Category: kesq-local-news

Haley Meberg

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)– The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM) is calling out for community support for food donations following rising demand from “food insecure” families leaving CVRM’s food pantry depleted. 

The CVRM was founded in 1971 and distributes about 175 boxes of food to local families each Wednesday. CVRM reports that recently there has been an influx of families looking for support. 

“We have seen nearly a 200 percent increase in families coming to the Mission to pick up food boxes in recent weeks,” said Executive Director Amanda Galindo. 

Food donations can be brought directly to CVRM at 47470 Van Buren St in Indio.

CVRM is requesting pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned meat, mac n cheese, top ramen, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, beans, cookies, crackers, granola bars, snack packs, and hamburger helper. 

 CVRM provides food, clothing and safe shelter to anyone in need as well as help people end their cycle of homelessness through counseling, job training and job placement services. 

Financial contributions to their efforts can be made at CVRM.org 

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Haley Meberg

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ)– Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) launches Unleash Your Superpower- Adopt a Hero event following the popularization of Krypto, Superman’s loyal canine companion, who was inspired by a real-life RCDAS shelter dog.

Ozu, the real-life inspiration for Superman’s four-legged friend, was one of 37 small dogs brought to a RCDAS shelter from a packed minivan.

“If a dog who started at our shelter system can inspire a movie hero, it’s proof that animals in our care have the potential to do incredible things,” said RCDAS Lieutenant of Field Services James Huffman. “You don’t need a cape to be a hero – just a willingness to open your home and heart to a shelter pet.” 

To celebrate Ozu’s journey from shelter life to superhero fame RCDAS is holding a month-long adoption event “Unleash Your Superpower – Adopt a Hero,” from August 1-30.

During this month-long event, adoption fees will be waived for all cats and dogs and include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchips and engraved ID tags.

RCDAS has reports they operate one of the highest-intake shelter systems in the nation with kennel spaces being in critical overflow. Throughout the summer shelters across the valley have called out for community support in finding these animals their forever homes. 

“We can all do more, and this story shows the power of giving shelter pets a second chance,” said  Riverside County Chairman of the Board and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “You never know who is waiting for you at a Riverside County shelter, and there is no better time to make a lasting connection.”   

The month-long event will take place at all RCDAS locations and will be open Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

To view adoptable pets visit https://rcdas.org/

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Tenet nurses at Desert Regional Medical Center and across California held informational pickets Thursday demanding increased staff and training.

According to the union, Tenet nurses are currently in negotiations to bargain a contract that includes staffing improvements like lift support, rapid response nurses, and rest and meal break nurses, as well as adequate orientations for new hires.

Those picketing on the ground allege inconsistent staffing and shift cuts are harming patient care.

“We’re constantly moving nurses like they’re chess pieces across the hospital. A patient can have 2 or 3 nurses in a shift, that’s not good for them. That increases the risk of errors when that happens,” Rachel Garcia, a registered nurse at Desert Regional said.

“We hear constantly we don’t staff for ‘what ifs,’ it’s an administrator saying. We are a level one trauma center. We are a comprehensive stroke center. We are an advanced cardiac care center. We should be staffing for ‘what ifs,” Laura Bruce, an ICU nurse said.

Nurses on the ground told News Channel 3 some new hires receive just days or orientation before working.

“New nurses that come to our hospital that have experience, they’re only getting four days orientation. Is that enough? No,” Bruce said.

In a statement to News Channel 3, Desert Regional Medical Center said:

“Our hospital is in full operation and open for all services. Our team’s focus today, as it is every day, is on providing exceptional quality patient care. We are currently involved in bargaining with the union and will continue to negotiate in good faith in hopes of reaching a successful contract. Our focus is on providing high quality healthcare to our community and a positive work environment for our employees.”

Officials say the hospital and nursing union will meet back at the bargaining table next week, on August 5th and 6th to resume contract negotiations.

Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

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Haley Meberg

FONTANA, Calif. (KESQ)- At approximately 9:32 a.m., a 4.3 magnitude earthquake occurred near Fontana California, with movement being felt in several regions including the Coachella Valley.

Residents in the Coachella Valley have reported feeling tremors, described as a rumble.

Three other quakes have been reported this morning in the Rialto area. The quakes were reported at a 3.0 magnitude earthquake at 8:34 a.m., a 2.8 magnitude earthquake at 8:42 a.m., and a 3.1 magnitude earthquake at 9:36 a.m.

No injuries or major damages have been reported from the earthquake at this time.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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Haley Meberg

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– The Coachella Valley Firebirds re-sign defenseman Charlie Wright for another one-year AHL contract, bringing him back to the ice for the 2025-26 season. 

NEWS: The #CVFirebirds have signed defenseman Charlie Wright to a one-year, AHL contract for the 2025-26 season.

Welcome back, Charlie! https://t.co/wjIP3aCSQ6 | #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/BLOt7qBDp2

— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) July 31, 2025

Wright, 21, joined the Firebirds in the 2024-25 season as a regular season defenseman playing 21 games with the team. 

