Category: kesq-local-news

María García

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) — Joshua Tree National Park is a popular, crowded destination during Thanksgiving weekend.

Officials say to expect long lines, full campgrounds, and limited parking.

The holiday season brings plenty of activity to the High Desert, and for many, that means navigating busy streets and crowds. “You can’t find parking anywhere, it’s very festive, but it is very packed always,” said Daviahn Wingate.

Local restaurants, like Crossroads Café, are seeing the influx of visitors each year. “It’s been steadily growing, we’re a tiny little restaurant and right now we have an hour wait,” said Levon Kaxarian, managing partner.

Purchase your park entrance pass online in advance via Recreation.gov to save time at the gate. The park is busiest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., also consider an alternate entrance. Park entrances in Twentynine Palms and Cottonwood are typically less crowded.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Families throughout the Coachella Valley are buying their Christmas trees after Thanksgiving. Whether it’s heading to the store for a plastic tree or finding a local Christmas tree farm, they’re looking for the perfect tree and the best price.

Nationally, it’s reported that the price of imported plastic trees is up as the majority of plastic trees are made in Asia and subject to tariffs. Many trees are made in China which has a 10% tariff.

Stay with News Channel 3 to see if the costs of plastic trees are rising and how those costs compare to real trees at a farm.

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Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Saturday is officially “Small Business Saturday,” a day dedicated to supporting locally-owned businesses after Black Friday. The Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce says that every dollar spent at a locally owned business supports workforce stability and a healthy local economy. 

According to the Main Street Palm Springs Business Association, around 90% of the shops in downtown Palm Springs are locally owned. Joy Meredith, president of the association and owner of Crystal Fantasy, says she’s seen a change in Black Friday shopping in downtown Palm Springs.

“These sort of days were very poorly attended years ago because people did a lot of mall shopping but I think that a lot of people are concerned with local communities,” she says.

Visitors like Roxy from Los Angeles says that she thinks critically about where she spends her money.

“A lot of corporations have shown their true colors. They’ve really shown us like who they are, what they’re willing to compromise. And now that we’re seeing them a little bit more clearly, I know for me personally, I’m really fine with opting out of shopping with them at all going forward,” she says.

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Jesus Reyes

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ) – Three earthquakes struck near Idyllwild Thursday evening.

The initial earthquake was reported at around 5:30 p.m. It was a M 3.8, according to the US Geological Survey.

Two more small earthquakes struck near the area minutes later, a M 3.5 and a M 2.1.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — As families and friends gather for Thanksgiving, a growing number of people are choosing to skip the kitchen and let local restaurants handle the holiday cooking.

According to recent data, 53% of Americans expect to get at least part of their Thanksgiving meal from a restaurant, up sharply from 37% last year. Another 5% say they plan to eat out entirely.

Many diners say the switch is about saving time — and in some cases, money.

“The cooking, the cleaning up, it’s just much more family time.”

Jean Logan, Visitor

“I live alone. One person. My sister lives with two people and the amount of money you spend on food for a small amount of people is a lot and there’s a lot of waste. So it’s just cheaper to eat out.”

Barbara Rosebrock, Visitor

Local restaurants are welcoming the increased demand. At Wally’s Desert Turtle, Madalyn Botello, owner, says Thanksgiving has always been one of their biggest days.

“Lots of reservations… We’ve been open for Thanksgiving since we opened our doors in 1978. We love Thanksgiving. It’s our favorite holiday. Everyone comes for turkey.”

Madalyn Botello, Wally’s Desert Turtle Owner

Over at Trio Palm Springs, Tony Marchese, owner, reported a packed house from the moment they opened.

“Busy all day since noon we opened so it’s nice… We always had Thanksgiving at my house so as a restaurant I love having people in for Thanksgiving. It’s so much fun.”

Tony Marchese, Trio Palm Springs Owner

And for many celebrating today, the joy of the holiday isn’t tied to who makes the meal.

“We wanted to celebrate the holiday. It’s a celebration.”

Nathan Zalkow, Visitor

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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KESQ News Team

YUCAIPA, Calif. (KESQ) – A tribe billboard on Interstate 10 in Yucaipa was recently vandalized with an anti-Native American message.

The sign, advertising the tribal-owned Yamaava Resort and Casino at San Manuel, was defaced with a message reading: “America is not on stolen land. Your ancestors were conquered.”

There was also an American flag hung down the middle of the billboard.

Crews have since removed the message.

We reached out to tribal leaders for comment, but so far, have not heard back.

