Author: KESQ

Daniella Lake

Update 12/04/25

Kristina Bruno says that Cathedral City code enforcement is encouraging her to keep the pantry going, as long as she downsizes it and implements a sturdy structure per safety concerns.

Cathedral City officials told News Channel 3 Thursday morning that they are simply asking the pantry to be downsized and built to a sturdier standard. That way, the pantry will remain appropriate for a residential neighborhood and comply with local codes.    

News Channel 3 reached out to Cathedral City for answers and here’s the city’s response: 

“The city of Cathedral City supports the spirit and mission of ‘Little Free Pantries’ and residents who wish to help their neighbors in need. We remain open to working with the operator to find a solution that allows her to continue serving the community while maintaining compliance with local codes.” 

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from Kristina Bruno and the city on their efforts.

Original Report 12/03/25

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Cathedral City is attempting to shut down the food pantry a resident started outside her home.

Earlier this week, News Channel 3 shared the story of Kristina Bruno, whose free food pantry went viral on the Nextdoor app.

Now, the city of Cathedral City says she has 10 days to remove the pantry. The city left a note at her door saying, “Please remove cabinet from public view/sidewalk.” The city will come back from re-inspection on December 13th.

News Channel 3 reached out to this city for their response, they say:

“The City of Cathedral City supports the spirit and mission of Little Free Pantries and residents who wish to help their neighbors in need. We remain open to working with the operator to find a solution that allows her to continue serving the community while maintaining compliance with local codes.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Donna Anderson said the Amtrak station in Palm Springs left her behind twice in 2024.

She said the first incident happened in January, when the conductor said the train would skip her stop in Palm Springs, and continue to Ontario.

“I said how do you expect me to get home?” Anderson said. “They paid an Uber to get me to my door.”

She said the company blamed weather.

“It was a clear night. There was no wind. There was no rain. There was nothing,” Anderson said.

Believing the issue was fixed, Anderson said she booked another trip in August. 

She said her cousin dropped her off at the station at 1:30 a.m.

“Nothing stopped me from booking it. I get there with 5 other passengers,” Anderson said. “We were sitting there, sitting there… no wind, no rain, nothing. It went by and passed us.”

She said she later discovered an email — sent after she had already left home — saying the stop was canceled. 

“I had to leave home in the middle of the night and I didn’t check my emails. I was checking my text,” Anderson said. “The thing is, they were telling me by text that the train was coming.”

In a written statement, Olivia Irvin, Amtrak Senior Public Relations Manager, said:

“Amtrak temporarily suspended service to Palm Springs due to high winds and sandstorms at and around the station. All ticketed customers received notifications advising them that the scheduled stop could not be made.

To prioritize the safety of our customers and employees, Amtrak may occasionally suspend service after a train has departed its origin. If this occurs, onboard crew will notify affected passengers.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. For the latest service updates, customers can visit Amtrak.com/service-alerts.”

Anderson’s experience comes as cities along the rail line push to host the next permanent Coachella Valley station. 

Anderson believes Indio is the clear choice.

“Indio is the largest city in population,” she said. “The station would not be in the middle of nowhere like Palm Springs station is. It’s protected from the wind.”

Anderson said she eventually received a refund from Amtrak, but plans to never ride again. 

She said she wants the company to stop selling tickets to the Palm Springs station until service is restored or relocated.

“Why don’t they just admit they’ve abandoned the station?” she said. “And stop fooling people.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full story at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Martha’s Village & Kitchen announced the appointment of Miki Jordan as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

The move is effective immediately, officials said.

Jordan takes over for Sam Hollenbeck, who has been President/CEO of the nonprofit since 2022. There was no mention of Hollenbeck in the news release announcement.

Martha’s Village & Kitchen is one of the Coachella Valley’s largest and most trusted providers of services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty.

As CEO, Jordan will oversee MVK’s full continuum-of-care services — including emergency shelter, transitional housing, meals, childcare and education, case management, and community support — with a renewed strategic focus on long-term sustainability, program strength, and community impact.

Jordan says, “I think what’s important to me is to listen to the community first. So over the next three months, I’m going to go out and listen to everyone in the community, our constituents throughout the valley, and I want to hear from everyone before I set the goals.”

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke in depth with Jordan about her new position as President/CEO at Martha’s Village.

