Author: KESQ

City News Service

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities today released the name of a 15-year-old girl who went missing in Lake Elsinore last year before her decomposed body was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to a popular singer and later impounded in the Hollywood Hills.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office identified her Wednesday as Celeste Rivas. The cause of death was listed as deferred.   

Her remains were discovered Sept. 8 in the Tesla, which had been towed to a city police yard. The car was registered to singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, who is currently on his U.S. “Withered” tour and scheduled to perform at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Earlier, the medical examiner revealed the girl, who had last been seen April 5, 2024, had the letters ”Shhh” tattooed on her right index finger.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the vehicle was impounded and towed to the yard — an “official police garage” — by the city Department of Transportation because it was “parked on a public street for more than 72 hours.”  

The car is believed to have been parked in the Hollywood Hills. Investigators said the Tesla had been parked at the location for nearly a month.

Neighbors told Rolling Stone the Tesla Model Y had been moved several times over the past three months before it was ultimately found on Bluebird Avenue, where it was ultimately located.

After it was impounded, workers at the tow yard and neighbors reported a strong odor coming from the car, leading to the discovery of the remains.   

According to various reports, the remains were dismembered and severely decomposed, and were found inside a bag in the trunk.   

The county Medical Examiner’s office had earlier described the decedent as a woman of unknown age with wavy black hair and unknown color eyes. She was 5-feet-2 inches tall and weighed 71 pounds.

“The decedent was found severely decomposed inside a vehicle…,” according to a medical examiner’s office statement that said she was wearing a tube top and size small black leggings, with a yellow metal stud earring and a metal chain bracelet. “She appears to have been deceased inside the vehicle for an extended period of time before being found.”  

A representative for Burke said the singer was informed of the discovery and is fully cooperating with investigators.   

D4vd canceled his scheduled Wednesday night show in Seattle, where he was set to perform at the Showbox SoDo, according to TMZ, which cited sources with direct knowledge.

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Luis Avila

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City is taking steps towards making its roads safer and more accessible for cyclists. Starting Thursday, city crews will begin construction on a new bike lane along Whispering Palms Trail — a key component of a broader effort to expand alternative transportation infrastructure.

The project is part of Cathedral City’s Active Transportation Plan, which aims to create a safer, more connected network for cyclists and pedestrians. The upcoming work will stretch along Whispering Palms Trail from Dinah Shore Drive to 30th Avenue.

“We’re really excited because the whole project involves two miles of Class III bike lane… What that is, is a bike lane that shares the whole entire road. There will be new striping and marking.”

John Corella, Cathedral City Public Works Director

For local cyclists, the improvements couldn’t come soon enough. James Colella, owner of Kings Rideshop in Cathedral City, says bike sales — especially e-bikes — have surged in recent years. But with that increase comes a growing concern for safety.

Many cyclists in the city are still forced to ride dangerously close to passing cars due to a lack of dedicated lanes. Colella warns that the risks are not only inconvenient — they’re serious.

“Almost everyone I know that has ridden road bikes… has been hit by a car or in some kind of accident so if they can make it safer for cyclists, just the safety will increase usage.”

James Colella, Kings Rideshop Owner

City officials say Whispering Palms was chosen for this phase because it offers a quieter, residential alternative to major thoroughfares.

“Whispering Palms is one of the corridors identified in our Active Transportation Plan that is a north-south corridor taking it off main roads and bringing it into residential roads. Obviously there’s slower speed limits so it’s more inviting for bicyclists to take those routes than on major thoroughfares where there’s a lot of traffic.”

John Corella, Cathedral City Public Works Director

The city sees this project as a stepping stone in its mission to enhance walkability and bike access citywide. Corella emphasized the long-term benefits of creating safer spaces for active transportation.

While infrastructure is improving, riders stress that safety also depends on awareness from drivers.

Construction is expected to last through next month.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Technical problems continue to plague the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.

City officials announced Tuesday that the lap pool at the facility would temporarily close until key equipment could be replaced.

The city cited issues with its pump room equipment, including filtration system, pumps, and heaters – all of which was installed when the facility first opened in 2011.

It said regular wear and extreme weather damaged seals around the filter tanks, which led to water clarity issues throughout the summer.

The recreation and splash pools will remain open with the lap pool temporarily shuttered. In the meantime, lap swim sessions will still happen (with limited hours) in the recreation pool, which is still open.

There are no problems chemically with the pools. Everything is balanced, including parameters like chlorine levels. The clarity is the key issue.

Pool staff said clarity problems are most apparent in the lap pool – which is why it is the only pool to face a temporary closure. At 15 feet deep, lifeguards presently cannot easily see to the bottom of the pool, which is critical in the event someone sinks to the bottom and is in distress.

The city anticipates a full replacement of key equipment in November, which will lead to an 8-10 week closure of the entire facility.

David Keyes, the Aquatic Manager of the facility, walked News Channel 3 crews through the equipment room that maintains the poolwater. Amid the din of whirring machines, he outlined the large lap pool filter – which has reached the end of its lifespan after 14 and a half years – that he described as being 25 times larger than the typical backyard pool filter.

