Category: kesq-local-news

Allie Anthony

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Sixth-grade teacher Oracio Magaña of Valley View Elementary has been named the “One Class at a Time Teacher of the Month” by News Channel 3 and the Walter Clark Legal Group.

Magaña is a Coachella Valley native. He was recognized for his work with KidWind, an after-school STEM program where students design wind and solar energy projects.

“We started the STEM program here at Valley View. And once it started, it was a great opportunity for us to be able to incorporate a little bit of science with engineering. The kids are really attracted to it,” said Magaña.

His team has won multiple awards for their innovative designs. They build their very own small-scale wind turbines.

“It’s so impressive to right off the bat find such a great teacher doing something that’s really cutting edge at the time when we really need this kind of positive movement behind safe and clean energy,” said Walter Clark.

The $777.77 donation from the Walter Clark Legal Group will help fund materials for this year’s competitions.

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Cynthia White

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Sunnylands Center & Gardens is set to open on September 10th, offering many events throughout its new season, including “Films in the Gardens.”

The free outdoor movie series returns with a trio of films inspired from the new Sunnylands exhibition, “Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands.”

As the new exhibition takes a look at the variety of trees that have helped shape the Sunnylands landscape for nearly 60 years, Films in the Gardens showcases movies in which trees play a role in the story.

The films in the series – titled “Tales Beneath the Trees,” are rated R or PG for their scary or supernatural themes.

The free film showings start at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6:00 p.m., on three Fridays in September:

September 12 – Poltergeist, Rated: PG.

September 19 – Sleepy Hollow, Rated: R.

September 26 – Pan’s Labyrinth, Rated: R.

Reservations are not required, and carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnics, as no seating or food is provided. Snacks and drinks will be available from the Sunnylands café from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not allowed, and films may be canceled at any time due to weather conditions.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens, located at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, is presenting Films in the Gardens in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

For more details on Films in the Gardens and information on other events at Sunnylands, visit sunnylands.org/events/.

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Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – The Cathedral City Police Department (CCPD) released dramatic video showing the moment a man attacked Officer Marcus Ayala with a knife.

Nathaniel Hanley, Cathedral City Police Commander, said the incident ended with Officer Ayala gaining control of the suspect and arresting him on scene.

He said Officer Ayala is back to full duty.

“He’s fully recovered and back to full duty,” Hanley said. “He received a slight injury during the scuffle, but he was able to come back to duty actually the following week.”

Riverside County jail records reveal the suspect, Juan Francisco Sosa Jr., 29, was charged with attempted murder and robbery.

CCPD said Officer Ayala responded to a 911 call around 3:11 p.m. on July 27 regarding a verbal disturbance between family members.

“The attack happened right as he got to the front door,” Hanley said.

The video captures the struggle and the moment additional officers arrived on scene.

Sosa pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is scheduled back to court on September 3.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from CCPD about the training that prepares officers for moments like this at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside University Health System — Public Health (RUHS-PH) officials are alerting the public to an increase in Valley fever cases in Riverside County.

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a lung infection caused by inhaling fungal spores found in soil and dust, particularly in dry, windy conditions. The spores can be carried in the air when soil is disturbed, putting outdoor workers, construction crews, farmworkers, wildland firefighters, and people spending time in dusty environments at risk.

Riverside County confirmed 465 cases in 2024, RUHS officials said. So far this year, 322 cases have been reported– a 58% rise from the same time period last year that mirrors increases across the state related to changes in climate. RUHS – PH conducted interviews of 309 people with Valley fever; of those 59% had a co-existing condition such as diabetes and 36% worked outdoors.

“It is important to know about the risk of Valley fever if you work or spend time in dusty environments and have respiratory symptoms that are not getting better after seven to 10 days. Symptoms can look very similar to the flu and other respiratory illnesses,” said Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky.

Valley fever symptoms may appear one to three weeks after exposure and include fever, cough, chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath. The illness often resolves on its own, though for some people it can progress to severe, chronic symptoms requiring treatment. Those at elevated risk for severe disease include adults over 60 and those with chronic health conditions or health conditions that weaken the immune system.

Anyone who works or spends time in dusty areas and is experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms is encouraged to consult a healthcare provider if they are concerned about Valley fever.

Dr. Chevinsky advises the following precautions to reduce the risk of contracting Valley fever:

Stay indoors, close windows and doors, and use air filtration during dust storms or windy conditions. Set auto air conditioning on “recirculate” when driving through dusty areas.Avoid dusty areas, such as construction sites. Consider wearing a face covering if you must be outdoors in these areas.Avoid gardening or other activities involving contact with soil in windy and dusty conditions. Before digging, wet soil to prevent stirring particles into the air. 

For more information, visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Valley fever, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and Riverside University Health System at www.ruhealth.org.  

For questions or resources, call RUHS –PH Disease Control at 951-358-5107.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Indio will host a free, family-friendly event next month celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture in the downtown area.

