Category: kesq-local-news

Cynthia White

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Just months after sweeping layoffs aimed at fixing a multi-million dollar budget shortfall, the Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) announced on Monday that it has entered into a contract with the state’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT).

FCMAT acts as California’s independent analyst focusing on helping schools and districts across the state identify and fix budget and operational management challenges.

In a statement, district officials say the analysis through FCMAT has been made available to the district for free due to the advocacy and support of Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego).

Officials add, “This support enables CVUSD to focus resources on student learning while also ensuring access to the tools necessary to preserve fiscal health. CVUSD anticipates sharing an update on financial improvements in mid to late October and remains committed to responsible stewardship of public funds, transparency in decision-making, and the success of every student it serves.”

The move allows the district to avoid spending more money on consultants as it works to get its financial picture in order.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and its partners are getting ready for the Coachella Valley’s busy season.

PSP is hosting its 5th Annual Job Fair on Tuesday, August 26th, reviewing resumes and offering interviews and immediate hires for more than 200 positions in airline, concessions, security, parking, and more.

The event will run from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center, located at 277 N. Avenida Caballeros in Palm Springs.

More than a dozen airport employers will be there looking to fill jobs that include:

Transportation Security Officers

Ramp Agents

Customer Service Representatives

Retail and Sales Associates

Bartenders, Servers, and Hosts

Utility Workers

Taxi Drivers

and many other jobs

Employers looking for candidates suggest those seeking a position at PSP dress professionally, bring plenty of copies of resumes, and be ready to interview.

PSP Assistant Airport Director Victoria Carpenter says, “PSP is buzzing with opportunities, and we’re eager to fill many open positions this season. The airport is a unique and exciting place to work – we invite job seekers to learn more about how they can be part of the action.”

To learn more, visit flypsp.com/business/careers.

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Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – Heavy rain turning into heavy worries for some residents at Canyon Mobile Home Community.

Residents told News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson their neighborhood has faced flooding before, and that the storm was a reminder of just how vulnerable their homes can be.

At 10 and 11 p.m. hear from neighbors now pushing for change.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Public Library reopened today after relocating to its temporary location at Rimrock Plaza, while the original facility is renovated.

The library, temporarily located at 4721 E. Palm Canyon Drive, opened at 10 a.m. Monday on the corner of Gene Autry Trail.   

The relocation was necessary to accommodate the original building’s 18- to 36-month renovation for maintenance and infrastructure updates.   

According to the library’s project timeline, a tentative reopening of the facility at 300 S. Sunrise Way was scheduled for summer 2027.

On June 11, the city council approved a three-year lease agreement with the owners of Rimrock Plaza to use the 6,000-square-foot building, where the library will resume normal hours of operation and many of its programs.

Library hours will be from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, staying open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and until 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library is closed Sundays.

Numerous programs and services will be held at Rimrock including story times and Passport Acceptance Services. Friends of the Library will continue to sell used books, while the library will also offer downloadable music, eBooks, public computers and language learning.

The teen and adult programs will be spread across various locations in the city, including Welwood Murray Memorial Library, 100 S. Palm Canyon Drive, and Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way.

In addition, library officials announced Monday the availability of STEAM-to-go kits, an interactive science, technology, engineering, art and math resource that aims to “foster the development of critical thinking, problem solving and creativity.”

Officials said 20 kits are available with various themes and can be checked out one kit at a time for two weeks.   

More information can be found at www.palmspringslibrary.org, or contact the library at 760-322-7323.

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Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A pedestrian was pronounced dead after a traffic collision Monday afternoon in Twentynine Palms.

The crash was reported at approximately 12:45 p.m. near the 5100 block of Adobe.

Details remain limited; however, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed a male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

City officials announced that Adobe Road is closed between Samarkand Drive and Calle Todd Lane.

The investigation remains ongoing. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Tomás D. Morales is set to step down as president of California State University, San Bernardino, following the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

Morales made the announcement last week at the university’s annual Convocation of faculty, staff and administrators.

Morales has spent 51 years in higher education, including 13 as CSUSB president.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your president. And I look forward to moving into this next year with you,” Morales said. 

Morales added, “These are not just words, they are what I truly feel and believe — and I have a great deal of confidence in you and the future of our campus.” 

Morales began his role as CSUSB’s fourth president in August 2012.

School officials said Morales’ commitment to student success has led to various innovative summer bridge and other student and academic support services, including strengthening relationships with public K-12 school districts and community colleges in the Inland Empire. 

He successfully completed CSUSB’s first fundraising campaign, raising $54 million while doubling the university endowment. The university’s ongoing second fundraising campaign is setting new records for the two-campus institution. His dedication to diversity prompted the development of the institution’s unique Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board. In addition, he spearheaded the first truly bi-county initiative to improve college attainment leading to the founding of the 501(c)(3) organization, Growing Inland Achievement, which has raised over $25 million toward this goal. Furthermore, under his watch, 552,612 gross square feet has been added to San Bernardino and Palm Desert.

