Author: KESQ

City News Service

Update – 2/17/26 – 1:15 pm

The woman has been found, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Original Report – 2/17/26 – 1pm

MOUNTAIN CENTER (CNS) – A search was underway today for a 29-year-old woman whose last known location was not immediately known.   

Minori Garcia-Arreola was last seen in an unknown area of either Mountain Center or Idyllwild, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Garcia-Arreola is 5-foot 2-inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black pants, a brown-and-tan jacket and black boots.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts was asked to contact the sheriff’s dispatch at 800-950-2444.

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Garrett Hottle

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) Did you feel it? A preliminary 3.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Banning Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake hit shortly before 11 a.m. at a depth of about nine miles.

At this time there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Rain in the Coachella Valley can temporarily reduce allergy symptoms, but experts say levels often increase in the days after storms move through.

While rain is falling, it typically clears pollen from the air by pulling particles to the ground, which can bring short-term relief for allergy sufferers.

But moisture left behind can trigger mold growth in desert soils and stimulate plants to release pollen especially during late winter, when the region’s primary allergy season begins.

Olive trees, grasses, mesquite and other common desert plants start producing pollen this time of year, and winds returning after storms can carry those particles into the air.

Health experts say the pattern is common in arid climates: rain may briefly reduce allergens, but can lead to higher pollen and mold levels within several days after a storm.

Tips for reducing rain related allergy symptoms

• Check local pollen & allergy forecasts

• Limit time outdoors during & after rain

• Wear a mask if you must go outside

• Use sunglasses to protect eyes from pollen

• Shower & change clothes after being outdoors

• Keep windows closed; run A/C or air filter

• Use dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth

• Clear wet leaves & debris around your home

• Consider over-the-counter allergy medications

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Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Andrew Firestine, the new city manager in Cathedral City, is sharing his thoughts on the future for the first time with News Channel 3 this evening.

The city council approved the hiring of Firestine in a five-year contract at its February 11th council meeting. It came after an extensive search following Charlie McClendon’s retirement, who previously held the position.

Firestine is an experienced local government professional with a career focused on creating lasting community impact and delivering efficient, effective, and responsive service.

A California native, he spent the first 16 years of his career in Colorado, working for a regional council of government and the cities of Colorado Springs and Centennial in various planning and management roles.

Firestine relocated to the Coachella Valley in 2019 and served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Palm Desert, managing multiple service areas until 2022. He then served as Director of Development Services for the City of Escondido before joining the City of Cathedral City in September 2023.

News Channel 3 was the first to ask Firestine questions about the city’s future in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

He pointed to a number of ongoing initiatives to keep the city pointed in the right direction, including an updated strategic plan and new biennial budget.

“We have a newly amended strategic plan that will be coming back to the City Council for Adoption here in the next couple of meetings, as well,” he recounted. “We just adopted a biennial budget, so between the biennial budget and the strategic plan, we have a lot of initiatives already in our work plan.”

Street maintenance, addressing business applications, and encouraging more businesses to take root in the city are all on the list of needs Firestine hopes to address. But one of his priorities: creating places for people to live.

“Like many other cities, we need to do more to catalyze and support housing production and the development of affordable housing in Cathedral City,” he explained.

The city recently released results from a community survey, which Firestine said showed broad satisfaction with city services.

Also on his list to address, though: code compliance work, neighborhood beautification, and enhanced communication with the city’s residents.

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Garrett Hottle

SEATTLE, Wash. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley Firebirds Forward David Goyette has been suspended 20 games for violating the American Hockey League and Professional Hockey Players’ Association Performance Enhancing Substance Program, the team confirmed Tuesday.

Goyette,21, tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, according to a statement released by Seattle general manager Jason Botterill.

“Earlier today we were informed that David Goyette tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance under the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substance Program,” Botterill said. “We fully support the Performance Enhancing Substance Program and hope this was a learning experience for David.”

Gotette has three goals and seven assists for the Firebirds this season. He scored a goal in Sunday’s game against Tucson.

The Québec-native was drafted in the second round by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL entry draft. He was initially assisned to the OHL’s Sardbury Wolves before being called up to the Firebirds in the 2024-25 season.

Goyette will be eligible to return to the Firebirds lineup for their game on April 10, according to the AHL.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle will have more starting at 4pm.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — As storms bring wind and rain to the Coachella Valley, some drivers are questioning whether the newly completed wind wall along Gene Autry Trail is doing enough to prevent blowing sand and road closures.

