Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

COACHELLA (CNS) – The Coachella Valley Association of Governments could receive more than $300,000 to assist chronically homeless individuals in the city if the funding is approved by the Coachella City Council at tomorrow’s meeting.

City staff recommends that council members approve a memorandum of understanding with CVAG in the amount of $322,500 for the organization’s CV Housing First program.

The proposed program will provide case management and outreach services to homeless people, such as helping them qualify for benefits and connecting them to crisis stabilization units for referrals to temporary housing, including apartments and hotel rooms.

According to the staff report, the city previously participated in the program with an initial contribution of $100,000 before CVAG requested an additional $29,000 for rising costs.

If approved, the memorandum will expire on June 30, 2028 unless terminated by either party prior to July 1 of any fiscal year.

Wednesday’s meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at 1515 Sixth St.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has received a $1,442,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to strengthen traffic enforcement and education programs aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on local roads.

Several cities served by the Sheriff’s Office will receive funding through the program, including Coachella ($68,330.00), Indian Wells ($47,068.00), La Quinta ($60,924.00), Palm Desert ($62,224.00), and Rancho Mirage (41,873.00).

The funding will support initiatives targeting dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, failure to yield, red-light and stop-sign violations, and unsafe turning and lane changes. Additional efforts will focus on protecting pedestrians and bicyclists through targeted enforcement and community education.

The program will also fund DUI checkpoints, specialized officer training to identify impaired drivers, traffic safety presentations, and coordinated enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.

“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” said Senior Administrative Services Analyst Sally Lopez.

The grant-funded program runs through September 2027. Funding is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officials say the initiative combines enforcement and public education to discourage risky driving, prevent crashes, and make roads safer for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists throughout Riverside County.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Riverside County is seeking more than 700 volunteers for its annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count on Jan. 20, 2027. Bilingual volunteers are especially encouraged to participate.

The count provides a one-day snapshot of homelessness across the county’s 28 cities and unincorporated communities. Coordinated by the County’s Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions, the effort helps identify community needs, guide investments and connect people with housing resources.

“Our cities are essential partners in this work,” said Board Chair Supervisor Spiegel, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing homelessness and connecting residents with services.

The county will also continue its More Than a Count initiative, which aims to connect veterans, families, youth and seniors with same-day housing opportunities and supportive services.

“More Than a Count reflects our commitment to making this effort about more than gathering data,” said Heidi Marshall, director of Housing and Workforce Solutions.

How to Volunteer: Community members can register and select their preferred service areas at rivcohws.org/homeless-point-time-pit-count.

Individuals and families experiencing homelessness who need assistance can contact HomeConnect at 800-498-8847 or **homeconnect@ruhealth.org**.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors today approved a final budget of $14.55 million to cover all expenses that the Riverside County Office of the Registrar of Voters may incur for staffing, transportation of ballots and other necessities tied to next week’s General Election.

In a 5-0 vote without comment Tuesday, the board authorized the allocations, roughly 84% of which will be drawn from the General Fund, with the remainder coming from a state distribution stemming from legislation signed into law by the governor in June to aid counties in paying for additional temporary election workers.

“The funding is necessary to allow the registrar to have the appropriate resources to successfully conduct the Nov. 3 General Election,” according to an agency statement posted to the board’s agenda.

When the board approved the county’s 2026-27 fiscal year budget in June, the supervisors were informed that election expenses were not completely factored into the spending plan, but that Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco would be returning later for additional outlays.

Tinoco last week submitted the funding request for the election, based on estimated costs. It’s possible there will be overhanging expenses in the post-election period, stemming from unknown variables, including delayed ballot processing, recount requests and litigation.

Any further funding needs by the agency would have to be addressed by the board.

According to the Office of the Registrar of Voters, the current funding will pay for about 2,500 workers, including around 160 temporary employees added to the county payrolls specifically to support election-related functions.

