Author: KESQ

Isaiah Mora

UPDATE 8/29/2025: Traffic was delayed on the eastbound I-10 in Banning near the 8th Street exit on Friday morning after a semi truck overturned and caught fire.

The California Highway Patrol reports the crash happened just before 2:30 a.m. and a SIG Alert was issued for the temporary shut down of all eastbound lanes. Traffic was diverted off the freeway at 8th Street for a couple of hours until emergency personnel were able to open up the #3 and #4 lanes. As of 11:00 a.m., all eastbound lanes were open.

CHP say they are investigating what caused the truck in the solo crash to be overturned and become disabled across all lanes. They add that while the truck partially burned, investigators determined the scene was not a hazmat.

The driver of the truck, a 36-year-old San Bernardino man, was not injured. Authorities do not believe alcohol or drugs to have been a factor in the crash.

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A SIG Alert is in place on interstate 10 for an overturned semi truck that caught fire in Banning. According to California Highway Patrol’s incident page, the accident happened around 2:30 Friday morning.

The alert was issued on the freeway near 8th Street and Lincoln Street. All eastbound traffic is being diverted off 8th Street and residents can expect heavy delays through the pass. Crews are working to get the road back open by 7 in the morning.

News Channel 3 has reached out to authorities for more information. Stay with us for the latest.

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio police report that a motorcyclist died in a crash with an automobile at the intersection of Jackson Street and Avenue 41 on Thursday.

Officers were called to the area at 9:43 p.m., and upon arrival, located a 34-year-old man who was the driver of the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The male drive of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated fully with the investigation.

Indio law enforcement officials say at this time, alcohol or drugs do not appear to be factors in the collision.

Police say the investigation remains active, and no further details are available at this time.

During the investigation, Jackson Street is closed in the area of Shadow Hills, from Broadmoor Street to Greenbrier Drive. Avenue 41 is closed from Gore Street to Jackson Street.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Cynthia White

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Banning law enforcement authorities announced they shut down an illicit gambling and drug sales operation at a smoke shop on Wednesday after receiving a tip from a citizen.

The tip led officers to Vape Town on West Ramsey Street, where they launched an investigation, uncovering the suspected illegal gambling and unlicensed sale of marijuana and other controlled substances.

After serving a search warrant, officers seized 48 pounds of marijuana and mushrooms, an illegal coin push gambling machine, and over $4,200 in illegal gambling funds.

Authorities report that the operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including Code Enforcement officers who issued citations to the business after the search, the Fire Marshal, and the San Gorgonio Regional Gang Task Force.

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Indio is being recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Livable Small Cities in the United States, according to a study by SmartAsset.

The study included 279 cities nationwide with populations between 65,00 and 100,000.

Indio earned the #24 ranking, with a 1.1% unemployment rate – one of the lowest of the cities included in the survey. Indio came in at #3 out of the 56 California cities noted in the survey, behind Redondo Beach (#12 in the U.S.), and Mountain View (#20 in the U.S.).

SmartAsset’s analysis looked at housing affordability, poverty and unemployment rates, health insurance coverage, access to healthcare and entertainment, and commute times.

Indio officials say that the city’s strong showing reflects the city’s growth, resilience, and commitment to creating opportunities for residents and businesses.

Indio Mayor Glenn Miller says, “This recognition confirms what our community already knows – Indio is the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. With extraordinary growth, cultural vibrancy, and welcoming neighborhoods, Indio continues to stand out as the City of Festivals and so much more.”

The SmartAsset study can be viewed here, and coverage of Indio’s recognition is featured in AOL’s report.

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Spencer Blum

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway experiences a wide range of weather throughout the year, ranging from sun to snow to rain.

News Channel 3’s First Alert Meteorologist Spencer Blum took a ride to the top to get a behind the scenes look at how the tram stays weather aware.

Rain or shine, the tram brings hundreds of people more than 8,500 feet up onto Mt. San Jacinto. Whether you’re escaping the triple-digit heat on the valley floor or you have a hankering for a snowball flight, it’s important to check the weather beforehand.

