Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)  – Just days after a shooting near Bagdouma Park, the city of Coachella moved forward with its annual Independence Day celebration Thursday night — complete with food trucks, carnival games and a firework show.

Despite safety concerns, many families still showed up to celebrate.

“I am really happy to be here,” Dulce, an attendee said. “I think it’s the best celebration.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department increased patrols for the event, deploying its Coachella Community Action Team to monitor entrances and exits and maintain a visible law enforcement presence.

Others noted a quieter turnout than usual, pointing not to recent violence, but fears surrounding immigration enforcement.

“There’s a lot less people than last year,” said Victor Yrra, another guest. “I think people are scared to show up because of ICE.”

Yrra said he chose to choose celebration over fear.

“We’re going to have to prevail no matter what,” Yrra said.

For a full list of Fourth of July celebrations happening Friday across the Coachella Valley, click here.

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio Police Department is seeking the help of the community to identify the person responsible in a series of recent burglaries at businesses around the city.

They say the suspect in the burglaries is described as a black male adult around 5’8″ to 6’0″, wearing a dark hoodie with an emblem on the back, dark pants and shoes, white gloves, and a face mask.

The man was captured on video surveillance cameras, with footage showing him breaking windows with rocks and targeting cash registers, tip jars, and small cash boxes.

The burglaries happened over a 24-hour period, and the suspect looks to be wearing the same clothing in each event.

Indio Police ask anyone who recognizes this person or who may have surveillance video or experienced a similar crime to contact Sgt. Traynham at 760-541-4522 or at btraynham@indiopd.org. Police add that you may remain anonymous.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people were hospitalized after a hit-and-run crash involving a semi-truck and an SUV Thursday morning on Interstate 10 in Indio.

The crash was first reported at around 11 a.m. on the eastbound side on the I-10, west of Monroe.

According to the California Highway Patrol, an SUV was traveling in the slow lane when it collided with a Semi. The impact caused the SUV to lose control and overturn onto the right shoulder.  

The driver and a passenger were transported to a nearby hospital after complaints of pain.

It is unknown who is at fault at this time, police said.

CHP is investigating the crash as a hit-and-run, as the semi truck did not stay at the scene.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A program to provide money to businesses impacted by the Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing in May was announced Thursday.   

“The Palm Springs City Council and I are unwavering in our commitment to our local businesses,” Mayor Ron deHarte said in announcing the program. “That’s why we’ve allocated $50,000 to directly invest in and help our small businesses not just reopen but truly rebuild and thrive after the May 17th attack.”  

The city’s “Recovery Fund” is aimed at paying expenses not covered by insurance or other recovery programs.   

The fund will benefit businesses located within the Disaster Overlay Zone.   

“Our community thrives when our businesses thrive. This fund is designed to support them as they rebuild and return to doing what they do best,” City Manager Scott Miles said.

Visit engagepalmsprings.com and contact Wayne Olson, Chief Economic Development Officer to begin the application process at business.info@palmspringsca.gov.

The car-bombing largely destroyed the American Reproductive Centers clinic at 1199 N. Indian Canyon Drive, while damaging businesses in a several-block radius. The bomber, 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, was the only person to die in the blast.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Three men were arrested after Indio police officers seized illegal fireworks and firearms in the Coachella Valley, police said today.

A search warrant was served around 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 1500 block of Second Street, in Coachella, regarding a market allegedly selling illegal fireworks to minors.

Authorities recovered “a substantial amount of illegal fireworks, a handgun and an AK-47 rifle,” said police. The seized firearms were not legally registered.

Two men from the market were arrested.   

Another man was arrested following a served search warrant regarding illegal fireworks in the Coachella Valley.   

All three men, whose identities were not revealed, were booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

Officers advised residents that fines up to $2,000 can be issued to people using illegal fireworks as a first time offense.   

“We’re committed to helping everyone enjoy the holiday safely,” said Police Chief Brian Tully. “By conducting proactive enforcement like last night’s operation, we’re working to prevent injuries, fire and crimes, so our community can celebrate responsibly.”

Anyone with information regarding illegal fireworks was urged to contact a dedicated hotline at 442-300-3104, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.

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Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – California Highway Patrol is reminding residents and visitors about staying safe during July 4th, especially as over 72 million Americans are forecasted to travel throughout the weekend, according to AAA.

While CHP and residents say traveling is good for everyone, officers say it raises concerns over traveler safety. Because of the number of people potential spending the holiday throughout the Valley, CHP says it will be engaging its maximum holiday enforcement period.

Officers across the state will be on patrol from Thursday night through Sunday, looking out for the five main collision factors they see each Fourth of July – DUI’s, distracted driving, speeding, seatbelt violations and drug impairment.

While all violations are serious, CHP says DUI is its biggest concern over the weekend, especially as people join nightly celebrations. Last year, CHP made 1,300 DUI arrests statewide during its holiday enforcement period, with 13 of those arrests in the Indio area.

One thing they feel people don’t realize is DUI extends beyond drunk driving and reaches to cannabis or prescription drug use. They say no matter what substance people take and no matter how much, it has the potential to impair their ability to drive.

Their message to the public is stay safe, stay sober and don’t risk it. If any residents see reckless drivers on the road, CHP advices anyone that sees something to say something and call 911.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from a concerned resident and CHP on the importance of staying sober and safe this Fourth of July.