MVK officials said Jordan joins the nonprofit following a distinguished career spanning decades in the nonprofit sector.

She is the co-founder of Partners for Impact, which provides coaching and advising to nonprofit leaders nationwide.

Jordan has supported organizations of all sizes on a variety of levels to strengthen their mission and vision, governance, fund development, and financial sustainability with purpose driven leadership.

“Becoming part of Martha’s Village & Kitchen is deeply meaningful to me,” said Miki Jordan. “MVK embodies the compassion, respect, and belief in human potential that guide my work. The organization’s focus on restoring dignity, offering hope, and opening doors to long-term self-sufficiency is vital for our community. I’m eager to join with MVK’s Board, staff, volunteers, and supporters to carry this mission forward and help more of our neighbors move toward stronger, more stable lives.”

Jordan previously served as President and CEO of Wayfinder Family Services, where under her guidance the organization expanded from a Los Angeles–based disability services provider to a statewide agency serving children, youth, families, and adults — growing its budget from $10.5 million to over $50 million through strategic growth, mergers, and diversified fund development.

She was also previously President and CEO of Para Los Niños, transforming it from a grassroots nonprofit into one of Los Angeles’ most respected social service and educational agencies, growing the budget from $1 million to $25 million, expanding services across multiple communities, and spearheading multiple capital projects including the organization’s first charter school.

Miki’s many leadership accolades include: being named among the Top 50 Women Leaders in Los Angeles; “Non-Profit CEO of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal; “Outstanding Professional” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the “Best of LA Women’s Business Award” presented by the Los Angeles Lakers and Comerica Bank; and the “Excellence in Leadership Award” from the VisionServe Alliance. Under her leadership, Wayfinder was recognized as “Nonprofit Team of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes also named her the “Mayor’s Nonprofit Honoree” in recognition of her advocacy for foster youth and people with disabilities.

Jordan holds a master’s degree in organizational development and leadership from Chapman University. She also completed a postgraduate program through the College of Executive Coaching and is a Board-Certified Coach. Additionally, she holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource and other nonprofit leadership certificates.

“Miki’s visionary leadership, operational experience, and deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities make her the ideal person to lead Martha’s into its next chapter,” said Jonathan Espy, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are confident that under her stewardship, MVK will expand its reach and impact — helping even more families and individuals in the Coachella Valley to rebuild their lives with hope and opportunity.”

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Jesus Reyes

WASHINGTON D.C. (KESQ) – President Donald Trump issued a “full and unconditional pardon” for Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke, who was indicted by the Justice Department in July for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena in Texas.

Timothy Joseph Leiweke – 508_0Download

“As outlined in the indictment, the Defendant rigged a bidding process to benefit his own company and deprived a public university and taxpayers of the benefits of competitive bidding,” Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater said in a statement at the time.

Leiweke previously pleaded not guilty to the charge, which carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

The pardon is dated Tuesday.

Leiweke was the former CEO of the OVG, which owns Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

He stepped down as CEO after his indictment, but remained a shareholder and transitioned to vice chairman of the board of directors, according to CNBC.

OVG previously agreed to pay $15 million in penalties in connection with the allegations against Leiweke.

“We are happy for Tim that he can now put this matter behind him,” a spokesperson for the venue management company said in a statement Wednesday. “OVG has remained steadfastly focused on delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients under the leadership of our CEO Chris Granger.”

OVG named Chris Granger as the new CEO on Tuesday.

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Jesus Reyes

TRONA, Calif. (KESQ) – An F-16 fighter aircraft was involved in a crash during a training mission near Trona in San Bernardino County.

TRONA: #SBCoFD resources from Station 57 responding to a reported aircraft emergency with @NAWS_CL and @ChinaLake_EM near the San Bernardino/Inyo County line area. pic.twitter.com/RkfMdx25oX

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) December 3, 2025

San Bernardino County Fire officials said the agency was assisting China Lake emergency resources with fire suppression stemming from a downed aircraft in the dry lake bed near Trona.

According to the Thunderbirds, the pilot ejected safely. Pilot is in stable condition after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials said there was no threat to the community, nor was there a threat to surrounding vegetation from the fire. 

Details on what might’ve led to the crash were not available. The incident is under investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A transient man was arrested after allegedly offering teens beer in exchange for sexual acts earlier this week in Twentynine Palms.

