Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

CABAZON (CNS) – Authorities are investigating the death of a person who was found along a roadway in Cabazon last weekend.

Deputies responded to a report of a possible deceased subject at 3:44 p.m. Sunday in the area of Railroad Avenue and Main Street, according to Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Arriving deputies found a person along the roadway who was pronounced dead at the scene.The Riverside County Coroner’s Bureau responded to the scene. The identity of the deceased was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

No further information was immediately available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Matthew Pearce

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Every day, thousands of parents trust school bus services to safely transport their children from bus stops to school.

During the commute, parents place their trust in bus services to keep their children safe. But they don’t always have access to see exactly where their child is during the bus ride.

As technology continues to expand, the possibilities for location tracking have changed.

Tonight on News Channel 3, learn how Zum Services is bridging the communication gap between bus drivers, schools and, most importantly, parents.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dakota Makinen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Della Lindley Elementary in Thousand Palms is bringing back Wellness on Wheels, a PSUSD program focused on supporting teacher and staff wellness.

The program brings wellness tips and resources directly to school campuses, with student ambassadors helping share the information with teachers.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Hernán Quintas

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Summer months can be a struggle for some Coachella Valley families trying to feed their families while school is out, but the need does not end when classes begin.

The FIND Regional Food Bank’s Kids Summer Market program is helping families even as school gets back into session. As Telemundo 15 anchor Hernán Quintas explains, food insecurity remains a critical issue needing continued support.

For a list of sites for the Kids Summer Market, click here

For more on the FIND Regional Food Bank, including how you can help, click here

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors is slated tomorrow to consider Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s request to secure a long-term contract, valued at more than $30 million, for the purchase of more than 2,000 body-worn cameras for deputies.

The board will review the sheriff’s proposed purchasing agreement with Scottsdale, Arizona-based Axon Enterprise Inc. during its policy agenda Tuesday.

“Modern and reliable body-worn camera systems provide substantial benefits … by promoting transparency, strengthening public trust and supporting accountability in law enforcement operations,” according to a sheriff’s statement posted to the board’s agenda. “High-quality recordings provide objective documentation of critical incidents, assist in resolving investigations and support de escalation efforts. In addition, reliable body-worn camera footage also helps reduce the county’s exposure to liability.”

The sheriff’s department last entered into an agreement with the company in 2021, resulting in the acquisition of roughly 1,500 body cams, along with technical support and replacement parts, that continued until this summer.

The current proposal is for Axon to supply 2,086 current generation cameras — Body 4 Cams — with the most technologically advanced features, complete with support, storage and related services until Aug. 31, 2031.

The aggregate cost, with contingencies factored in, would be $32.69 million, according to sheriff’s officials. All of the funds would be drawn from sheriff’s appropriations, not General Fund accounts.

In 2021, following a bidding process that involved six potential suppliers, Axon’s products were deemed in documents to offer the highest “operational performance and overall value.”

The sheriff’s department wants to continue the relationship, without seeking competitive bids now, because the “Axon platform ensures seamless compatibility with the agency’s existing digital evidence management system, software integration and established workflows across patrol, investigationsand specialty units,” documents stated.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire burned down three RVs, killing a dog and injuring a person, before being contained Monday afternoon in the Desert Hot Springs area.

The fire was first reported just before 12:55 p.m. on the 17400 block of Ben-Mar, near 18th Avenue and Little Morongo.

Originally, authorities said a vehicle fire spread to additional vehicles and a structure. The fire was contained at around 2:45 p.m.

One person was treated for minor injuries and transported to the hospital.

Animal control was called to the scene to assist with the deceased dog.

There was no word on a possible cause of the fire.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

BANNING (CNS) – A vehicle fire sparked in the hills south of Banning charred 23 acres at the foot of the San Bernardino National Forest before it was stopped Monday afternoon.

The non-injury blaze was reported just after noon Monday in the area of Mt. Edna Road and Highway 243, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said that multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location, joined by four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters that initiated runs on the brusher at 12:30 p.m.

No homes or other structures were damaged, and no evacuation orders were implemented.

However, just after 2 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers shut down both sides of Highway 243 for public safety, mainly due to the number of fire department vehicles and personnel packed onto the two-lane corridor. Officials said the highway is expected to remain closed until 8 p.m.

A SigAlert was issued because of the closure. Highway 243 was reopened just before 7 p.m.

As of 2:30 p.m., with the fire’s forward rate of spread stopped, all air tankers had cleared the area, leaving only the choppers to make targeted drops, according to reports from the scene.Crews were working to strengthen containment lines, but full containment of the blaze was not expected Monday afternoon.

The incident was initially reported as a vehicle over the side near Highway 243 and Mount Edna Road, according to CAL FIRE. The vehicle caught fire, which extended into the surrounding vegetation. One bystander climbed down into the rocky terrain and pulled an occupant from the vehicle.