The money will also be disbursed for “the secure transport of equipment to vote centers, materials and supplies to support the operation of both secure ballot drop-off sites and vote centers, on-site security personnel and other related election activities,” the registrar stated.

Last weekend, the first 21 vote centers opened, enabling registered voters to stop by and submit their ballots electronically via Dominion touchscreen units, fill out paper ballots on-site and leave them with Office of the Registrar of Voters personnel, or simply drop their completed vote-by-mail ballots.

An additional 131 vote centers are slated to open Saturday countywide.

Since the start of October, more than 100 “secure drop box” locations where voters can leave their ballots for pickup by registrar staff, rather than mailing them, have been available, according to agency.

Ballots must be received or postmarked no later than Nov. 3 in order to be counted, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.

There are 1.43 million registered voters in the county. According to the registrar, the participation rate in the June primary was 38%.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — While the Riverside County registrar of voters has expanded its options for ballot drop-offs and in-person voting, there are still gaps in the eastern Coachella Valley.

While there are locations in Mecca, unincorporated communities such as Thermal and North Shore are left without drop-off locations.

However, local organizations are working with voters in the Coachella Valley to expand access by providing transportation to those who need it.

For more information on receiving assistance getting to a voting center, stay tuned for the full story at 5 p.m.

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Raymond Kalra

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – From food insecurity to homelessness, some College of the Desert students are facing challenges that extend far beyond the classroom.

On Tuesday, the college hosted its annual South Annex Block Party, bringing students together for Halloween-themed activities while highlighting campus programs designed to help them overcome barriers and succeed in their education.

The event featured games, costumes and opportunities for students to connect with staff from several support programs, including Foster Youth Services, the Black Student Success Center, the Dreamer Resource Center and other campus organizations.

But beyond the festivities, organizers say the goal was to introduce students to resources they may not even know exist.

“The purpose of this event is to bring awareness of all the student services programs that we have here in the South Block,” said Patricia Espinoza, director of TRIO Upward Bound at College of the Desert.

Espinoza explained that while incoming students typically receive information about financial aid, admissions and academic requirements, they may not realize additional programs are available to support their individual needs.

Helping students overcome challenges

For some students, those needs extend well beyond textbooks and tuition.

Carol MacIntire, a counselor with College of the Desert’s Foster Youth Services program, said students who have experienced foster care can face significant obstacles while pursuing their education.

“Some of our students are homeless. They are often [facing] food insecurity,” MacIntire said.

The program offers assistance with educational planning, books, meals and transportation through resources such as book cards, meal cards and gas cards.

Students also have access to a study center, computers, a food pantry and scholarship opportunities.

MacIntire said the program works with community organizations, including Harrison House and Olive Crest, to help connect students experiencing housing instability with additional support.

She explained that addressing these challenges is an important part of helping students stay focused on their education.

Creating a sense of belonging

Another program highlighted during Tuesday’s event was the college’s Black Student Success Center.

The center provides academic tutoring, scholarship information, financial literacy programming and opportunities for students to build connections on campus.

Mary Eden, the center’s coordinator and academic counselor, said the services are designed to help students succeed academically while creating a welcoming environment.

“We’re here for them no matter what,” Eden said, explaining that staff can help students find resources and guide them in the right direction.

David Kesee, a program specialist with the center, emphasized that the college experience is about more than academics.

“It’s a sense of belonging that they belong here and there’s their community,” Kesee said.

Both emphasized that students who have questions or need assistance are encouraged to reach out, even if they are unsure which campus program can best serve them.

Students discover resources they didn’t know existed

For College of the Desert student Brianna, a previous South Annex Block Party helped her discover an opportunity she might have otherwise missed.

She said she learned about the TRIO ACES program while attending last year’s event.

“For me, it was TRIO ACES. That was a program that I learned last year that I didn’t know,” she said.

Since joining, Brianna said the program has provided counseling and assistance as she prepares to transfer to another college next fall.

“They’ve actually been helping me with counseling and to help me transfer out,” she said.

