Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A nonprofit will host its third annual anti-bullying event in Palm Springs this fall, offering education, support and family-friendly activities for the community.

Boo2Bullying will host “Kick Bullying to the Curb” from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Power Stadium in Sunrise Park, 1901 E. Baristo Road.   

The free event will include informational booths from partner organizations and all-ages activities such as face-painting, a petting zoo presented by Mobile Zoo of Southern California and free hot dogs, organizers said.

The event will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m.   

A community kickball game will follow at 6 p.m., featuring local leaders Shaka Gray and Connie Golds. Palm Springs native and “The Voice” contestant Steve Knill will perform the national anthem.

“Every child and every family deserves a safe and welcoming environment,” Boo2Bullying founder Dimitri Halkidis said in a statement. “This event is more than a game — it’s a movement to create communities where kindness and inclusion win every time.”

The event will coincide with National Coming Out Day, officials said.   

“Mental health is enhanced when children and teens feel empowered, build their self-esteem and realize they are not alone,” Halkidis said.   

Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte, who plans to attend, said, “Palm Springs is proud to support Boo2Bullying and this joyful festival.”

Halkidis founded the organization in 2011 after the suicide of a friend, building programs dedicated to fostering inclusive,  bullying-free communities, according to the nonprofit.

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Athena Jreij

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — The owners of Fernando’s Tacos in Coachella are reeling after a suspected drunk driver crashed into their taco truck earlier this week.

Last Thursday, August 21, a White Toyota Corolla ran a stop sign and crashed into a power pole at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Calhoun Street. That driver, who later died from their injuries, then hit a Nissan Frontier, which was pushed into the taco truck.

The owners, Lourdes and Fernando Solorzano were in that truck and are now both recovering from their injuries while also grappling with the financial burden of losing their business. 

“It’s sad because I had big dreams of working but then everything ended,” Fernando said.

“That’s actually the first time that I heard my dad get emotional over the accident. He’s really strong, you know, My dad loves meeting new people. He loves doing this line of work, you know, customer service,” Samantha Solorzano, their daughter said.

Fernando says the crash pushed his truck 15 feet down the road. Both him and his wife blacked out from the impact and have trouble remembering much, but they say there’s still residual pain from the accident.

“I was working outside the trailer then boom it all crashed. The police report said it pushed my truck about 15 feet,” Fernando said.

“My mom kind of blacked out from how quick it was and from when she first initially fell. Then she says that out of that state of unconsciousness she kind of heard my dad screaming for her to see if she was okay,” Samantha said.

That accident totaled the truck they use to haul the trailer and now they’re left without everyday transportation, like to Lourdes’s doctor appointments.

They estimate the damage is in the thousands, but their daughter Samantha says the damage goes beyond the financial burden.

“With with this accident, it’s something traumatic for them, so I don’t know if they would even want to get back into it or even if they wanted to later down the road,” she said.

If you’d like to support the family’s Gofundme, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-fernandos-tacos-help-lourdes-and-fernando?cdn-cache=0

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A 24-year-old Coachella woman is out on bail on Friday after her arrest for suspicion of stealing items in a Rancho Mirage home.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Palm Desert Station reports that around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5th, deputies responded to a report of a burglary at the residence on Via San Lucia, near DaVall Drive.

Through its investigation, the Palm Desert Station Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team found evidence that the victim was in the home at the time of the burglary, and later identified the Coachella woman as a suspect.

The City of Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team assisted in locating the suspect near Interstate 10 and Washington Street in Palm Desert on Thursday. Authorities say the 24-year-old was arrested and charged with residential burglary in the first degree. She was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

The suspect was released on Friday on $35,000 bail, and is due back in court on October 7th.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Palm Desert Station encourages anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Deputy Paull at (760)- 836–1600.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As millions of Californians hit the road for the Labor Day holiday weekend, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ramping up enforcement in anticipation of one of the most dangerous travel weekends of the year.

Starting Friday evening and continuing through Monday night, CHP is launching a Maximum Enforcement Period. The goal: crack down on speeding, distracted driving, and DUI violations — and ultimately save lives.

“This weekend, we’re going to coincide with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign. We just ask everyone to refrain from driving impaired and we’re going to have all available officers out there enforcing the traffic laws.”

Officer David Torres, CHP PIO

Last year, more than 1,000 DUI arrests and 21 fatalities in California were linked to impaired driving over the Labor Day weekend.

CHP is reminding drivers that road safety begins before even getting behind the wheel.

“Anyone that’s planning to go on a long trip, we ask that you please check your vehicle before you leave, check your tires, breaks, and make sure your vehicle is properly maintained so you can have that assurance and confidence in your vehicle as you travel.”