The patient was then transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — School ended abruptly for students at Raymond Cree Middle School Monday morning, with students allowed to leave early after a water main break over the weekend affected the campus air conditioning system, according to a message sent to parents by the Palm Springs Unified School District.

School officials said the water main break impacted the school’s air conditioning system and that it was taking longer than expected to fully cool the campus buildings.

“This morning they were already here very early, refilling the chillers in the air conditioning system, getting them up and running,” Johnson said. “It turned out only one pump was working. So by 8 a.m., the district knew there was an issue.”

Johnson explained how full classrooms strained the limited cooling capacity.

“So as you add 30 bodies to a classroom, it gets hotter. And then the air conditioners have to work harder,” Johnson said,

Students experienced shifting class environments throughout the morning. Noah, a seventh grade student at the school, recalled how staff managed the heat.

“All I gotta say it’s really hot, though,” Noah said. “The (gymnasium) was the only place that had AC.”

The district says for the health and safety of students and staff, parents were encouraged to begin picking up their children at 11:15 a.m. Parents picking up their children are required to sign them out.

PSUSD says students who ride the bus, along with students who are not picked up or released to walk home, will remain on campus in designated cool areas for the remainder of the school day. Those students will be transported home at their regularly scheduled time.

The school’s Think Together program will also operate in cool areas of the campus.

In a message to families, Raymond Cree Middle School Principal Bernie Marez said the health and safety of students and staff remained the school’s highest priority.

The early dismissal comes as schools across the Coachella Valley contend with high temperatures, making functioning air conditioning particularly important for maintaining safe learning environments.

The district confirmed school will be back in session for its normal hours Tuesday, September 1. Parents are encouraged to monitor messages from Raymond Cree Middle School and the Palm Springs Unified School District for any additional updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The City of Palm Springs has a new Chief of Police. City Manager Scott Stiles has selected Deputy Chief Kyle Stjerne as the city’s next Chief of Police following an internal recruitment process and community input.

Stjerne, a 24-year veteran of the Palm Springs Police Department, will succeed retiring Chief Andy Mills and officially begin his new role on September 6.

Stjerne joined the department in 2002 and has served in a range of leadership positions, including detective sergeant, SWAT team leader and commander, internal affairs sergeant, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief. He has served as deputy chief since January 2026, overseeing day-to-day operations and the department’s $46 million budget.

During his career, Stjerne has led major criminal investigations, critical incidents and high-profile events, including presidential visits. He has also played a key role in reshaping the department’s crime-control strategy, which city officials say has helped reduce crime while improving productivity and operational effectiveness.

Stiles said Stjerne’s experience and understanding of the community made him the right choice after reviewing 1,300 responses to the city’s Police Chief Community Survey.

“Kyle has grown into an outstanding leader, a seasoned problem solver, and a trusted public servant,” Stiles said, adding that he is confident Stjerne will build on the department’s foundation of inclusive, community-centered policing.

Stjerne holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from San Diego State University and has completed management and public leadership programs through Harvard University and Harvard Business School Online. He also recently graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police offered by the Police Executive Research Forum.

In a statement, Stjerne called the appointment the “profound honor” of his professional life and pledged to lead with integrity, transparency and community engagement while focusing on crime prevention, quality of life and modern policing.

Stjerne and his wife, Brooke, have been married for 21 years and have two children. Outside of work, he practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, hikes in the Coachella Valley and reads extensively about leadership and high-performing teams.

Click here to follow the original article.

KESQ News Team

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) –UPDATED: The murder charge against Silvercrest CEO William “Billy” Rodriguez has been dismissed following a preliminary hearing in the case stemming from a deadly 2024 crash in Cathedral City.

Judge John Ryan ruled there was not enough evidence for the murder count to move forward.

However, Ryan found sufficient evidence for Rodriguez to stand trial on felony hit-and-run causing death and driving on a suspended license.

Rodriguez has pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from the October 2024 crash that killed 60-year-old Christina Barrington in Cathedral City.

The judge’s decision comes after the preliminary hearing resumed Monday, with investigators presenting evidence about the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Rodriguez will be back in court on September 15th for his next arraignment. The conditions of his bail are $2 million dollars, scram alcohol monitoring, gps tracking, and surrender of his passport.

During the first day of testimony, investigators said surveillance video showed the SUV traveling about 65 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone. Investigators also testified that the vehicle never appeared to brake before the impact.

The dismissal of the murder charge means Rodriguez will not face that count at trial, but he will still face the felony hit-and-run causing death and suspended-license charges.

Barrington’s daughter, Christiana Lewis, is separately suing Rodriguez, Silvercrest Advertising and the City of Cathedral City in a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging in part a burnt-out streetlight left the crash site in a dangerous condition.

News Channel 3 has been in court throughout the morning and will have much more on Judge John Ryan’s decision tonight on News Channel 3.

Click here to follow the original article.