“It’s big enough in there where I’ll get inside and I’ll shovel out, you know, the “elements” when we do some work on it,” he said, standing next to the filter.

He said when work begins in November, it will be replaced by a smaller, more efficient filter, which will free up some floor space in the room.

When the original filter was installed in 2011, it was put in place first – before the walls and roof were built around it.

Keyes also showed the smaller filters for the recreation and splash pools, hidden in the back. While smaller and filtering much less poolwater, they, too, have neared the end of their lifespans, and will be replaced when the overhaul takes place.

A new 50-horsepower pump will be installed, along with new heaters. Keyes said it’s a complete overhaul.

“There’s just no way to get around a long closure when you’re replacing your entire mechanical room and you want to gain another 15 to 20 years out of it,” Keyes explained.

He continued, “The city wants to make sure, hey, what we’re doing is done right so we’re not going to run into these problems years later.”

If you have any questions, you’re encouraged to contact PDAC staff at 760-565-7467 or visit the facility’s website at pdpool.com.

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A new $100,000 grant from the Houston Family Foundation will widely expand the ‘Nursing Street Medicine’ program at California State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert.

The program serves underserved populations, with targeted clinics on the street helping vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness.

“We do vital signs and wound care if they have anything that needs it. We also do medication assistance so we find medications for them, we do medication review with them also,” Executive Director of the program, Diane Vines, said.

According to CSUSB-PD, the grant will fund three new clinics, the treatment of 700 individuals and 1,200 annual patient contacts, train 35 students annually, and focus more on mental health outreach.

Officials say more than half of those they treat have both mental health and substance abuse issues.

“We’re really hoping to start collaborating more with the mobile van to get more medications out in the field where the people are. A lot of the clients that we see suffer from severe mental health issues, and it’s a very big challenge to get medications. For example, patients with schizophrenia really suffer and have a hard time getting medications,” Samantha Duffle, the program director said.

Duffle says the funding comes as the needs of the homeless population they treat are also growing.

“There’s a large amount of homeless that we don’t even see. A lot of times the ‘point in time’ counts that are reported aren’t reflective of how many unhoused individuals there are in the Coachella Valley. Something unique about the services we provide is we do know where they’re at, and we have developed this long standing trust with them.”

It’s a win-win for students who are also getting hands-on experience in the field.

“They grow with empathy. They grow with leadership. They grow their communication,” Duffle said.

CSUSB-PD nursing student Nicole Corona said it’s also improved her confidence in treating patients.

“I was very interested in community health and I think that I had to start somewhere. I was able to see a lot of patient communication, see how well a lot of our, nursing students get to practice their skills,” Corona said.

If you’d like to find more information on the program’s pop-up clinics, visit: CSUSB PD STREET MEDICINE.

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Allie Anthony

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The 30th annual Valley-Wide Employment Expo took place Wednesday at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center.

The event brings together leading employers from across the region, offering job seekers a valuable opportunity to network and explore career opportunities.

The expo continues to serve as a key platform for connecting local talent with top companies in a wide range of industries.

To pre-register for this event, head to this link.

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Cynthia White

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has donated $100,000 to the Animal Action League to help support the nonprofit’s efforts to bring low cost spay, neuter, vaccination and microchipping services to area residents.

The contribution will support a matching grant secured by the Animal Action League to purchase a trailer that will be used to train veterinarians in spay and neuter procedures. The trailer, part of the group’s Skills Lab Program, is expected to be completed in January 2026 and will expand the League’s ability to reach families who face cost or transportation barriers.

“For Morongo, giving back means supporting organizations that strengthen our communities and improve quality of life — not just for people, but for the animals who bring us comfort, companionship, and love,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “We are happy to partner with the Animal Action League to help more families access affordable spay and neuter services that promote responsible pet ownership and reduce unnecessary suffering.”

The Animal Action League has been serving the Coachella Valley, Morongo Basin and the City of Banning areas for more than 30 years.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for their generosity and vision,” said Melody Farnik, Director of the Animal Action League. “The Tribe’s gift will translate into healthier pets, fewer strays, and stronger communities.”

In recent months, Morongo has partnered with the Animal Action League to host two free spay and neuter clinics at the Morongo Community Center.

The latest $100,000 donation continues the Tribe’s long tradition of philanthropy, which has provided more than $20 million over the past decade to nonprofits supporting seniors, veterans, families, youth, and others in need across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

For more information about the Animal Action League, visit www.animalactionleague.net.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A 29-year-old man was pronounced dead after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday night in Palm Springs.

The crash was first reported at around 8:50 a.m. on East San Rafael Drive just west of North Avenida Caballeros.

Police say they arrived at the scene to find a man in the roadway who had been hit by an SUV. Lifesaving measures were performed, but the man died at the scene. The coroner’s office identified the man as Raymond Olguin Jr. of Palm Desert.

Police also report that the driver of the SUV remained at the scene and was cooperative. They add that alcohol or drugs are not a factor at this time.

