Category: kesq-local-news

Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — A quiet Palm Desert neighborhood is on edge after a string of late-night doorbell pranks have escalated into acts of vandalism and safety concerns.

Residents say “ding-dong ditch” games have turned into something more serious — with kids not only ringing doorbells but also kicking doors and damaging property.

Security footage from one home shows a group of young people approaching a house late at night, pounding and kicking on the front door before running off. One appears to be filming the incident.

Halley, a resident who asked to remain anonymous, says she was home when it happened Saturday night.

“We were laying in bed reading and it sounded like a bomb went off. It was terrifying. We came out, looked around, and didn’t see anything. We did end up walking down the road and saw them kicking another neighbor’s door and running off.”

Halley, Palm Desert Resident

The impact left scuff marks and footprints on her front door. But she says her biggest concern isn’t the damage — it’s the safety of the kids involved.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department told News Channel 3 that these kinds of incidents can lead to property damage, confrontations, and even injuries. Deputies warn that such pranks could be considered disturbing the peace, vandalism, or trespassing — all of which carry potential criminal penalties.

Halley hopes parents take the incidents seriously and talk to their children before things go too far.

“I think parents should be talking to their teenagers, especially their teenage boys, about this stuff. It’s a funny prank right now, but it’s not funny if someone’s scared and has a gun and might not be all there.”

Halley, Palm Desert Resident

Deputies say they will respond to reports of doorbell pranks, and anyone found responsible could face enforcement action.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Michael B. Jordan is the recipient of the Icon Award for his performance in Sinners.

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-11, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight.

Check Out Our Film Festival Section for More Announcements

“Michael B. Jordan once again proves why he’s been one of the most compelling performers for the past two decades. In Sinners, his reunion with Ryan Coogler yields a bold and intricate performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Michael’s ability to inhabit two distinct souls with such power and nuance is nothing short of extraordinary. For this remarkable achievement, and for his impressive body of work, we are proud to honor him with the Palm Springs International Film Awards Icon Award,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi.

Jordan joins this year’s previously announced honorees Adam Sandler (Chairman’s Award) and Sentimental Value cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning (International Star Award).

Past winners of the Icon Award include Glenn Close, Willem Dafoe, Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Lady Gaga, Paul Giamatti, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. In their respective years, Close (The Wife), Dafoe (The Florida Project), Duvall (The Judge), Giamatti (The Holdovers) and Streep (August Osage County) were each nominated for an Academy Award.

In Warner Bros. Pictures feature Sinners, twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who survived combat in WWI and gangland Chicago, return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi with a truck full of liquor to open a juke joint. As music and dance meld in celebration of artistry, culture and history, an evil descends, threatening to devour the heart and soul of the community.

Written and directed by filmmaker Ryan Coogler—and designed with large format in mind, lensing on both proprietary IMAX 15/65mm and on Ultra Panavision 70 cameras—Sinners stars Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo. Sinners marks Jordan and Coogler’s fifth collaboration together, having previously teamed up on Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Director, actor and producer Michael B. Jordan is recognized as an industry leader invested in bringing social change to Hollywood through his art and philanthropy. Jordan first garnered industry-wide attention for his breakout role in Fruitvale Station, which won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival in 2013 among other accolades that year.

In 2019, Jordan was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor and a 2019 SAG Award as part of Black Panther’s Best Ensemble, following critical acclaim for his multi-dimensional portrayal of the tormented Erik Killmonger. His other film credits include Without Remorse, Fahrenheit 451, Just Mercy, Creed and Creed II. In 2023, he made his feature film directorial debut in Creed III.

Next up, he is set to direct and star in MGM’s reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair. He will also star and produce an adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six and I am Legend 2, alongside Will Smith.

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) honored and thanked veterans for their service on Monday by presenting to two Riverside County distinguished veterans.

Local veteran Juan Carlos Lopez-Mendoza of Indio was presented with numerous medals, including an Army Commendation, Good Conduct, and Southwest Asia Service Medal & Bronze Star. Lopez-Mendoza served three years in the U.S. Army, with nine months deployed to Iraq during the first Gulf War. His unit worked bravely to protect Kurdish and Iraqi civilians following Saddam Hussein’s chemical attacks in northern Iraq.

Lopez-Mendoza, who has battled a rare form of leukemia for more than two decades, is a strong advocate for fellow veterans after being able to access benefits he earned through the PACT Act in 2022. He helps other veterans navigate the system to get the care and benefits they deserve.

Glenn J. King of Hemet, a U.S. Navy veteran, was also honored and presented with medals, including a National Defense Service Ribbon and a Vietnam Service Medal. He served aboard the USS Currituck (AV-7) off the coast of South Vietnam, where he was exposed to harmful chemical agents, including Agent Orange, which later led to the loss of his eyesight.

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Daniella Lake

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The United States Marine Corps celebrates its 250 year anniversary today. Desert Hot Springs High School Junior ROTC is hosting an event with Marine Corp veterans, city officials and community members to honor Barbara J. Chovenac who served in the Marine Corp from 1963 to 1984.

Chovenac encourages young cadets to focus on their education, “that is most important to get ahead in life.”

