Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)  – Helping local families in need.

The Democrats of the Desert and friends held a food drive-thru from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking lot.

Organizers requested un-expired, unopened, non-perishable food that will be delivered to FIND Regional Food Bank in Indio on Monday.

From there, the food will be distributed to those in need via the local food banks.

Organizers said this was a non-partisan event.

Click here to follow the original article.

Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – A 24-year-old Melany Cunninghan Carbajal of Desert Hot Springs was killed early Saturday morning in a single-vehicle rollover crash in the northbound lanes of Jefferson Street, north of Dunbar Drive.

The crash happened just after 2:30 a.m., according to the Indio Police Department.

Officers arrived to find the woman had been ejected from the vehicle.

She suffered significant injuries and died at the scene.

IPD’s Traffic Division responded and took over the investigation.

All northbound lanes on Jefferson Street between Northgate Road and Dunbar Drive were closed for several hours and reopened around 5:45 a.m.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and police say it is not yet known whether impairment played a role.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Indio Police Department Traffic Division at (760) 391-4057.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gavin Nguyen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – It has been a wet day here in the Coachella Valley. A few bands of heavier precipitation have entered the mix this afternoon. Several Areal Flood Advisories have been issued as the National Weather Service monitors this rain. There was quite the downpour at our station in Thousand Palms right around 3:00!

So far, the Palm Springs Int’l airport has received 1.08 inches of rain. Other parts of the valley, like Palm Desert, have seen close to nine tenths of an inch of rain.

As a result of flooding across the deserts today, we have seen some roads close. All roads through the wash are currently closed as of 3:21 p.m.

As of 5:45 AM, a Flood watch remains in effect for nearly all of Southern California. At this time, there are even a number of flash flood warnings in place across parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The Weather Prediction Center has us under a slight risk (yellow shading) for flash flooding. This means we have at least a 15% chance of a flash flood occurring. A moderate risk (red shading) extends from Santa Barbara County all the way to Orange County and the San Gorgonio Pass. A moderate risk represents at least a 40% chance of flash flooding.

There are still some lingering rain chances for the rest of the evening and into Sunday. Tonight’s rainfall appears to taper off into scattered showers/drizzles, though the chances return early Sunday morning. Chances for the heaviest rainfall appear in the early morning hours, beginning around 4:00 a.m. Sunday, before light, occasional showers could occur through the rest of the day.

Another system will move through on Monday. This will bring the chance for another round of precipitation, including snow for our local mountains. There remains a slight chance of rain into Tuesday as well. Yet another system will move through for the end of the workweek!

Looking ahead, this week will be quite different from the previous few. Highs will stay in the low 70s or upper 60s this entire workweek! This is because of a string of systems moving through in the days ahead. One will move through early in the workweek, and the other will come toward the end. Given the cooler air in place, some snow is more likely on the mountains. We may see the first inch of snow at the Tram as early as today. Back here on the valley floor, we may see some extra precipitation from these systems, so stay with us for extra details!

Click here to follow the original article.

Luis Avila

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Conditions remain dry for now across the valley, but officials warn that could change quickly as a storm system moves in this weekend. Along the I-10 corridor, commuters are bracing for what could become a hazardous stretch of wet weather.

A flood watch now in effect as of Friday night. Roads that appear clear today could become slick — or even flooded — within hours once rain begins.

Rain is one of the leading contributors to sudden roadway hazards, causing reduced visibility, hydroplaning, and unpredictable traffic patterns. Safety experts urge drivers to take precautions immediately once the storm arrives: slow down, increase following distance, and avoid sudden braking on wet pavement.

Authorities also stress a key message: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Even shallow water can hide damage or strong currents. Just one foot of water can float a small vehicle, and washes throughout the Coachella Valley are known to flood rapidly during storms.

Drivers are also encouraged to keep headlights on during rain — even in daylight — to improve visibility for everyone on the road.

