Category: kesq-local-news

Garrett Hottle

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stepped back into the public spotlight Tuesday for the first time since ending his run for governor, endorsing Republican Michael Gates for attorney general and leveled attacks on the man Gates hopes to unseat – Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta.

In a one-on-one interview with News Channel 3, Bianco called Bonta “an absolute complete fraud that is abusing the power of his office” and said the attorney general “is doing everything he can to stop a lawful investigation.” He accused Bonta of fearing what a full ballot count would show: “He doesn’t want me to find out how many ballots we really have.”

“He’s an embarrassment to me. He’s an embarrassment to law enforcement. And he always has been,” Bianco said, calling the court fight “a political disaster caused by Bonta.”

At the center of it is the sheriff’s investigation into the 2025 Proposition 50 special election.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department told News Channel 3 it is in possession of all the ballots cast in that election.

On June 24, the Sheriff’s Office told News Channel 3, “Yes, the Sheriff’s Office still has possession of the 2025 ballots.”

On June 25, it said by email: “The Riverside Sheriff’s Office has not received reports of election fraud or irregularities, nor are there any active investigations, related to the June 2, 2026, election.”

That is notable because the Riverside Election Integrity Team the same group whose claims sparked Bianco’s original probe was at Tuesday’s Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting raising new questions about the count of votes in the June 2026 primary.

Bianco launched his investigation in February after REIT alleged a 45,800-vote discrepancy between the county’s handwritten ballot logs and the certified total.

Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco said those intake logs were estimates and the real gap was just 103 votes a fraction of a percent that he attributed to human error. Bonta sued, arguing a sheriff has no authority to seize ballots or run a recount.

The California Supreme Court stayed the investigation on April 8, and that stay is still in effect. On May 27, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 73, which makes knowingly taking a package of voted ballots from elections officials a crime punishable by up to three years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both.

The dispute is now fully briefed at the state Supreme Court in two related cases, S295901 and S295866. No oral argument has been scheduled, though a June clerk letter raised the possibility of a special session in August.

Bianco pointed to a California State Sheriffs’ Association amicus brief as proof law enforcement backs him. Asked what the group said, he replied: “Of course they were. It’s a criminal investigation. Every single law enforcement officer should be in support of that.”

Gates, a former Huntington Beach city attorney, pledged to let the probe finish.

“I supported the investigation from day one. And when I’m attorney general, I am going to make sure that Chad Bianco, Sheriff Chad Bianco can investigate and finish his investigation,” he said. “If you shut down investigations and you prevent the truth from coming out, then the public is left with little confidence in our processes, in our systems.”

At the news conference, Gates also added, “I think Rob Bonta is playing politics with this whole thing.”

Bonta has cast Bianco as a “rogue Sheriff” who created a “constitutional emergency,” and has said “what the Sheriff says and what he does are often two different things.”

News Channel 3 has reached out to Attorney General Bonta’s team for comment on the case and on whether he will debate Gates before the November election, and has requested an on-camera interview. News Channel 3 has made multiple previous requests to interview the attorney general on this case.

We will update this story with any response.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds have hired Scott Ford as their new assistant coach.

Ford spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.

Prior to his stint in Columbus, Ford coached for nearly a decade with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and was behind the Admirals’ bench during their back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances against the Firebirds (2023 and 2024).

Ford replaces Stu Bickel, who departed the Firebirds earlier in the summer to become the head coach of the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

The Firebirds kick off the 2026-27 season at home on Friday, Oct. 2. Stay with News Channel 3 for full coverage all season long.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The Palm Springs Police Department has released a critical incident debrief video detailing the events surrounding an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 28, 2026, that left one person dead.

The incident began at approximately 3:41 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Palm Canyon Drive, after officers responded to multiple reports of a man allegedly acting erratically and threatening employees at a local business with a knife. According to police, dispatchers received information that the suspect was armed and behaving aggressively, prompting an emergency response.

Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, now identified as Gilberto Flores, of Desert Hot Springs, and attempted to de-escalate the situation, speaking with Flores for over 40 minutes. Authorities say officers issued repeated verbal commands and employed less-lethal options in an effort to gain compliance.

