Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Unified School District officially appointed Alena Callimanis to fill the vacant Trustee Area 2 seat on the board of education.

The seat was formerly held by Sylvia Paz, who announced her resignation on June 17.  Paz said she was resigning to begin a “long-planned sabbatical.”

Callimanis will serve out the remainder of Paz’s term through the Nov. 2026 election

She was one of three candidates who were interviewed for the position during a special meeting on Tuesday.

Callimanis works for Read With Me Volunteer Organizations as both a volunteer and a paid staff member.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Splash House continues with another weekend of fun and house music in Palm Springs.

Weekend 2 takes place on Aug. 15-17. Limited tickets remain on sale, according to organizers.

The festivities kick off Friday night with “After Hours” at the Palm Springs Air Museum, featuring a DJ set by Disclosure.

Organizers said weekend two features a “fierce blend of dance floor legends and next-gen heat.”

Leading the charge is electrifying duo SOFI TUKKER, the versatile and genre-defying Boys Noize, legendary house icon Claude VonStroke, and tech-house impresario Noizu. The stacked lineup continues with breakout star Max Styler, indie duo Neil Frances, funky house innovator AYYBO, Latin tech maestro Andruss, percussive groove specialist Ranger Trucco, and viral producer nimino. Additional highlights include feel-good house from BUNT., low end frequencies from Taiki Nulight, and next gen icons GENESI, Angrybaby, Jackie Hollander, Annicka, and more.

Felicia Garcia

Brandon Denlsey

Gabriella Hughes

Brandon Denlsey

Saturday’s After Hours will feature Cloonee.

The popular poolside festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Saguaro, Renaissance, and Riviera (formerly Margaritaville) in Palm Springs.

Tickets remain available. Visit splashhouse.com for more information.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw California’s congressional districts is stirring political controversy across the state — and prompting strong reactions from local groups here in the Coachella Valley.

The plan, part of what Newsom is calling the Election Rigging Response Act, would temporarily suspend California’s independent redistricting commission. According to the governor, it’s a direct response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas.

Democratic organizers support the proposal, describing it as a strategic countermeasure to Republican power grabs.

“It was the president who did it when he called Governor Abbott in Texas asking for five more districts that would be specifically Republican… Our governor of California is saying ‘OK Texas, you want to play, let’s play.’”

Elle Kurpiewski, Democratic Headquarters of the Desert Political Director

Supporters argue the plan still respects the legal process and say it will ultimately be decided by California voters.

Republicans, however, strongly oppose the plan, calling it a violation of state law.

“Texas redistricting is perfectly legal. California’s redistricting is not. It goes against a 2008 measure by the California voters to create a citizen redistricting panel and that is a part of our Constitution in this state.”

Arlene Wohlgemuth, East Valley Republican Women Patriots Vice President of Legislation

Opponents also argue that the current congressional map already favors Democrats and warn that Newsom’s proposed changes could make the imbalance worse.

If state lawmakers approve the plan, California voters will get the final say in November. Until then, both groups say they’ll be working to mobilize voters across the valley.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.6 has struck about 5 miles west-southwest of Mountain Center in Riverside County, roughly 11 miles east of Hemet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – PSUSD students are working to end hate speech in their classrooms through the district wide campaign “PSUSD Stands Up to Hate.” District officials say the program is to combat hate speech and promote inclusivity within its schools and the broader community. 

The PSUSD Director of Title IX and Compliance Dr. Antonia Hunt said the district board passed a resolution in February 2024 deciding it would not stand for any hate in schools. She said it was an issue they saw a growing need to take a stand against.

“As a country as a whole, we’ve seen an uptick in the rhetoric and the hate that we’re seeing both online and even in person,” Hunt said. “We’ve really noticed that hate speech has a resounding effect on all students.” 

The district has developed resources to prevent and address hate speech, which the students learn and discuss throughout the week. Through the “PSUSD Stands Up to Hate” initiative, the district says it looks to create a culture of respect and understanding, and for students to feel safe and valued.

Photo Courtesy: Desert Hot Springs High School

Desert Hot Springs High School implemented these educational tactics years ago, and was excited when administrators made it a district-wide campaign. DHSHS Principal Omar Tinoco said they started the educational program because of verbal hate speech with slurs throughout his school, and since then they’ve seen a decrease.

“They should be able to walk around, doesn’t matter gender, sex, race, you’re a student. You’re a golden eagle here at the high school,” Tinoco said. “Hopefully when you graduate you can take that with you as an adult — I am extremely proud of them.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from a student who has experienced hate speech in school and is helping make sure it stops.