Officials say the safest option is to stay off the roads altogether if travel isn’t necessary once the storm arrives.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cynthia White

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Some students at Rio Vista Elementary in Cathedral City symbolized a moment in history on Friday as they walked to school to honor the courage of Ruby Bridges, the first African American student to attend an all white elementary school in the South.

The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day event also promoted unity, kindness, and equality.

Ruby was six years old in 1960, during the Civil Rights Movement. Her courage and bravery in attending William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans, Louisiana made headlines because many people opposed school integration at that time.

Federal marshals had to escort her to school every day to protect her from angry crowds who didn’t want her there.

Rio Vista Principal Aaron Tarzian says the event is important for the students because, “It shows the power that children have to be leaders in our community and actually make an impacting change on the whole world.”

Tarzian adds, “I’m just really proud of our kids. Our students are all leaders in their own way, and I really like to show them a point in history that can be a good example for them so that they have the power to do the same for themselves right now.”

The mile-long walk started at the Stater Brothers parking lot at Landau and Vista Chino in Cathedral City.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — We had five local high school football teams play in their respective quarterfinal on Friday night.

Of the five teams, three of them won, advancing to their respective semifinal.

CIF-SS Football Quarterfinals (2nd round)

D7: Hart 21 at Palm Springs 22

D8: Palm Desert 46 at Patriot (Jurupa Valley) 33

D11: Shadow Hills 10 at Baldwin Park 48

D12: Coachella Valley 49 at Perris 14

D12: Yucca Valley 28 at Grace (Simi Valley) 41

Three local teams advance to respective semifinal.

D7: Hart 21 at PS 22 ✅ @ Barstow in semisD8: PD 46 at Patriot 33 ✅ @ Beckman in semisD11: SH 10 at Baldwin Park 48 ❌D12: CV 49 at Perris 14 ✅ vs Grace in semisD12: YV 28 at Grace 41 ❌@KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ @CIFSS

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) November 15, 2025

Palm Springs will be on the road against Barstow in the D7 Semifinal.

“We always got our dog fight, it’s Springs ball. It’s in us, it’s not on us, so we just keep going. We never stop.”

Quote of the season by Palm Springs QB Bishop Miller.

Here is the team following their thrilling 22-21 win over Hart High School in the quarterfinals.… pic.twitter.com/gJVEfZdaTl

— Kenji Ito (@KenjiitoKESQ) November 15, 2025

Palm Desert will be on the road against Beckman in the D8 Semifinal.

Palm Desert wins high scoring affair 46-33 on the road over Patriot to punch their ticket to the D8 semifinal. Aztecs will be on the road against Beckman in Irvine next week. @KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ @CIFSS @SportswithPep @PdhsFootball @pdhsofficial pic.twitter.com/Sn8F95jfI4

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) November 15, 2025

Coachella Valley will be home against Grace in the D12 Semifinal.

Coachella Valley cruised past Perris 49-14 to advance to the D-12 semifinal. Arabs will be home next week against Grace. @KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ @SportswithPep @CIFSS @mightyarabs pic.twitter.com/SPq9hQbn4d

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) November 15, 2025

All games are Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. unless changed.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of local high school football.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 21-year-old man was convicted and immediately sentenced for his role as an accessory in an Indio murder back in 2022.

Isaac Anthony Martinez was found guilty Friday of accessory aids principal in felony to escape arrest/trial. He was sentenced to one year and four months in prison.

Martinez was arrested on Sept. 5. The alleged killer, Efren David Bracamonte, 21, was arrested days later. The pair were charged in connection with a deadly shooting in December 2022.

Bracamonte was charged with murder. He is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 10.

The shooting happened early in the morning on Dec. 23, 2022 on Grace Street, near Jackson Street and Highway 111. Police said Steven Matthew Sanchez, 44, died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Click here to follow the original article.

