Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – Payroll losses offset gains throughout the regional economy, pushing Riverside County’s unemployment rate back above 5% in June, according to figures released today by the California Employment Development Department.

The countywide jobless rate last month, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 5.4%, compared to 4.7% in May.

The June rate was four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment stood at 5.8%.

The latest agency estimates indicated Cherry Valley had the highest unemployment rate within the county in June at 10%, followed by Blythe at 9.9%, Coachella at 8.9%, Rancho Mirage and March Air Reserve Base at 7.9%, and Cabazon at 7.5%.

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties — the Inland Empire — was 5.3%, up from 4.6% in May, the EDD said.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls shrank by the widest margin in the public sector, where about 1,800 positions were recorded as lost, mainly in education, reflecting summer inactivity on campuses.

Additional losses were posted last month in the financial and hospitality sectors, along with miscellaneous unclassified industries, which altogether shed 700 jobs, according to the EDD.

Payrolls expanded in the agricultural, construction, health services, information technology, manufacturing, professional business services and warehousing sectors, which collectively added 2,800 positions, figures showed. The mining sector was unchanged.

The statewide non-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in June was 5.2%.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif (KESQ)- Monsoon season can bring blowing dust with little warning, making roads dangerous in seconds. What drivers should do if they’re caught in a dust storm, the biggest mistakes officers see when visibility drops, and how people can prepare before getting behind the wheel.

We talked to driving officials and people if they are educated on what to do when a dust storm occurs.

The monsoonal winds can change those roadway conditions in just a few moments. Those conditions can cause drivers to lose visibility and have to make quick decisions behind the wheel.

Dan Covey, a resident of the valley said, “I had to stop driving because I couldn’t see, you know, it was blowing sand and wind and the whistle to. And vision was bad. It was totally bad.”

Some residents don’t know what to do when the blowing dust hits…

“I worry about pulling over because, again, are you going to cause an accident by stopping on the freeway” said Randy Griffin, a resident of the desert.

Andrew Wunderlich, the President at Teen Road to Safety says if weather conditions change, “you got to go slower speeds, its just like when you’re driving in bad weather, any type of bad weather conditions, you got to reduce your speed.

Wunderlich also says “If it gets to the point where you feel like the the wind is starting to maneuver your own car, then that’s the that’s the time where you want to start getting off the freeway and and just wait till the sand storm passes.”

CHP also says dust storms can become dangerous quickly, especially when drivers lose sight of the road around them.

CHP Officer Williams says “when the dust storms come, you lose control your vehicle and you lose, visual, horizon as well. You can’t see”

Experts also warn that trying to push through a dust storm can put more than just one person at risk.

“You’re not only taking the risk of your own self, but the passengers that you have in their car and also the other people that are driving on the roads as well,” Wunderlich says.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — New details are emerging after a violent four-vehicle crash in Palm Springs that left three people injured, including an innocent driver who remains hospitalized.

The crash happened around 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, on North Indian Canyon Drive north of Via Escuela.

Palm Springs police initially investigated the collision as a suspected DUI crash. However, investigators now say the crash began as a road rage incident between the drivers of two vehicles. Police allege 30-year-old Gabriel Gutierrez-Roque of Rancho Cucamonga intentionally turned his vehicle toward another driver, triggering the chain-reaction crash involving four vehicles.

Gutierrez-Roque pleaded not guilty Friday to felony charges of DUI and Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Vehicle). He remains in custody on $30,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court Aug. 13 for a felony settlement conference.

One of the victims, Ana Serrano, was not involved in the alleged road rage encounter but was caught in the middle of the crash.

Her son, Marco Serrano, says the family learned about the collision after receiving a call from the hospital.

“I was devastated.” Marco said.

Ana suffered life-threatening injuries, including multiple broken bones, and underwent emergency surgery. Her family says she is now stable but faces a long recovery.

Marco says the crash has taken an emotional and financial toll on the family.

“Between my already daily life of handling work and school and now all of this on top of it… it’s been a very stressful situation but day-by-day,” Marco said.

He also hopes others remember how dangerous aggressive driving can be.

“The person that cut you off or took the red light… it can affect more families than just your own. Drive safe and be conscious of other people because it can be anyone’s family.”

The Serrano family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Ana’s medical expenses and recovery costs.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ)– Riverside County is in the president’s election files.

The county is cited in a new Department of Homeland Security report on threats to voter registration systems, released after President Trump’s primetime address to the nation Thursday on election integrity.

The White House posted the documents online, calling them previously classified intelligence assessments that expose vulnerabilities in electronic voting.

