Category: kesq-local-news

Athena Jreij

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) — Since the beginning of the government shutdown, News Channel 3 has followed the impact on Joshua Tree National Park, as it remained open and free for entry with limited rangers.

Now, as the longest shutdown in U.S. history comes to an end, many visitors say they haven’t noticed a difference thanks to the park’s continued staffing on a limited basis.

The National Park Service told News Channel 3 the park has remained open, clean and safe thanks to their contingency plan, that allowed limited staff to work on essential services during the shutdown. That includes cleaning restrooms, emptying trash bins and keeping visitor centers open.

“I was a little nervous. Like, who would be available and if we could get the information we needed to be safe and do great hikes. It was great to see the rangers back and it’s been great so far,” Lisa Skiba, a visitor from Chicago said.

Many locals echoed concerns that the shutdown would bring back the same destruction seen in 2018-2019 during the 35 day shutdown.

“It was apocalyptic. There was trash everywhere. The bathrooms were disgusting. We organized over 1,000 volunteers. People really stepped up to the plate, helped, and we were planning to do that again. And then, frankly, it just wasn’t needed,” Seth Zaharias, co-founder of Cliffhanger Guides and Joshua Tree resident said.

Zaharias said himself and many others were bracing for the worst but have been pleasantly surprised.

“I think this is my fifth or sixth shutdown that I’ve lived through here while working in the tourism economy here and this wasn’t like any other shutdown I’ve ever seen,” he said.

However, one thing that hasn’t gone back to normal is business. Zaharias says they’ve seen a 30-40% decrease since the shutdown, for what he believes is confusion around the park being open.

“It’s been a pretty rough 40 days. I think about half the country either thinks that national parks are closed or it was inappropriate to visit them, and our numbers are down pretty significantly. Anybody that lives and works in this community is feeling it right now,” he said.

Now as they get ready to welcome thousands of visitors back everyday, he hopes support for the local economy will come back too.

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Cynthia White

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Thermal Station have arrested four women suspected to be in connection with what they call an “Organized Retail Theft Crew” that targeted multiple businesses in La Quinta.

Deputies began an investigation on October 20th into the thefts, and determined that four women were responsible. They report that those same women were also connected to 28 other thefts throughout Southern California, totaling over $50,000 in merchandise.

On Monday, deputies located a vehicle matching the description of the suspects in the area of Cook Street and Country Club Drive in Palm Desert. After stopping the vehicle, all four women were taken into custody without incident.

During the stop, deputies found approximately $12,000 in merchandise. They arrested the four women and booked them into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, charging them with theft, organized retail theft, and petty theft with priors.

The Sheriff’s Office says this in an ongoing investigation, and there are no further details available at this time. They ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Riverside Sheriff’s Thermal Station at 760-863-8990. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867).

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Three male suspects are facing felony theft charges after a shoplifting incident in Indio on Tuesday.

Indio Police officials say that an employee of a business in the 42000 block of Jackson Street reported that three men stole several items from the business around 11:30 a.m. and fled from the area in their car.

After a search, officers found three men in the suspect vehicle at a gas station in the 44000 block of Golf Center Parkway. When the officers contacted the men, two of them ran from the car, while the third remained.

Both suspects ran across the I-10 freeway and one was caught by officers after a short pursuit. Officers found the other man hiding in dense brush in the wash area east of Golf Center Parkway.

Police found stolen merchandise in the suspect car worth over $4,500 and returned it to the business.

Police say the male suspects were arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on felony theft-related charges.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (760) 341-STOP.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The indiGO Auto Group has announced the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz of Palm Springs, along with Hyundai and Genesis of Palm Springs.

A statement from indiGO says the addition of the three auto dealerships represents an expansion of its presence and service to drivers in the Coachella Valley, showing its commitment to the region’s growth.

indiGO also operates BMW and Porsche in Palm Springs, along with Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover, McLaren, Rimac, and Rolls-Royce in Rancho Mirage.

The newly acquired dealerships are located along the 3900 and 4000 blocks of East Palm Canyon Drive, near Cherokee Way.

indiGO Auto Group now has 30 franchised dealerships and service centers in numerous markets throughout the U.S.