Morales has spent his career working for the State University of New York, the City University of New York and the California State University. Prior to coming to CSUSB, Morales was president of the College of Staten Island, The City University of New York (CUNY), from 2007 to 2012. 

From 2001 to 2007, Morales served in various capacities at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (CPP), including Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, and professor of education. While at CPP, he established the Kellogg Honors College, realigned the division of Academic Affairs and played a key role in completing a $23 million expansion of the Bronco Student Center, among other projects. 

Prior to joining CPP, Morales served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at The City College of New York (CUNY). He holds a B.A. in history from SUNY, New Paltz, and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in educational administration and policy studies from SUNY, Albany. 

Morales said that the appointment process will be managed and confirmed by the CSU Board of Trustees over the coming months and called on the university community to “participate in the upcoming open forum and provide your input through your campus representatives throughout the search process.  More information will be forthcoming from the Chancellor’s Office.” 

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Luis Avila

UPDATE 8/25/25 7:00 PM – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a deputy responded to the location following continued reports of a strong odor in the area. Upon assessment, the department coordinated with the local fire agency, which conducted a wash down in an effort to mitigate the issue.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A quiet neighborhood in Twentynine Palms has been shaken after the grim discovery of a man’s body behind two homes Sunday afternoon.

Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s Office responded to the area near Gorgonio Drive and Encelia Avenue following a 911 call from a concerned resident. Neighbors had been investigating a strong odor that had persisted in the neighborhood for several days.

Brandice Von Stockhausen expressed concern not only over the discovery itself, but also over how close it was to her home and family.

While investigators have stated that no suspicious circumstances were immediately noted at the scene, the unresolved questions are leaving residents anxious.

Adding to the discomfort is the lingering odor, which neighbors say has yet to dissipate, even after the body was removed.

“Because of the heat, it’s very hot, so the decomposing of the body, it made it really smell bad… It makes you kind of sick to be honest. I’ve actually had headaches from it.”

Brandice Von Stockhausen, Twentynine Palms Resident

The Sheriff’s Department told News Channel 3 that it is not responsible for removing lingering smells. They suggested the odor should subside on its own, but noted that residents may request assistance from the local fire department if needed.

For now, residents in this typically quiet desert neighborhood say the unease will remain until they get more answers.

“I hope they can give us some understanding so we can feel safe again.”

Brandice Von Stockhausen, Twentynine Palms Resident

The identity and cause of death remain under investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – One motorist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, while four vehicles were towed and four citations were issued during a DUI checkpoint over the weekend in Desert Hot Springs, police said today.

The crackdown occurred from 7 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday on North Indian Canyon Drive at the intersection of 19th Avenue, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI can face $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended license, police said.   

Funding for the DUI enforcement program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

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Luis Avila

RIBBONWOOD, Calif. (KESQ) – The damage from the Rosa Fire is still clearly visible along Pine View Drive — blackened trees, scorched soil, and trails layered with ash. But now, there are boots on the ground, as local groups begin the long road to recovery.

Friends of the Desert Mountains, along with local partners, are leading the effort to bring the land back to life — focusing their work on the Palm Canyon Trailhead, where firefighters had to act fast to contain the blaze.

“There has been equipment damage that had to be done to fight this fire. I’m a big proponent of the firefighters but we are going to have to get some of the areas to a more natural state.”

Bob Berriman, Friends of the Desert Mountains Board Member

Tammy Martin, executive director at Friends of the Desert Mountains, says the burn scar is vulnerable.

Recovery efforts are focusing on erosion control and habitat recovery.

“Moving forward we need some rain. We need to come down and protect this hillside a bit. Also, looking where we need to put some rain bars in to protect this trail.”

Tammy Martin, Friends of the Desert Mountains Executive Director

The public, meanwhile, is being asked to give the land space to heal.

“You’re all curious just like everybody but please stay off the trail. We’re trying to protect the trial so we can get you back on it.”

Tammy Martin, Friends of the Desert Mountains Executive Director

The restoration process won’t be quick — officials say it will take months, with the trail possibly reopening next fall. Still, there’s a sense of optimism that nature will bounce back.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Crews are conducting recovery efforts after a drowning incident at a canal in Indio, police said Thursday afternoon.

The incident was first reported just before 11:30 a.m. near Avenue 44, west of Dillon Road.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Dive Team is on scene to recover the body,” reads a post by the Indio Police Department.

Crews were able to pull a body out of the canal at around 6:30 p.m.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. The coroner is at the scene.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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