Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

Feb 11th Update: At the Wednesday night Cathedral City Council meeting by a unanimous vote the council approved the five year contract for Andrew Firestine as its new city manager.  

(Original Story) 

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – After an extensive nationwide search, Cathedral City is set to hire Andrew Firestine as its new city manager.

The move will be official after a contract approval at the Feb. 11 city council meeting.

Firestine, who currently serves as the city’s Director of Community and Economic Development, would assume the role on Feb. 12, 2026, per the terms of the contract.

“The City Council conducted an extensive and deliberate search to find the right leader for Cathedral City,” said Mayor Raymond Gregory. “After evaluating candidates from across the country, it became clear that the best person for the job was already part of our team. Andy’s experience, vision, and deep understanding of our community made him the clear choice.”

Firestine is an experienced local government professional with a career focused on creating lasting community impact and delivering efficient, effective, and responsive service.

A California native, he spent the first 16 years of his career in Colorado, working for a regional council of government and the cities of Colorado Springs and Centennial in various planning and management roles.

Firestine relocated to the Coachella Valley in 2019 and served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Palm Desert, managing multiple service areas until 2022. He then served as Director of Development Services for the City of Escondido before joining the City of Cathedral City in September 2023.

In his current role as Director of Community and Economic Development, he has led the city’s planning, economic development, code compliance, and building services.

Firestine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego and a Master of City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He is a member of the American Planning Association, the American Institute of Certified Planners, and the International City/County Management Association.

Anne Ambrose, who has been serving as Interim City Manager since Charlie McClendon’s retirement in September 2025, will transition back to her role as Assistant City Manager.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – This weekend’s Tour de Palm Springs is expected to bring thousands of cyclists to the Coachella Valley.

The event is one of the largest cycling charity events in the country. Every year, up to 8,000 cyclists from 46 different states and four countries take part.

News Channel 3 is speaking with the Palm Springs Police Department about safety measures that will be in place to ensure a smooth and secure event for cyclists and motorists alike.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Laws in California have expanded with the goal of keeping drivers safe.

Assembly Bill 390 went into effect on January 1st. It expands the ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ law in the state. Previously, drivers had to move over a lane (or slow down if it’s unsafe to do so) if they encountered emergency vehicles, tow truck operators, or CalTrans crews stopped on the shoulder.

Now, the strengthened law requires drivers to move over for any stopped vehicle with their hazard lights on. That includes the everyday driver who might be experiencing some roadside trouble, like a flat tire. The goal is to protect stranded drivers and their passengers from passing traffic.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed a sharp uptick in roadside traffic fatalities from 2014 to 2023 – an alarming 77% increase.

A spokesperson with AAA, Kandace Redd, said those numbers pointed to the need for this expansion.

“No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road, especially with other cars speeding by. It’s dangerous,” said Redd. “That’s why people need to obey the law. Slow down, move over. It really is that simple to help save lives.”

News Channel 3 is speaking with AAA and the California Highway Patrol about what drivers need to know about the change. Stay with us for the latest.

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s been nearly two weeks since Renova Energy announced their acquisition by MycroGrid, an investor-backed company also owned by Renova CEO Vincent Battaglia. 

News Channel 3’s Athena Jreij first broke the story exclusively in January, and has since received multiple calls from concerned customers and former employees that were let go. 

Now, sources say dozens have been laid off and customers are confused on where to get their service during the transition.

Glenn Splain, the CEO of Sunlogix solar company, says he has nearly 60 applications on his desk from former Renova employees.

He also says his phone has been inundated with calls from customers also confused on how to get service.

“We are getting a tremendous amount of calls, for need, for service, for help. Now, it’s going to cost them extra money to get another solar provider to go out and help the customer that they signed an agreement with. Obviously they’re upset over the situation because they thought they were getting something they didn’t get,” Splain said.

News Channel 3 called Renova Energy, and received an automated voicemail advising customers to seek service help if needed immediately, with other solar providers.

Getting answers, we reached out directly to CEO Vincent Battaglia for clarification on who can expect service.

He said in a statement:

“• Service of existing, fully paid (cash) systems is ongoing during the transition period. Customers with owned systems continue to receive service as normal through our company or can reach out to others if desired.

• Service of leased systems that were formerly with SunPower though built by Renova® Energy are being handled by SunStrong (833-514-1858), the legal owner of those systems.

• New system installations that were signed prior to February under the Renova® Energy brand are continuing installation during the transition period, including projects that experienced scheduling adjustments.

• All systems contracted under the Mycrogrid® brand will be installed and serviced following the official Mycrogrid® grand opening in spring.”

Given the confusion, Splain says it’s a sign shoppers should do their homework before buying.

“It’s a 25-year relationship with the customer, so you really should do your due diligence. I think if people really looked into it, there’s been several companies out here where people were CEOs of other solar companies out here, which reemerged into other companies as they hurt the customers. They’re not able to service those customers. All the vendors got screwed over,” Splain said.

He advises shoppers to connect with solar companies vendors to verify their books are right, and look at a company’s history.

News Channel 3 has received several complaints from employees that were laid off, but all feared retaliation.

Stick with us as we continue to follow this story, through Mycrogrid’s reopening in April.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – 21 residents of the Greater Palm Springs region are featured as background actors in Season 4 of ‘The Lincoln Lawyer,’ in an episode titled Honor Among Thieves.

The episode was filmed at The Saguaro hotel in Palm Springs and will be released on tomorrow, February 5, 2026 on Netflix. 

President of the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance and Film Office, Levi Vincent, says productions of this scale typically rely on bringing talent in from outside the region, so this project reflects a shift toward hiring locally.

