Category: kesq-local-news

Karen Devine

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A tragic case in Desert Hot Springs is shining a spotlight on the growing danger of fentanyl — not just for users, but for the most vulnerable: children.

An I-Team investigation has uncovered two separate cases in the last two years where children under the age of four died from fentanyl exposure in Desert Hot Springs alone. One of those children was just two years old.

Nova Morreo was only two years old when she was found unresponsive in her home last year. Detectives say life-saving efforts were attempted, but it was too late.

“A call was placed, it was a 911 call from the home that a child was unresponsive. Our patrol team responded out there, and they attempted life-saving measures. However, the child had visible signs of death already,” said Detective Celia Romero of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Nova’s mother, Crystal Monique Ward, and her boyfriend, Israel Contreras, were charged with felony child endangerment after toxicology reports revealed a substantial amount of fentanyl in the child’s system.

“A two-year-old did not obtain the drug themselves. What we know is that somebody brought it into the home or put it in a place where the child could have easily gotten to it,” added Romero.

Nova’s case is not the only one.

According to Desert Hot Springs detectives, this marks the second case in just two years where a child under the age of four has died due to fentanyl exposure.

“It’s a tragedy when anybody passes away, period. It’s even more tragic when someone passes away of a 100% preventable situation, and it’s even worse when it’s a child,” said Detective Sergeant Cory Carranza.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is pursuing harsh penalties in fentanyl-related deaths. But fentanyl awareness advocates argue more accountability is needed.

“Less than 2% of all drug deaths result in the conviction of a drug dealer and we need to reverse that,” said Matt Capelouto, who lost his daughter Alexandra to fentanyl poisoning in 2019.

Capelouto successfully helped push for the prosecution of the man who sold his daughter the counterfeit pill. The dealer was sentenced to nine years in federal prison in 2022.

“Law enforcement has taken a strong stance. These drug dealers are very aware of it and they’re making conscious efforts to avoid dealing drugs in these areas,” Capelouto added.

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 last year, allowing felony charges and increasing sentences for certain drug and theft crimes.

“People are realizing we’re serious about this. Now they’re going to jail, and they’re putting the word back out on the streets,” said Detective Sgt. Carranza.

Detectives emphasize that fentanyl use around children is especially dangerous and often fatal.

“Unfortunately, drug users are not cautious with their drugs. They are very irresponsible, and a lot of times they’re left out where children can mistakenly take a pill and mistake it for some candy,” said Detective Romero.

While Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, is widely available, it’s not stopping usage — just the fatal overdoses.

“It’s not uncommon to see even unhoused people out in the streets who are fentanyl users have a whole bunch of Narcan with them,” Carranza noted.

Nova Morreo’s case is moving forward. Her mother and her mother’s boyfriend face up to six years in prison if convicted. They are expected back in court next month.

“I felt like we had closed a chapter for Nova — a chapter that needed to be closed. Somebody needed to go out there and seek justice for what happened to her,” said Detective Romero.

Fentanyl continues to take lives across California, but when children become the victims, law enforcement and community advocates are drawing a clear line: this is not an accident and there will be consequences.

Click here to follow the original article.

Garrett Hottle

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ)  Twenty-four years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, firefighters climbed the stairs of Morongo Casino Resort & Spa today to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives at Ground Zero.

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb began with a morning ceremony, followed by participants scaling the equivalent of 110 stories inside the casino tower. The number of participants is capped at 343 climbers to reflect the number of fallen firefighters.

Morongo Fire Chief Abdul Khamet recalled the shock of watching events unfold on duty in 2001.

“We were completely in shock for what we were witnessing,” he explained. “Firefighters were entering into the tower to save as many lives as possible. And in the course of doing that, some of them met their fate,” Khamet said.

The Morongo Fire Department, which began as a volunteer wildland crew called the Flying Eagles in the 1950s, now operates as a full-time department with nearly 50 firefighters and EMTs answering more than 1,500 calls a year.

Captain Krone with the Morongo Fire Department said the climb shows the department’s commitment to remembrance.

“It feels great, it’s inspiring,” he said. “It reminds us every day when we get on the truck what we’re here to do. The phrase we’ll never forget gets tossed around, but an event like this truly shows it.”

This year’s event carried a powerful local connection. 

In August, New York officials confirmed the identification of 72-year-old Barbara Keating of Palm Springs, nearly 25 years after she died aboard American Airlines Flight 11 when it crashed into the North Tower.

Chief Craig Sanborn with the Cathedral City Fire Department described the challenge of the stair climb and the meaning behind it.

“Climbing the stairs, it’s exhausting, it’s hot… but we power through. We cheer each other on, and I always say a little prayer for the name I’m carrying.”