The wall was installed to help reduce dangerous sand accumulation along the busy route connecting Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs. While some motorists say they have noticed improvements in certain areas, others believe sand continues to build up farther down the roadway and are calling for additional barriers.

In response to those concerns, city officials say the project was specifically designed to reduce sand in targeted sections — not to eliminate closures altogether. Because Gene Autry Trail runs through a wash and designated flood zone, engineers say extending the wall along much of the corridor is not possible due to environmental regulations and the need to allow water and natural sand flow across the roadway.

City leaders say they will continue monitoring conditions and clearing major sand buildup when necessary. In the meantime, drivers are encouraged to remain cautious during high wind events and use alternate routes if conditions become unsafe.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Daniella Lake

PALMS SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Every week during Black history month, News Channel 3 is highlighting the Black trail blazers and community members who’ve helped shape the Coachella Valley. Today, we’re taking a look at Black nonprofit organizations making a difference. The Carolyn Knight Mobile Resource Center provides care kits and meals for the homeless. The Mobile Resource Center was founded by Palm Springs locals Aneka Brown and Lariena Knight, in honor of their aunt.

“For decades, unbeknownst to even her family, she spent her own money and her own resources buying full course meals for people during the holidays,” says Brown.

Once a month, the Mobile Resource Center goes to areas unhoused people congregate to provide them essentials. “Times are hard. People are a paycheck away from being homeless,” says Brown.

The Negro Academic Scholarship fund has been supporting low-income high school students’ journey to higher education for over 50 years in the Coachella Valley.

“Going to college changed my life tremendously,” says Anjanae Miller who received the scholarship back in 1999. She says the scholarship gave her financial freedom during her college years.

“When I go to the table, I no longer have to question whether I belong here. I know that I belong here,” says Miller.

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Julia Castro

Update 2/18/26 10:30 a.m.

All three wash roadways are closed.

Palm Springs Police Department sent out alerts Wednesday that Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino are closed at the wash. Officials say the closures are due to low visibility as winds continue to pick up dust around the Coachella Valley.

This comes after Palm Springs police shut down North Indian Canyon Drive Tuesday due to flooding following recent storm activity. It remains closed at this time.

Original 2/17/26 4:45 a.m.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) —Palm Springs police shut down North Indian Canyon Drive early Tuesday due to flooding following recent storm activity.

Officials say Gene Autry Trail and East Vista Chino remain open through the wash area for now.

Drivers are also being encouraged to use alternate routes including Ramon Road, Dinah Shore Drive and Highway 111.

Authorities are urging motorists to use caution and stay alert for changing road conditions as weather impacts continue across the region.

No injuries or additional closures have been reported at this time.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Rain moving through the Coachella Valley creating slick driving conditions along Interstate 10 earlier Monday.

Just after 4 p.m. a vehicle rolling over off the freeway heading eastbound near Haugen Lehmann.

California Highway Patrol confirming there were 2 passengers with first responders transporting 1 to a nearby hospital.

Conditions improving as the night continued.

While rain fell at times, foot traffic remained steady in Palm Springs.

Modernism Week helped bring people into downtown businesses despite the weather, though some reported a slowdown later in the day.

Still, some visitors said the weather did not dampen their plans.

“It’s not going to impede our time here,” Doug Williams, visitor said. “We’re here for a week, so we’re going to make the best of it.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Longtime Palm Springs resident Billy Steinberg, writer of numerous hits in the 80s, including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” died at the age of 75

Attorney Laurie Soriano confirmed Steinberg died Monday morning in Los Angeles.

Some of Steinberg’s hits he cowrote alongside collaborator Tom Kelly included Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors”, The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame” and Heart’s “Alone.”

Lauper posted a tribute to Steinberg on her Instagram page.

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A post shared by Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper)

According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Steinberg grew up in Palm Springs. His parents operated the David Freedman Company, the largest grape harvesting company in the Coachella Valley. He worked at the business while pursuing his career recording artist and songwriter. His band, Billy Thermal, was named after the town where the vineyard business was located.

In 2021, Steinberg donated an oil painted mural referred to as Vineyard Harvest by artist Laurence Neufeld to the City of Coachella. The mural was first commissioned for Steinberg for his family’s headquarters in 1979.

Steinberg said of the mural, “I found its presence to be both inspirational and sentimental, reminding me of my two lives and two worlds, as a farmer in the Coachella Valley and as a songwriter in the city.”

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A post shared by Zócalo Public Square (@thepublicsquare)

In 2008, Steinberg was honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. It is located at 101 S Palm Canyon Drive.

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