The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 at 82881 Miles Ave., city officials said. It will feature live entertainment, a piñata-making station for children, a kids zone and local food vendors highlighting culinary traditions.

“Indio is a city rooted in culture, family and tradition and !Viva Indio! is out way of honoring the contributions of the Hispanic community while a creating a space for everyone to come together and celebrate,” Mayor Glenn Miller said.

More information is available at indio.org.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A 37-year-old woman who walked away from a San Diego County Female Community Reentry Program was apprehended today in Perris.   

Angel Rayburn was taken into custody without incident by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation agents, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office will decide whether she faces escape charges.

Rayburn walked away from the community reentry program Tuesday, officials said.

Since March 5, she has been serving a three-year sentence for evading a peace officer while driving the wrong way, assault with any means likely to produce great bodily injury to a peace officer and buying/receiving a stolen vehicle/trailer/construction equipment, officials said.

Rayburn arrived at the community reentry program Aug. 14, corrections officials said.

Since 1977, 99 percent of the incarcerated people who have escaped or walked away from an adult institution, camp, in-state contract bed or Community Rehabilitative Program Placement have been apprehended, according to the department.

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Peter Daut

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Millions of Americans are expected to hit the road this Labor Day weekend, but the holiday continues to rank among the deadliest for car wrecks. So News Channel 3 wanted to know where in the Coachella Valley are you most likely to get into a crash, and what’s being done about it? News Channel 3’s Peter Daut looked at the data from every Valley city, and what he found surprised even the police.

From Palm Springs to Rancho Mirage to Indio, there have been dozens of crashes throughout the Valley in 2025, many of them serious or even deadly. But we wanted to know exactly which intersections have had the most crashes. So we broke down the numbers from all nine Valley cities since the start of 2025, and here are the top three most dangerous:

Coming in at Number Three: Palm Drive and Dillon Road in Desert Hot Springs. There have been at least 15 reported collisions, with one injury, and one death. That death happened just a few weeks ago, involving a motorcycle rider. Security video obtained by News Channel 3 showed the moment that rider slammed into an SUV as it was turning. The impact, throwing him several feet into the air. A memorial now marks the spot where he died. Just five days earlier at the same intersection, cameras captured another crash: A driver suddenly lost control, slamming into a gas pump and sparking an explosion. Police said the driver was not seriously hurt, but had been speeding while under the influence.

“What is it about this intersection that makes it so dangerous?” Daut asked Desert Hot Springs Police Cpl. Sean McGuire. He answered: “There’s a lot of open land all north, south, east, west, it’s very rural seeming. A lot of people have a tendency to believe that despite the lowered speed limit that they can just fly through here.”

McGuire said he is surprised to find out the intersection ranks as the Valley’s third most dangerous, but he knows crashes there have been an ongoing issue. “What needs to happen here to make this intersection safer?” Daut asked him. He answered: “Well the city’s actually putting into place a lot of changes. In particular, they’re doing sidewalks down the majority of this roadway. They’re putting in lighting, a lot of our collisions occur at night as well, so that lighting should help a lot in regards to people walking up and down. Possibly putting inlets for law enforcement, so we can conduct traffic enforcement even safer.”

Coming in at the Number Two most dangerous: Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino in Palm Springs. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 20 reported crashes with eight injuries. Earlier this month, seven people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries after a four-car crash. Investigators said one of the drivers involved was intoxicated and charged with DUI. News Channel 3 has reported on the concerns of nearby residents, who say high-speed drivers and poor lighting along Vista Chino are to blame. “We’ve been talking about it for years about how dangerous this has gotten. It’s a lot more traffic than ever before coming through, and no lights. It’s completely dark. It’s actually risking your life to be in a car, let alone being on foot,” resident Jaymes Green said.

Palm Springs officials said that section of Vista Chino falls under Caltrans’ jurisdiction. We reached out to Caltrans to see what, if any, changes need to be made, and a spokesman responded that a study needs to be completed first.

And finally, coming in as the Number One most dangerous intersection in the Coachella Valley: Jackson Street and I-10 in Indio. Since January, there have been a whopping 27 reported crashes.

“I think people are impatient. We’re a culture of speed, and they want to get to their destination as quickly as possible,” Indio Police Lt. Andrew Leyva said. He also said nearby road construction on Avenue 44 has led to routine heavy congestion on Jackson street, especially during the afternoon. He said many drivers get tired of waiting to cross over the freeway, and so they roll through the intersection after the light has turned yellow. And that’s when a majority of the crashes tend to happen.

“Are you surprised this is the most dangerous intersection in the entire Coachella Valley?” Daut asked Leyva. He answered: “I am, especially when you showed me the other numbers compared to other agencies.”

Leyva said police know the intersection is a major problem, and that’s why officers are now stepping up enforcement. But he said drivers also need to do their part. “What we’re asking them is to change their behavior. Slowing down. Leave a little early to get to their destination, so they have enough time to get there on time.”

