Category: kesq-local-news

Athena Jreij

Update: 02/09

Authorities say 24-year-old Tristan Mitchell has been found unharmed.

Original report: 02/08

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities are looking for 24-year-old Tristan Mitchell, who was last seen in the 1900 block of North Palm Canyon Drive.

Mitchell is reported to be 5’9, 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt and jeans.

Officials say Mitchell is autistic with aspergers and schizophrenia, and the mental capacity of a 6-year-old.

Police issued the missing person alert Sunday afternoon.

If seen, call the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-327-1441 to report information.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thousands of cyclists took to the streets of Palm Springs on Saturday for the 28th annual Tour de Palm Springs, honoring military members, first responders, and veterans. Riders of all ages and skill levels participated, enjoying scenic desert routes and a lively community atmosphere.

The event offered courses for everyone, from a 7-mile beginner ride to a full 100-mile challenge for experienced cyclists. Participants came from across the country, some returning year after year and others riding for the first time. Families, friends, and groups joined in, making the event a true community celebration.

The Tour de Palm Springs has raised nearly $5 million for more than 150 local nonprofits since it began in 1998. Saturday’s ride continued that tradition, combining fitness, fun, and fundraising in a day-long event for participants of all ages.

Honorary guests included retired professional cyclist Frankie Andreu, who competed in nine Tour de France races, and longtime Salvation Army board members Bill and Deanna Young.

Saturday’s event showcased the spirit of the cycling community, bringing together beginners, seasoned riders, and families for a day of activity, camaraderie, and support for local nonprofits.

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John White

Over 300 people attended the 2nd annual Parkinson’s Today: An Educational Symposium at UCR Palm Desert Saturday.

The event is hosted by Parkinson’s Resource Organization and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Attendees heard from three panels focused on treatment, building a care team, and research.

The Auen Foundation is the presenting sponsor for the symposium aimed at bringing the latest information to the estimated 10,000 people with Parkinson’s Disease in the Coachella Valley.

You can get more information on support services at Parkinson’s Resource Organization here:

https://www.parkinsonsresource.org

Find out about PRO’s upcoming Chocolate and Champagne fundraiser on February 26th, here:

https://www.parkinsonsresource.org/news/articles/chocolate-champagne-2026

You can find more information on the Michael J. Fox Foundation here:

https://www.michaeljfox.org

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Gavin Nguyen

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Ground has officially been broken on the Eagles Sports Park in Desert Hot Springs!

The new sports park, located on the corner of Hacienda Avenue and Cholla Drive, will be the new home of the Desert Hot Springs youth football/cheerleading and senior baseball programs.

Local leaders gathered on Saturday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony to a crowd of young athletes and their families. Desert Hot Springs Mayor Scott Matas said the park is a much-needed amenity as the city continues to grow.

Renderings of the new football and baseball fields at Eagles Sports Park

“Part of our quality of life is building parks. And as our city grows, you know, more kids, more working families – it’s time for us to get another park built and be able to have our youth sports have a home,” he affirmed.

The mayor said the youth football team currently has to share space with other youth sports programs, like the AYSO soccer league. They often had to rent facilities at nearby schools to play their sport. The same is true for the city’s senior baseball league for kids 13 years old and up. Once the park is open, though, the mayor said both teams will be able to have their own space.

A map of the new Eagles Sports Park

When asked about the feedback he’s received from the youth athletes and their families, Matas said, “They’re excited. We’ve been planning this for a couple of years and they keep pushing: ‘When are we breaking ground, when are we breaking ground?’ And we’re finally here. Today’s the day we get to break the ground. And in about a year from now, they’ll have their own facility.”

Speakers at the ceremony said talk of the park began nearly a decade ago. While the process to get to this point has been lengthy, Matas said he anticipates it will open in about a year.

Stay with us for the latest on the progress of this new park in Desert Hot Springs.

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Daniella Lake

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is hosting their fourth annual Women in STEAM career day today. Students K-12 will have the chance to talk with women accounting, animal care, conservation, education, engineering and more.

The event is free with membership or paid park admission. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Living Legacy Garden located right inside of the main entrance.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thousands of cyclists descended on Palm Springs Friday evening for the 28th annual Tour de Palm Springs bike ride.

The ride kicks off Saturday morning, taking riders from downtown all the way to Coachella and back.

A big part of Friday’s celebration was highlighting the charitable causes behind the ride, something cyclists and vendors say keeps them coming back.

“I think just to be able to support other people should help everybody pick up their own internal soul kind of stuff. It’s nice to be able to do that while doing something for yourself,” Joe Martin from Homer, Alaska said.

“I represent the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 78, and we’ve been riding for the tour for about 25 years, and I do the Pledge of Allegiance at the kickoff every year,” Bob Solomon said.