“However much time it takes to get that resolved peacefully is what we try to do,” said Capt. Gustavo Araiza with the Palm Springs Police Department in an interview with News Channel 3.

Officers employed two tasers and one less lethal 40mm sponge round in an effort to disarm Flores. Police state Flores continued advancing while armed with a knife, leading officers to discharge their firearms.

Flores was struck during the encounter and transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.

The newly released critical incident debrief includes body-worn camera footage, drone footage, radio communications, and an overview of the timeline leading up to the shooting. The department said the video is intended to provide transparency while acknowledging that the investigation remains ongoing.

Police said anyone who wanted more information about any officer-involved shootings in Palm Springs could visit its transparency portal, which you can find by clicking here.

In the incident video released by the department, Chief Andy Mills spoke of the unfortunate end to the incident: “We use time, talk and tactics to be able to resolve these things as peacefully as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible.”

The chief continued, “When you put one of our officers in immediate jeopardy of being stabbed, our officers had to respond with lethal force. It’s important for our officers to go home every night at the end of their watch to their families. And unfortunately, sometimes people won’t allow us to make any other decision.”

In the aftermath of the shooting, the department hopes to create more resources and teams capable of handling mental health crises as they look towards resolving situations like these peacefully.

In the 40 minutes officers spent trying to talk Flores down from the second floor of the building, officers with the department’s CBAT (Community Behavioral Assessment Team) were also on scene. Capt. Araiza said that team is comprised of two people: an officer, well-trained in crisis negotiation, and a clinician from Riverside County. News Channel 3 covered the beginning of that partnership in 2025.

Now, though, Capt. Araiza and Lt. Michael Torres said they want to see additional resources to be devoted towards those in crisis. They pointed to teams that could respond to similar situations and provide a full suite of mental health services, from clinicians to defuse a mental health crisis to a nurse who could administer medication. Then, afterwards, they hoped that team could help conduct aftercare and check-in appointments.

Capt. Araiza said that model was showing signs of success elsewhere in Riverside County: “That onsite response is something that we’re looking at to bring. It’s already in the county, but we’re trying to bring it to the east end of the county. A lot of the agencies on the west end are already looking and deploying these these types of tools.”

As is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in Riverside County, the investigation is being conducted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Force Investigation Detail. Following the investigation, the Riverside County District Attorney’s office will independently review the findings to determine whether the officers’ actions complied with department policy and California law.

The Palm Springs Police Department will also conduct an administrative review to determine if department personal acted in accordance with policy, training and professional standards.

Police have encouraged anyone with additional information, photographs, or video of the incident to contact investigators.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A new study suggests the path to homeownership is getting longer for many Californians.

According to a report from SmartAsset, the average Californian now needs nearly 14.7 years to save for a down payment on a home — about a year and a half longer than it took a decade ago. For minimum wage workers, that timeline stretches to more than 40 years, highlighting the growing affordability challenges facing prospective buyers.

Despite rising home prices and higher mortgage interest rates, financial experts say buying a home may still be a worthwhile long-term investment, depending on a person’s financial situation and goals.

News Channel 3 spoke with Simon Hobbs, Wealth Advisor with California Financial Partners, about whether homeownership is still attainable, if renting can sometimes make more financial sense, and whether buyers should wait for interest rates to fall before entering the market.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office today announced the name of an 18-year-old male passenger who was among four people killed in a Riverside collision on June 2, 1978.

A Volkswagen Beetle carrying five teenagers was traveling westbound on Arlington Avenue when its driver lost control, crossed the center divider, and struck a sport utility vehicle, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s officials said the driver of the Volkswagen was the only survivor and told investigators at that time that he had met the passenger only the day before and knew little about him, noting that the other three deceased victims were identified during that time.

“Despite years of investigative efforts, the victim remained unidentified until now, nearly 50 years after his death,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau identified the 18-year-old man as Mark Alan Smith, who sustained fatal injuries in the collision.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Missing and Unidentified Human Remains grant program provided resources to the sheriff’s coroner’s bureau to conduct the exhumation, while the nonprofit GenGenies funded the forensic genetic genealogy work that produced the leads needed to identify Smith.

