Category: kesq-local-news

Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is preparing for its annual “Be a Hero for Kids” Halloween Bash this Sunday, Oct. 25, bringing the community together for an evening of costumes, entertainment and fundraising.

The event, held at the Hilton Hotel, is the club’s largest fundraiser of the year, with nearly 400 people expected to attend. Guests can enjoy live and silent auctions, food, drinks and a costume contest.

This year’s celebration will also recognize local community heroes, including Palm Springs Fire Captain Ron Skyberg.

Kevin Corcoran, president of the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs board, says the fundraiser helps provide vital resources and mentorship for local children and families in need.

The Halloween Bash runs from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Proceeds will support the club’s programs for children in the community.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Riverside County CalFresh recipients who lost food due to Post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel have until Oct. 30 to report their losses and request replacement food benefits.

The storm, which made landfall along the Southern California coast Oct. 10, brought heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, high winds and power outages that lasted several days.

The state approved an extension of the standard 10-day reporting period to 20 days for eligible households in disaster-impacted areas throughout Riverside County. State officials estimate that 18,471 households in affected areas receive CalFresh benefits.

Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez encouraged residents who lost food to contact the county Department of Public Social Services before the deadline to seek assistance.

CalFresh recipients can report food losses through the following options:

Online: BenefitsCal.com Phone: 1-877-410-8827 In person: Visit a Self-Sufficiency office. By mail or fax: Submit a food-loss report to the department.

Residents may also receive assistance at upcoming community outreach events.

CalFresh provides monthly food benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase groceries at participating stores, farmers markets and online retailers.

Residents who do not currently receive CalFresh but need food assistance can apply at BenefitsCal.com, call 1-877-410-8827 or visit a Self-Sufficiency office.

Eligible households are encouraged to report food losses as soon as possible to meet the Oct. 30 deadline.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ)— Riverside County’s first 21 vote centers will open Saturday, October 24, ahead of the November 3, 2026, General Election. Another 131 locations will open October 31, bringing the countywide total to 152, including five Super Vote Centers.

Coachella Valley Locations Opening October 24 Indio Library: 200 Civic Center Drive, Indio, CA 92201 La Quinta City Hall: 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253 Demuth Community Center: 3601 E. Mesquite Avenue, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Additional valley locations will open October 31, for a full list click here.

Voters may visit any available vote center to cast a ballot, return a completed vote-by-mail ballot, or register or update their registration if eligible. Options include paper ballots and accessible touch-screen voting units.

The county also has 107 official ballot drop-off locations available through 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

As of October 22, approximately 1,477,584 vote-by-mail ballots had been issued, with 151,289 returned.

For vote center locations, operating hours and ballot drop-box information, visit VoteInfo.net.

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Raymond Kalra

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Palm Springs has postponed a public hearing and assessment ballot count for a proposed utility undergrounding project in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood after some homeowners raised concerns over costs reaching nearly $140,000 per property.

The project would move existing overhead utility lines underground, an improvement some residents say is long overdue for safety and neighborhood aesthetics.

However, proposed assessments ranging from approximately $92,000 to $139,000 per parcel have sparked concerns among homeowners about affordability, transparency and whether residents have been given enough time to review the project’s financial implications.

The public hearing and assessment ballot count were originally scheduled for October 28. City officials confirmed Thursday that the item has been removed from the City Council agenda while staff reviews concerns raised by property owners.

Homeowners divided over proposed project

The proposal has drawn differing opinions from Old Las Palmas residents, with some welcoming the potential improvements and others questioning the financial burden.

During the October 14 Palm Springs City Council meeting, homeowner Don Sherwood expressed his shock over the proposed assessment.

“Something like this was coming. It certainly wasn’t in my budget. It’s similar to going to your mailbox, opening a bill for medicine, and getting a bill for $140,000,” Sherwood told councilmembers.

Sherwood, who has lived in Old Las Palmas for more than a decade, also raised concerns about the fairness of the assessments.

According to a written statement he submitted to the city, the utility lines serving his property were already placed underground in 1993, before he purchased the home.

Despite that, Sherwood says his property faces a proposed assessment of $138,872.26.

He is questioning what additional benefit the project would provide to homeowners whose utility lines are already underground.

Other residents, however, believe the project is a necessary investment.

Old Las Palmas resident Tom Ellicott told News Channel 3 that he and his neighbors have been hoping to move the area’s overhead utilities underground for several years.

“Well, we have more than enough information. The chief pros are safety and esthetics,” Ellicott said.

