Category: kesq-local-news

Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Papa Dan’s will soon make its return to Palm Desert, nearly a year and a half after it was destroyed in a fire.

Papa Dan’s, along with three other businesses in Palm Desert, burned down in April of 2024, after an arson attack. The restaurant first opened its doors in 1984.

It’s been a long road to recovery. Earlier this year, Ira Mosley, the owner of the long-time restaurant, recounted the hurdles he has had to overcome.

As the restaurant nears reopening early in 2026, it will be opening its doors to city leaders Wednesday afternoon to tour the new space. Ahead of that tour, for the first time, Mosley is giving News Channel 3 a chance to look inside the restaurant that has been steadily working towards rebuilding.

We’re showing you inside and hearing from Mosley about the long journey it’s taken to reopen the Palm Desert staple. Stay with us for the latest updates.

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Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Two separate shootings near Quail Avenue in Indio have left residents shaken in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, police responded to reports of gunfire. Officers located two crime scenes — one on Dove Street and another on Bluejay Street — and found a 23-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made, and the Indio Police Department continues to investigate.

This shooting occurred just steps from an earlier deadly incident on Nov. 20, when a man was shot and killed near Quail Avenue and Bluejay Street. Four men were arrested in connection with the deadly shooting.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more on the Indio Police Department’s response.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – While the CV Link opened in November, several parts of the stretch remain unfinished including a crosswalk at the Ramon Road bridge in Palm Springs. 

The Ramon crossing stands at the entrance of Palm Springs from Cathedral City, and often sees drivers traveling at fast speeds across the bridge.

News Channel 3 reached out to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) for more information on their efforts to make the crossing safe.

In a statement, officials said they had originally planned an under crossing when construction to widen the bridge was finished, but have now began construction due to high demand.

Still, that leaves no safe option for riders to cross the bridge while under construction.

While News Channel 3 was on the scene, crews spotted several riders waiting up to 10 minutes for a gap in traffic to cross.

Speaking with travelers, several hailed the Link for it’s innovative connection through the Valley. However, many acknowledged the lack of safe crossways have made their travels unnerving, forcing many to turn around.

“I will not go if it’s unsafe. You know, if I have to race across, we’ll just turn around,” Sherrey and Dan Morrison from Washington state said.

“I’m not going to cross that road. No, it’s too busy. Cars don’t see you or people are fiddling with their texts. Even if you’ve got a bike lane, I’ve seen people weave in and out,” Tom Adair from Palm Springs said.

Others said they can wait for traffic, but wish the pathway had opened finished.

“Especially with the winter coming, there’s more traffic on road. So you got to wait a little bit and it’s challenging sometimes to get across, but you just have to wait … My husband won’t come with me though, because of this,” Chris Jaimerson of Palm Springs said.

CVAG says construction on the under crossing is estimated to be finished sometime next week.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Tauli Anderson

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Helping students build independence through hands-on learning, that’s the goal for one local school teacher, and now she’s being recognized for all her hard work.

News Channel 3’s Tauli Anderson highlights the December winner for the One Class at a Time award, Ms. Shana Saquil, a teacher at Saul Martinez Elementary School.

Do you know a teacher you would like to nominate for the One Class at a Time Award? Click here to make a nomination.

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KESQ News Team

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – After years of delays and legal wrangling, the SilverRock luxury resort in La Quinta has just closed escrow with its new owner.

As we reported, a bankruptcy judge approved a $65-million sale of the property earlier this year to Turnbridge Equities.

The long-delayed project, also known as TALUS, had been stuck in bankruptcy court for more than a year when the site’s prior owner filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The new plan reduces the project’s scope from two luxury hotels to one and includes a realigned golf course, a new clubhouse and dozens of condos.

There will be a formal presentation by the developer at the La Quinta council meeting in late January.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow the latest developments.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 12/23/25

A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the deadly shooting, police said.

Gabriel Salazar was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the area of Avenue 51 and Filmore Street in Coachella, police said.

Salazar was charged with 1st degree murder, among other charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 31 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Police said the investigation determined that on Dec. 16, Angel Ernesto Yee Mendoza, 23, was involved in an earlier shooting in the 47000 block of Dove Street. There were no known victims in that incident. Following the shooting, Mendoza drove to a residence in the 47000 block of Bluejay Street, where he and Salazar became involved in a brief verbal confrontation that escalated into an exchange of gunfire.

Mendoza was struck by gunfire and returned to his vehicle, where he became unresponsive. He was later transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He was booked into jail and is expected to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.