Many said they also ride for a deeper purpose, like Frank Platt.

“I just recently lost my husband to cancer last year, and he bought me my first bike 10 years ago. I decorated all in purple for a memory on my husband, his favorite color was purple,” Platt said.

Founder Tim Esser says the tour has raised over $5 million since it’s inception for local charities.

“These are all the charities that can use the money. It’s a lot of high school groups, a lot of them being that we benefit, first responders, and veterans, we do a lot of the ROTC is in these high schools. It’s not just about the money, it’s about volunteering as well. We want these kids to learn what it’s like to give back to the community,” Esser said.

Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of Saturday’s ride.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley High School alumni who graduated in the 1950s returned to campus for a 90th birthday celebration.

Jim Nichols, Class of 1954, and Lovell Smith, Class of 1957, returned to their alma mater to celebrate Jim’s 90th birthday and reconnect with the school that helped shape their early years, the Coachella Valley Unified School District announced.

During their visit, the longtime friends, both former baseball players, had the opportunity to return to the CVHS baseball field, revisiting the place where their love for the game began.

“The visit was a meaningful celebration of CVHS’s enduring legacy and history,” the district wrote.

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Blake Arthur

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — There are plenty of Seahawks’ fans in the desert, but finding Patriots’ fans is a different story. Unless it’s your neighbor, a 91-year-old man from Massachusetts.

“Arthur Fargnoli from New England. I’m a Patriots fan since 1985,” said Arthur Fargnoli.

Arthur Fargnoli is from Haverhill, Massachusetts. He’s spent his winters here in the Coachella Valley for the last 20 years, and he’s been a Patriots season ticket holder for the last 25 years.

Aside from having an awesome first name, the 91-year-old is full of charm, life experience, and stories of Patriots football.

“I remember a time when I [bought] first my tickets in 1985, when I went to the game [laughs], we didn’t expect to win. I’m talking about Schaefer Stadium. It was a stadium built with brick that Schaefer Beer gave Sullivan a million dollars to build it. I got to give Sullivan credit for starting the team but that’s about all the credit I’ll give him. The credit comes with Mr. Kraft. When he took over, it was a different team,” said Fargnoli.

Since Robert Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994, New England has played in 11 Super Bowls, winning 6 of them, which is tied with the Steelers for the most all time. This Sunday, the Patriots can make it seven.

“We’re not supposed to win this game, but I got a feeling, because of the coaches. I think the only advantage we have is the coaching advantage,” said Fargnoli.

Have you ever been to a Super Bowl and seen the Patriots win?

“No. I’ve been to a Super Bowl when we lost,” said Fargnoli.

New England is 3,000 miles away from the desert. The Bay Area is much closer, only 460 miles. So is Art going to the game?

“No. No, it’s an expense problem. A room, tickets to the game, food for that day and a half, 28,000 and 28,000. I’ll see you later. Give me a break, will you? I can sit home where it’s very comfortable,” said Fargnoli.

“I want to watch it, don’t get me wrong, but being at the game isn’t the most important thing to me anymore,” said Fargnoli.

So what is the most important thing?

For Art, you can argue it’s his three daughters who love football, along with his 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

“It would mean that I would feel good about the people back home,” said Fargnoli.

“You know, I’ve gone through it. How many guys go through 20 years of winning football games on Sunday? We won 6. My time has come and gone, but they got an opportunity now. My kids, my buddies’ children, they got a good opportunity to have what we experienced,” said Fargnoli.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of Super Bowl LX.

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Jesus Reyes

Update: 02/07

Palm Springs Police Department says one person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a multi-vehicle crash along Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs Friday night.

Around 5:54 p.m., police officers responded to a crash involving six vehicles. Palm Springs police says five people were take to a local hospital with their injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

Original Report: 02/06

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Gene Autry was briefly closed in both directions between Via Escuela and Interstate 10 after a traffic collision.

The road was closed for about two hours. Police announced the road was open at around 8:15 p.m.

Details on the crash are not available. We’ve reached out to the Palm Springs Police Department for information.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – FBI agents are searching a Thermal home, possibly in connection to a missing persons case Friday afternoon.

Law enforcement is on Harlequin Court, just off the 86 Expressway.

Details remain limited, however, the FBI confirmed to News Channel 3 that agents are at the scene.

“The FBI is assisting local authorities with a warrant in relation to an ongoing investigation,” writes Laura Eimiller, spokesperson for the FBI Los Angeles office.

News Channel 3 crew at the scene saw law enforcement with tools heading into the property.

The address has been mentioned as a possible connection with the disappearance of 17-year-old T’Neya Tovar, according to a flyer by her family. Tovar is a Hemet resident who was last seen heading to Thermal on Dec. 1.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle is at the scene working on gathering more information. We’ll have the latest live starting at 4 p.m. on News Channel 3.

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