Ellicott pointed to the neighborhood’s large trees and the potential safety benefits of removing overhead power lines.

He acknowledged the project would be expensive but said he believes the improvements are worthwhile.

Another resident, Garth Gilpin, expressed similar support, citing fire safety and neighborhood beautification.

Gilpin said he understands some homeowners are concerned about the cost, but believes delaying the project may not make it more affordable.

“It’s never going to be any cheaper than it is right now,” Gilpin said.

Gilpin also raised questions about the additional expense of connecting individual homes to the underground utility system, a cost separate from the proposed assessments.

Residents question costs and transparency

At the October 14 City Council meeting, several residents spoke out about the proposed assessments and the timeline for making a decision.

Sarah Barton told councilmembers that her household received its first official communication from the city about the project in early September.

“Our home’s only first and only official communication from the City of Palm Springs regarding this project was at the beginning of September,” Barton said.

She questioned whether homeowners had been given sufficient time to understand the project’s financing terms and potential long-term financial obligations before the originally scheduled October 28 hearing.

Residents also raised concerns about the assessment calculations, district boundaries, construction impacts and the availability of engineering and environmental review documents.

Some homeowners have requested additional information about financing options and the total amount they could ultimately be required to pay.

The proposed assessments do not necessarily represent the full cost to each homeowner. Depending on the property’s circumstances, financing expenses and private connection work could add to the overall cost.

Councilmembers seek additional answers

The concerns also prompted questions from Palm Springs City Councilmember Grace Garner during the October 14 meeting.

Garner requested additional clarity about the proposal, particularly concerning properties that already have underground utilities but would still face assessments.

She also asked city staff and the city attorney to clarify the council’s legal options for addressing residents’ concerns.

“So if we can get just a lot more clarity and then Jeff, find out legally what our options are on this,” Garner said during the meeting.

The discussion came as residents requested additional time to review the project’s details before assessment ballots were counted.

City postpones hearing and ballot count

On Thursday, October 22, the City of Palm Springs confirmed to News Channel 3 that the proposed assessment item had been pulled from the October 28 City Council agenda.

In a statement, city officials said:

“The City has received a number of questions and concerns over the last several weeks regarding this owner-initiated assessment district. In order to thoroughly evaluate those issues, the City pulled the item from the October 28 Council agenda.”

The city said staff will work with its assessment engineer, financial team and legal team to review the issues and determine what should happen next.

“The City of Palm Springs values the input of our residents, and will be considering that input to ensure an outcome that is legally appropriate and fair to all of the parties,” the statement continued.

News Channel 3 also asked city officials whether removing the item from the agenda would formally postpone the public hearing and assessment ballot count, and what would happen to ballots that homeowners had already submitted.

The city confirmed that both the public hearing and ballot tabulation are postponed.

Previously submitted ballots will remain unopened until the city determines its next course of action.

The assessment ballots are separate from the November 3 general election. They were issued to affected property owners as part of the process for determining whether the proposed assessments can move forward.

What happens next?

The undergrounding project has not been canceled.

City officials say their engineering, financial and legal teams will continue reviewing the concerns raised by property owners before determining the next steps.

As of Thursday, no new public hearing date has been announced.

It also remains unclear whether the city will make changes to the proposed assessments, financing arrangements or other aspects of the project following its review.

For now, homeowners on both sides of the issue will have to wait for the city’s next decision.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of the Old Las Palmas utility undergrounding proposal.

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Kiera McKinney

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — A health and wellness fair in La Quinta brought together local organizations Thursday, giving residents a chance to learn about healthcare services, ask questions and find resources that could help them save money.

The free event was held at the La Quinta Wellness Center, where visitors could learn about Medicare, hospice care and other health services. Flu shots were also available.

For local resident Kirk McKee, the visit was unexpected.

“I had no intention of coming to the gym here today and seeing this, but once I saw it, I just opened myself up to it,” McKee said.

McKee said he had questions about Medicare and some personal health concerns. After speaking with representatives at the fair, he left with helpful information and contacts he could follow up with for additional answers.

The event comes during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7.

During this time, people with Medicare can review their coverage and make changes to eligible health and prescription drug plans for the following year. Comparing plans can help residents identify coverage that better fits their needs and potentially lower their healthcare costs.

The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, known as HICAP, offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling to help residents understand their options, compare plans and learn about potential savings.

Caroline Doran, supervisor at the La Quinta Wellness Center, said this is an especially important time for seniors to review their health coverage.