There is a weather station on the roof of the mountain station, which houses a number of sensors that measure everything from temperature to pressure to wind to rainfall. The live data feed can be found on their website, along with a daily forecast. This type of weather station is advanced and costs about $8,000.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Coachella Valley Unified School District teacher accused of inappropriately touching a student must stand trial for lewd acts on a minor and other offenses, a judge ruled today.

Mario Manuel Valenzuela, 42, of Coachella, was arrested in February following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation.   

At the end of a preliminary hearing Thursday, Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling found there was sufficient evidence to bound Valenzuela over for trial on the lewd acts count, as well as annoying or molesting a minor under 18 years old.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Sept. 11 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. The defendant is free on a $10,000 bond.

According to sheriff’s investigators, reports of alleged illicit acts involving the defendant were received in December, prompting an investigation that spanned several months.

The girl allegedly targeted by Valenzuela was not identified, and the circumstances behind the encounter were not disclosed.   

CVUSD officials released a statement soon after the defendant’s arrest in mid-February, stating “Our work with the sheriff’s department is still in progress.”  

“Please know that we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior in our district, and the safety of our students and staff is our top priority,” the district stated.

Officials declined to reveal in what specific instructional capacity Valenzuela worked and for how long.

He was placed on unpaid administrative leave after he was taken into custody, but it was unknown whether the district had completed termination proceedings.

The defendant has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A roughly $400,000 project of installing 80 Level 2 electric vehicle chargers at a parking lot in Palm Springs International Airport was announced today.

“Palm Springs International Airport is proud to meet the new standard for sustainability and convenience with the installation of 80 EV chargers right at the terminal,” said Harry Barrett Jr., executive director of aviation at PSP, in a statement.

The charges were scheduled to be completed and in use by early next year in parking Lot B, in front of the terminal.   

The project aims to support the airport’s sustainability initiatives using airport-generated revenue, officials said.   

More information can be found at flypsp.com/progress/.

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City News Service

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KESQ) – Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that California Highway Patrol crime suppression teams will be deployed to major cities and regions across the state — where they will work with local law enforcement agencies as part of ongoing efforts to reduce crime statewide.

Newsom said the deployments are an expansion of CHP efforts that the governor said have led to significant crime reductions over the past year in Bakersfield, Oakland and San Bernardino.

The governor’s announcement highlighted that these new enforcement efforts will take place in San Diego, as well as Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Central Valley, Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area regions.   

Crime suppression teams “will saturate high-crime areas, target repeat offenders and seize illicit weapons and narcotics,” the governor’s office said.

“When the state and local communities work together strategically, public safety improves,” Newsom said in a statement. “While the Trump administration undermines cities, California is partnering with them — and delivering real results. With these new deployments, we’re doubling down on these partnerships to build on progress and keep driving crime down.”  

READ: SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR’S DEPLOYMENT OF CRIME SUPPRESSION TEAMS

   The governor’s office said the crime suppression teams will:   — Identify and suppress criminal activity in high-crime areas through data and intelligence-led policing;   — Conduct proactive enforcement operations designed to deter and disrupt organized crime;   — Provide increased CHP visibility and presence in communities most impacted by crime;   — Support local law enforcement by sharing intelligence, coordinatingenforcement, and assisting with investigations; and   — Maintain strict accountability through structured leadership, clear reporting and operational oversight.  

“These crime suppression teams will provide critical support to our local partners by focusing on crime where it happens most,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. “By combining resources, intelligence, and personnel, we can better disrupt criminal activity and strengthen the safety and security ofcommunities across California.”

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Several Southern California Edison customers were without electricity today after a vehicle hit a power pole in Palm Springs.   

The outage was reported shortly before 5:40 a.m. Thursday in an area north of Avenue 20, east of Indian Avenue, south of Avenue 19 and west of Ruppert Street, according to SCE.

David Eisenhauer of SCE told City News Service that 35 customers were affected, and that power restorations were expected to be completed by 3:30 p.m.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Foundation for Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) distributed 2,500 pairs of new Vans shoes to students in need on Thursday.

The “Shoes for Students” campaign, launched in spring 2025, raised nearly $40,000 to support students and their younger siblings with new footwear for the school year.

The event took place from 3 to 6 p.m. at the PSUSD Board Room. Volunteers, staff, and board members helped distribute the shoes. Shoes were given to families who received an invitation and voucher.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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