Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

BERMUDA DUNES, Calif. (KESQ) – A viewer shared a photo of antisemitic graffiti found at Extra Space Storage in Bermuda Dunes on Sunday.

News Channel 3 reached out to the business, but an Extra Space Storage official said stores are closed on Sunday.

Rabbi David Lazar of Congregation Or Hamidbar in Palm Springs said the act is part of a troubling pattern.

“It’s part of a pattern. It’s part of a whole culture of behavior,” Rabbi Lazar said. “That culture of behavior includes shouting, canceling and hurting people with words online and social media. It happens in public. It happens in graffiti, as we’ve seen. And it will eventually lead to actual violence.”

He said he and his congregation feel safe thanks to Palm Springs police, but warned that hate cannot be ignored.

“The role of graffiti, as is hate messaging online or in person, is to make the objects of that hate feel insecure,” Rabbi Lazar said. “I feel secure here in the United States. I feel secure here in Palm Springs, in the state of California. But that cannot in any way mean this could be excused. This has to be condemned.”

He said the incident comes at a sensitive time, as Jewish communities prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

“It’s a time when many Jews flock to synagogues more than on a usual basis. It’s going to be a time for people to have to be more aware of the security situation,” Rabbi Lazar said. “We’re blessed with the police force and the neighboring law enforcement agencies who are aware of what’s happening on what days. I feel at least in my community, that we’re well protected.”

News Channel 3 reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for more details on the graffiti incident and are still waiting for answers.

Stay with us for the full report at 10 and 11 p.m.

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KESQ-Newsroom

BERMUDA DUNES, Calif. (KESQ) – Local Assemblyman Greg Wallis reacted to Saturday’s vote on California’s ‘cap-and-trade’ program.

State lawmakers, with a democratic majority, passed AB 1207 earlier in the day.

AP reported the program set a declining limit on planet-warming emissions from major polluters.

Republican Assemblyman Greg Wallis released this statement after Saturday’s vote:

“We all want to make life more affordable for Californians while protecting our environment. AB 1207 extended the cap-and-trade program, but we lacked clear data on how it will impact costs for everyday families.

“I requested an affordability analysis from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). They informed me that the bill’s complexity and the tight timeline prevented a full assessment.

“Without understanding its costs, this bill risks raising prices for essentials like food and fuel. Californians deserve transparent, responsible policies.

“Our state is in an affordability crisis – legislators need to take the time to understand the cost impacts on working families before passing policies in Sacramento.

Californians deserve better.”

-Assemblymember Greg Wallis

(R-Bermuda Dunes)

The bill was expected to next head to Governor Gavin Newsom.

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Kristen Outlaw

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KESQ) – The El Centro Border Patrol announced the launch of new social media pages.

The platforms include Facebook, Instagram, and X.

The sector said the goal for its online presence was to provide real-time updates on public safety matters, as well as share important alerts.

In a statement released to News Channel 3, the sector said, “These new channels will enhance communication, increase transparency, and foster a stronger relationship between our agency and the communities we serve.”

The statement also read, “Direct communication through these platforms will allow us to share information more efficiently and engage with the public in a way that builds trust and fosters a collaborative environment.”

The links for the new platforms include:

Facebook: Facebook.com/USBPChiefELC
Instagram: Instagram.com/USBPChiefELC
X: X.com/USBPChiefELC

The El Centro Border Patrol Station patrols several checkpoints along Highway 86.

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Timothy Foster

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Indio is gearing up for a vibrant celebration of culture, family, and tradition with ¡Viva Indio!, a community event honoring Hispanic Heritage. The festival will take place Saturday, September 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Indio, offering a night of music, food, and family-friendly fun.

The free event will feature a kids zone with jumpers, hands-on activities, and a piñata-making station. Guests can also enjoy a diverse selection of authentic cuisine from local food vendors, highlighting flavors that represent the region’s rich cultural traditions.

Entertainment will take center stage throughout the evening, including performances from ballet folklórico dancers, mariachi musicians, a Bronco tribute, and a special show by Las Tías.

“Indio is a city rooted in culture, family, and tradition, and ¡Viva Indio! is our way of honoring the contributions of the Hispanic community while creating a space for everyone to come together and celebrate,” said Mayor Glenn Miller. “We are excited to welcome residents and visitors alike to Downtown Indio for an unforgettable evening of music, food, and fun.”

The celebration is open to the public and promises to be a highlight of the city’s fall calendar.

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Shay Lawson

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Two Desert Hot Springs landmarks will open to the public Saturday as part of “Doors Open California,” a statewide celebration of historic sites.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can tour Cabot’s Pueblo Museum and the Historic Rock House.

The city said the Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is the hand-built desert icon filled with art, artifacts and Cabot Yerxa’s inspiring legacy.

The Rock House, constructed in 1946, is a Riverside County historic landmark that now houses the local historical society.

The California Preservation Foundation’s annual event highlights more than 70 sites across the state each September.

A $20 ticket provides access to all participating locations during the weekend.

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Jesus Reyes

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – One person was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle Friday night in Desert Hot Springs.

The crash was reported at around 9:15 p.m. on Palm Drive and Desert View Avenue.

Details on what led to the crash was not available. We’ve reached out to police for more information.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Athena Jreij

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) — In a unanimous decision Thursday evening, the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board voted to rescind the contract of a newly-hired instructor.

Superintendent Dr. Frances Esparza confirmed the instructor’s contract was rescinded after inappropriate behavior was discovered at a prior district.

It’s raising the question of how background checks are conducted to protect students.

Getting answers, News Channel 3’s Athena Jreij spoke with Superintendent Esparza on their process when hiring.

