Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – In an effort to crack down on excessive speeding and prevent deadly vehicle collisions, the California State Transportation Agency announced a pilot program today to immediately review drivers cited for driving more than 100 mph.

The state transportation agency is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol on the initiative known as Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets, or FAST. It’s part of a statewide effort to reverse what state officials describe as an alarming rise in traffic fatalities.  

Under the pilot initiative, citations for excessive speeding will be automatically forwarded to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch — no matter their prior record. The DMV will then review the case and the driver’s history to determine next steps, which could include suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.  

This administrative process can happen independently of any court conviction, according to CalSTA.

The pilot program builds on the DMV’s existing Driver Safety Branch enforcement and Negligent Operator Treatment System partnership with CHP.   

“The FAST pilot reflects our commitment to innovation, accountability and prevention — using real-time information to intervene before dangerous driving turns deadly,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said in a statement. “This is about protecting lives and delivering on our shared responsibilities to make our roads safer for everyone.”   

According to CalSTA, CHP officers issue about 1,600 citations per month to drivers caught speeding more than 100 mph. In 2024, CHP officers issued more than 18,000 of such citations.

The CHP recently deployed a new fleet of low-profile specifically marked patrol cars on the state’s busiest and high-risk roads, in part, to catch speeding drivers.

“We want to take immediate action against dangerous drivers before their carelessness leads to a deadly crash,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a statement. “We’re being proactive, and together with our CHP partners, we’re ready to put the brakes on this reckless behavior.”  

Speeding remains a major factor in traffic deaths statewide, contributing to 32% of all fatalities, according to CalSTA officials.   

The DMV will evaluate the program’s impact by comparing citation and outcome data to the same period in the previous year.

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Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Reports of immigration enforcement in Cathedral City had local Hispanic communities reacting Monday. Multiple viewers reported ICE activity near the Target and Cardenas shopping centers.

Details remain limited; we’re working on getting additional information. Cathedral City issued a statement to News Channel 3:

“The City is not involved in any federal immigration enforcement activities and, in compliance with California state law, does not coordinate with, assist in, or receive advance notice of such operations.

The City of Cathedral City has been classified as a Sanctuary City since 2017, following a City Council vote that limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Cathedral City Police does not enforce civil immigration laws, nor do officers ask about an individual’s immigration status when responding to calls for service. Our focus remains exclusively on local public safety.”

ICE has appeared to be very active in the Coachella Valley over the past week, with reports throughout cities including Palm Springs, La Quinta, and Indio.

On Friday, a crash scene a vehicle that was being followed by ICE agents crashed into a wall.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 47-year-old man was arrested after a traffic stop in Yucca Valley led to law enforcement seizing ghost guns, drugs, and suspected explosives.

The traffic stop happened on Dec. 17 near the intersection of Twentynine Palms Highway and Kickapoo Trail.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies determined that the driver, identified as James Gagnon, was out on bail for possession of a controlled substance while armed.

“During the investigation, Gagnon was found to be in possession of a “Ghost” firearm with an extended magazine, ammunition, an AR-15-style “Ghost” rifle, an electronic vehicle key-cloning device, and suspected methamphetamine,” reads a news release by the agency.

Based on the information obtained during the traffic stop, detectives and deputies continued their investigation into Gagnon. 

Investigators served a search warrant at Gagnon’s residence and located several rounds of ammunition, rifle magazines, suspected controlled substances, and suspected explosive materials. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Bomb and Arson Detail responded to the residence and recovered the suspected explosive materials.

Gagnon is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center without bail.

He was officially charged Monday. His charges include Possession of Destructive Device in a Private Habitation, Felon/Addict/Etc Possess Firearm, Possess Controlled Substance While Armed With Loaded/Etc Firearm. Gagnon pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 26.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Deputy R. Quiroz or Detective Tyler A. Bengard at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station, at (760) 366 4175. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.

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KESQ News Team

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s time for this week’s Living Healthy segment. Today it’s a story for the guys in the room. Prostate artery embolization is a minimally invasive treatment that helps men suffering from an enlarged prostate.

The treatment uses a tiny catheter in the wrist or groin and blocks blood flow to shrink the prostate. This will relieve symptoms like frequent urinary, urination and nighttime urgency to use the restroom.

Dr. Sonny Bagla, interventional radiologist for the Urologic Institute, says untreated secondary complications are even worse.

