Author: KESQ

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation will host its fourth annual Pride on the Page book festival later this year at the Cultural Center, with a fundraiser following the festival.

“Each year, this festival grows in popularity,” Corey Roskin, library foundation board member, said in a statement. “Our community appreciates events like this, showcasing a wide variety of literary viewpoints, it’s part of what makes Palm Springs special.”  

The free event will be held  from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov.1 at 2300 E. Baristo Road.

It will feature six panel discussions from LGBTQ+ authors and allies about their books and different topics.

Participating authors and moderators will include Tara Madison Avery, publisher at Stacked Deck Press; Journalist Will Dean; Melissa Febos, author of “Girlhood”; and poet Steven Reigns.

The festival aims to provide “enriching topics that communicates different viewpoints and represents various genres, attracting readers or people who may not have never experienced queer culture and others who have made it the focus of their lives,” organizers said.

A fundraiser will commence from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. the same day featuring a conversation between moderator Meredith Fine and author Chris Colfer about his new book, “Roswell Johnson Saves the Galaxy.”   

Colfer is a screenwriter, producer, author and acted in the television show “Glee,” officials said.

All proceeds will benefit the foundation.

More information can be found at prideonthepage.org.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs officials will host a public meeting next week to discuss a playground project at Desert Highland Park.   

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, 480 W. Tramview Road.   

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is asking residents to provide input on the design and features of the proposed playground.   

“Community feedback is vital to ensuring that this playground reflects the needs and values of those who use it most,” Parks and Recreation director Nicholas Gonzalez said in a statement. “We hope to see parents, kids and community advocated join us in shaping this important neighborhood space.”

More information is available from the department at recreation@palmspringsca.gov, or at 760-323-8272.

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Gavin Nguyen

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Friday night lights … and maybe, lightning?

The Coachella Valley will be seeing more humidity through the weekend and into next week, bringing chances for monsoonal thunderstorms.

According to the National Weather Service, chances remain slight on Friday, with increasing chances through the weekend, and even greater chances early next week (Monday and Tuesday).

Thunderstorms present a challenge for school administrators planning high school sports games and practices already wrestling with high temperatures and humidity. Air temperature and humidity are key parts of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), which may delay games on Friday if that measurement surpasses 92.1°F.

Palm Springs Unified School District uses its Perry Weather Monitoring System to look out for lightning strikes, and will alert administrators of any strikes in close proximity of its schools.

Meanwhile, Jason Castillo, the Athletic Director of Coachella Valley High School, told News Channel 3 the school uses Zelus WBGT – an app that provides wet bulb globe temperature data and tracks lightning strikes in the area. Any lightning strikes within nine miles means play or practice must be suspended until 30 minutes pass without any new activity.

His coaching staff also keeps their eyes and ears open for any thunder or lightning; if they can see or hear it, they said it’s too close.

While some student-athletes and their parents may be disappointed by delayed or canceled games, Castillo said they do their best to keep everyone on the same page when weather-related delays occur.

“The game might be canceled or delayed or whatever like that. So we [explain] those those protocols to the parents as well. So they already have a… they already have a mindset of okay, it could be delayed,” Castillo said.

Safety is the biggest issue, especially as the National Weather Service says about 20 Americans die each year from lightning strikes. So far this year, 13 deaths have been recorded nationwide. Summer tends to be the season with the most lightning strikes.

“We’re just going to do what we’ve got to do with keeping the kids safe. That’s the biggest thing for our kids, for our neighborhood, our community. We’re just keeping the kids safe with whatever weather comes. We’ll deal with it and we’ll adjust to it,” added Castillo.

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Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A recent drowning in an Indio canal has prompted local officials to issue a renewed warning about the dangers these waterways pose to the public.

Although the water may appear calm on the surface, Officer Salvador Cardenas says the canal’s steep banks and powerful undercurrents can make it a deadly trap.

“Severely dangerous to walk around the canals. There’s a lot of soft edges, soft dirt. Canals may not look like they’re moving really fast but there’s a real strong current underneath the water and it’s pretty deep. So you don’t want to be caught in there because you’ll drop in there in one spot and you’ll be floating somewhere else. There’s nowhere really to grab on.”

Officer Salvador Cardenas, Indio PD

This tragedy is not the first of its kind in the area. Just two months ago, Officer Cardenas rescued an 18-year-old from the same canal after the teen jumped in to save his dog.

He says the department receives occasional calls about people accidentally falling into the canal — in some cases drowning.

Due to the area’s foot traffic and proximity to hiking trails, the danger is ever-present, including for people walking dogs off-leash.

Hikers in the area tell News Channel 3 they stick to the trail and steer clear of the water — something authorities strongly advise.

“Stay on the trails… If somebody does fall in, you don’t want to jump in after them. You want to call 9-1-1 immediately. A recommendation is to have a rope… or something you can throw to someone.”

Officer Salvador Cardenas, Indio PD

Authorities hope the recent fatality will serve as a sobering reminder of the real risks canals pose. They continue to urge residents and visitors to respect these warnings and avoid venturing near or into the water.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A driver was hospitalized after crashing a vehicle into a building in Indio today.

The collision was reported shortly before 10 a.m. Friday at Jefferson Street and Avenue 42, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. It was unclear what type of building was struck.

The agency stated that the individual was transported to a local hospital to be treated for moderate injuries. A description of the motorist was not disclosed.

The cause of the collision was under investigation.

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Isaiah Mora

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – The parents of a missing baby were arrested on suspicion of murder Friday morning at their home in Cabazon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.

The agency said investigators believe the baby is dead and are searching for his remains.