“On behalf of his sister, Pam Bright and family, we extend our sincere appreciation to GenGenies and the Department of Justice’s Missing Persons DNA Program, whose expertise and commitment contributed to this outcome. Together, these efforts have finally given Mark Smith’s family the closure they have long awaited,” the sheriff’s office said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – N. Indian Canyon Drive was closed for several hours between E Racquet Club and E. Via Escuela after a suspected DUI and road rage crash, which left three people injured on Tuesday afternoon in Palm Springs.

The four-vehicle crash was reported at around 5:20 p.m. on Indian Canyon Drive, just north of Via Escuela.

Police confirmed three people were transported to a local hospital with injuries; one of those patients was reported to be in critical condition.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears one vehicle made a lane change, sideswiping another vehicle. That collision caused the second vehicle to cross into opposing traffic, where it collided head-on with a third vehicle. A fourth vehicle was also involved in the incident,” PSPD Captain Gustavo Araiza wrote in an email to News Channel 3.

Araiza added that the driver who caused the crash, a 30-year-old man from Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

PSPD added on Wednesday that investigators determined the crash was not the result of a routine traffic violation, but rather a road rage encounter. After the initial collision, police believe the DUI suspect intentionally turned his vehicle toward the victim’s vehicle, causing the collision.

The suspect now faces an additional charge of Assault with a deadly weapon (vehicle).

N. Indian Canyon Drive was reopened just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

Click here to follow the original article.

Luis Avila

UPDATE 7/15 8:04 P.M.: A public forum meant to ease the ongoing dispute between Oscar’s Palm Springs and the Plaza Theatre instead highlighted frustration over who wasn’t there.

The forum, organized by LMC Group founder Kristen Carroll, was intended to bring together representatives from Oscar’s Palm Springs, the Plaza Theatre, Oak View Group and the City of Palm Springs to discuss the ongoing disagreement over the Plaza Theatre’s use of space inside the Oscar’s building.

While Dan Gore, Oscar’s owner, and dozens of community members attended, representatives from Oak View Group, the Plaza Theatre and the City of Palm Springs did not.

The absence drew criticism from audience members, many of whom questioned why key parties chose not to participate.

“It’s disappointing to not see the rest of the players here,” Dan Gore said. “I had a lot of support here. People were here to listen and I think that’s important.”

Carroll said she was encouraged by the community’s turnout, even though the discussion did not include all sides.

“What surprised me was the passion that was there and how much it meant to people,” Carroll said. “The seed was planted. People aren’t always ready to hear that right away, but if a seed is planted, it takes time for it to grow.”

She said the strong public response could eventually encourage the absent parties to join future discussions.

“When the groundswell of the community gets to the point of a critical mass, you can’t ignore it anymore,” Carroll said.

Carroll said she plans to continue reaching out to all parties involved until she gets answers and plans to organize additional public forums.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A public forum hopes to bring together those at the center of the ongoing dispute between Oscar’s Palm Springs and the Plaza Theatre.

The forum follows News Channel 3’s reporting last week over the theater’s request to continue using space inside the Oscar’s building. Gore had said negotiations broke down because the compensation offered for the space known as the “Green Room” was not enough.

Ahead of Wednesday’s discussion, Gore said he hopes holding the conversation publicly can help move the issue forward.

“Let’s talk about it publicly. I’ve reached out to them multiple times in the past couple years,” Gore said.

The forum is being organized by LMC Group founder Kristen Carroll, who said she wanted to create an opportunity for dialogue before the disagreement creates a lasting divide within the Palm Springs community.

“It’s really about using this one opportunity of discourse to find a way to how do we handle these things and raise each other up,” Carroll said.

Invitations have been extended to representatives from Oscar’s Palm Springs, the Plaza Theatre, Oak View Group, the City of Palm Springs, and other community leaders. As of Tuesday, Gore is the only key participant who has confirmed he will attend.

Carroll acknowledged some invited parties may choose not to participate but said the discussion will move forward regardless.

