Category: kesq-local-news

Gavin Nguyen

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) – The government shutdown has arrived.

With the shutdown comes thousands of furloughed national park staff, including those working Joshua Tree National Park. The park’s website shows this alert at the top of its website:

Joshua Tree nonprofits have been concerned by the possibility of the shutdown in recent days.

KESQ crews are heading to Joshua Tree to show you what impacts park visitors are currently feeling. We’ll have full coverage at 4, 5, and 6. Stay with us for the latest.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation today announced the addition of a “Poetry Lounge” to the fourth annual Pride on the Page book festival next month at the Cultural Center.   

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

“The Poetry Lounge: Poetry Readings from Outstanding LGBTQ+ Poets” will give six poets the opportunity to share their work from noon to 1 p.m. inside the center’s Theatre Two.

Participating poets include:   — Gary Hunter, a poet of more than 20 years.   — Donika Kelly, author of “The Natural Order of Things.”   — Doris Reed, writer, artist and motivational speaker.   — Steven Reigns, a Los Angeles poet and educator.   — Sweet Baby J’ai, an award-winning vocalist, writer and producer.   — Lorenzo Taylor, a novelist, poet, playwright and freelance journalist from Palm Springs.

The festival will feature six panel discussion from LGBTQ+ authors and allies about their books and different topics.   

Following the festival, a fundraiser will commence from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the same day featuring special guest and author Chris Colfer.   

All proceeds will benefit the foundation.   

More information can be found at prideonthepage.com.

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Allie Anthony

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — The Los Angeles Lakers’ return to the Coachella Valley was bittersweet for local LA fans.

The Lakers kicked off their preseason Friday against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena with a 103-81 loss.

Laker stars Lebron James and Luka Dončić did not play in the game.

Suns’ star Devin Booker played 25 minutes, leading the team with 24 points and 7 assists.

Austin Reeves led the way for the Lakers with 20 points.

The Lakers travel to San Francisco for their second preseason game, this time against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who they will also kick off the regular season against on Oct. 21.

Friday marked the third straight year the Lakers played a pre-season game in the Coachella Valley.

.@allie_kesq got to chat with @Lakers guard Gabe Vincent ahead of the team’s preseason opener this Friday at @AcrisureArena against the Suns. This marks the 3rd straight year for the Lakers in the desert. Stay with us for coverage. @KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ @kendallkesq @LakersNation pic.twitter.com/3AE83AJAX2

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) October 1, 2025

The organization has a rich history in the Coachella Valley, the former home of Lakers’ training camp in the Showtime era.

In 2023, the Lakers returned to Coachella Valley after a 26-year hiatus, bringing the Purple and Gold back to the desert with a sold-out preseason showing. 

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for coverage of the game on Friday.

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Pride is just weeks away, and organizers are launching a final fundraising push to complete a highly anticipated permanent installation in the heart of downtown.

This week, Greater Palm Springs Pride announced a 15-day, $25,000 matching challenge to help fund the new Landmark Pride Flagpole, which will stand at the intersection of Arenas Road and Indian Canyon Drive, at the gateway to the city’s vibrant Arenas District.

The fundraising initiative is made possible thanks to the generosity of local philanthropists Mark Porterfield and Steve Chadima, who have pledged to match every dollar donated up to $25,000 between now and mid-October.

Once installed, the flagpole will serve as a permanent and highly visible symbol of freedom, pride, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. It will fly the original eight-color Pride flag, designed by the late Gilbert Baker, which is widely regarded as one of the most iconic pieces of LGBTQ+ art ever created.

To donate, go to this link.

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NPG Content Share

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A two-month-old baby was pronounced dead at the Calexico Port of Entry Tuesday morning.

The Calexico Fire Department (CPD) says they received a medical call at the Calexico Port of Entry and once they arrived, Border Patrol agents were performing CPR on a two-month-old baby.

“Our paramedics on scene noticing that the two-month-old had very little signs of life. Obviously, no signs of life…some dilated pupils. It seemed like the baby had been down for quite sometime,” said Fire Chief Juan Contreras.

