Category: kesq-local-news

Dakota Makinen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is giving visitors another reason to stop by this Labor Day weekend.

The zoo has continued updating and upgrading its exhibits and animal habitats, giving guests new ways to experience the animals and learn about conservation.

And for the holiday weekend, visitors can save $15 on admission from September 5 through September 7.

The Living Desert is also offering early summer hours, opening at 7 a.m., helping visitors beat the Coachella Valley heat.

For more information and to plan your visit, check The Living Desert’s website.

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KESQ News Team

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Two adults and two children are displaced after a fire damaged an apartment complex in Desert Hot Springs Sunday morning.

The fire happened at the Country Hills Apartments on Ironwood Drive, just off Palm and Hacienda avenues.

Authorities responded just before 10 a.m. after receiving reports of heavy smoke coming from a second-story apartment.

Four units were impacted by the fire. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters remained on scene for several hours, cleaning up the wreckage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- People across the Coachella Valley say their money is not going as far as it used to, as higher prices for groceries, gas and other everyday needs continue to put pressure on household budgets.

Now, new tariffs on some Canadian imports are adding another concern for consumers.

New 50% U.S. tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian imports took effect this month. Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods, and when businesses face higher costs, some of those costs can eventually be passed on to shoppers.

Some shoppers pointed specifically to the price of meat and other basic groceries. Federal data shows ground beef prices increased 12.4% over the 12 months ending in June, while uncooked beef steak prices increased 11.4%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Fresh vegetable prices increased 9.9% during the same period, while pork chops increased 5.6%. Chicken prices, however, dropped 2.3%.

Those increases are not necessarily the result of the new tariffs, but they show the higher prices many consumers were already facing before the latest trade measures took effect.

Gas is another major expense. As of Sunday, Aug. 30, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in California was about $5.68, according to AAA. The national average was about $4.08.

A year ago, California’s average was about $4.60 a gallon, meaning drivers are currently paying roughly $1.08 more per gallon than they were at this time last year. AAA says high crude oil prices and continued volatility surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have helped keep gas prices elevated.

What could tariffs mean for prices?

Tariffs do not affect every product in the same way, and they do not automatically mean everything will become more expensive.

However, businesses that rely on affected imports could face higher costs. Depending on the product and company, some of those costs could eventually be passed along to consumers.

The latest trade dispute is also continuing. Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. goods that are scheduled to take effect Sept. 8. Those tariffs will cover hundreds of American products, including some electronics, clothing, appliances and prepared foods.

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Matthew Pearce

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — A pet adoption event in partnership with numerous shelters and organizations across Riverside County at BG Plaza aims to combat overcrowded shelters.

From cats to puppies and big dogs, families are able to meet potentially furry friends before they take them home.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A pilot walked away without injury after their aircraft went down in Mecca Saturday evening.

According to a post from CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department on X, firefighters responded to reports of a plane down near Ave. 68 and Lincoln St. in Mecca. Personnel contacted the sole occupant of the plane safely out of the aircraft. The pilot reported they were uninjured.

Firefighters on Instagram say the pilot made a successful emergency landing. Images showed a twin-engine propeller plane resting in the sand, just off of the roadway.

@battalion6rvc on Instagram

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said there were no full road closures and damage was reported on the ground. Deputies said the plane sustained moderate damage and the investigation is ongoing.

According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the aircraft was a Beechcraft Baron 55. It showed the aircraft took off from Bermuda Dunes Airport (UDD) and began flying towards the Salton Sea. The aircraft turned around before flight tracking was lost.

News Channel 3 reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration for more details. Stay with us for any updates.

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Gavin Nguyen

NORTH PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Three people were recovering in the hospital after a crash Saturday afternoon.

Emergency crews responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash just after noon at the intersection of N Indian Canyon Dr. and Dillon Rd.

According to CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, both vehicles sustained major damage, and one person had to be cut from the wreckage.

Three people were taken to the hospital. Injuries ranged from minor to major, according to firefighters.

Traffic was impacted for a couple of hours before all lanes were reopened shortly after 2:00 p.m.

CAL FIRE said the California Highway Patrol was investigating the crash. Stay with us for any updates.

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Kiera McKinney

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – With extreme heat, rugged terrain and limited cell service in parts of the desert, a trip outdoors can quickly become dangerous if hikers aren’t prepared.

The Joshua Tree National Park Association hosted a “Don’t Die Today” class Saturday at REI in Rancho Mirage, aimed at giving hikers and visitors practical tools to stay safe while exploring Joshua Tree National Park and other desert areas.

The class focused on what people should know before heading outdoors, including trip planning, checking the weather, carrying enough water, understanding wildlife and knowing what to do when something goes wrong.

The message: preparation should start before hikers ever reach the trail.

Visitors were encouraged to research their route ahead of time, understand their own limits and make sure someone knows where they are going and when they expect to return.

The class also highlighted how quickly conditions can change in the desert and why even a short outing can require more preparation than people may expect.

The training comes as Joshua Tree continues to draw visitors who may not be familiar with the challenges of hiking in a desert environment.

Watch News Channel 3 tonight at 10 for the full story, including the biggest mistakes people make in the desert and what experts say you should do before your next hike.

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Matthew Pearce

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is holding a job fair today, August 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chase Administration Building to fill open positions across multiple departments. The hiring event coincides with newly released state data showing an uptick in regional unemployment.

Figures from the California Employment Development Department show Riverside County’s unemployment rate rose to 5.9% in July, up from 5.4% in June. Across the broader Inland Empire region, which encompasses Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the combined unemployment rate increased to 5.7% in July from 5.3% the previous month.

The Living Desert is recruiting for full-time, part-time and seasonal positions across several departments. Available roles include positions in Guest Services, Food Service, Environmental Services, Gardens and Animal Care.

Appointments are not required and job seekers can complete onsite applications and interviews.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 35-year-old man faces assault with a deadly weapon charges following an attack at a sports bar in Indio nearly two weeks ago.

Police said the incident happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. at JD’s Sports Bar, located in the 46000 block of Monroe Street.

Details were limited, but police said a BMW sedan was used and a 49-year-old man sustained lacerations to the head and required medical treatment. The suspect had fled the scene in the BMW before officers arrived,

Detectives with the Indio Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit (SCU) conducted a follow-up investigation and, through investigative efforts, identified the suspect.

On Friday, detectives utilized investigative leads developed during the follow-up investigation and located the black BMW sedan believed to have been used in the incident. Detectives contacted the suspect and arrested him without incident.

The suspect remains in custody at the John Benot Detention Center in Indio. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 12.

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Garrett Hottle

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – It attacks every kind of citrus, has no cure, and for the first time ever, it’s been found not too far from us in Imperial County. So the question tonight is: what does it mean for lemons and grapefruit growing right here in the valley?

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle has the latest on this potential threat to some local growers.

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