During the address, the president said the files show “shocking vulnerabilities” in the nation’s election infrastructure.

A White House official acknowledged the material does not allege any votes were switched or machines hacked, according to CBS News.

The Riverside County reference goes back a decade.

The report cites District Attorney Mike Hestrin revealing that a bad actor used the state’s voter registration website to change the party affiliations of a large number of voters using their personal information, without their knowledge or consent.

The document dates it to July 2016. Hestrin publicly discussed the case in 2017, describing changes made ahead of the June 2016 primary. His office investigated after voters filed formal complaints, but the state’s system didn’t retain the IP addresses needed to trace who did it. No one was ever charged. The Secretary of State’s office at the time said there was no evidence the voter database itself was breached.

Hestrin also pushed back on separate accusations tied to the 2020 election, telling News Channel 3 in 2021 that claims of election interference were unfounded.

News Channel 3 has reached out to Hestrin’s office for an interview and comment.

The White House release lands as Riverside County sits at the center of another election battle. The California Supreme Court is weighing whether Sheriff Chad Bianco’s seizure of more than 600,000 ballots from the November 2025 special election was legal. The county Registrar says the discrepancy that sparked that investigation was 103 votes not the roughly 46,000 first claimed.

This is a developing story check back to news channel 3 for updates.

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Athena Jreij

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The family of 45-year-old Raymond Torres is speaking out on their son’s disappearance, since he was first reported missing this week.

Torres, who is apart of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Tribe, was last seen on July 1, near the area of Martinez Road and Polk Street. Surveillance footage shows he was wearing a black tank top, light shorts and dark shoes.

California Highway Patrol issued a feather alert for Torres earlier this week.

His father, Raymond Torres, says he first noticed his son was missing when he never came by his house as expected. Upon checking on his son’s home, Torres says he found it ransacked.

“You could tell there was a physical confrontation there because of the chairs thrown around in the kitchen. The refrigerator, I don’t know if both doors were off, but I know one of them was off, and the curtains leading outside to the front sliding glass door, they were jerked down to me with some force,” he said.

Torres says his son usually keeps to himself, but no contact like this is alarming.

“Especially around this community, everybody knows everybody. They see him every other day at least once a week in here or up on Ave 66 or at the market that he’s usually at,” he said.

The family and tribe hosted a search party Friday morning. Tribal chairman Joseph Mirelez says they’re also working with Riverside County Sheriff’s, who’ve used drones and helicopters in the search.

“He’s a fixture of the community. So him not being around, it’s heavy on our hearts because we just don’t know where he’s at and we don’t know if he’s safe. Especially right now in the heat of summer,” Mirelez said.

While sightings have been reported, Torres says no firm leads in the case have been found. Until then, he says he’ll be holding onto his community and faith.

“This is where the healing begins to see how many people and how many loved ones are just coming out to support the family,” Torres said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Thermal station at 760-863-8990.

They can also contact the tribe’s emergency response manager, Angel Ortega at 760-442-2401 or the public safety and security director, Alberto Chavez at 951-348-8436.

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Isabella Carballoso

INDIO, Calif (KESQ)- Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez announced Thursday that Governor Gavin Newsom had signed AB 2324, new legislation recognizing California’s youth caregivers and expanding opportunities for them through Career Technical Education.

“This bill is deeply personal to my family,” said Gonzalez. “My wife, our children, and I have experienced firsthand the love, sacrifice, and responsibility that come with caring for RJ. Across California, hundreds of thousands of young caregivers quietly do the same every day for someone they love. With the signing of AB 2324, we’re telling those young people that we see them, we value them, and the skills they’ve developed matter.”

AB 2324 was sponsored by the Association of Regional Center Agencies, the California Association of Public Authorities for IHSS, and the California Association of Local Behavioral Health Boards & Commissions.

Assemblyman Gonzalez has thanked Governor Newsom for signing the legislation into law. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

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Tommy Gallegos

The Palm Springs International Film Society (PSIFS) has announced two new awards honoring the legacy of philanthropist and former festival chairman Harold Matzner, recognizing both established industry leaders and emerging filmmakers.

The new Harold Matzner Impact Award will provide a $25,000 finishing grant each year to an emerging filmmaker whose project demonstrates the power of storytelling to inspire social change. The grant is designed to support films in the final stages of post-production that address issues such as human rights, health, education, environmental sustainability, criminal justice, and economic inequality.

PSIFS also unveiled the Harold Matzner Distinguished Achievement Award, which will honor individuals whose careers have made a lasting impact on the global film industry through artistic achievement, leadership, and philanthropy.