Another student, Madison Duran, said the event helps connect students with campus departments and creates opportunities to build relationships.

The two students, who also work as student tour guides, said events like Tuesday’s block party allow them to introduce their classmates to services that can sometimes go unnoticed.

Support beyond the block party

While Tuesday’s celebration provided an opportunity for students to explore campus resources in a relaxed environment, college staff emphasized that assistance is available throughout the academic year.

MacIntire said the goal is to address students’ immediate needs while helping them achieve their long-term educational goals, whether that means graduating or transferring to another institution.

For organizers, the hope is that students leave the event knowing where to turn when challenges arise.

And for students like Brianna, discovering the right program can make a lasting difference in their college experience.

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Julia Castro

Thermal, Calif. (KESQ) — An 18-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and evading police after a crash that brought down utility lines in Thermal early Tuesday morning.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers were attempting to stop a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder traveling at high speeds northbound on Harrison Street near Avenue 63.

As the driver approached Avenue 60, he lost control and crashed into a stop sign and a utility pole along the right shoulder of the road.

Cal Fire crews responded to the single-vehicle crash near Harrison Street and Avenue 60 around 2:15 a.m. Firefighters reported downed utility lines and requested assistance from the Imperial Irrigation District.

CHP said the 18-year-old driver, who was alone in the vehicle, suffered minor injuries. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of evading police and driving under the influence.

IID also reported a power outage affecting 15 customers in the Thermal area, including near Avenue 60, Van Buren Street and Highway 86, as of 6 a.m.

The outage remained unresolved in the utility’s report, with no estimated restoration time available.

It was not immediately confirmed whether the crash caused the power outage.

News Channel 3 is working to learn more about the incident and when power is expected to be restored.

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Dakota Makinen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Students at Nellie N. Coffman Middle School are turning unwanted shoes into opportunities through a fundraiser supporting their SkillsUSA club.

The shoe drive runs through December 12 and will help fund travel, uniforms and materials for 33 student competitors participating in regional, state and national leadership and technical skills competitions.

Community members can donate new or gently worn shoes at Nellie N. Coffman Middle School, located at 34603 Plumley Road in Cathedral City.

The donated shoes will be redistributed through Funds2Orgs’ network of small-business partners in developing countries, helping entrepreneurs generate income to support their families. The club is aiming to collect 100 bags of shoes, with 25 pairs in each bag, to help fund student competitions and support small-business owners overseas.

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Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – If you tried grabbing a bite to eat at the Denny’s in Thousand Palms Monday night, you might have been greeted with a unique sight: hundreds of people descending upon the restaurant, ready to rock out.

Cars filled the parking lot and surrounding streets. Only 200 people could fit inside, so a line quickly formed, wrapping around the area. A group of horse-riding Thousand Palms residents rode through the nearby Chevron for a closer look at what was going on.

The organizer, Noisepile, made it clear this was an all-ages, free show, meant to bring the community together. Bands that performed included Mella, Just Let Me Go, and Materia. The goal: shine a spotlight on the valley’s music scene and make it as accessible as possible for everyone to enjoy.

And enjoy they did. With phones out, recording every move, energetic concertgoers danced in a mosh pit, with some even crowdsurfing — and I can’t emphasize this enough — inside a section of the restaurant. Even though the venue was capped at 200 people, it was a tight squeeze.

Attendees came from all over. One of the drummers, Christopher Maldonado, came from Fontana, himself. He said he heard of people coming from as far away as Arizona.

A couple of livestreamers, from the streaming platform, Twitch, made their way from Los Angeles. One of the streamers, who went by the handle FiendOcular, brought his viewers along for the ride: “I like to go showcase them to people and just be like, you know, here’s like what life is like sometimes, you know, it’ll be at a venue, sometimes it’ll be like a little bar. But when it as something unique like this, I’m like, oh, I got to show that to everybody else.”