Joshua Padore, 32, was arrested on Monday afternoon on the 71700 block of Twentynine Palms Highway.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Padore approached two teenagers and offered them beer in exchange for sexual acts. The teens left the location and called police.

Padore reportedly tensed up during the arrest and physically resisted, the agency said. No injuries were reported.

Padore remains in jail on $100,000 bail. He was charged Wednesday with two counts of contacting a minor w/ intent of sex and one count of resisting arrest, according to county court records.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) – A 49-year-old man was killed in an off-road vehicle crash over the weekend in Joshua Tree, authorities confirmed.

Gary Scott Breneman of Oceanside was pronounced dead in the hospital shortly after the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was first reported on Friday at around 9:50 p.m. near the Sunfair Dry Lake area.

Breneman was driving a 2021 Polaris Razor UTV within the Sunfair Dry Lake area

“While driving within the Sunfair Dry Lake area, Mr. Breneman made a sharp turn, causing the Polaris to roll  onto its side. As a result of the crash, Mr. Breneman suffered a major injury to his arm which resulted in  blood loss,” reads a CHP news release.

Breneman was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation into the crash remain ongoing, but authorities said they do not believe drugs and/or alcohol were a factor.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Philanthropists Barbara Rogers and Gary Geske will receive the 484th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars next week, it was announced today.

They will receive the star in the humanitarian and literary categories at 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at 849 N. Palm Canyon Drive.   

Rogers and Geske have supported numerous initiatives for more than 16 years that have helped women, families, seniors, the LGBTQ+ community, animal welfare and the arts, officials said.

They have participated in many fundraising events, including for the Hanson House and the Palm Springs Air Museum. They helped acquire a dermatology machine for the Eisenhower Medical Center and aided in the development of the pickleball court at the Joslyn Center.

Rogers, who serves on several boards, including Loving All Animals, the Joslyn Center and the McCallum Theatre, is the author of “It’s A No Grainer,” a cookbook that promotes healthy living.

She has received the Woman of Wonder award from the Desert Symphony and humanitarian awards from McCallum Theatre and Jewish Family Services.

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The family of Jamie Maher, a 30-year-old Indio woman who was killed in 2016, is now speaking out after the man arrested for her murder was released on bail and recently arrested in Indio. 

“When this monster shot my daughter seven times, including once in the face while she begged for her life, he left a permanent hole in my heart,” Valerie Silveira, Maher’s mother said.

Marcos Cruz Gaeta Jr., a 45-year-old Indio man, was arrested in 2019 for Maher’s killing and plead not guilty to several charges including murder, with a trial date set for 2026. 

However, Gaeta was granted and posted bail in 2024, releasing him from the Southwest Detention Center in August of that year. The family says that release allowed Gaeta to commit more crimes after he was arrested in early November for possession of narcotics and firearms, according to Indio Police.

Gaeta has plead not guilty to Maher’s murder but Silveira questions why he was released in the first place.

“He didn’t kill someone else, but I’m thinking that 21 pounds of meth could kill a lot of people, and those guns that he had. ​​It’s not fair that he’s been able to do all sorts of shenanigans and tactics. He’s been a menace in jail. He’s been a menace on the streets. It is time to get this trial over,” Silveira said.

Court records show Gaeta plead guilty to felony child abuse charges in 2011 and felony burglary charges in 2000.

Looking for answers, News Channel 3 reached out to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office who said bail is set and decided by judges. Gaeta qualified for bail because his homicide charge did not have a special circumstance, which can include intention, gang relation, and prior convictions.

According to the DA, his bail was set at $2 million to reflect the severity of his crime, which is higher than the minimum of $1 million for homicide.

News Channel 3 also dug into how Gaeta was able to pay the $2 million bail. We found the county paid him and a man named Alfonso Vega Aguilar $2.95 million for a jail assault in June of 2024, just two months before his release.

Gaeta is scheduled for a felony settlement conference at the Indio Larson Justice Center Thursday. News Channel 3 will be in attendance and have continuing coverage then.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – With winter nearly upon us, more valley residents are starting up their heating units for the first time in months.

In the long period between uses, though, some systems may be in need of some maintenance.

News Channel 3 is speaking with local experts on what dangers could be sparked if your heating system isn’t kept in good shape – and what you could do to avoid any problems this winter. Stay with us for the latest.

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