

“Trice explained that he saw the victim and thought he was wearing a `Rollie,’ slang for Rolex watch,” court papers stated. “Trice said, `once you see something you like, you get it.'”

He and Elijah Burt jumped out of the Jeep and tailed Moser into the mall, intending to rob him, prosecutors alleged. Emanuel Burt then backed the Jeep into position for a getaway.

Moser went into a restroom, with Trice and Elijah Burt close behind. Once inside, the defendants confronted him, Trice brandishing a Glock semiautomatic pistol and demanding that the victim surrender the Rolex, the brief said.

“Trice said Elijah froze and didn’t help with the attempted robbery,” the narrative said. “The victim started fighting, and Trice had his gun out during the fight, and the gun went off. He said that Elijah got shot in the hand. He said that all the victim had to do was `give it up.”’

Instead, Trice aimed the firearm at Moser’s chest and opened fire, killing him on the spot, the prosecution alleged.

The defendants ran to the Jeep and jumped in, prompting Emanuel Burt to sped away. From the time the men spotted Moser in the parking lot to the point where they fled the location altogether took 90 seconds, the brief said.

A security guard initiated CPR on Moser, and county sheriff’s deputies, then fire department paramedics, attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Elijah Burt went to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for treatment of his superficial hand wound.

Sheriff’s detectives gathered recordings from surveillance video cameras situated throughout the mall, gleaning license plate information for the getaway vehicle, which culminated in revelation of the defendants’ identities. The investigation led to verification of their movements using cell phone data and other security surveillance videos from area gas stations and hotels.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ben Ramirez said a warrant was obtained and served at Trice’s residence in the 15500 block of Morada Road on April 21, 2022, when he was taken into custody without incident. The brothers were tracked down and arrested in Las Vegas at the end of April 2022.

None of the men had documented prior adult felony convictions in Riverside County. However, Trice and Emanuel Burt served sentences under supervision of the California Youth Authority for unspecified juvenile offenses in San Bernardino County, according to court records.

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Luis Avila

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an assault at a Sonic restaurant in Yucca Valley that left two employees injured.

Deputies were called to the restaurant in the 58100 block of Twentynine Palms Highway around 9:49 p.m. Monday, September 14.

According to the sheriff’s department, three people — described as two adult women and one adult man — were in the drive-thru and became upset with the service.

Investigators say someone in the group threw a bottle through a restaurant window. An employee then went outside and took a photo of the vehicle’s license plate.

Deputies say the three people then got out of the vehicle, entered the restaurant and assaulted several employees. Two employees were injured, according to the sheriff’s department. The suspects left the area before deputies arrived.

The attack was captured on video, which is now circulating on social media. News Channel 3 is not showing the video because no one has been charged in connection with the incident.

The family of one of the employees spoke with News Channel 3 about what happened.

Her sister, Aurora Goodson, said she was shaken when she learned her sister had been assaulted.

“She sounds shaken which to me is immediately alarming because she’s just so strong and nothing really gets to her, nothing really shakes her like that,” Aurora said.

Goodson said her sister told her that her phone had been stolen and that she had been assaulted, but stayed behind to help her coworkers before going to the hospital because she believed the other employees needed more immediate attention.

Aurora’s mother, Jennifer, lives in Louisiana and said watching the video of the attack was frightening.

“It’s just my daughter in a corner with three people going after her. I didn’t understand any of it,” Jennifer said.

Social media posts also allege that the people involved were a family, including a juvenile who attends Desert Hot Springs High School.

News Channel 3 has also learned a Desert Hot Springs student athlete was absent from a recent football game. The student’s current status on the team is unclear.

The sheriff’s department says it is still working to determine whether the juvenile mentioned in the social media posts is connected to the assault.

The family says the employee is still in pain and they are concerned about what it will be like for her to return to work.

“I can’t imagine what going back to work is going to be like for her. Every time the door opens, are they going to jump?” Jennifer said.

Palm Springs Unified School District said it is aware of social media posts about the incident.