According to CFD, the mother said she had taken her baby to an emergency hospital in Mexicali a day before, but due to the delays and staffing at the hospital, the mother decided to self monitor at the infant at home.

About two hours before going to the port of entry, the mother stated that she noticed the infant was unresponsive and decided to make her way to the border.

U.S Customs and Border Protection activated 911.

Karina Bazarte will have more later this evening.

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Jesus Reyes

Riverside, Calif. (KESQ) – 39 pets were flown from Riverside County to Seattle this week to help them find loving new homes.

The flight was a result of a partnership between Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) and Wings of Rescue.

20 dogs and eight cats went to Seattle Humane, while 11 cats went to Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

“Our County initiative RivCo Rise is all about saving more lives and continuing these flights with partners is an amazing effort,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Whether in Riverside or Seattle, RCDAS is giving pets more opportunities to be seen and find a place to call home.”

The flight is the 11th of the year, up from three in 2024.

RCDAS continues to operate in critical overcapacity for dogs and reached over 230% capacity in September.

The department is urging community members to adopt, foster and volunteer to help move dogs out of the shelter and has started several new programs to help clear space.

“Every animal on this flight represents hope – for the pets themselves and for the families who will welcome them,” said RCDAS Manager Daylin Valencia. “While we remain overcapacity, we are focused on giving pets a chance at a new life, and we’re grateful to everyone who fosters, adopts, and volunteers to make that possible.”

In addition to expanding the animal transfer program this year, the following programs were launched to encourage community support.

DIBS for Dogs Pre-Adoption: Allows adopters to place “DIBS” on a dog that is on a stray wait to be the first in line to adopt the dog on the first day it is available. This program is available at all shelter locations in person only.

Ticket to Ride Foster Program: Short-term foster opportunity for pets who are slotted for a transport flight. This program gives people a start and end date for foster and helps clear space in kennels leading up to a flight.

Dog Day Out Field Trips: Take a dog out on a one-day field trip for exercise, socialization and enrichment in the community. Dogs who go out on a field trip are 5x more likely to be adopted!

D5 Furry Pets Foster Program: Available to residents of District 5 only. Receive a stipend for fostering dogs, puppies or kittens for up to 21 days and an additional bonus if the pet is adopted.

To view adoptable pets, visit www.rcdas.org/adoptable-pets. If you want to help but cannot adopt, consider signing up to foster at www.rcdas.org/support/foster-care.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A La Quinta man has been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a 20-year-old man whose body was found in the open desert of Desert Hot Springs in 2021.

Jose Manuel Angel Arellano, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8.

Arellano was first arrested in February 2021 in connection with the death of David Joaquin Murrieta of Desert Hot Springs.

According to Sgt. Rick Espinoza of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were investigating a missing person case discovered human remains on Jan. 21, 2021, in the area of Mission Lakes Boulevard and Little Morongo Road.   

Sheriff’s Detective Martin Alfaro testified in Arellano’s preliminary hearing that Murrieta’s body was found with three gunshot wounds — one entering from the back of his head, one from the left side of his head and one from the right side of his chin — in a shallow grave under a set of metal springs in the open desert.

A second suspect, Gabriel “Vago” Magdaleno, 29, was also charged with murder in this case. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 15.

Alfaro said Arellano drove from Tijuana, Mexico to the Palm Desert sheriff’s station on Feb. 17, 2021 to tell “his side of the story” and alleged that his friend, Magdaleno, was the one who shot Murrieta on Jan. 14, 2021.  

According to Alfaro, Arellano said the trio were at Murrieta’s house before they all left in the defendant’s truck and drove toward Indio. At some point while Arellano was driving on Intestate 10 approaching Cook Street, Magdaleno and Murrieta began arguing, Alfaro testified.

Both men had guns in their hands during the argument, and Arellano said Magdaleno felt disrespected, according to a declaration in support of Magdaleno’s arrest warrant filed by Alfaro.

“Arellano told me that he saw Magdaleno shoot once at victim Murrieta in the back of the head and subsequently saw him shoot him two additional times after,” Alfaro testified Feb. 6.