SUSPECT 1: Jake Mitchell Haro, 32-years-old, Resident of Cabazon, CASUSPECT 2: Rebecca Renee Haro, 41-years-old, Resident of Cabazon, CAVICTIM(S): Emmanuel Haro, seven-month-old Infant of Cabazon, CA

This investigation began on August 14, 2025, as a reported kidnapping at the… pic.twitter.com/u75jgrFKtz

— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) August 22, 2025

An active police investigation was underway Friday morning at the family’s home on Ramona Street in Cabazon, just south of Interstate 10.

Jake and Rebecca Haro, aged 32 and 41, have been booked into a Riverside County jail without bail.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s office told News Channel 3 that the case is under review to determine what crime, if any, have been committed and which prosecutorial agency has jurisdiction over the case.

“Based on when the arrests were made, if the defendants remain in custody, and we file any charges, arraignments will be scheduled for Tuesday – likely on the afternoon calendar,” writes Molly Smith, public information officer for the DA’s office.

Emmanuel was reported missing on Thursday evening when Rebecca Haro reported the baby was kidnapped after she was assaulted outside a store in Yucaipa while she was changing the baby’s diaper. She told police the attack rendered her unconscious, and when she awoke, the baby was gone.

An investigation has been ongoing since, but it took a turn when authorities said Rebecca’s initial statement had inconsistencies. She then declined to continue with the police interview.

On Tuesday, investigators seized Jake Haro’s vehicle for evidence processing.

Authorities said Friday they determined the kidnapping did not occur.

“Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur. It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing,” reads a statement by the SBCSD.

News Channel 3 learned this week that Jake Haro, 32, previously pleaded guilty to felony child cruelty, after being arrested in 2018 with his former partner. He was placed on four years of felony probation and ordered to serve 180 days in jail on a work-release program. A six-year prison term was suspended as part of the plea.

He was also arrested in July 2024 for being a felon in possession of a firearm/ammunition.

On Tuesday, Jake Haro’s former partner filed a domestic violence restraining order in Riverside family court. The order also sought protection for the couple’s son.

A hearing on the matter was scheduled for Sept. 9.

Statement by Sheriff Shannon Dicus

“The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic and we will continue to search for Emmanuel. I want to thank members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the community, and media for bringing attention to this case. I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to http://wetip.com.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Athena Jreij

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) — Just hours after the arrests of Jake and Rebecca Haro, community members from across Southern California gathered at the home to honor the missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro in a candlelight vigil.

Emmanuel’s parents were arrested in their Cabazon home on Friday morning and are now facing murder charges after reporting the baby missing a week ago.

Now, advocates say they won’t be satisfied until the baby is found. Investigators say they believe the baby is dead.

“This is the last place everyone knows Emmanuel was at, and where better to honor him than his own home,” Jennifer Barajas, the vigil organizer, said.

While movement in the case is a relief, many questions are still unanswered like how the baby died or where his body is.

“How could a seven-month-old baby just disappear like that? Seven months?” Jonny, a Victorville resident, said.

“I think everybody just wants to know where he is and what happened to him, so we can finally get some justice for him,” Taylor Martinson said.

Many at the vigil telling News Channel 3 they felt drawn to the case as parents themselves.

“It’s so close to home. I have two children myself, and there’s nothing that the baby could have done to deserve whatever it is that he had went through,” Martinson said.

“I get emotional … because he had no chance. He didn’t have parents that love him. You know, every child deserves a loving parents,” Valentina Toro said.

Now, many hoping the baby’s disappearance leads to change.

“There was no reason for him to be around another child. With the prior incidents that he had before. So I feel like it should change the justice system for every child that’s going through abuse,” Martinson said, referring to Jake Haro who pled guilty to willful cruelty to a child in 2018.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The local high school season continues to get underway Friday night.

We’ll have highlights on the Best Local Sports Show at 11:15 p.m. on News Channel 3.

Friday Games:

Indio6
@
Shadow Hills66
F

Segerstrom32
@
Palm Springs38
F/OT2

Xavier Prep39
@
Lindfield Christian14
F

Coachella Valley33
@
Vista21
F

Brawley12
@
Palm Desert23
F

Desert Chapel38
@
Desert Mirage70
F

Desert Christian36
@
Twentynine Palms12
F

* Cathedral City at Santa Rosa Academy play on Saturday

/**/

Thursday Games:

Christian (El Cajon)42
@
Rancho Mirage14
F

Desert Hot Springs32
@
Rubidoux14
F

Arrowhead Christian7
@
Yucca Valley48
F

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Spencer Blum

A First Alert Weather Alert is now in effect for the Coachella Valley as we track the risk for monsoonal rain and thunderstorms throughout the region. There will be the risk of thunderstorms, particularly over the local mountains and high desert. While the chance for a thunderstorm purely over the valley floor is less likely, the possibility is still there. What is more likely, however, is a cell over the mountains moving on to the valley floor.

The Extreme Heat Warning remains in place through 8 PM this evening. Despite the humidity, we are still tracking temperatures around, if not exceeding 110°F. If some wetter weather moves onto the valley floor, this will help to keep our temperatures on the lower side. Still, you should always be vigilant and practice heat safety.

That First Alert Weather Alert remains in place for all of today as we continue to track that monsoonal rain potential. Temperatures will be much cooler next week, with highs below average and below 110°F. Expect cumulus clouds over the coming days as well.

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Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Cathedral City Public Arts Commission (CCPAC) third Quarterly Art Exhibit is back Saturday and Sunday.

The event runs through 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cathedral City Library.

Organizers said attendees can explore artists from across the Coachella Valley pieces.

All pieces will be up for sale directly from the local creators.

For those who can’t attend this weekend, the city’s final art exhibit of the year is scheduled in November.

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