Original Report 12/16/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – One person was killed in a shooting in an Indio neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon.

The violence was reported at around 1:10 p.m. on the 47000 block of Dove Street, near Calhoun and Quail Street.

Sgt. Abe Plata of the Indio Police Department told News Channel 3 that officers responded to the area and located two crime scenes, one on Dove Street and the second on Blue Jay Street.

On Blue Jay Street, officers found a 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Plata said no arrests had been made. The investigation remained active. Anyone with information regarding this incident was encouraged to contact the Indio  Police Department at (760) 391-4057. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.

The shooting was just around the corner from a previous deadly shooting that occurred on Quail Avenue on Nov. 20. Four men were arrested in connection with the death of a 33-year-old man.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County supervisors today formally signed off on an interchange improvement project in Indio designed to ease congestion on Interstate 10 and improve traffic flows going into and out of the city.   

In a 4-0 vote without comment — and Supervisor Jose Medina absent — the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday cleared the way for the Monroe Street/Interstate 10 Interchange Project to move forward.   

The project has already passed muster with Caltrans, which found no evidence of significant adverse environmental impacts.   

The Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency is overseeing logistics and contractors, but the county has no financial obligations, with all future appropriations for the project originating from Indio and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, according to TLMA documents.  

Current barriers to groundbreaking are two private parcels whose owners have not yet settled negotiations with the county, which is proceeding with eminent domain property acquisitions to establish the easements, documents stated.

The interchange expansion and improvements will entail reconstruction of the Monroe Street on- and off-ramps from I-10, adding additional lanes for more efficient movement of vehicles. An auxiliary traffic lane will additionally be constructed on I-10 between Monroe and Jackson Street. The project area will encompass the freeway space and abutting land between the Coachella Valley Storm Channel and Avenue 42.

“The interchange is a major access point for existing development in the area,” TLMA said. “No displacement or relocation of existing residents, businesses, farms, nonprofits or government services will occur as a result of this project.”

The total project budget has yet to be determined, and contractor bids haven’t been solicited as of December 2025.   

Once the easements have been acquired, the project’s construction timeline will be established.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Guide Dogs of the Desert is looking for volunteer puppy raisers almost 20 new puppies. The organization says that puppy raisers are an integral part in carrying out their mission to improve independence for those who are visually impaired.

Lisa Coleman, a former puppy raiser and current volunteer with the organization, says that she discovered she had an eye disease shortly after her partner started working for Guide Dogs of the Desert.

“Once I was diagnosed legally blind, I was all in. I was all in for every individual out there that visually impaired or blind. I knew that feeling,” she says.

Puppy raisers keep puppies for up to a year. “They’re housebreaking, they’re teaching basic obedience. We have a lot of events for them to go to, whether it’s a structured event or community event at a coffee shop,” says Angel Coleman, the medical director of Guide Dogs of the Desert.

After that, puppies return to Guide Dogs of the Desert to receive formal guide dog training.

“When I watch handlers cross the stage and gain that confidence and freedom that a guide dog brings, I have hope,” says Lisa Coleman.

If you’re interested in volunteering, here’s a link to their website.

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Garrett Hottle

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) Water agencies across the Coachella Valley are facing a costly mandate as California enforces the nation’s first drinking water limit on hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6, a chemical linked to cancer that occurs naturally in the region’s groundwater.

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The new state standard, which takes effect Oct. 1, 2024, limits chromium-6 to 10 parts per billion. That’s far stricter than the federal government, which only regulates total chromium at 100 ppb. 

California’s ultimate health goal is even lower: 0.02 ppb.

In response, Coachella Valley Water District sent out state-required notices in November warning customers in its Cove Community (ID-8) system that recent water samples showed levels between 11 and 12 ppb, exceeding the new limit

Officials stress the water remains safe to drink under current rules.

“This isn’t an emergency,” CVWD communications manager Lorraine Garcia said. “It’s still the same water. It’s not that we suddenly had a contamination from something. This is a naturally occurring thing here”

Garcia said CVWD has submitted a compliance plan to the state but cannot begin construction until it’s approved. Proposed solutions include taking wells offline, drilling replacements, and building treatment facilities. The estimated cost: $350 million.

“This particular regulation that California has adopted will double customers’ rates,” Garcia said

CVWD serves a wide area, including Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and parts of Indio and Thousand Palms. Chromium-6 is present throughout the valley, due to local geology.