“A prostate untreated, which is causing obstruction, can lead a man to get urinary tract infections, bladder stones. Ultimately, a man can end up with a catheter,” Bagla said.

After the procedure, Bagla says it takes about 4 to 12 weeks for the prostate to shrink, and most men simply notice a better quality of life after treatment.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Michael Ramos Jr., former star Quarterback for Yucca Valley High School, is not expected to survive after being injured in a shooting Sunday night, authorities said Tuesday.

The shooting was reported at around 9:50 p.m. on the 57000 block of Chipmunk Trail.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting was at a party. Ramos, 18, was involved in an argument with another man, identified as Nicholas Daniel Lee, 29, of Yucca Valley. Lee allegedly shot Ramos and fled the location.

Michael Ramos Jr.

Lee was found hiding in the area and arrested. He was charged on Wednesday with murder, attempted murder, among several other charges, according to court records. Lee remains in custody on $2 million bail.

Authorities said homicide detectives were provided with an update from the hospital on Ramos’ condition and learned Ramos is not expected to survive. According to a GoFundMe page set up to help Ramos’ family, the 18-year-old will be taken off life support later this week.

Lee remains in custody on $2 million bail.

Ramos graduated from Yucca Valley High School in 2025, setting various records in his time as QB and helping lead the school to their first CIF-SS title game since 1996.

A community vigil is scheduled to take place on Trojan Field at Yucca Valley High School on Friday at 11 a.m., weather permitting.

The suspect remains in custody on $2 million bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. He is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact 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 wetip.com.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Fans tossed more than 20,000 teddy bears onto the ice during the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ fourth annual Teddy Bear Toss Night at Acrisure Arena, the hockey team announced today.   

The toss occurred after Firebirds’ forward Oscar Molgaard scored the first goal 2:30 into the first period during the team’s game Friday against the Bakersfield Condors.

“This night is such a powerful reminder of what this community is capable of when we come together,” Executive Director of One Valley Foundation Kate Spates said in a statement. “Each teddy bear represents comfort, joy, and care for a child who needs it most. The generosity of Firebirds fans continues to inspire us, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s Teddy Bear Toss such a meaningful success.”  

The 22,029 stuffed animals collected will be distributed through One Valley Foundation, the charitable arm of the Firebirds’ organization, and donated to local first responders, including fire and police departments in the Coachella Valley, 29 Palms Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.   

Fans have helped donate more than 72,000 teddy bears and other stuffed animals for more than four seasons for children in need, officials said.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Nurses in Palm Springs continue to fight for better working conditions, gathering Monday night to rally again.

Nurses gathered outside of Desert Regional Medical Center for a candlelight vigil as contract negotiations with Tenet Healthcare Corporation, which operates the hospital, continue.

Officials with the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United said the union members are pushing for safer working conditions, including more staffing, assured meal and rest breaks and stepped-up orientation requirements for new hires.

The nurses also conducted a food drive to benefit The Path, an outreach and engagement program for chronically homeless adults. Attendees were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items.

News Channel 3 reached out to the hospital about the demonstration. A spokesperson provided the following statement:

“Patients and their loved ones can be assured that Desert Care Network hospitals are appropriately staffed with qualified and experienced nurses. The California Nurses Association (CNA), the labor union that represents our nursing staff, is holding this demonstration due to the fact that the parties are currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, rather than any substantiated concerns about patient safety. We continue to bargain in good faith with the union in hopes of reaching a fair contract for our nursing staff. Our focus has been and continues to remain on the excellent care we provide our community, as well as providing a safe work environment for our employees.”

Desert Care Network

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Rain is coming to the Coachella Valley, bringing flooding risk to roadways and the desert’s washes.

The valley’s unhoused population often seeks shelter underneath those overpasses and bridges that are threatened by the incoming storms.

The Palm Springs Police Department says they are working to clear those areas to keep them safe from dangerous floodwaters.

The National Weather Service’s Flood Watch for the Coachella Valley will go into effect at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday and last until 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Christmas Eve. The First Alert Weather Alert team anticipates the most significant rainfall to occur between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. On the high end, current estimates place rainfall totals for Palm Springs in the ballpark of 1.5 inches.

News Channel 3 is speaking with law enforcement about the effort to keep the desert’s homeless population safe and will have more tonight. Stay with us for the latest.

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Daniella Lake

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A Rancho Mirage nursing home resident is taking matters into her own hands by gathering donations to support other elderly residents. The monthly personal needs allowance for Medi-Cal recipients is $35, making it one of the lowest in the country.

