Category: kesq-local-news

Kendall Flynn

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Three graduates from the Desert Hot Springs High School class of 2025 just completed Marine Corps Boot Camp on Friday.

Their Master Sergeant Terrance Simmons at DHSHS said it was by chance all three of them ended up in the same platoon for boot camp. Simmons said usually their contracts would have to add a “buddy system,” meaning they had to go to the same boot camp. That was not added in this case.

The three men, Private First Class Jose Diaz, Jr., Private First Class Jeremy Minjarez and Private First Class Samuel Sosa, went through the MCJROTC programs at DHSHS. From going to school to boot camp, they said it created a bond together like none other.

“When times were tough, I looked at them and they were going through it,” Sosa said. “It made it feel like a little bit easier, I wasn’t alone.”

“Honestly, I don’t think I would have made it through without them,” Diaz said. “They were just the motivation I needed to keep pushing through it all.”

Each Marine has a different story for wanting to join the U.S. Military, and their hoping they inspire others in the program to find what’s best for their future.

“I would be the second marine in my family. The first time my mom’s side,” Minjarez said. “So I wanted to carry on the military.”

“Honestly, I don’t really have a plan going out of high school, but I wanted to be independent,” Sosa said. “So, I believed that the military, would be able to help me become independent. So, I just ended up choosing the Marine Corps because of, the ROTC that I was in.”

“I joined the Marine Corps for my younger siblings,” Diaz said. “I want to show them – Due to the background that we grew up with…My family members, my siblings and I, that we basically grew up on the streets…I want to show them that whatever they wanted to do in life, they can do it as long as they put in the work and effort for it.”

The 1st Marine Division honored the Marines with enlistee grants and awards. They’ll now take their next step in their future as Marines. While they may no longer be assigned together, they plan to stay connected and keep helping each other through hard times.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear what this honor means to them as they take their next step as enlisted Marines.

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Gavin Nguyen

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – As the federal government shutdown continues, food banks in the Coachella Valley are being challenged as they work to provide food for those in need.

Food Now in Desert Hot Springs reported decreasing shipments from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA typically supplies the food bank with fresh food to be distributed to the organization’s clients. Amid the shutdown, however, food bank staff said no fresh milk or meat products have been able to be included in its program. 

The food bank has also reported increased demand compared to past years.

Tom Tragesser, Director of Operations at the food pantry, said, “We were serving anywhere from 350 to 400 clients [last year]. Now we’re well into the six hundreds every week on our distribution days.”

“We’re being squeezed on both ends with a higher client count and less food being provided through the USDA.”

The uptick comes as thousands of federal employees nationwide are either furloughed or are working without pay, straining both their wallets, as well as assistance programs like food banks and EBT benefits.

Governor Gavin Newsom also announced Wednesday the National Guard would be deployed to assist food banks across the state. A similar move was made during the pandemic, when National Guard troops helped distribute food.

Food Now said now is a critical time for fundraising. It will be hosting its biggest fundraising event of the year next month. More details can be found on its website – click here for more info.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Police say travelers from out of the state are ending up homeless in parts of Palm Springs.

In an Instagram post, Chief Andy Mills said earlier this week, “Some jurisdictions and non-profits send people here with little or no support. Some come here for rehab, fail and end up on the street. Last week a man was sent here [with] no support from his home in Montana. Officers sent him home to his family where we hope he gets help. We are working on law to prevent people who fail from ending up homeless on our streets.” 

It’s a trend Lt. Mike Torres says the city’s resources can’t keep up with.

“We do have resources, but they are limited. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough for everybody. The beds are completely full. So we had a total ‘X’ amount of beds that we had accessible to everybody. They’re completely full,” Lt. Torres said.

Torres says there’s a misconception the Coachella Valley has abundant resources for the homeless population, with many seeking mental health, addiction, and shelter beds.

“In the last month, we’ve seen a huge influx of people from out of state, out of the county and it’s been tough on us.”

Those resources are something Phillip Wayman, from Salt Lake City, Utah, has benefit from.

“Actually, services have been very good. I mean, California treats their people a lot better than Utah does. You guys don’t let people just sleep on the streets down here. In Salt Lake they got camp sites. They’re very dirty and filthy,” Wayman said.

The burden of more homeless is falling on shelters and local nonprofits, like Well In The Desert. President Matt Naylor says they’ve fed nearly 500 people this year.

“We are the only ‘911’ service for homeless support when they need emergency food. We give emergency food boxes for those that have one foot in and out of homelessness,” Naylor said.

However, Naylor believes the city’s multi-million dollar budget is to blame for the influx.

“I see the influx of new people coming here, but it wasn’t because of abandonment, it’s because we have a $40 million new center. The city council has actually said, hey, we’re going to be for homeless people and we’re going to create a navigation center. So they’ve actually come here thinking they were going to get services when they’re often turned away,” Naylor says.