The city said in a statement: “The city of Yucaipa strongly condemns the vandalism of the Yuhaaviatam billboard along the I-10 freeway. This is a criminal act, and we are working closely with the Yucaipa police department to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Cook Street in Palm Desert will be paved from Dec. 1- 16 for a pipeline construction project, the Coachella Valley Water District announced.

Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane while the southbound lanes will be unaffected. Eastbound traffic at intersections throughout Cook Street will have limited access at night, officials added.

The work is part of the WRP-10 low-pressure pipeline project, which officials said will expand the water district’s delivery capacity to serve nonpotable recycled water to more customers throughout the valley, reducing groundwater pumping for outdoor irrigation.

The project is also intended to address long-term water management goals by safeguarding the local groundwater basin for future generations, the CVWD said.

From Dec. 1-4, the public can expect day work from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the following areas:   — Paving through the Belmonte Drive intersection on Dec. 1;   — Paving from Merle Drive to Green Way on Dec. 2;   — Paving from Green Way to Hovley Lane East on Dec. 3;   — Paving from Hovley Lane East to Riviera Drive on Dec. 4.  

Night road work was scheduled on Dec. 10-11 from 7 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. in the following areas:   — Paving from the WRP-10 entrance, south of Sheryl Avenue to MerleDrive, and through the intersections at Merle Drive and Green Way on Dec. 10;   — Paving through the intersection at Hovley Lane East on Dec. 11;

Day work will resume again on Dec. 15-16, with striping work from the CVWD’s WRP-10 entrance to Riviera Drive from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.   

The public was advised to use alternate routes and expect delays around the affected areas. The road work schedule might change due to inclement weather or field conditions, and any updates will be posted at cvwd.org/civicalerts.aspx?AID=481.

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Jesus Reyes

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ) — The legendary Carol Burnett will join Palm Springs Art Museum’s Art Party 2026 in January, officials announced.

Burnett will present the Art Party Honoree Award to the legendary costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie, the previously announced honoree. The event brings together two long-time collaborators and icons together on one stage for an unforgettable evening.

Art Party returns on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., inviting supporters, artists, designers, and cultural leaders to a glamorous reception-style experience with creative cocktails, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and food stations, and entertainment throughout the night.

The celebration will also feature a special performance by Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award winner for The Cher Show. The hit musical featured Mackie’s recreated designs, made from his own original patterns, bringing Cher’s most iconic looks to the stage.

Art Party 2026 Honoree – Bob Mackie

Bob Mackie is a nine-time Emmy Award winner, recipient of the Geoffrey Beene CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, and a three-time Oscar nominee. His award-winning designs have shaped some of the most iconic looks in entertainment, worn by performers such as Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Cher, Elton John, Bette Midler, and Carol Burnett. He also won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for The Cher Show.

For tickets and more information, visit artparty2026.com.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office announced the retirement of Courthouse Facility Dog K9 Rachel, who has provided five years of dedicated service supporting victims and witnesses of crime.

She was the first courthouse facility dog in Riverside County to provide these critical services.

According to the DA’s office, Rachel joined the DA’s Office on November 12, 2020, and quickly became an essential member of the Division of Victim Services. Throughout her career, she supported more than 500 children and direct victims of crime.

Her steady companionship on the witness stand, during meetings with prosecutors, and throughout community outreach and peer-support deployments helped bring comfort, stability, and a trauma-informed presence to the justice process.

“K9 Rachel has been amazing in helping children share and relive traumatizing events when they take the stand to have their voices heard,” said Director of the Division of Victim Services Melissa Donaldson.

In recognition of her outstanding professional service, District Attorney Hestrin has formally commended K9 Rachel for her years of dedicated work on behalf of victims and the community, extending heartfelt appreciation and best wishes as she transitions into retirement.

Following her retirement, Rachel will enjoy a well-deserved life of rest, love, and play with her family – continuing to bring joy to all who know her

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Tauli Anderson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Thousands of runners, walkers, and families laced up their shoes early Thanksgiving morning, all for a good cause.

The annual Martha’s Village & Kitchen 5K is a holiday staple that has been in the valley for nearly two decades.

The high-energy event has record numbers this year, drawing more than 3,000 participants.

Each step taken helps raise vital funds to support individuals and families facing homelessness, food insecurity, and financial hardship across the Coachella Valley.

The Thanksgiving season makes the event even more impactful. Funds raised today help provide thousands of holiday meals and support year-round programs that offer stability, housing assistance, and job training to those in need.

For those who couldn’t attend the 5K, organizers say there are still many ways to contribute—through donations, volunteering, or supporting Martha’s Village & Kitchen’s ongoing programs.

 

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