The high school’s youngest and oldest cadets, Amelia Montanez and Luis Ipina Raudales, will also be honored at the event. “I just want to go in there to protect the people that I care about,” says Montanez about one day enlisting in the marines.

Master Sergeant Terrance Simmons is the director for the JROTC program. He served in the Marine Corps for 20 years. “The Marine Corps gave me a path to success and I followed it. I used everything that they gave me — the tools, the leadership skills, the time management, everything that that I could obtain from the military service,” he says.

The Junior ROTC program at Desert Hot Springs High School is one of two in the Coachella Valley. They currently have 102 cadets in the program.

“It honestly just feels like a family away from your family,” Montanez says.

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Jesus Reyes

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – A pedestrian was rushed to the hospital with major injuries when he was struck by a big rig on Monday afternoon on Interstate 10 in Cabazon.

The crash was reported at around 1:30 p.m., east of Main Street.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 64-year-old man from Beaumont was injured.

The investigation into what led up to the crash is still ongoing. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Shay Lawson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — For the first time, the McCallum Theatre, in partnership with the City of Palm Desert, hosted the Stars Stripes & Songs — a celebration of Veterans.

A patriotic pre-show celebration started at 5:30 p.m. with a USO-style performance at 7 p.m.

Organizers said the night is dedicated to honoring all who have served, along with their families whose love and sacrifices strengthen our nation.

“This evening is about more than music – it’s about community,” said Yvonne Bell, CEO of the McCallum Theatre. “We are coming together to say thank you to the men and women who have served and to their families, who serve right alongside them.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for more at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Road improvements began Monday at several key streets throughout Cathedral City. Officials said construction crews will make “an effort to maintain access to all residences and businesses throughout the project duration.”

The project is set to run through December.

Vance Corporation will construct pavement rehabilitation projects on several key streets throughout the area:

Panorama Road, from Vista Chino to Avenida Diosa

Los Gatos Road, from Val Yermo Trail to Fortuna Road

Durango Road, from Avenida La Paz to Avenida La Vista

Corta Road, from Pauline Avenue to approximately 625 feet east of Landau Boulevard

Alcita Road, from Avenida Maravilla to west end

City officials said construction activities will take place Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

While driveways will remain accessible in most cases, there may be brief periods when temporary access restrictions are necessary. Emergency vehicles and essential services will maintain full access at all times during construction.

Residents with questions or concerns may contact Project Manager Jesus Gutierrez at (760) 202-2402 or via email at jgutierrez@cathedralcity.gov.

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Jesus Reyes

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – A quarter-acre vegetation fire spread to a number of palm trees and a residence in Whitewater today before it was stopped.   

The non-injury blaze was reported shortly after 2 p.m. Monday in the 14900 block of Painted Hills Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Fire officials said the first arriving unit encountered light, flashy fuels with a moderate rate of spread, and the blaze was contained shortly after 2:30 p.m.

The extent of damage to the residence that burned was not immediately known.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Michael B. Jordan is the recipient of the Icon Award for his performance in Sinners.

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-11, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight.

Check Out Our Film Festival Section for More Announcements

“Michael B. Jordan once again proves why he’s been one of the most compelling performers for the past two decades. In Sinners, his reunion with Ryan Coogler yields a bold and intricate performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Michael’s ability to inhabit two distinct souls with such power and nuance is nothing short of extraordinary. For this remarkable achievement, and for his impressive body of work, we are proud to honor him with the Palm Springs International Film Awards Icon Award,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi.

Jordan joins this year’s previously announced honorees Adam Sandler (Chairman’s Award) and Sentimental Value cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning (International Star Award).

Past winners of the Icon Award include Glenn Close, Willem Dafoe, Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Lady Gaga, Paul Giamatti, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. In their respective years, Close (The Wife), Dafoe (The Florida Project), Duvall (The Judge), Giamatti (The Holdovers) and Streep (August Osage County) were each nominated for an Academy Award.

In Warner Bros. Pictures feature Sinners, twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who survived combat in WWI and gangland Chicago, return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi with a truck full of liquor to open a juke joint. As music and dance meld in celebration of artistry, culture and history, an evil descends, threatening to devour the heart and soul of the community.

Written and directed by filmmaker Ryan Coogler—and designed with large format in mind, lensing on both proprietary IMAX 15/65mm and on Ultra Panavision 70 cameras—Sinners stars Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo. Sinners marks Jordan and Coogler’s fifth collaboration together, having previously teamed up on Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Director, actor and producer Michael B. Jordan is recognized as an industry leader invested in bringing social change to Hollywood through his art and philanthropy. Jordan first garnered industry-wide attention for his breakout role in Fruitvale Station, which won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival in 2013 among other accolades that year.

In 2019, Jordan was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor and a 2019 SAG Award as part of Black Panther’s Best Ensemble, following critical acclaim for his multi-dimensional portrayal of the tormented Erik Killmonger. His other film credits include Without Remorse, Fahrenheit 451, Just Mercy, Creed and Creed II. In 2023, he made his feature film directorial debut in Creed III.

Next up, he is set to direct and star in MGM’s reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair. He will also star and produce an adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six and I am Legend 2, alongside Will Smith.

Click here to follow the original article.