Resources for any student experiencing hate speech or bullying:

PSUSD says all students can report to any adult on campus

Submit a complaint: https://www.psusd.us/complaints

Visit PSUSD Stand Up to Hate https://www.psusd.us/standuptohate

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KESQ News Team

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A nighttime vigil was held late Thursday night following the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy, identified as Alan Martinez by family, also known as Reuben.

Loved ones gathering around 9:00 p.m. at the site of the attack, near the intersection of Whispering Palms Trail and Mission Indian Trail, south of Ramon Rd.

A small memorial was crafted by those that new him, constructed of crosses, candles, and other items brought by about 40 visitors that joined the remembrance.

Martinez’s mother, Bernize Manrriquez, said the gathering was meant to promote unity, and as a call for action to bring violence in the community to an end.

Martinez was shot by a group people in a car following a confrontation, which then sped off.

Investigators have not announced the arrest of any suspects.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Zita and her K-9 handler, Officer Stephanie Sandoval, will be deployed to Palm Springs International Airport, where they will join another PSPD pup, K9 Apollo, sniffing firearms and explosives. 

“She’s learned to pick up 14 variations of different explosive odor,” Sandoval said. “So when I came in three weeks later, they taught me how to read her cues.” 

K-9 Zita is a year and a half old Holland Shepard, who is ready to work. Zita and Officer Sandoval will also be the first female K-9 team in the department’s history. The two graduated from the K-9 academy in late June, according to the department.

“It’s pretty awesome for us to integrate a female canine into our program… our female group,” Sandoval said. “Like finally, it’s awesome.”

Thursday through Saturday the pair works at the Palm Springs International Airport with K9 Apollo. Sandoval said Zita and Apolla are the only bomb dogs at PSPD and California in general doesn’t have a lot of dogs trained in this field.

She said their training is necessary especially after recent events in Palm Springs.

“We work hand-in-hand with TSA so anything coming in through TSA that would be of concern TSA will call us for an assist. Oddly enough we do get a lot of firearms coming through,” she said. “And we did have a bombing earlier this year, so it’s extremely important now that we can cover the entire week.”

Sandoval said it’s a specialized job Zita will only get better at with time.

“She’s very confident. So when I put her in new scenarios, she has no problem with it normally,” she said. “She truly, truly does have a high drive to work. She loves her job. I’m excited to get to know her, and to really become a team.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to meet Zita and Officer Sandoval.

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KYMA

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Two suspects are behind bars after they were caught driving a vehicle stolen out of Riverside, California, but that’s not all police found in the car.

Law enforcement says the two suspects claimed they did not know where the checks came from.

The Brawley Police Department says a 24-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy from Coachella were arrested after one of their cameras captured a stolen BMW entering the city.

Police say they followed the car and stopped the suspects at a B Food Mart gas station.

“An inventory search was later conducted in the vehicle which they located over $28,000 in cashier checks,” said Interim Cmdr. Mark Cano.

Brawley police say the two suspect claimed they did not know where the checks came from.

“The subjects made allegations that they didn’t know that the cashiers checks were in the vehicle and they also claimed that the vehicle that they had gotten permission to take the vehicle which was stolen,” said Interim Cmdr. Cano.

The 24-year old suspect is being held at the Imperial County Jail, while the 16-year old suspect is being held at the Imperial County juvenile hall.

They are both being charged with conspiracy possession of a stolen vehicle and check fraud.

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Garrett Hottle

DESERT CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its search for 55-year-old Angela Kewish, last seen on July 8 in Desert Center.

Kewish was reportedly driving east on I-10 in a 2010 grey BMW X5 with California license plate 8VVY889. She is described as 5’7”, 143 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

On Thursday morning, KESQ News Channel 3, asked the Riverside Sheriff’s Office for an update on the search for Kewish and received this email:

“On July 12, 2025, at 12:45 p.m., deputies were contacted regarding a missing person. The reporting party advised that she wanted to report her daughter, 55-year-old Angela Kewish, missing. She advised deputies she last had contact with Angela on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

A description of Angela’s vehicle was obtained, and deputies conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate Angela or the vehicle. Angela Kewish was entered into the missing persons database. At this time, there is no new information regarding this investigation; however, it remains ongoing.”

Email from Riverside Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 14, 2025

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Riverside Sheriff’s Thermal Station at 760-863-8942 or 760-863-8990.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Yucca Valley man was arrested this week after being accused of sexually abusing a child, authorities announced.

Raul Custodio, 44, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon following a report of lewd acts with a child along Crestview Drive in Yucca Valley.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that Raul Custodio had committed continuous sexual abuse of a child,” reads a news release by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Custodio was arrested after an investigation. He was booked into the Morongo Basin jail and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Detectives released Custodio’s photograph on Thursday as they believe there may be additional victims. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective S. Ables or Detective T. Bengard at (760) 366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com

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