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Jesus Reyes

MALIBU, Calif. (KESQ) – Actor Michael Madsen, known for his frequent collaboration with director Quentin Tarantino in films such as “Reservoir Dogs,” “Kill Bill” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” died today at his Malibu home. He was 67.

His publicist, Liz Rodriguez, said Madsen suffered what appeared to be a cardiac arrest, and he was found unresponsive Thursday morning.   

“In the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film including upcoming feature films `Resurrection Road,’ `Concessions’ and `Cookbook for Southern Housewives,’ and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,” Rodriguez said in a joint statement with Madsen’s managers, Susan Ferris and Ron Smith. “Michael was also preparing to release a new book called `Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems,’ currently being edited.”

“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”  

A Chicago native, Madsen broke into films with a small part in the 1980s thriller “WarGames,” followed by appearances in productions including “The Natural,” “Thelma & Louise,” “Donnie Brasco” and “Die Another Day.”

But he made a splash in his work with Tarantino, beginning with the brutal crime drama “Reservoir Dogs,” playing a sadistic criminal known only as Mr. Blonde. He worked with Tarantino again in the films “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” “The Hateful Eight” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”   

Madsen was the brother of Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen. He was married three times and had six children. His son Christian is also an actor, known for his work in “Divergent.”

According to Palm Springs Life, Madsen owned a house in Thunderbird Heights in Rancho Mirage in the late 90s.

In 2021, Madsen was apart of the documentary, “The Jewels of the Salton Sea.”

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Athena Jreij

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The owners of a Desert Hot Springs home are asking the community for help in finding homes for dozens of pets abandoned in the home by squatters.

Betty Kerr, the real estate agent representing the home, says the property owners recently won an eviction case against a family member squatting in the home. When they finally gained access to the home, they found a mess they never expected.

“I’ve been selling real estate here in Coachella Valley in the High Desert for over 26 years. I can honestly say this is the worst eviction and the condition of the property that I’ve ever seen in 26 years,” Kerr said.

She says they found about 46 cats in need of a home, as well as several dogs, but she says shelters across the Coachella Valley were too full to accept any animals.

“I’ve called every shelter around here. They’re all full. I’ve called shelters in Yucca Valley where I live. They’re all to capacity,” Kerr said.

Even Desert Hot Springs Animal Control, who responded to the home with several officers, said they can’t rescue cats unless they are deemed to be “irredeemably suffering.”

Now, they’re asking local rescues for help to rehabilitate the cats and assist in finding them homes.

“It’s just hard. They’re starving. When I put the food down, there were like 15 cats just devouring the food so quickly I thought they were going to eat each other. Help me find a home for these animals. I don’t want to leave them here.”

It’s why they reached out to News Channel 3 in hopes of connecting with more rescues.

On Thursday, Christina Sanchez with Kitty Corralers in Joshua Tree, arrived to set up traps for some of the pregnant cats. She says she already took in two that were sick from heat exhaustion and a respiratory infection.

“I’ve been to several hoarding situations, this is the worst that I’ve been to. In the sense that, the person was living in a home that had no electricity, no running water, and their cats and dogs wereforced to live in those conditions and there was no food,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez says she’s already overwhelmed with cats from another hoarding case in Yucca Valley, and she’s not the only one. Several local rescues are reporting over-capacity with little relief.

So, the call to action continues as the animals survive on borrowed time.

News Channel 3 will continue following this story as rescues respond. Tune for continuing coverage.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A new bill designed to keep you from being drugged is now in effect.

Bars across the state must now have a stack of lids available to protect drinks from being spiked. If you want a lid to protect your drink, just ask.

The law, which went into effect Tuesday, aims to deter drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Local bars, like Hunter’s Palm Springs, are equipped and optimistic.

“I hope it helps a lot of my customers. They will put something over their drink like paper but that’s not what we want happen. We want these where it’s more secure, tightly over the top of the drink. You’d have to see someone actually get in there and you have time to say ‘hey, what are you doing to my drink.’”

Mary Bongard, Hunter’s Palm Springs manager

Some patrons see possible holes.

“People start drinking, you get a little more liberated, mentally, physically, and I don’t think people really think it through.” 

Conrad Miller, Palm Springs resident

California bars and nightclubs are already required to post signs letting customers know that drug-testing kits are available. Now they have to keep a stack of lids handy — one more method for protecting patrons.

It’s supported by the LGBTQ+ community and alcohol safety organizations.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In an effort to expand community access to specialty care services, Desert Healthcare District & Foundation awarded a grant of $236,555 to Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.

The grant primarily will fund 50 percent of the salary of the organization’s first Coachella Valley-based physician. The staff addition is expected to expand sexual and reproductive healthcare access, including among low-income and traditionally underserved patients across desert communities.

In recent years Planned Parenthood has increased efforts to remove barriers to access, streamline care, and improve community health outcomes. These efforts began with a renovation and expansion of its Rancho Mirage health center, followed by the hiring of an obstetrician-gynecologist, purchase of new equipment for diagnosis and treatment, and staff training to operate the equipment.

With a new physician, funded in part by the grant, the Rancho Mirage clinic will provide consultations, screenings, diagnosis and treatment for a variety of healthcare needs.

“Through this grant, the District is also addressing a significant health-care challenge in the Coachella Valley,” said Chris Christensen, Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO. “Bringing on this one physician will enable a local facility to increase patient volume and offer a broad range of lifesaving services.”

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