“I’m prepared for either scenario. I really hope they do. I understand if there’s hesitation,” Carroll said. “My goal is to represent anyone who’s not there in a spirit of openness and to advocate for everyone in a spirit of collaboration and moving forward.”

Whether or not everyone shows up, both Carroll and Gore said they remain hopeful the conversation can lead to common ground.

“For the sake of the community and city… we must continue to work together to come to some sort of agreement where we both succeed.”

News Channel 3 also reached out to Oak View Group. A spokesperson declined a request for an interview and said they could not confirm whether representatives plan to attend Wednesday night’s forum.

The community conversation begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Palm Springs Cultural Center and is open to the public.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors today approved agreements with three nonprofits for the continuation of homeless shelter and related services throughout Riverside County.

In a 3-0 vote without comment — with Supervisor Manuel Perez arriving late and Supervisor Chuck Washington absent — the board signed off on the county Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions’ request for $1.21 million in the current fiscal year to support operations at the Indio-based CoachellaValley Rescue Mission, Path of Life Ministries of Riverside and Valley Restart Shelter in Hemet.

A separate but related compact was additionally approved with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments to administer the program directly involved with emergency homeless shelter referrals.

All of the agreements are set to run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, though they may be abrogated at any time. Total appropriations required over that period will be just over $6 million, originating from the General Fund, according to documents posted to the board’s agenda.

“Shelters provide immediate access to safe, temporary housing and supportive services for vulnerable populations,” the Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions said. “The county has provided these agencies (in the past) with a minimum level of funding to support their year-round operations. Each agency relies on alternative funding sources to fully support their operations.”

Officials said continued access to the homeless assistance programs connect people experiencing homelessness with an array of services — not only temporary shelter — about which many displaced people may be unaware.

First responders, street outreach teams and various community organizations are involved with referrals to the nonprofits’ services.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco will run for reelection in 2028, he confirmed on Tuesday.

Bianco wrote a statement to News Channel 3 confirming his campaign.

“Aside from the Governor election, I have always had every intention of running for re-election in 2028. Under my leadership, the men and women of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office have transformed our agency from one near the brink of failure to one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the country. Because we are successful, we are constantly being attacked anti law enforcement activists and disingenuous politicians. I will fight for safer communities in Riverside County until voters decide they no longer want us to fight criminals and want a different direction. The people who voted me into this position deserve it.”

Bianco was first elected in 2018, defeating longtime Sheriff Stan Sniff. He was reelected to a six-year term in 2022, winning in the primary.

If he were to be reelected, his term would run to 2034.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tommy Gallegos

INDIO, Calif. — The Indio City Council is set to decide Wednesday whether to extend the city’s temporary moratorium on new data centers while also considering a permanent ban on the facilities following a recommendation from the city’s Planning Commission.

The issue is scheduled for the council’s July 15 meeting, where members will review the moratorium ordinance and receive a presentation on data centers. According to the agenda, council members will also provide direction on whether to permanently prohibit data centers in Indio or pursue an alternative regulatory framework.

City staff is recommending approval of the item, which includes extending the existing urgency ordinance while the city finalizes its long-term policy. On June 24, the Planning Commission received a presentation on data centers, where public comments were received. The planning commission now recommends banning the establishment of data centers within city limits.

The discussion follows the City Council’s unanimous vote on June 3 to enact a 45-day emergency moratorium on new data center applications. At the time, city officials said there were no active data center proposals in Indio but said the pause would allow staff to study the potential impacts before determining future regulations. Officials indicated the city’s options included adopting strict development standards, extending the moratorium, or pursuing a permanent prohibition.

The debate comes amid growing concern across the Coachella Valley over large-scale data center developments, from the city of Coachella and Desert Hot Springs. Opponents have raised questions about electricity demand, water consumption, environmental impacts, noise, and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Those concerns prompted Indio officials to begin evaluating whether data centers should be allowed within the city at all.

If the council ultimately directs staff to prepare amendments banning data centers, the proposal would return for future public hearings before any permanent ordinance is adopted.

Click here to follow the original article.