Police immediately closed off East San Rafael from Eucalyptus Drive to North Avenida Caballeros to investigate, but the roadway has since reopened.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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KESQ News Team

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KESQ) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is meeting on Thursday, with Southern California Edison’s request for a rate increase on the agenda.

The CPUC will be deciding whether to allow Edison to raise electricity rates by 10 percent, starting October 1st.

The Commission says Edison’s plan would boost the average residential bill in California by around $17 a month – or about $200 a year.

Under the plan, Edison will get additional increases for inflation, and customers will see more hikes each year through 2028.

According to the CPUC’s “Fact Sheet on Proposed Decision in Southern California Edison’s Rate Case,” the CPUC issued a Proposed Decision in July, suggesting a reduction in the amount of SCE’s rate increase request. The Proposed Decision says increased rates would be to cover costs associated with wildfire safety, aging infrastructure, and future demands on the grid.

The Fact Sheet estimates a monthly bill for a customer using 500 kilowatt hours would jump from $171.17 to $187.83.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco sent a letter on Tuesday to the CPUC in opposition to Southern California Edison’s rate increase request, stating in part, “As Sheriff of Riverside County, I see firsthand the toll that California’s affordability crisis is taking on the people I have sworn to serve and protect. Edison customers in Riverside and across Southern California already pay some of the highest electricity bills in the nation. Adding another $200 a year on top of bills that are already crushing families is unacceptable.”

The CPUC will be meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the CPUC Auditorium in San Francisco. The meeting is also available via webcast at www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc, or by phone at 800-857-1917, passcode 9899501#.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Shay Lawson

SKY VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)  – Some Sky Valley and Desert Edge residents are voicing opposition ahead of a September 23 public hearing where the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) will consider whether to hand off water and wastewater services in parts of its Improvement District 8 to Mission Springs Water District (MSWD).

Tabitha Davies, co-director of Esperanza’s Sanctuary, said the proposal would sharply increase costs for families and nonprofits in the area.

“For an example, Tier 1 through the Coachella Valley Water District is about $1.09 per CCF, and Mission Springs is anywhere from $2.30 to over $3,” Davies said. “As a farm sanctuary teaching people how to feed themselves and running a community garden, our water usage costs would quadruple overnight.”

Davies also cited MSWD’s 2022 settlement of a $225,000 class action lawsuit over failed water meters that led to increased bills for Desert Hot Springs residents.

“Mission Springs consistently put out messaging that there was nothing wrong with the meters,” Davies said. “It turned out they were faulty and they had to settle that to basically reimburse the residents who were overcharged, but that’s a fraction of what most of those people had been paying as a whole. I think that lack of transparency and lack of accountability just says a significant amount of how they’re operating in the city of Desert Hot Springs and we don’t need that out here.”

Water quality is another concern for Davies. She said residents fear contamination could worsen under MSWD’s oversight.

“With development out here, our aquifers are being stressed. With that stress comes access to toxins like Chromium-6” Davies said.

She also said residents didn’t receive adequate warning ahead of meeting.

“You’re coming in and giving them less than 20 days notice to even attend a meeting that’s having that decision change happen. I think that that’s not acceptable,” Davies said.

In a statement to News Channel 3, CVWD’s Communication Manager said:

“This is on the Board Agenda for the CVWD Board of Directors to discuss next Tuesday. Our agenda will be posted later this afternoon, which includes background information and a Board Resolution on this topic. The proposal would benefit residents by allowing them to connect to MSWD’s domestic water system for improved service reliability. It would also allow MSWD to potentially explore sewer services, which are not available on CVWD’s system due to the location of its water reclamation facilities.”

Davies said most residents paid for and already maintain their septic systems.

“Taking away someone’s ability to have their own septic system, and then forcing them to pay what the new water district decides is going to be their sewer hookup cost and the fact that it is usually extremely expensive built in to property taxes is again, not acceptable,” Davies said.

In a statement to News Channel 3, MSWD’s Marion J. Champion, assistant general manager, said:

“The MSWD Board has yet to take any formal action on this matter, as our primary focus remains on serving our existing customers. We have been approached by CVWD regarding the potential takeover of service in the ID8 area and we are currently conducting the necessary financial and system due diligence needed before a path forward can be determined.” 

The CVWD board is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the matter Sept. 23 at 8 a.m at 51501 Tyler Street, Coachella, CA.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (KESQ) – Palm Springs officials announced today they will temporarily shut down the Demuth Park Pickleball Courts to begin construction next week for an expansion project.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will transform the current court, located at 4365 Mesquite Ave., into a “premier pickleball destination,” installing 22 new courts, one tournament court, enhanced lighting, new sidewalks, shade structures and planting new trees.   

The roughly eight-month project will start Monday, and was expected to reopen in spring 2026, officials said.   

In partnership with College of the Desert, the city will provide 12 temporary courts near the college’s satellite campus on South Hermosa Drive, near East Baristo Road.

The temporary courts were open as of Tuesday.   

To learn more, the Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at pickeball@palmspringsca.gov, or 760-323-8272.

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