Both awards will be presented during the Palm Springs Honors event on October 19 in Los Angeles. The recipient of the Impact Award will also be recognized during the 2027 Palm Springs International Film Awards and receive priority programming consideration for the completed film at either the Palm Springs International Film Festival or ShortFest.

Funding for the Impact Award is provided by the Ebbets Field Foundation, established by Matzner. Applications are now open through FilmFreeway for eligible filmmakers completing projects focused on pressing social issues.

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Luis Avila

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Concern is growing among pet owners in Yucca Valley after reports of suspected dog poisonings began circulating on social media.

The reports have been centered around the Yucca Valley Community Center Park and surrounding neighborhoods, where social media posts claim chicken bones believed to be laced with antifreeze have been left behind. Warning signs have also been posted at the park urging dog owners to use caution.

“I saw the signs that said dogs have been poisoned in this area,” said Josh Allen, who was walking his dog, Goose, at the park. “Immediately worried that my dog might get into something because he likes to run and pick things up with his mouth.”

Another dog owner, Bronco Cadenhead, called the reports “a terrible thing.”

Both say they’re now paying closer attention during walks and making sure their dogs don’t pick up food or other items from the ground.

“I don’t want him picking up any kind of bones or anything. He could get sick,” Allen said.

News Channel 3 took those concerns to Yucca Valley Town Hall.

In a statement, Curtis Yakimow, town manager, said:

“We have only seen similar reports via social media. The Town has received no direct reports and we have directed staff to refer any information related to possible cases or suspects to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. We remain active in observation of the Community Center Complex.”

Officials are encouraging pet owners to keep dogs on a short leash, prevent them from eating anything found on the ground, and seek immediate veterinary care if they believe their pet may have ingested a poisonous substance. Antifreeze can be especially dangerous because dogs may be attracted to its sweet taste.

News Channel 3 reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. A spokesperson confirmed deputies have received reports and are investigating.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Kiera McKinney

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)- Employers in the valley must provide fresh water, shade, and rest breaks during extreme heat. The law in California requires employers to put shade in place when temperatures pass 80°F. Workers can request rest breaks in the shade at any time to cool down.

Employers must check workers for signs of sickness. They must also ensure regular and mandatory rest breaks.

Heat Requirement Rules: When temperatures reach extreme heat

Breaks: Workers have a right to a minute cool down break in the shade anytime they feel they need it

Water: Employers must provide enough fresh, cool water so each worker can drink at least one quart per hour

Shade: Shaded areas must be put up when temperatures exceed and be large enough to comfortably fit all resting workers

Stay tuned for my full story at 5 to see what what employers are doing to protect their workers during the extreme heat.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills has announced he will retire on September 5, bringing to a close a 48-year career in law enforcement, including nearly five years leading the Palm Springs Police Department.

“I notified the city manager and the city council earlier this week that the time had come after, 48 years of policing, 13 as a chief, to hang up my gun belt and move on to something else like maybe playing pickleball every day,” Mills told News Channel 3.

Mills shared the news Thursday in a social media message addressed to the Palm Springs community, friends and family.

“Palm Springs is the crown jewel of an amazing career,” Mills wrote.

Chief Mills became Palm Springs Police Chief in October 2021, succeeding former Chief Bryan Reyes. During his tenure, he emphasized community policing, public safety, officer wellness and strengthening relationships between the department and the community.

In his retirement announcement, Mills expressed deep appreciation for the city and the officers he has led throughout his career. “I cannot adequately express what an honor it has been to lead the men and women of policing and serve this amazing community,” he wrote.

Mills also recognized his wife, Cathy, for her support throughout his career. “Cathy has been my partner through each struggle, crisis and victory,” he said. “She retires too.”

The couple plans to relocate to the Sacramento area to be closer to Mills’ mother and provide support for her.

Mills also expressed confidence in the future of the Palm Springs Police Department, saying the agency is well-positioned for the transition.

“The department is ready to move forward with the mission,” he said. “They are committed to supporting and serving a wonderful community that cares about people, supports one another and wants great public safety. The team is 100% ready.”

Mills served notably as chief during the bombing of the American Reproductive Center in Palm Springs, leading first responders in the community. Mills also pushed for reforms within the department following a motorcycle accident at the Palm Springs Christmas parade back in December of 2024.

Mills had announced he was taking steps to walk-away from his role as Chief back in March. Today, he confirms his final day as Palm Springs Police Chief is scheduled for September 5.

“Serving you has been an honor and a privilege,” Mills concluded.

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