Construction on Avenue 44 is expected to be completed by next springs, so police are hopeful the intersection will be much safer by this time next year.

Other intersections in the Valley with a high number of crashes since the beginning of 2025: Ramon Road and Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs (19 total collisions); Gene Autry Trail and Mesquite Ave/Dinah Shore Drive in Palm Springs (19 total collisions); Washington Street and Hwy 11 in La Quinta (11 total collisions).

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Kendall Flynn

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Two children are dead and 17 other people are injured, including 14 children and three adults, after a shooting at a Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Valley is home to numerous Catholic schools and churches, like the Saint Cecilia Catholic Community and the Diocese of San Bernardino, who said they are praying for families at this time.

“It’s just this feeling of impotence that we all free frustrated about not being able to do something about it,” Bishop Alberto Rojas with the Diocese said. “But I’ve been praying and feeling sorry and praying for the victims and for the people to find a solution to these issues.” 

The Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter was armed with a riles, shotgun and pistol. They approached the side of the church and shot through the windows as children sat in the pews, during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School.

The Diocese of San Bernardino tells News Channel 3 there is a state mandate for active shooter training in schools. The Diocese oversees the Catholic schools and parishes in the Valley, and they say teachers, children and parents received training every two years.

Even with the training officials said it’s still a difficult situation as they never know when they will occur. For small churches like Saint Cecilia they rely on faith.

“We have very little resources. We can’t afford a security guard. And we more of less trust common sense and trust God,” Pastor David Justin Lynch said. “I’m hoping everyone here is safe and that all the pastors at the various churches will take seriously their responsibility to keep their congregation safe.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from local Catholic leaders about their message to the community at this time and how they are leaning into their faith.

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Luis Avila

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Parents are demanding answers and action after a violent fight involving multiple students broke out at Desert Mirage High School on Tuesday. The incident, caught on camera, has left families on edge and raised new concerns about student safety on campus.

Pedro, a parent who requested anonymity, says this isn’t an isolated issue.

“Frustrating. You wonder what’s going on at the school to check on your kids. If they’re involved. One never knows.”

Pedro, Thermal Resident

Pedro’s child attends Desert Mirage, and he says the circulating video immediately made him fear the worst.

He believes the Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) needs to do more to prevent these kinds of incidents, pointing to the need for increased campus security. However, he also emphasized the role of parents in keeping children out of harm’s way.

“I think there should be more security both inside and outside the campus… Us parents need to be more conscious and not let our children get involved where they shouldn’t. Be more attentive.”

Pedro, Thermal Resident

Pedro claims he has voiced his concerns to school officials but feels like they’ve gone unheard.

KESQ reached out to the school district for comment. While CVUSD did not respond to an interview request, the district provided a statement:

“The District is aware of the physical altercation that occurred in the Desert Mirage High School parking lot after school. Law enforcement responded and is supporting us in maintaining a safe learning environment. There were no reported injuries and families were notified to reassure them that all students were safe.”

Still, parents like Pedro say the district’s response isn’t enough.

It remains unclear what sparked the fight or how many students were directly involved.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Athena Jreij

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) — As investigators piece together what happened to Emmanuel Haro, News Channel 3 has seen a trend of misinformation spreading online.

Most recently, during a search operation in Moreno Valley, social media users spread information that the baby’s body had been found. While a search was conducted in the hills of Moreno Valley, no body was found and that information was never relayed by the department in charge, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s.

Studies into social media misinformation surrounding ‘true crime,’ have found it can have a negative impact on public opinion, juror selection, wrongful accusations and evidence gathering.

It’s something Sheriff Chad Bianco addressed head on in a press conference Wednesday.

“Misinformation, lies and purposeful misdirection is going to do nothing but harm this investigation,” he said.

Officials have warned false narratives that spread online can divert resources away from the investigation.

Lt. Gustavo Araiza with Palm Springs Police said, “A lot of times it could distract from the actual investigation that’s going on. The reality is there’s this influx of calls that are coming into our dispatch center. So now we’re taking time away from critical incidents because the phones are ringing off the hook. Generally, we will put up a hotline or a number to call if we’re asking for the public’s help,” Araiza said.

While officials say the public keeping an eye on a case can help with support, some bad actors online will spread unconfirmed information for clicks. That misinformation can have long term affects on cases when they head to trial.

“The jury pool is kind of limited for that specific area because people are well aware that might have heard some of the theories that were put out there, even though some of those theories might not be fact or weren’t actual evidence.”

News Channel 3 also spoke with Matt Johnson, a Crime and Justice Correspondent at Court TV, who said the buzz around this case has been unique.

“There are just so many people online searching for answers and following the case. There are people outside of the DA’s office looking for answers. They’re taking their time out of their busy days. They’re not going to work on certain days searching,” Johnson said.

Now, authorities are asking the public for patience as they maintain the integrity of the investigation.

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