Keating’s identification is among more than 1,650 victims identified to date. Roughly 1,100 remain unidentified.

“My heart goes out to the families,” Chief Khamet said. “We are here to make sure, as we always say on the side of our engines, that we will never forget.”

The stair climb is one of dozens nationwide organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Funds raised support programs for the families of fallen firefighters.

Click here to follow the original article.

Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs is coming together for the city’s annual “Never Forget 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony” at Fire Station 2.

The event is set for 8:30 a.m. and will honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks and paid tribute to the heroic first responders who acted with courage on that tragic day.

The Palm Springs Fire Department invites the public to reflect, remember, and unite.

Click here to follow the original article.

Julia Castro

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) —Palm Springs is moving forward with a $125 million modernization and expansion of its convention center, coupled with new pedestrian and multimodal links to better connect the site with downtown and nearby neighborhoods. The city council approved the renovations during its Wednesday council meeting.

For residents, the plan means phased interior renovations and critical system upgrades at the venue, plus an east-entrance expansion designed to handle larger and outdoor events. The city says the surrounding streets will see streetscape and safety improvements aimed at making the area more walkable and accessible.

Palm Springs has issued requests for qualifications (RFQs) for architectural and engineering services and for an owner’s representative, with an urban design RFQ expected later this month. Pre-qualification conferences are Sept. 17–18, and the selection process includes a local-preference scoring category for firms.

Funding options under consideration include a citywide Tourism Infrastructure District, Measure J, Measure A, and other tools.

The city says its goal is to reinvest convention revenues back into the facility and the surrounding community.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cynthia White

EL PASO, Texas (KESQ) – Travelers on board a flight to Palm Springs from Dallas on Wednesday had their trip diverted as the pilot made a landing in El Paso, Texas.

A passenger of American Airlines flight 2709 sent video to News Channel 3, showing everyone from the flight sitting at the gate waiting for a replacement flight to arrive, saying the crew brought them water and snacks from the plane because everything in the airport is closed.

The passenger says the pilot told everyone that a cracked window on the flight deck spiderwebbed, making it unsafe to fly.

The passenger added that the replacement flight was on its way, with a planned takeoff by midnight, and most of the other passengers are taking the delay well.

News Channel 3 reached out to American Airlines and received the following statement:

“American Airlines flight 2709, with service from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Palm Springs (PSP) diverted to El Paso (ELP) due to a mechanical issue. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power. Our team is working to get customers on their way this evening. We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and we apologize for the inconvenience.”

Right now, Palm Springs International lists the arrival as delayed until 12:53 a.m. Thursday.

Click here to follow the original article.

Shay Lawson

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Some Desert Hot Springs residents say they are being forced to choose between paying thousands of dollars or losing access to their water service.

A homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, told News Channel 3 he and a few of his neighbors received letters from Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) informing them that their homes are deemed hazards to their water system, and as such gave them 30 days to install the “backflow protection device that meets compliance standards.”

MSWD officials said the device is designed to stop contaminated water from flowing back into the public water system, but some residents said the mandate comes with steep costs.

“The notice that I received was some sort of inspection where they just drove by my house and took a picture and said, my house is a hazard to the water system,” said the homeowner. “It wanted me to install a commercial grade pressure reducing anti-backflow device.”

The homeowner said the particular valve can cost at least $3,000 plus annual inspection fees.

He also said he’s worried about reduced water pressure.

“What an MSWD official told me is that once they install this particular device, it drops the water pressure at least 10 to 15 psi,” he said. “I’m thinking that’s going to give me like 10 psi water pressure at my house, I don’t think that’s even usable. The MSWD officials response was to just go out and buy a water booster pump. That could be $6,000 for something like that.”

Danny Friend, MSWD Director of Operations, said the district is following new state requirements that went into effect this summer.

“Recently the state made some updates and we’re aligning our program,” said Friend. “In this case, there are some homes that have a hydraulic gradient issue where they’re higher than the water system, and in circumstances where there is a water main break or a high water demand situation, it could create a reverse flow.”

Friend said homeowners are required to cover the cost of installation.

“For state requirements, the homeowner does have a responsibility to ensure that they have the properly approved backflow prevention assembly installed on the customer side of the meter,” Friend said.

He said that no subsidies are currently available.

“Unfortunately at this stage of the program, there’s nothing being offered by the state,” Friend said. “In circumstances like this, if they do need assistance, they can reach out to our public information office and we can provide them additional resources.”

So far, the district said only a handful of homes have been flagged. But Friend acknowledged that hazard assessments will eventually be conducted for all 14,000 service connections in the district.