In a message to families, the district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and that any appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

The sheriff’s investigation remains ongoing.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KESQ) – “He’s a really great person, really friendly, really appreciable.”

That’s how Pablo Perez, a helicopter mechanic, remembered George Marciniw. Marciniw was the pilot flying NewsChopper4 when it crashed on Tuesday. Marciniw, reporter Eliana Romero, and a pedestrian on the ground, Edy Guitierrez Mejia, were killed in the crash.

Perez and Marciniw had a close working relationship that began a couple of years ago, when Marciniw approached Perez about working on some of the other helicopters he owned.

Perez recounted some of the meals shared after late nights working on helicopters and the interactions they shared.

“About two months ago, he was coming in from Arizona flying in a newly-purchased helicopter, and it lands, and it was like 118 [degrees],” Perez remembered. “He stopped by Blythe and he called me, [and] goes, ‘Pablo, I can’t get my helicopter started!’ I go, ‘Does it have a lithium battery?’ He goes, ‘Yeah, it does. It’s a new helicopter. New battery.’ I say, ‘That’s the problem.'”

With Perez’s guidance, Marciniw put an ice pack on the battery and let it cool off. Within an hour, the engine started, and he was back in the air.

Those phone calls were common between the two. On Tuesday, just hours before the crash, Perez called Marciniw to ask about one of his helicopters he had been working on the past month.

“On Tuesday, about noon, I called him like, ‘Hey, George, you know, I, I need you to choose what type of parts you want to buy, you know – new or repaired cylinders…,'” Perez recounted. “That’s the last time I talked to him, like seven hours before the crash.”

“But he’s a really good guy. He’ll give you the shirt off his back if it, if it came down to it. A high time pilot, real experienced,” Perez explained. He said he was always looking to give back to the community and taught dozens of other pilots how to fly through his flight school. He also flew by the book and never cut corners.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) is continuing its investigation into the crash.

Perez said the circumstances leading up to it could provide some clues; flying low due to a nearby airport and with virtually no airspeed, he called that set of factors dangerous.

“I think there were near Van Nuys Airport. So I think the helicopters have to stay below 500ft because of the airport traffic, you know, and, and at 500 feet, you know, you’re hovering out of ground effect,” Perez said. “For one thing, there’s zero airspeed. And in the helicopter industry, most pilots, they’ll know it’s a dead man’s curve. You know, you got no airspeed, you’re more vulnerable.”

Flying so low to the ground with so little airspeed, Perez said there is only a small window of time to try to maneuver the helicopter.

“He had about maybe six or ten seconds from 500ft to land a helicopter, try to find a place to land,” he explained.

“I’m not going to speculate and let the investigator decide what exactly happened, but there’s definitely it seems like an engine did fail or something happened to the engine because they lost power.”

Perez acknowledged that the investigations will take several months. Between the federal agencies working on finding out what happened to the manufacturers of the helicopter and the engine (Airbus and Turbomeca, respectively), he said there was a lot to uncover.

In the aftermath, though, he hoped his friend could be remembered for who he was.

“He was always… he was a giver. You know, he was a giver. Anything you wanted, you know. He always, ‘Hey, you need something, Pablo? Let me know.'”

“He’s going to be missed, you know.”

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Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Salton City man accused of murdering a teen was back in court Friday for a hearing, with his defense attorney saying they are ready for trial.

Abraham Feinbloom, 51, appeared in an El Centro courtroom as his attorney, Melanie Rowe, raised several concerns about outstanding evidence she still has not received.

Rowe also told the judge she still has more motions to file, including a motion to compel and motions to exclude evidence.

The court also discussed a confidential paid informant and sensitive discovery that Rowe told the judge she did not feel comfortable downloading on her personal or work computer.

Feinbloom is accused of murdering T’neya Tovar, a 17-year-old girl from Hemet, California, who was reported missing last December.

Her remains were discovered later that month.

Feinbloom is facing one count of murder with a firearm enhancement, and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Jury selection is expected to begin October 6, with the trial expected to take place October 9.

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