Katie Boer

Happy Friday! We’re about to experience “weather whiplash” as we transition from 90s and sunshine to a very wet and active stretch over the Coachella Valley, with the pace picking up noticeably tonight.We’re under a First Alert Weather Alert for rain leading to possible flooding across the region today and all day tomorrow.

Light, spotty showers we’ve been seeing today (especially this morning) will increase late as a stronger surge of moisture moves inland, all associated with a powerful low-pressure system moving across Southern California.

By late tonight and especially Saturday morning, rainfall becomes more widespread and much heavier, with some bursts of quick and constant rain possible when one of these bands pops up. There is an elevated amount of CAPE or instability moving through our region with this push overnight and Saturday so I’m not ruling out an chance of thunderstorms.

For the Valley, storm totals are expected to land near an inch, though models have ranged anywhere from about 0.75″-1.50″. Even on the lowest end, this would be significant rainfall for us. Obviously pockets under those heavier bands of rain could see much higher accumulation in a short period of time.

A Flood Watch remains in effect because of the potential for excessive runoff, reduced visibility, and brief, intense downpours. This will be especially problematic near recent burn scars and there are a number of evacuation orders around some of these spots.

Winds are also expected to pick up as the front pushes through, gusts 30-40 mph in desert slopes and breezier conditions into the lower Valley, but this remains of lesser concern than the impact the rain will have.

It’s possible we’ll still see some lingering showers into Saturday evening before gradually tapering off. Sunday looks better with some dry breaks–but a slight chance of rain still remains.

Brace yourself, we’re not out of the woods on this after this weekend. Another storm system is lining up for Monday and Tuesday, along with dramatically cooler temperatures–highs dropping into the upper 60s! Showers may linger into Saturday evening before gradually tapering late. Sunday should offer some breaks, but we’re not done yet—another storm is lining up for Monday into Tuesday, with cooler temperatures and additional rain chances returning. If this were a boxing match, we’re looking at going several rounds here… with a third system possibly arriving toward the end of next week. So we’re locked into a pretty active pattern here for a few days.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City officials today announced Agua Caliente Casinos as the presenting sponsor for the 10th annual LGBT+ Days pride celebration slated for next year.  

“Cathedral City LGBT+ Days is more than just a festival — it’s a powerful reminder of the city’s legacy of inclusion and a joyful way to kick off Pride season across the state,” said Michael Westman, marketing manager of Montage Agency.

The event will be held March 6-8, 2026. It will feature live entertainment, community programming, drag performances, local artisans, special tributes, a bed race and a parade.

“Agua Caliente Casinos is honored to continue our support of Cathedral City LGBT+ Days — especially in this milestone 10th anniversary year. This celebration embodies this spirit of inclusion, creativity and connection within the Coachella Valley,” said Pearl Aguinaldo, vice president of marketing at Agua Caliente Casinos.   

Updates and announcements will be featured at www.cathedralcitylgbtdays.com.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters were able to contain a fire that damaged two big rigs at a gas station in Thousand Palms Friday afternoon.

The fire was first reported at around 1:05 p.m. at the Flying J on Varner Road.

The California Highway Patrol said two big rigs at the pumps caught on fire, as well as a canopy, which is the roof like structure that covers the pumps. The building was not on fire.

The fire was fully contained by 1:35 p.m., according to CAL FIRE. Resources will remain on-scene for an extensive overhaul. 

Details on what caused the fire were not available.

News Channel 3 crew confirmed the roadway was reopened by 4 p.m.

The Flying J location will be temporarily closed as crews work to restore service, according to Pilot.

Statement from Pilot Company:

“Pilot appreciates the swift response by local authorities to contain a semitruck fire at our Flying J location in Thousand Palms, California. We are grateful no injuries were reported. This location is temporarily closed as we work to restore service. In the meantime, guests can visit our nearby locations in North Palms Springs and Mecca. Any additional questions about the incident should be directed to CAL FIRE.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

Click here to follow the original article.