“This is the time of year when our seniors are needing to change their plans. Because maybe something has changed on their Medicare plan,” Doran said.

Beyond health insurance, the fair also introduced residents to other types of medical care.

Sarah Dean, a registered nurse and clinical liaison with Gentiva Hospice, said community events provide an opportunity to educate people about hospice services and address common misconceptions.

Dean explained that hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life for people nearing the end of life. She said many families are surprised to learn about the care and support available through hospice programs.

Organizers say the goal of the annual event is to help residents discover resources they may not have known existed and share that information with family members, friends and neighbors.

For McKee, what started as an ordinary visit to the wellness center ended with information he can use to make decisions about his health.

Where to find help

Residents who need assistance understanding Medicare can contact HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 for free counseling.

For more information about Medicare open enrollment, visit Medicare.gov (https://www.medicare.gov/).

Residents can also learn about local wellness programs through the City of La Quinta (https://www.laquintaca.gov/).

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Julia Castro

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — A woman was taken to the hospital following a crash on eastbound Interstate 10 in Palm Desert Thursday morning, according to new information from authorities.

The crash was reported shortly before 6:40 a.m., just east of Washington Street.

According to preliminary information, a gray Honda Civic was changing from the No. 3 lane to the No. 2 lane when it was rear-ended by a purple Infiniti SUV.

The impact caused the Honda to lose control and crash into a guardrail.

The female driver of the Honda was transported to Eisenhower Health with complaints of pain. The male driver of the Infiniti was not injured.

The crash also damaged a guardrail and left debris scattered across the roadway.

The eastbound No. 1 lane, also known as the fast lane, remained closed while crews worked to clear the debris.

Traffic was backed up approximately one mile past Washington Street following the crash.

Drivers are urged to use caution and allow extra travel time.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Julia Castro

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Temporary emergency 911 phone service outages that plagued multiple cellular service providers today throughout portions of Riverside County, including Indio, Palm Springs and Cathedral City, were fully restored.

A public safety alert was sent at 5 p.m. Thursday stating that 911 services were operational in Riverside County.

In Indio, the emergency phone lines were reported down about 3:30 a.m. Thursday before lines went back up at 4:11 p.m., according to the Indio Police Department.

In Palm Springs, the 911 issue was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

“We are aware of an issue affecting T-Mobile customers attempting to call 911,” police said.

The Cathedral City Police Department advised residents of the disruption and referred them dial the non-emergency dispatch number for assistance if unable to connect 911.

In Desert Hot Springs, police stated they were aware of “reports of wireless service disruptions affecting AT&T and T-Mobile customers.”

“We are aware of an outage affecting some cellular users’ ability to call 911. If you have an emergency and cannot get through to 911, please call 951-776-1078,” a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said.

The issue extended beyond law enforcement agencies as the Coachella Valley Unified School District reported a problem with its service provider Thursday morning.

“Frontier, CVUSD’s phone service provider, is experiencing an outage affecting all district schools and offices,” the district stated in a social media post.

As of 5 p.m., the district stated its phone service had been restored.

The cause of the widespread issue was not immediately known.

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Dakota Makinen

INDIO Calif. (KESQ) – The Ranch House Bar & Grill is set to open in Indio this Friday, bringing a new dining option and approximately 75 jobs to the Coachella Valley.

The restaurant is opening in a revitalized location, adding to ongoing efforts to breathe new life into the area and support local economic activity.

Ahead of opening day, marketing director, Andrea Carter and manager John Shay are giving News Channel 3 a preview of the restaurant, including a look at the menu and what customers can expect when the doors open.

The new establishment will offer customers a place to gather over food and drinks while contributing to Indio’s growing dining scene.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Palm Springs International Airport is investing tens of millions of dollars in improvements, from a new baggage-handling system to electric vehicle chargers and escalators. But one of the airport’s most anticipated projects remains without a firm timeline: a federal customs facility that could open the door to more nonstop international flights.

City leaders previously approved a long-range airport master plan that included a Federal Inspection Station, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers would process passengers arriving from countries without U.S. preclearance facilities.

While earlier public timelines pointed to 2028, the airport’s website still lists the project’s completion date as to be determined.

News Channel 3 I-Team investigator Peter Daut looked at what’s moving forward, and when Coachella Valley travelers might finally be able to fly nonstop to international destinations.

A gateway to the world?

For millions of travelers, Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) serves as a gateway to the Coachella Valley. But airport officials envision a future in which it could also become a gateway to more international destinations.