“When it’s a certificated employee, which is a teacher, a counselor, an administrator, even in leadership, we have to go through a background check, which is our DOJ clearance. It’s a fingerprint situation where it will inform or flag if a person has been inappropriate in, possibly a school district or while working with children,” Esparza said.

Dr. Esparza says because the prior district did not report the inappropriate behavior to the California Commission on Teacher Credentials, it wasn’t flagged in their background check.

“It’s very rare for a district not to report something because there’s education code that states if somebody has done something egregious or any type of misconduct with children, that it is reported by the district, it’s ed code,” Esparza said.

News Channel 3 obtained screenshots from social media posts where parents raised concerns about the new hire, and asked why greater attention wasn’t given to online messages.

“We do have our HR department who looks at reference checks. They look at the DOJ clearance and they do a social media check as well. However, we can’t find every single social media post that students or other parents or organizations put out about certain people,” she said.

It comes as two former CVUSD teachers are in court this week for alleged molestation charges. While those cases weren’t under her leadership, we asked Esparza how they move forward after cases like this.

“We do inform the parents that our first priority is making sure our students are safe. We let them know about the hiring process as well, especially if there’s a school where parents are concerned about a teacher. But we are highly transparent when it comes down to that. And our first and foremost, belief is, again, students first.”

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A striking new landmark has begun to take shape in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. At the intersection of Arenas Road and Indian Canyon Drive, a 65-foot flagpole now stands tall — soon to fly the iconic rainbow flag designed by LGBTQ+ activist and artist Gilbert Baker.

Although the flag has yet to be raised, the installation is already being embraced as a powerful symbol of inclusion, visibility, and resilience in a time when LGBTQ+ representation faces growing challenges across the country.

“With states across the country trying to erase everything that is LGBTQ, from crosswalks to flags — there are even states that have outright banned LGBTQ flags, we are in a city that values us as a community and this flags stands at the historical entrance of where our community has always come to engage and love and be their authentic self.”

Mitchell Battersby, Palm Springs Pride Director of Volunteers

The Arenas District Flagpole Project is a collaboration between Palm Springs Pride and local business owners, with the goal of creating a permanent, highly visible symbol of the city’s commitment to diversity and acceptance.

While the pole is up, organizers say additional funding is needed to complete the project. That includes costs for lighting, maintenance, and other finishing touches. Currently, only about 15% of the fundraising goal has been reached.

Residents and visitors alike are already rallying around the project, viewing it as a reflection of the city’s values.

“I think in the US, across the board — I think our cities need to be inclusive of everybody and I think what Palm Springs is doing here is sending a strong signal that Palm Springs is that inclusive city and everyone is welcome here.”

Stephen Golden, Rancho Mirage Resident

Organizers hope to have the project fully completed by mid-October, ahead of Pride celebrations.

For details on how to donate, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

MURRIETA, Calif. (KESQ) – A young man who gunned down a 17-year-old Cathedral City boy during a street confrontation that possibly stemmed from prior workplace ill-will was sentenced today to 50 years to life in state prison.   

A Murrieta jury in June deliberated one day before convicting Juan Alfredo Landeros Garcia, 26, of Cathedral City of first-degree murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations for the 2020 slaying of Isaiah Guerra.

During a hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Johnnetta Anderson imposed the sentence required under state law on Garcia.  

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, on the evening of April 4, 2020, Garcia was walking to a relative’s house, crossing near the intersection of Avenida Alvera and McCallum Way, when Guerra drove up in his Hyundai Elantra.   

The victim got Garcia’s attention, but it was unclear what words were exchanged between them. Prosecutors said they had previously worked together at a Palm Springs Italian restaurant, though specific details about their on-the-job relationship and any conflicts were speculative.

During the roadside encounter, Garcia pulled a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and fired 10 times, striking Guerra in the chest, arms and legs as he sat in the driver’s seat of the four-door sedan, according to the brief.

The mortally wounded motorist attempted to drive away but crashed 300 feet from where the gunfire erupted, his vehicle coming to rest on a sidewalk. He died at the scene.

Garcia ran from the location, tearing off his shirt and throwing the pistol onto a rooftop, the brief stated. Security surveillance cameras mounted on homes throughout the neighborhood captured the defendant in his flight, recording images of his tattoos and other salient marks later used to confirm he was the shooter.  

Cathedral City Police Department detectives obtained a warrant for Garcia’s arrest less than a week later, and he was taken into custody without incident at a family member’s property on Modalo Road.

The defendant admitted to his girlfriend, whose identity was not disclosed, that he’d shot the victim, but insisted that the teenager had “banged” on him, referring to gang-related hostility, then asked him, “Do you remember me?” court papers said.   

Garcia told the woman he’d pulled his gun and fired in self-defense.   

The defendant had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 50-year-old man pleaded guilty on Friday to killing five kittens and leaving them in a trash bag at a Cathedral City residence.

Jorge Edwin Ramirez pleaded guilty to five counts of animal cruelty and was immediately sentenced to two years of probation and 180 days in custody, according to court records.

Ramirez was arrested on April 29 on the 32300 block of Aurora Vista Road after a resident called police and said they found a bag containing five dead kittens in their backyard, the Cathedral City Police Department said.

During the investigation, CCPD officers found surveillance video that showed a suspect, identified as Ramirez, tossing a trash bag over the reporting party’s fence on the morning of April 25.

“The trash bag that was tossed over the fence contained five kittens ,which were later found deceased inside the bag. Officers were able to locate the suspect from the video,” reads a CCPD news release.

Ramirez was interviewed and admitted to the crime, police said.

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