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Julia Castro

BLYTHE, Calif. (KESQ)— The Palo Verde Healthcare District has asked Riverside County officials to step in and appoint two members to its hospital board after vacancies left the district without enough members to conduct official business..

In a letter dated Tuesday, Feb. 3, district officials said the board currently lacks a quorum and missed a required 60-day deadline to fill one of the open seats. As a result, the authority to make the appointment now rests with Riverside County.

The board attempted to fill the vacancies during a special meeting Friday, Jan. 30, but did not have enough members present to take action. A rescheduled special meeting set for Wednesday, Feb. 4, has since been canceled due to anticipated insufficient attendance.

One of the vacancies opened after longtime board member Rosie Rowell stepped down Nov. 30. A second seat became vacant following the resignation of Dr. David Brooks on Jan. 7. District officials said they attempted to confirm Brooks’ resignation but were unable to reach him before it was formally acknowledged later in the month.

In the letter addressed to Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, board President Carmela Garnica requested that the county oversee and complete the appointment process in order to restore the district’s five-member board.

District officials said maintaining a quorum is required under the district’s loan agreement, making the appointments necessary to ensure the board can meet and take official action.

It was not immediately clear when Riverside County supervisors may consider the request or how soon appointments could be made.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow the latest developments.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – 21 students were honored at a Student of the Month ceremony Tuesday morning.

The Riverside County Office of Education organizes the Student of the Month program to recognize and honor high school seniors.

Student of the Month honorees embody character, integrity, a passion for learning, involvement in school, and other honorable qualities.

“Recognizing and validating the efforts of our students is so very essential in their upbringing. I think this encourages them to continue to go forward in their lives, whether it’s college or career. And so it’s amazing when our community comes together to support them,” said Riverside County Superintendent Edwin Gomez.

Each district selects its Students of the Month based on their embodiment of character, integrity, a passion for learning, active involvement in school life, sports, and community service, or have displayed remarkable resilience in the face of life’s challenges while maintaining a commitment to education.

The honorees at the February 3 event include

Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)

Anahi Moran – Coachella Valley Independent Study

Yanelly Miranda-Nunez – Desert Mirage High School

Karime Meja – La Familia High School

Diego Flores – Nova Academy Early College High School

Alyssa Ochoa – West Shores High School

Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)

Daniel Hernandez-Martinez – Amistad High School

Arturo Ibarra – Horizon High School

Sofia Cruz-Gonzalez – Indio High School

Nathan Calasan – La Quinta High School

Alfonso Lucero – Palm Desert High School

Giselle Santibanez – Shadow Hills High School

Maria Aceves-Ruiz – Summit High School

Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD)

Carlos Lopez – Cathedral City High School

Emily Diedjomahor – Desert Hot Springs High School

Zemi Aceves Garcia – Desert Learning Academy

Damon Lockhart Jr. – Mt. San Jacinto High School

Italy Acosta – Palm Springs High School

Malachi Davis – Rancho Mirage High School

Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

Richard Gonzalez – Palm Springs Community School

Jayden Arriaga-Araujo – Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center

The students selected are nominated by teachers and administrators, and the strongest standouts go through a selective process to be chosen for Student of the Month. Every two months, students are recognized for their hard work and effort.

One additional Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month event is scheduled for April 14, 2026. Honorees from all four events held throughout the year will compete for the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year scholarships that will be awarded on May 21, 2026.

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Shay Lawson

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – A loose horse that drew multiple emergency calls late Sunday night was safely returned to its owner after an unexpected adventure through the desert.

Matthew Perez, Animal Control Officer, said initial calls described a horse loose on the side of the road off of Dillion Road and Johnson Road.

He said it’s a situation that can be dangerous for both animals and drivers.

“We were worried about it getting hit by a car. We get those a lot,” Perez said.

Before officers arrived, Perez said a good samaritan who works at a horse ranch located the animal inside a trailer park and used his own equipment to secure and contain the horse until help could arrive.

“I was able to come straight to our shelter, pick up our horse trailer and head right out there,” Perez said.

Perez said the horse ran into a slow-moving vehicle that was attempting to assist in keeping it off the roadway, breaking the car’s side mirror but not harming the horse.

He said loading the horse into a trailer presented another challenge.

“He is young. He’s 4,” Perez said. “A lot of times when they’re that young and they’re not trailer trained they do get intimated.”

Perez praised the cooperation between the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol.

“The sheriff’s department was there. They helped get the horse,” Perez said. “CHP helped on the vehicle side of the accident and made sure everyone was safe.”

Perez said the horse escaped because a gate didn’t latch properly. He gave a message to horse owners.

“Make sure all your latches are fixed and are latched properly,” Perez said. “We do recommend a 2 latch system or a 2 gate system. If the first one fails, the second one would also keep it down. But we also ask you to microchip your horses.”

He said the horse was identified through a microchip and reunited with his owner the next day.

“It felt amazing,” Perez said. “The owner was really happy that we had it.”

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Peter Daut

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some big changes are in store for College of the Desert. The college is expanding programs and services for its more than 14,000 students across multiple campuses from Mecca to Palm Springs.

There are new buildings going up in Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, and Mecca. There is also a new athletic field being built at the main campus in Palm Desert, as well as an upgraded science building.

COD says it’s working to provide access to students across the valley.

“We’re looking to really help the community as far as making sure we have an accessible workforce, but that for our workforce education is affordable,” said COD president Val Martinez-Garcia.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke in depth with COD Superintendent / President Val Martinez-Garcia

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