The defenseman joined the Firebirds last year as a rookie following five seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades. Wright scored 15 goals and 88 assists throughout his 256 regular season games with Saskatoon. 

Wright returns to the team alongside other re-signed players Ian McKinnon, Jack LaFontaine, and Gustav Olofsson. 

Visit https://cvfirebirds.com/ for more information about the Firebirds 2025-26 season. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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Haley Meberg

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)– Indio Police Department will be conducting DUI patrols Friday, August 1, from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

The IPD will be out on DUI patrols Friday evening looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence.

“Impaired driving is preventable,” Sgt. Peter Fuentes said. “It’s a choice. If you’ve been drinking or taken drugs that impair, make the right choice by finding a sober driver or alternate transportation to take you places.”

The Indio Police Department reminds drivers that alcohol as well as prescription medication and over-the-counter drugs can impair an individual’s driving. The IPD advises drivers to always read warning labels and follow directions for use before taking medication. 

It is reported that drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first time DUI face an average of $13,500 fine and penalties as well as a suspended license. 

Funding for this program was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s almost the end of summertime for families as the school year is just around the corner. Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert is hosting an “end of summer splash” at the Palm Springs Surf Club for a charity fundraiser and community event.

While 20 families with Variety will be coming to the park for free to enjoy the waves and water slides, organizers say it’s an important event beyond the amenities.

“It’s so important to feel like you belong and you’re a part of a community,” Nick Rossi, Variety’s senior development director said.

The surf party will welcome Variety families, whom the organizers said are from underserved communities. Families often lack the ability to enjoy spaces like the surf club because of disabilities or income insecurity.

“We have brought them in because maybe they have never thought they could come to a surf club or to a water park,” Rossi said.

One family who got to enjoy the club for the first time was Analysa Santos and her two children. She said Variety has been instrumental in providing services for her families mental health, and getting to spend the day at the surf club is an extra helping hand.

“Variety has a lot of resources because it’s an extra hand,” Santos said. “I believe a lot of people need an extra hand sometimes to be able to maneuver, especially when you got kids.”

The Palm Springs Surf Club said they’re always doing what they can to make the surf club accessible whether it’s with ADA compliant facilities or helping families. With the partnership with Variety, the surf club hopes to give the families visiting for free a relaxing experience.

“We want everyone to enjoy it, you know bring the community together regardless of whatever disability or where you are in life,” James Dunlop, the general manager of surf, said. “They have a lot of stress I’m sure. We can relieve someone of that here and give them a good time and it’s worth it.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from organizers and families about the end-of-summer event.

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Haley Meberg

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)– Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians partners up with 29 Palms Marine Corps Community Services and Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center to launch free shuttle service for Marines. 

On Friday, August 1, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians in partnership with 29 Palms Marine Corps Community Services and Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center will host the ribbon cutting ceremony for the inaugural launch of a free shuttle service for local Marines. 

The event will take place at 4:00 p.m. at the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center Freedom Plaza located at 6533 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

The ribbon cutting will include representatives from Joshua Tree National Park and Chairman Darrell Mike from the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

The shuttle is said to be available for mostly weekends and late-night service. The shuttle will have multiple stops on the marine base, a stop at Freedom Plaza which is where the Joshua Tree Visitor Center is located, at Tortoise Rock Casino, back to park, and then back to base.

More information about the services involved with this launch have not been released at this time. 

Information will soon become available at Shuttle29.com.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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Zachariah Perez

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ)- Today Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco held his first fundraising period.

In his first fundraising period since announcing his candidacy for governor, Sheriff Bianco raised $1.64 million from more than 8,100 donors.

The donors from this list include police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, teachers and more. The Sheriff’s campaign raised $321,000 from over 8,500 individual contributions of $100 or less, highlighting the Sheriff’s grassroots support across California.

The total amount includes no loans, candidate contributions or committee transfers. He ended the period June 30, with nearly $1.1 million cash-on-hand.

“California is broken with the highest taxes, housing prices and energy rates in the nation – and a broken criminal justice system that puts criminals above victims – it’s clear that we need a major change in Sacramento to lower our cost of living and bring our state back,” said Sheriff Bianco.

To learn more about Sheriff Bianco and his run for California Governor visit www.BiancoforGovernor.com.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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Haley Meberg

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)– The City of Coachella calls out to youth leaders to apply for their 2025-26 Youth Advisory Council. 

The Youth Advisory Council runs from August to June, mirroring CVUSD’s school year. This council is set to work hand in hand with city council and aims to gain insight from community youth leaders on all matters involving young people in The City of Coachella. 

The city urges young students to participate and help shape the future of the community while earning a $250 stipend. 

10 youth commission seats will be available to Coachella residents enrolled in high school. The deadline to apply for this committee is August 19. 

To apply for this program, visit https://www.coachella.org/home/showpublisheddocument/9367/638342484748630000 

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