The defendant then drove to the location, where they ended up burying Murrieta with a shovel that was in the back of the truck, Alfaro said.   

Arellano subsequently went to a house on Sixth Street to get rid of his clothes by burning them before driving his truck to Mexico, he said.

Magdaleno pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery in 2014 in Riverside County, according to court records. He did not have any documented felony convictions in Riverside County at the time of his arrest.

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Jesus Reyes

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KESQ) – The 34-year-old who started the destructive Line Fire last year near Highland has been sentenced to 16 years to life in prison.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco, was officially sentenced on Wednesday in San Bernardino. He had been convicted of seven counts related to the Line Fire, and two counts related to a subsequent fire, including aggravated arson of forest land, property, and possession of flammable materials.

“It’s clear that Halstenberg’s intent was sheer destruction and devastation, said District Attorney Jason Anderson. “Our mountain communities will be impacted by his crimes for many years, and additional lengthy and ongoing environmental recovery efforts.”

Anderson added, “I want our communities to know that we stand with you, and hope that with this verdict and life sentence you can be assured that a serial arsonist will no longer torment our County. I want to also thank the men and women of the jury for their time and consideration.“

The Line Fire was first sparked on September 5, 2024. It went on to burn more than 43,000 acres, causing over $14.5M in damages, and injuring six firefighters.

Authorities said Halstenberg, a delivery driver from Norco, attempted to start three fires within an hour — two that were extinguished by firefighters and a good Samaritan but the third became the Line Fire.

Halstenberg’s vehicle was tied to areas where the fires were started.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The 38th annual Road Challenge 6k run/walk will take place later this month at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, officials said today.

The event will be held Oct. 18, with a start line at the bottom of the Tramway and a finish line at the Tram’s Valley station.   

The 6k walk will begin at 6:30 a.m., with a 7 a.m. start time for runners.   

The road will have an elevation gain of more than 1,800 feet for the 3.7-mile challenge.

All participants who complete the course will receive a T-shirt and a special finisher’s medal, and a festival with vendor booths and complimentary breakfast snacks will be available.

Additionally, awards will be given for eligible running participants in the top three in each age group and in each division’s category, including male, female and non-binary.

The Tramway will be closed until around 11 a.m. that day, and spectator shuttles will run from 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. from the Visitors Center.   

For more information or to register online, visit tramroadchallenge.com

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is welcoming a second baby giraffe, just weeks after the zoo’s Vicki Lou gave birth to a baby girl calf.

Last week, the zoo welcomed a baby boy to mama giraffe, Shelly, and dad, Kelly. The boy is the second calf born to Kelly this year, after mama Vicki Lou gave birth to a baby girl in September.

This week marked the baby girl’s first steps into the habitat, where zoo curators say she’s already exploring and showing off her personality.

“She’s adorable. Absolutely adorable. It’s so exciting to feed them,” Terry Cameron, a visitor from Idaho said.

The calves bring the total number of giraffes on habitat to 13 among two herds, one of the larger collections at the zoo.

African Safari curator, Lucas Barmeyer, says both moms are adapting well to the new babies.

“Vicki Lou is a little more cautious. I think the baby boy who was born to Shelly, he’s starting to get more confident, he seems a little nervous at first and is just, as he’s meeting the other herd members sometimes he can be a little overwhelmed, but now he’s starting to settle. Shelly is a little bit more confident in herself,” Barmeyer said.

Barmeyer says both calves were born to the male breeding bull, Kelly, a 9-year-old giraffe who stands at 18 feet tall.

“He is our breeding bull, so he is a lot larger than our other males.”

With such a large collection, officials say the growth is also supporting conservation around the world.

“Out in the wild, they’re susceptible to poaching, habitat loss, fragmentation as cities and populations are growing. So here at the Living Desert and a lot of zoos in the U.S., we have a reserve population. We will be shipping some giraffe to other facilities, because they’re a part of an ‘SPS,’ or species survival plan. So they’ll go and spread their giraffe genes,” Barmeyer said.

The Living Desert says they’ll be introducing the new baby boy to the habitat this weekend, and hope guests can visit him starting Friday.

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