Stay with News Channel 3 at 10 and 11 p.m. for the full story.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A motorcyclist was taken to the hospital after striking a curb and colliding with a palm tree early Wednesday morning in Desert Hot Springs.

Police said the crash happened at around 1 a.m. on Palm Drive, near Park Lane.

“The rider was northbound on Palm Drive when he struck the east curb and subsequently collided with a palm tree,” DHSPD Chief Steven Shaw wrote. “The adult male rider suffered moderate injuries and was transported to an area hospital but is expected to survive.”

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. 

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 40-year-old Cathedral City man accused of targeting vehicles whose owners were touring a popular outdoor art showcase in the Coachella Valley must stand trial for receiving stolen property, a judge ruled today, while dismissing multiple felony counts originally filed against the defendant.   

Steven Patrick Porter was arrested in April 2023 following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into vehicle break-ins at the DesertX exhibition near Palm Desert months earlier.

At the end of a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Susanne Cho found there was not sufficient evidence to bound Porter over for trial on two counts each of grand theft and burglary, as well as one count each of vandalism and petty theft. However, she ruled Porter should be held to answer for the one felony count of receiving stolen goods.   

Cho permitted the defendant to remain free on $50,000 bail and scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment in the case for Sept. 24 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Porter has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.   

During the DesertX event in December 2022, multiple vehicle and related commercial burglaries were reported that resulted in about $70,000 in valuables stolen, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Travis Mountz.

He said the ensuing investigation led to Porter being identified as the alleged culprit, but no other details were disclosed.   

Mountz said search warrants were executed at properties associated with the defendant, and some of the stolen property was ultimately recovered.   

It was unclear whether investigators identified other potential conspirators. No one else has bee charged in connection with the burglaries.

Click here to follow the original article.

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A realistic-looking BB gun found Wednesday morning near the entrance of the CV Link at Monroe Street in Indio prompted a response from law enforcement and sparked a broader conversation about public safety and the risks posed by imitation firearms.

A photo submitted to News Channel 3 showed law enforcement officers surrounding what appeared to be a rifle. The weapon was later confirmed by Indio Police to be an airsoft rifle, also known as a BB gun. Although not a firearm, experts warn that these replica weapons can be dangerous.

“BB guns shoot a plastic and metal projectile, and they can, like my mom used to say, put an eye out. So there’s the direct danger of the BB’s which should be only used on a paper target with adult supervision. But the other thing is a kid running around with a BB gun that looks like an AR-15.”

Storm Jenkins, Guns of Distinction Owner

Storm Jenkins, a former law enforcement officer and owner of Guns of Distinction, explained that the design of BB guns has evolved over the years. Unlike the obvious toy-like appearance of older models, modern BB guns are often made to look strikingly similar to real firearms. Although laws require BB guns to be sold with an orange tip for identification, those tips can be easily painted over—making it nearly impossible for bystanders or officers to tell the difference in a split-second encounter.

“When I was a police officer, BB guns looked like a Daisy rifle or a plastic revolver — you knew it wasn’t real. Now, they look so realistic. The person being pointed at may not know it’s not a real gun.”

Storm Jenkins, Guns of Distinction Owner

Under California law, it is generally legal to own a BB gun. However, displaying one in public is prohibited, and anyone under the age of 18 must have parental permission to possess one.

Jenkins believes more education is needed around the safe use and handling of BB guns. His advice to the public: if you come across any object that looks like a firearm—don’t take chances and call the authorities.

How the BB gun ended up near the CV Link remains unclear. Indio police say they are taking proactive measures to ensure public safety in the area.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – “Mr. Palm Springs” Harold Matzner was peacefully laid to rest on Wednesday.

Loved ones shared that a public Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 21 in the Palm Springs area. Further details will be released in the upcoming weeks.

Statement sent to News Channel 3

“The family of Harold Matzner wishes to share that he was peacefully laid to rest today, September 10, in a private ceremony attended by close family members. The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this time.”

Matzner, a prominent local philanthropist and icon of Palm Springs, died at the age of 88 on Thursday. Matzner was widely known as “Mr. Palm Springs,” who helped transform the city into a world-class destination for arts and civic life.

He was the chair of the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards for more than 20 years, saving the festival from near collapse in 1999. 

Harold Matzner speaks with News Channel 3 in what would be his final interview

He is survived by his partner for life, Shellie Reade; his son, Devin; his daughter, Laura; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Emily; his nephew, Jason; and his two Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Little Guy and Doc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice, in honor of Harold Matzner’s extraordinary spirit of giving.

Click here to follow the original article.