Officer David Torres, CHP PIO

Local law enforcement agencies are also stepping up efforts. The Palm Springs Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

If you see a suspected impaired driver, authorities urge you to call 9-1-1 and be ready to provide a description of the vehicle and its location.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Allie Anthony

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – FIND Food Bank has officially completed construction on its new Food Security Campus, designed to expand its capacity and improve operations. Distributing over 20 million pounds of food each year, FIND’s original campus is over capacity.

The new facility offers relief, allowing for faster, more efficient food distribution and increased storage. This will be especially crucial during emergencies like natural disasters when food donations surge.

While the grand opening is set for September 26th, News Channel 3 is giving you an exclusive first look inside.

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Isaiah Mora

UPDATE 8/29/2025: Traffic was delayed on the eastbound I-10 in Banning near the 8th Street exit on Friday morning after a semi truck overturned and caught fire.

The California Highway Patrol reports the crash happened just before 2:30 a.m. and a SIG Alert was issued for the temporary shut down of all eastbound lanes. Traffic was diverted off the freeway at 8th Street for a couple of hours until emergency personnel were able to open up the #3 and #4 lanes. As of 11:00 a.m., all eastbound lanes were open.

CHP say they are investigating what caused the truck in the solo crash to be overturned and become disabled across all lanes. They add that while the truck partially burned, investigators determined the scene was not a hazmat.

The driver of the truck, a 36-year-old San Bernardino man, was not injured. Authorities do not believe alcohol or drugs to have been a factor in the crash.

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A SIG Alert is in place on interstate 10 for an overturned semi truck that caught fire in Banning. According to California Highway Patrol’s incident page, the accident happened around 2:30 Friday morning.

The alert was issued on the freeway near 8th Street and Lincoln Street. All eastbound traffic is being diverted off 8th Street and residents can expect heavy delays through the pass. Crews are working to get the road back open by 7 in the morning.

News Channel 3 has reached out to authorities for more information. Stay with us for the latest.

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio police report that a motorcyclist died in a crash with an automobile at the intersection of Jackson Street and Avenue 41 on Thursday.

Officers were called to the area at 9:43 p.m., and upon arrival, located a 34-year-old man who was the driver of the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The male drive of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated fully with the investigation.

Indio law enforcement officials say at this time, alcohol or drugs do not appear to be factors in the collision.

Police say the investigation remains active, and no further details are available at this time.

During the investigation, Jackson Street is closed in the area of Shadow Hills, from Broadmoor Street to Greenbrier Drive. Avenue 41 is closed from Gore Street to Jackson Street.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Cynthia White

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Banning law enforcement authorities announced they shut down an illicit gambling and drug sales operation at a smoke shop on Wednesday after receiving a tip from a citizen.

The tip led officers to Vape Town on West Ramsey Street, where they launched an investigation, uncovering the suspected illegal gambling and unlicensed sale of marijuana and other controlled substances.

After serving a search warrant, officers seized 48 pounds of marijuana and mushrooms, an illegal coin push gambling machine, and over $4,200 in illegal gambling funds.

Authorities report that the operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including Code Enforcement officers who issued citations to the business after the search, the Fire Marshal, and the San Gorgonio Regional Gang Task Force.

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Indio is being recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Livable Small Cities in the United States, according to a study by SmartAsset.

The study included 279 cities nationwide with populations between 65,00 and 100,000.

Indio earned the #24 ranking, with a 1.1% unemployment rate – one of the lowest of the cities included in the survey. Indio came in at #3 out of the 56 California cities noted in the survey, behind Redondo Beach (#12 in the U.S.), and Mountain View (#20 in the U.S.).

SmartAsset’s analysis looked at housing affordability, poverty and unemployment rates, health insurance coverage, access to healthcare and entertainment, and commute times.

Indio officials say that the city’s strong showing reflects the city’s growth, resilience, and commitment to creating opportunities for residents and businesses.

Indio Mayor Glenn Miller says, “This recognition confirms what our community already knows – Indio is the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. With extraordinary growth, cultural vibrancy, and welcoming neighborhoods, Indio continues to stand out as the City of Festivals and so much more.”

The SmartAsset study can be viewed here, and coverage of Indio’s recognition is featured in AOL’s report.

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Spencer Blum

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway experiences a wide range of weather throughout the year, ranging from sun to snow to rain.

News Channel 3’s First Alert Meteorologist Spencer Blum took a ride to the top to get a behind the scenes look at how the tram stays weather aware.

Rain or shine, the tram brings hundreds of people more than 8,500 feet up onto Mt. San Jacinto. Whether you’re escaping the triple-digit heat on the valley floor or you have a hankering for a snowball flight, it’s important to check the weather beforehand.

There is a weather station on the roof of the mountain station, which houses a number of sensors that measure everything from temperature to pressure to wind to rainfall. The live data feed can be found on their website, along with a daily forecast. This type of weather station is advanced and costs about $8,000.

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