“It’s demoralizing. It’s dehumanizing. It can break someone’s spirit. It can bring someone to tears if they have to cut their hair down to their scalp or above their ears if they don’t have conditioner for their hair,” says Nancy Stevens.

She hopes that by gathering donations from the community, she could help nursing home residents feel seen and supported.

“The way the system is set up, it’s not necessarily to provide the best quality of life for the nursing home residents,” she says. A survey by West Health-Gallup found that in 2022, about one in four adults aged 65 and older, cut back on at least one basic need to pay for healthcare. 

Stevens spends most of her days advocating for the elderly through her work on various steering committees. She serves on the Wellness and Disability Equity Alliance through Riverside county’s Health Systems Behavioral Health department.

She says that nursing home residents feel isolated from society. “My goal is to have some sort of culture shift where old is beautiful,” she says.

Stevens plans on collecting items that are much-needed by nursing home residents all year round. Community members have posted about Stevens’ efforts on social media, which led to even more support. Carol Butler says she saw the post on social media, and has been helping Stevens in her efforts ever since.

“It’s restoring dignity, it’s lifting spirits, and it’s proving that community truly makes a difference,” Butler says.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley is known for sunshine, palm trees, and postcard-perfect winters. But doctors say even here, the holidays can quietly take a toll on mental health.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression linked to shorter daylight hours, changes in routine, and heightened emotional expectations during the winter months. According to Carolyn Lopez, PhD with Desert Oasis Healthcare, those effects don’t disappear just because the weather is warm.

“Even in our sunny valley, we can have seasonal depression because we’re still in a winter cycle,” Lopez said. She explained that surprisingly, many people in the desert are also low in vitamin D3, which can contribute to fatigue and mood changes, especially as people age.

Carolyn Lopez, PhD with Desert Oasis Healthcare, explains how seasonal depression can look different depending on who’s experiencing it.(KESQ)

Lopez also says seasonal depression can look different depending on who’s experiencing it. Children may seem withdrawn, irritable, or unmotivated. Adults may struggle with sleep, appetite, or relationships. Couples can feel added strain when holiday expectations don’t match reality.

“For women, depression often shows up as tearfulness or withdrawal,” Lopez said. “Men, on the other hand, may become more irritable or short-tempered and not even realize depression is driving it.”

The impact can be especially strong for seniors, who may already be dealing with grief, limited mobility, or fewer social connections. Mental health experts say loneliness during Christmas and the holidays, can amplify symptoms that are often dismissed

But Lopez emphasizes that action. even small steps, can make a world of a difference. 

“Make a phone call. Take a walk. Listen to music that makes you feel good,” she said. “Volunteering, donating, or serving a meal can shift your focus outward and help break that cycle of isolation.”

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, CVRM, will serve a Christmas breakfast and dinner on Christmas day, open to both residents and members of the public.(KESQ)

That sense of connection is on full display this Christmas at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, where staff and volunteers are turning the holiday into a shared experience.

The mission will serve a Christmas breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by a Christmas dinner from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., welcoming both residents and members of the public.

“Working here on Christmas Day is about family,” said Scott Wolf, the mission’s development director. “Whether it’s your immediate family or the family you find here, it’s the same. We value our clients, our volunteers, and our donors all of them.”

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Development Director Scott Wolf, explains Christmas day at the mission is about one thig – family.(KESQ)

For Jacqueline Marrott, a resident at the mission, coming up on her 1 year anniversary with CVRM says the holidays no longer feel empty.

Jacqueline Marrott is a resident at the mission, coming up on her 1 year anniversary with CVRM. (KESQ)

“You’re homeless, but it doesn’t feel like it,” Marrott said. “They have all the resources here. They’ve changed many lives.”

One recent graduate of the missions program credits the organization with helping her rebuild her future.

“They helped me change my life,” she said. “I got my baby back, housing, a job and I’m sober and living a great life.”

Laura, a recent graduate of CVRM, explains how the work they’re doing at the mission is changing lives.(KESQ)

Doctors say stories like those underscore an important message: connection doesn’t have to be complicated.

“One decision to show up.  to volunteer, to reach out, to ask for help, can change everything,” Lopez said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression this holiday season, mental health professionals encourage reaching out to a trusted person or seeking professional support.

For more information on Desert Oasis Healthcare and the services they provide, visit this link.

For more info on CVRM including the services they offer and how to help, visit this link. 

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