It’s raising the question if the city needs more resources and shelter beds to handle the growing population.

“We don’t have the manpower to be able to help everybody. That’s where it gets tough, right? I mean, we’re doing everything we can do with what we have, but we’re doing more with less,” Torres said.

For more information on local homeless resources, visit: Shelter & Housing.

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María García

UPDATE 10/22/2025 – 6:03 AM — All lanes are now open.

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — A traffic collision early Wednesday morning caused significant delays on the westbound I-10 near Cook Street.

The collision was reported just before 4:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes near Acrisure Arena. All westbound traffic came to a complete stop, while first responders cleared the scene.

As of now, the #3 lane has reopened to traffic, however, cleanup operations remain underway, and significant slowdowns are still expected in the area.

The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash. No word yet on injuries or the number of vehicles involved.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Shay Lawson

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ)  – 14-year-old Liam Cantu remains in critical condition after police say a drunk driver struck him and another boy earlier this month.

Liam Cantu

We first reported the crash last week. Liam’s friend survived with minor injuries.

Since then, Cantu’s parents said he has been in a medically induced coma for 11 days while doctors monitor his recovery.

“His test is tomorrow,” Jesus Cantu, father said. “We’re hoping for a miracle. We’re hoping that over the last 11 days his brain healed the way it’s supposed to, so we can get a sign that he’s there waiting to wake up.”

Jesus said the past several days have been emotional, and he’s urging individuals to stop drunk driving.

“Don’t don’t do it,” Jesus said. “Get an Uber. It’s going to save you a lot of money in fines, save you the time of going through court… and having to hurt families like Jen and I.”

At La Quinta High School friends, family, coaches and teammates gathering on the baseball field to send messages of hope and support.

“It’s amazing to see everybody come here and gather for my son,” Jennifer Perez, mother, said.

If you’d like to support the Cantu’s family and Liam’s recovery, visit: https://www.givesendgo.com/LiftedInAlmightyMercy?openShareModal=true.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio held its State of the City address Tuesday, revealing what’s in store for the city the next several years.

News Channel 3 anchor Peter Daut hosted the event, which was at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino, and spoke with Mayor Glenn Miller.

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Jesus Reyes

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It was the wrong kind of pizza party for a man arrested Tuesday in Desert Hot Springs.

The Desert Hot Springs Police Department said they’ve been investigating a series of thefts, including one case where roughly 80 frozen pizzas were stolen.

The suspect was taken into custody on Tuesday during a traffic stop. Police said they recovered the tools allegedly used during the crimes, along with narcotics.

Courtesy of Desert Hot Springs Police Department

The suspect, whose name was not released, was booked into jail on several charges.

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City News Service

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City officials said today that 600 free tickets will be given away to city residents and ACE Club members for singer Robin Thicke’s performance at this year’s International Balloon Festival.

Thicke’s concert will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Community Amphitheater at 68526 Avenue Lalo Guerrero, on the corner of Cathedral Canyon Drive.   

Officials said 600 free tickets will be available for Cathedral City residents on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be picked up starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 3 through Nov. 20 at the ACE Club inside Agua Caliente Casino, at 68960 E. Palm Canyon Drive.

Residents must produce a valid photo ID with a Cathedral City address, must be 21 or older and must be an ACE Club member at the time of pick-up. The giveaway is limited to one ticket per resident.

The 11th annual festival presented by Agua Caliente Casinos on Nov. 21- 23 will feature colorful hot air balloons, a kids zone, a drone light show and live entertainment.

More information can be found at cchotairballoonfest.com.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Frontier Airlines will halt operations at Palm Springs International Airport at the end of next month, citing market demand.   

“We are pausing our service at PSP at the end of next month in response to current market demand, but will continue to monitor conditions for opportunities to resume services. We greatly appreciate our partnership with the airport and the greater Palm Springs community,” a Frontier spokesperson told City News Service.   

“Palm Springs International Airport is not losing any nonstop destinations following Frontier’s decision to cease operations at PSP effective Nov. 29,” a spokesperson at the airport told CNS. “Denver and San Francisco, the two routes Frontier served, remain offered year-round by other carriers: United and Southwest to DEN and United and Alaska to SFO. PSP continues to see record passenger growth, up nearly 5% year-to-date compared to last year, and we remain optimistic about continued strong air service in our market.”  

Last year, Frontier returned to PSP after a temporary pause in services, with nonstop services to Denver and San Francisco airports.

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KESQ-Newsroom

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Halloween-themed carnival is coming to Indio this weekend!       

The Desert Recreation District is hosting the event at the Indio Community Center this Saturday, Oct. 25 from 1 P.M. to 6 P.M.    

The Indio Community Center is at 45-871 Clinton Street.    

Entry to the event is $5 per person.

There will be carnival games, face painting, a petting zoo, raffles, food vendors, and of course, candy.   

Attendees are also encouraged to wear their costumes for the costume contest.  

 

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