“More flights would be awesome, especially internationally,” said passenger Kalli Ross.

Currently, PSP’s only nonstop international flights connect Palm Springs with Canada, where passengers can clear U.S. Customs before departing for the United States.

Travelers hoping to fly nonstop from Palm Springs to Mexico or Europe, however, have no such option.

“I do a lot of international travel, so not having to slug everything to LA and all the traffic and everything is very exciting,” said passenger Brooke Salomon.

Asked whether she would take advantage of additional international flights from Palm Springs, Salomon responded, “Oh, 100 percent.”

During an exclusive tour of the airport, Interim Aviation Director Victoria Carpenter told News Channel 3 that plans for expanded international service are moving forward.

“I’m extremely excited. So this whole airport is excited about it as well,” Carpenter said.

Asked how close Palm Springs is to offering nonstop flights to Mexico or Europe, Carpenter said the airport is currently planning its international arrivals facility.

The proposed facility would accommodate U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers responsible for screening passengers arriving from countries that do not offer U.S. preclearance.

An airport-commissioned study estimates that hundreds of people travel between the Coachella Valley and destinations in Mexico or Europe every day, with much of that traffic passing through other airports.

Carpenter said Mexico is the most realistic destination for PSP’s initial expansion of international service.

“Probably the flights to Mexico. That’s probably the closest and most realistic,” she said. “We know we lose some traffic to other surrounding airports, so we think if we get some flights to Mexico, that will probably be the most realistic one we see for our future.”

Asked about potential destinations such as Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta, Carpenter said, “We hope all of the above, but we’re really just shooting for getting that on the map for us.”

International expansion faces delays

Before additional international flights can begin, the airport must overcome several significant hurdles, including construction costs, federal approvals, staffing and airline commitments.

One of the biggest questions is timing.

Airport officials previously hoped to have a customs facility operational before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. That goal is no longer the target.

“Originally, we were very ambitious. We were trying to get the federal inspections facility here prior to the Olympics,” Carpenter explained. “We were really anticipating some traffic.”

But Carpenter said officials decided that additional planning would ultimately produce a better facility for passengers.

“We really don’t have a timeline on it, but we definitely want the community and our residents to know that we are planning for that now, and it’s going to happen in the future,” she said.

The project’s cost also remains uncertain.

Earlier estimates placed the price of a temporary customs facility at approximately $8 million. Carpenter said the airport does not yet have an updated cost estimate for the proposed facility.

Even if the infrastructure is built, there is another major question: Will airlines actually launch new international routes?

Carpenter confirmed that airport officials have been speaking with multiple airlines about potential service.

“We have had some discussions with some airlines. Actually, we’ve had more than one,” she said.

Although Carpenter described verbal expressions of interest from airlines, she said the details could not yet be disclosed.

No airline has publicly committed to launching a new international route from PSP.

The airport must also coordinate with federal officials on customs approval and staffing before international arrivals can begin.

Nearly $94 million baggage system overhaul

While the timeline for expanded international service remains uncertain, other major airport improvements are moving ahead.

Among the largest is a nearly $94 million modernization of PSP’s baggage-handling system.

The project is designed to improve security screening, increase baggage capacity and move checked luggage through the airport more efficiently.

More than $66 million in federal funding is supporting the overhaul, representing more than 70% of the project’s estimated cost.

The new system is expected to be completed in late 2028.

The improvements are intended to help the airport accommodate passenger demand while modernizing critical infrastructure.

New escalators and electric vehicle chargers

Passengers will also notice changes inside the airport’s Sonny Bono Concourse, where two new escalators are replacing aging equipment.

The installation has been completed, and airport officials are working through the final steps required before the escalators can open to passengers.

Outside the terminal, PSP has added 80 electric vehicle chargers in its parking lot.

The chargers provide another option for travelers who want to charge their vehicles while parked at the airport.

Together, the baggage improvements, escalator replacements and charging infrastructure reflect a more targeted approach to modernizing PSP.

That approach follows the airport’s decision to move away from a previously proposed $2.2 billion expansion.

Rather than pursuing that larger project, airport officials are focusing on individual improvements while continuing to plan for future growth.

Travelers want more nonstop options

For some passengers, however, the most meaningful improvement would be something PSP still cannot offer: nonstop service to additional international destinations.

“To go direct from here to Europe, overseas, whatever, would be a huge advantage rather than make a connection,” said passenger Jim Richardson.

Richardson said the convenience of avoiding multiple connections would make a significant difference.