It mirrored a similar viral event from 2013, where bands descended upon a Denny’s in Houston, TX, dubbed “The Denny’s Grand Slam.” The video on YouTube has over 5 million views.

While performers didn’t think this event could top the original, they said it could certainly pave the way for more events.

“I don’t think anything will beat the original, but I think we’ll set a new path for future Denny’s shows,” said Christopher Maldonado, one of the drummers who performed.

Xavier, the promoter for the event, noted the Coachella Valley is often overlooked, and said, “Something to this scale is kind of less popularized out here, and I really just hope that it spreads the word about the Coachella Valley scene.”

By 10 o’clock, the show ended and the crowds started fizzling out. Still, some lingered, with others ordering food, ready to eat some all-day breakfast after dancing all night.

Judging by the hundreds who gathered, and the dozens more who stayed, gazing through the windows, that events like these are needed for both the valley’s music scene and its youth.

I asked 19-year-old Hector Zapata, who was standing in line dressed as a watering can and drove 20 minutes from Coachella, “Do you think this is something that’s needed more in the valley for young people?”

He replied, “Honestly, yes. Like there’s not much to do here. And like, I wouldn’t mind [another] reason to come out here.”

With the demand clearly showing, don’t be surprised if you see your local breakfast joint turn into a pop-up concert here in the Coachella Valley.

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Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Boxing has a deep-rooted culture in the Coachella Valley, and it’s become a passion for one local family. “Team Anzaldua,” as they call themselves, is a trio of siblings who share a passion for boxing and compete alongside each other.

Kadri Anzaldua is the oldest, at 15 years old, and she’s been boxing for four years. A passion inspired by her younger brothers: 13-year-old Rene Anzaldua and 11-year-old Roman Anzaldua.

“I just love that it keeps me in shape.” “It gives me something to do. I like punching people,” Kadri laughed. “I like sparring boys. I like punching boys.”

“I just like to punch people most of the time,” Rene said. “I like to workout and stuff like that.”

“I like to hit people,” Roman said. “Most of the time I like to punch, hit the bags, do pads.”

With countless hours of training and competing, boxing has become more than just a hobby for this family. Their success in the ring has made all three on “Team Anzaldua” nationally ranked junior boxers.

“I’m a two time SoCal champ,” Kadri said. “I won, Oxnard International Boxing in Oxnard and state Golden Gloves.”

“This one’s from Allen, Texas,” Roman said showing his belts. “This one’s from Jean Louis, Arizona, and this one is from Kansas.”

“This year I won Junior Golden Gloves, and then the rest of these belts are Jim Lewis and SoCal,” Rene said. I’m a two time SoCal champion…I have more [belts] at home though.”

This summer, Roman won the 2026 National Junior and Youth Golden Gloves Championship, earning his second national title. Kadri and Rene also competed in the tournament, each earning second place in their respective divisions.

“We’re all family, so we get to win belts and stuff for everybody.” Rene said. “We get to win championships together. Be in the ring with each other.”

While “Team Anzaldua” continues to win belts, being in the ring has given them more than just awards. It’s brought purpose and growth.

“My little brother, actually, he got me into it,” Kadri said. “I saw him doing it and I was like, ‘You know, it’s pretty cool.’ So, I wanted to try it out…It has really given me a lot of confidence outside the ring.”

“It gave me a way I can defend myself and just give me confidence,” Rene said. “A lot of confidence.”

Boxing takes dedication and persistence, it’s no question these athletes have both. They’re each determined to reach the professional level and keep representing the Coachella Valley just like those who came before them.

“When I turn 16 [or] 15, I want to be an Olympian,” Rene said. “And I’m trying to go pro after I become an Olympian.”

“I want to be a pro,” Roman said. “Maybe make it to Olympian as well.”

“There’s a lot of good boxers in this community, and it means a lot for me to be one of them and hopefully to follow in footsteps, like a lot of professional boxers to hopefully be one of them in the future,” Kadri said.

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