“There is actually naturally occurring chromium all over our state in the rocks,” said UC Riverside environmental scientist Samantha Ying. “When we drink it at that level, like ten parts per billion or a little higher, and we drink it every day, it could become a problem including causing different types of cancers”

Ying noted that while the risk isn’t immediate, long-term exposure matters. “We don’t need any chromium-6 in our bodies,” she said. “Lower is always better.”

In the city of Coachella, which operates its own water system, leaders have requested up to $84 million in state funding to build a treatment plant. 

Inside city council chambers last week, city leaders were told the same bottom line

A new treatment facility may be needed. They’ve apply for funding and rates could double for customers.

City documents show the city requested up to $84 million in state funding, with estimates putting the project closer to 50 million. Some funding may come as grants, The rest would be loans repaid by ratepayers.

“We’re hoping to get grants. But what we can’t get in grants we’re going to have to borrow.”said interim city manager Bill Pattison during last week’s meeting.

Residents are already uneasy about the price tag.

“They’ve been giving it to us for years and years and years, and I don’t think it’s done anything to make anything any better,” said Frank Van Patten, a La Quinta Cove homeowner. “It shouldn’t cost billions of dollars”

The controversy over chromium-6 gained national attention after the movie “Erin Brockovich” spotlighted toxic industrial pollution in Hinkley, California. But that case involved a utility’s chemical leak. Here in the valley, the chromium is natural, it leaches from local rock formations into groundwater

Still, not everyone agrees on how far the state should go or who should foot the bill.

Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, represents the Coachella Valley andsits on the Colorado River Forum as supports the regulation. “When it comes to public health and safety, 100%,” Gonzalez said. 

Meanwhile, more than 120 water agencies and agricultural groups across the state have filed a lawsuit challenging the mandate, calling it an unfunded and unreasonable burden on local water systems.

That lawsuit is currently pending. Until it’s resolved, agencies must move forward with compliance and residents may soon see those costs reflected in their water bills.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Bruce Fessier said he was preparing for a Q&A with filmmaker Rob Reiner Tuesday at the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre to kick off the Palm Springs Speaks series.

Instead, he said he learned that Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, had been killed.

“Stunned, just gobsmacked,” Fessier said. “I had been preparing all afternoon for this interview that I was going to be doing with him on Tuesday, and I had actually started doing my research a few weeks ago.”

He said the hours spent rewatching films and preparing questions made the loss feel personal.

“I just felt like he was a friend,” Fessier said. “I was looking forward to conveying some information that maybe not everybody knew about him.”

Fessier pointed to Reiner’s political activism as central to his legacy, particularly his role in challenging Proposition 8 through the courts.

“Rob Reiner made this a better country,” Fessier said. “He was a great filmmaker, but he should really be remembered as much for his social activism.”

The interview, Fessier said, would have leaned into Reiner’s improvisational spirit.

“We’re very fortunate to live in the Coachella Valley where we have so many opportunities.”

For one Palm Springs couple, those opportunities included an unexpected, intimate visit with Reiner years earlier.

Gary and Joan Gand said they met Reiner in the spring of 2017 when a tour guide called to ask if Reiner could see Gary Gand’s extensive guitar collection.

“Being a musician, I have a big collection of guitars,” Gary said. “I said I’d love to meet him. Big Spinal Tapfans.”

The Gand’s recalled joking with Reiner about amplifier volume.

“You think 11 is loud, wait’ll you hear this thing,” Gary said.

He explained his vintage amps “go up to 12.” He said Reiner got a big laugh out of that.

As Reiner toured the room, Gary said he spotted a Peter Gunn album.

“He looked at that album and he said, ‘Best song ever. Peter Gunn,’” Gand said.

Joan added, “We just love that because we actually agree with him. We just thought he was so cool.”

Gary said the visit included Reiner’s family, conversations about music and movies and one lasting memento.

“He autographed my guitar for me,” Gary said.

The Gand’s described Reiner as warm and approachable.

“He was super friendly and just not standoffish at all,” Joan said. “Just like a guy that you would want to be friends with. They were all super nice”

Reading the news of the Reiner’s death was devastating, the couple said.

“It was the most horrible thing,” Joan said. “I just don’t know what to make of it.”

Fessier said the shock of the moment is still settling in.

“One moment you’re preparing for the future and 10 minutes later it’s the past,” he said. “You’re looking at your notes that you had just written down … and all of a sudden it’s part of a different era and we’re moving on. And that’s history.”

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

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