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Cynthia White

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Assemblymember Greg Wallis (AD47) hosted a Personal Emergency Preparedness seminar in Thousand Palms on Wednesday to help valley residents learn more about being ready before, during and after a flood, fire, or earthquake emergency happens.

Wallis says the aim of the seminar was to “make sure people feel like they’re empowered and have some more information about whether it’s just how to turn off your gas meter, make sure you have water on site, make sure you have a go bag ready – just some few basic takeaways to better protect property and lives when a natural disaster strikes.”

He added that having that information is important because, “I think we’re seeing natural disasters in California due to climate change on the rise, whether it’s flood risk, fire risk, earthquake risk. If you look at your insurance companies, the smart folks doing the actuarial work recognize that California is at significant risk.”

The event, in partnership with the Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network and Desert Recreation District, also included representatives from Riverside County Fire Department and Southern California Gas Company, all providing information and resources for those attending.

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John White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors group will be holding a summit on Saturday, November 16, celebrating the one-year anniversary of reaching an historic $5.91 million settlement with the city of Palm Springs. 

The settlement revolves around the city’s role in removing mostly minority residents from Section 14, an area of Agua Caliente Tribal land next to downtown Palm Springs, over five decades ago. 

As the group prepares for its summit, a smaller group continues to raise questions about the settlement, arguing it falls short of righting the wrongs of the past. 

“Ain’t no bandage in the world can heal, taking away my family and my people,” Charlie Johnson says. 

Johnson lived on Section 14 and says he saw the racism and pain firsthand, including the murders of two relatives. 

He counts himself as a survivor but isn’t participating in the settlement. 

One year after the historic vote, the President and Founder of the Section 14 Survivors Group, Pearl Devers, says it’s time to move forward. 

“It’s been sixty years that we put forth since getting to this point, to get anything,” Devers says. 

Johnson says before the settlement was finalized recently, he filed a petition, making his opposition known to the city. 

He argues the petition gives him, and the 36 others who signed it, the ability to pursue their own case. 

Devers responds, “We understand that there are always going to be people who are not satisfied, and we can’t satisfy everybody. It’s virtually impossible. And so, what we do is we focus on the positive.” 

Johnson isn’t alone. 

Yvonne Bryant refused to sign a waiver for her father’s claim after he passed away. 

“You sent the release asking us to sign away our rights for the payment, you’re not saying how much the payment is going to be,” Bryant says. 

Johnson is especially upset over commitments that aren’t in the settlement, including $20 million for affordable housing programs and $1 million for economic development. 

“Keep your crumbs as to what they are, as to what you all negotiated, because I feel, hey, we can do better,” Johnson says. 

Section 14 Attorney, Areva Martin, says Johnson’s opposition is misplaced, “His issues aren’t with Section 14, it’s with the city, and it is with the way that he says his family was displaced to the north end.” 

Devers says it’s time to move forward after last year’s historic vote and hopes Saturday’s summit will be a good start. 

“It’s entitled ‘Reflect, Re-imagine and Rebuild,’ and so our purpose is to do exactly that,” Devers says. 

Section 14 Survivors

City of Palm Springs Statement on Section 14 Settlement

“The City of Palm Springs remains deeply proud of the historic Section 14 settlement, which represents a milestone in the City’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, and healing. The settlement agreement approved by the City Council in November 2024 and finalized this fall was developed through years of dialogue and collaboration with the attorney representing survivors and descendants of Section 14.

Negotiations with the attorney for the Section 14 survivors have concluded, and the agreement is now final. The City has fulfilled its $5.9 million financial commitment, completing all payments to the attorney and claimant entity representing the survivors and descendants. 

The City understands that some individuals may have differing opinions about the agreement. While we recognize that not everyone will agree on every aspect of the settlement, the City deeply respects all perspectives and remains committed to advancing the shared goals of healing, housing opportunity, and community recognition reflected in the agreement. As the City continues to develop the housing and programmatic components, we will actively engage Section 14 survivors and descendants to ensure these efforts are inclusive, responsive, and truly reflective of their history, voices, and contributions.