“It’s hard enough to come here from Chicago when you have to stop in Phoenix or Dallas, let alone going to Europe and you have to make two stops or more,” he said.

While PSP is making substantial investments in its facilities, the airport’s international ambitions remain a work in progress.

Carpenter nevertheless expressed confidence that expanded service is getting closer.

“We’re closer than you think,” she said. “We’re really actively, aggressively pushing forward with our future plans for a federal inspections station. So we want to bring those international flights to Palm Springs as soon as we can.”

Who will pay for customs staffing?

Beyond construction, another significant expense would be the cost of staffing the proposed customs facility.

Earlier estimates placed that expense at nearly $2 million annually.

Carpenter told News Channel 3 that the funding would come from airport revenues.

She also said construction would not begin until airport officials have a plan in place with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

For now, the airport is moving forward with millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements while continuing to develop plans for expanded international service.

The baggage system has an anticipated completion date. The customs facility does not.

And until federal arrangements are finalized and airlines commit to new routes, travelers hoping to fly nonstop from Palm Springs to Mexico or Europe will have to wait.

For Palm Springs International Airport, major improvements are taking shape on the ground. But some of its biggest ambitions are still up in the air.

Peter Daut is an I-Team investigative reporter and anchor for News Channel 3.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs City Council voted to appoint Jim Vanderpool as its interim city manager.

“I am honored by the confidence the Palm Springs City Council has placed in me and excited for the opportunity to serve such an exceptional, welcoming, and diverse community,” said Vanderpool. “Palm Springs is a world-class destination known not only for its beauty and vibrant economy, but also for its proud tradition of inclusivity, its strong sense of community, and its commitment to celebrating diversity. With so many important initiatives underway, my focus will be on providing steady, collaborative leadership, supporting the City’s employees, and working closely with the City Council and community to maintain momentum, strengthen City services, and deliver meaningful results.”

Vanderpool will replace Palm Springs’ current City Manager Scott Stiles, who is set to retire on November 1 after three years with the city.

Earlier this month, the city hired Valerie Phillips of Bob Murray & Associates to lead the search for a permanent City Manager. The search process is expected to take approximately four to six months.

Vanderpool has 30 years of experience in municipal government, most recently serving as the city manager of Anaheim for six years.

Vanderpool resigned from his position in February, after an FBI probe was launched over his close ties to resort interests involving the sale of Angel Stadium in 2020. According to Voice of OC, Vanderpool went on a trip to Lake Havasu paid for by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. The trip came as city officials were set to vote to finalize a chamber-backed Angel Stadium deal.

Vanderpool allegedly did not disclose the trip, which led to an investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Vanderpool said he did not know the chamber had paid for his lodging.

Vanderpool was never charged with a crime.

The Costa Mesa-based Daily Pilot reported that Vanderpool issued a statement before his resignation saying, “With more than 30 years in city government, I had already planned to retire this year. I’m moving that up now and seeking nothing but a smooth, positive transition for Anaheim.”

The city of Palm Springs did address Vanderpool’s exit in its announcement, writing that he “maintained the unanimous support of the balance of the Anaheim City Council.”

“… he chose to resign his position earlier this year following a disagreement with the mayor related to leadership direction and an FPPC complaint,” reads the city of Palm Springs’ news release.

“The Palm Springs City Council carefully considered Jim’s extensive qualifications, professional experience, and the circumstances surrounding his Anaheim resignation,” said Mayor Naomi Soto. “We believe his decades of municipal leadership, experience managing complex city operations, and understanding of tourism-driven economies make him well qualified to serve Palm Springs at this moment. Jim brings the experience and collaborative leadership needed to guide our organization. Our priority is to maintain momentum, support our City employees, and ensure residents, businesses, and visitors continue receiving the high level of service they expect and deserve.”

As Palm Springs Interim City Manager, Vanderpool will oversee day-to-day City operations, provide leadership and support to City departments, and work closely with the City Council and executive leadership team to advance major priorities, including public safety, housing, economic development, infrastructure improvements, and significant capital investments; including the renovation of the Palm Springs Public Library, the modernization and expansion of the Palm Springs Convention Center, and long-range improvements at Palm Springs International Airport.

“On a personal note, my husband and I are pleased to call Palm Springs home during my time as Interim City Manager,” Vanderpool added. “I look forward to working alongside the community, building relationships with residents and businesses, and helping ensure Palm Springs continues to thrive as a uniquely special place to live, work, and visit.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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