In addition to the direct financial compensation, the City is moving forward with the housing, small business, and cultural components of the settlement. These include the launch of new affordable housing initiatives with a preference for Section 14 families, business support programs, and the development of both a public memorial and a park to honor the Section 14 community.

This settlement marks an important step forward — one that acknowledges a painful history while building a stronger and more inclusive future for Palm Springs and all who call it home.”

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Kenji Ito

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) Four student-athletes signed their letter of intent on Wednesday at Palm Desert High School.

Soccer Forward Natalhie Baca signed to play at Southern Illinois University.

Swimmer Ava Otteson committed to play at UCLA.

Baseball pitcher Zane Hathaway signed to play at Colorado State Pueblo.

Baseball pitcher Jake Brande committed to play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of high school sports across the Coachella Valley.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – After years of construction and millions of dollars, the long-awaited CV Link is officially open — a 40-mile path stretching from Palm Springs to Coachella, connecting neighborhoods, parks, and cities along the way.

But despite the grand opening, some residents, including Chuck, say the path is not seeing the turnout they expected.

“It’s still underused. I ride this fairly regularly and it’s uncommon for me to see more than 10 people.”

Chuck, Palm Springs Resident

Some believes the low usage may be due in part to a lack of public engagement and awareness.

Tom Robbins, who rode the CV Link for the first time recently, said he only noticed the path because of its bright orange and blue colors. He thinks expanding this type of visual promotion could help draw more attention.

“I think it’s actually the higher visibility of the trail itself. I don’t think it’ll be media, that’ll be a fortune. But if they keep doing things like these pillars, it’s going to start getting into people’s minds.”

Tom Robbins, Cathedral City Resident

CVAG’s Deputy Executive Director, Erica Felci, said the organization is not yet able to track how many people are using the path. However, the organization has said the CV Link is expected to provide residents with more transportation options and encourage alternative forms of travel.

While residents aren’t sure if time alone will bring more visitors to the trail, many said they’re just glad it’s finally open.

CVAG says there is still work to be done in Palm Springs, which they hope to complete by next month.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella officials will host an updated program focused on agriculture in the Coachella Valley Thursday at the city’s library.   

The free event will be held from 7-11:30 a.m. Thursday at 1500 Sixth St.   

The city partnered with Growing Coachella Valley, a nonprofit organization designed to protect water and other resources essential for the region’s agricultural industry and economic development, to produce Ag Vision, formerly known as Coachella Valley Ag Summit.

The program will address topics including innovation, sustainability and the future of farming, officials said.   

“Agriculture has been a mainstay in the Coachella Valley for over 100 years,” said Janell Percy, the nonprofit’s executive director. “Ag Vision will bring farmers, legislators, community leaders and others interested in local food production to discuss how we can keep farming for another 100 years.”  

The event will feature a panel of law enforcement and leaders from local farming establishments among other people, along with a Q&A portion, and will be moderated by George Tudor of Tudor Ranches.

“As the daughter of farm workers, I know how deeply agriculture shapes our community and economy. The industry’s resilience and workforce continue to drive Coachella forward and remind us of the essential role it play’s in our city’s future,” Councilwoman Denise Delgado said.

The event will be also be live-streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 55-year-old woman in an electric wheelchair was struck and killed by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash last week in Yucca Valley.

The crash was first reported on Nov. 6 at around 2 p.m. on Airway Avenue and Primrose Drive.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station, the investigation revealed that an unidentified vehicle approaching Primrose Drive collided with a woman operating an electric wheelchair across Airway Avenue.

The woman and her dog were ejected from the electric wheelchair. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and was seen traveling south on Airway Avenue toward Yucca Trail.

Paramedics responded and transported the woman to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

It was the second crash that day in Yucca Valley where a person in a wheelchair was struck and killed by a vehicle. Nearly four hours after the crash on Airway Avenue, an 81-year-old woman in an electric wheelchair was killed on Yucca Trail and Frontera Avenue, about a mile away from the earlier crash.

The driver remained at the scene in the second crash and is cooperating with the investigation, authorities said.

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