Category: kesq-local-news

Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – A Coachella Valley man is sleeping in his car after losing his home to a fire earlier this month.

Victor Estrada said he no longer had homeowners insurance.

“All of a sudden, they just said we’re no longer with you. Figure it out,” Estrada said.

Estrada said his policy was canceled, and like many Californians, he couldn’t afford to replace it due to high prices.

His story reflects a growing crisis in the state’s insurance market, where wildfires and rising risk have led insurers to pull back or hike rates dramatically.

“We have seen a 25 to 50% increase simply just on the homeowners insurance,” said Veronica Lopez, a senior loan officer with Secure Choice Lending.

Lopez said there are still options after a disaster, even without insurance.

“The Small Business Administration, they can help with low interest disaster loans, even if they are not business owners,” Lopez said. “If they look into their local SBA or go to the SBA website, they may be able to qualify for some assistance through them.”

List of Resources

FEMA Disaster Assistance

SBA Disaster Loans for Homeowners

HUD Disaster Resources

Red Cross Disaster Relief Services

 FHA 203k rehab loans 

Conventional loans offer ChoiceRenovation and Homestyle Renovation

The Cathedral City Fire & EMS also provide resources after a fire with a substantial loss. 

“The fire department will issue, to those that are displaced, a gift card from the California Fire Fund to help pay for immediate lodging needs and to replace essential items that were lost,” Stephen Tumir, Deputy Fire Chief said. “It can be used for any needs they may have from food to clothing.”

He said to assist with ongoing needs, the fire department connects the occupant with a Red Cross representative for continued placement needs and to assist them in any way possible.

“We will make contact with Red Cross while still at the incident and ensure they are provided for before leaving,” Tumir said.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The 31st edition of the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival begins today. Filmmakers from around the world are heading to Palm Springs to screen their work.

311 short films from 64 different countries are a part of the program. These have been selected from more than 6,200 submissions.

This year Pauline Chalamet, John C. Reilly, Ian McKellen, Bella Ramsey, Haley Joel Osment, and Ashley Park will attend.

ShortFest has a reputation as an Oscar launchpad.  over 100 films from past years have gone on to win Academy Award nominations. This year, there are five Oscar-qualifying awards and $30,000 in prizes up for grabs. Juried winners will be announced June 29, and the Best of the Fest gets its own screening on the final day, June 30. 

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Luis Avila

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Fear keeping families behind closed doors. In response to growing anxiety over recent ICE activity, TODEC is stepping up efforts to help immigrant families who are living in fear. That help, delivered directly to their doorsteps.

On Tuesday, TODEC began distributing essential supplies, including food, water, informational material and “red cards,” to families across the Eastern Coachella Valley.

“The feeling in the atmosphere here in the Coachella Valley is a lot of fear, a lot of confusion, fear of family separation, it’s hard.”

Sandra Reyes, TODEC program manager

The goal is to reduce panic and provide support to those who need it most, those like Francis and her family.

“We’re very stressed, worried, anxiety about everything that’s happening, not for me or my husband but for my children. We have a lot of fear going out to buy food, the basics. We stopped going to the doctor. One of my children needs a dental procedure so we’re waiting for all this to pass.”

Francis, Thermal resident

A life she’s built for decades, she says now at risk of being taken away.

“We’re scared of deportation. I’ve been here for a majority of my life. I came here at 19 years old, now I’m 42. Honestly, it would be a massive trauma returning to my county with basically nothing. We’re not prepared for that.”

Francis, Thermal resident

Sandra Reyes, program manager at TODEC, says this isn’t just affecting families like Sandra, but entire communities.

“Most families have fear to go outside, to go to work, to go to school, and the effects the economy. So for that, it’s our way to provide some kind of help.”

Sandra Reyes, TODEC program manager

As ICE activity continues, Reyes advises residents to stay informed and have a plan. TODEC is asking for the community’s help and generosity to help raise more donations.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

 

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Haley Meberg

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)– Charges have been filed against the Palm Desert man accused of the Cathedral City overdose death this past January. 

William Joesph Leonard, 55, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and distribution of controlled substances. He was arraigned earlier today in court at the Larson Justice Center in Indio where he pleaded not guilty to the aforementioned charges.  

Leonard was arrested last week by the Cathedral City Police Department in connection to the overdose death of Ricky Heath, 55, that occurred on January 18, 2025. 

First responders arrived at the scene on the 34100 block of Linda Way, near Dinah Shore Drive. Despite their efforts to perform life-saving care Heath was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Police suspected Leonard injected the deceased with narcotics which ultimately resulted in the man’s death. Following the autopsy, it was said that Heath’s cause of death was due to “Acute Methamphetamine Intoxication” by the Chief Forensic Pathologist.

Leonard is set to be back in court on August 20. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case. 

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman arrested in connection with a crash that left a man in a wheelchair in critical condition last week in Cathedral City appeared in court to face hit-and-run charges.

Andrea Lauren Hill, 38, of Yucca Valley, pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday at the Larson Justice Center, according to court records.

Police said Hill was identified by witnesses as the driver who struck the victim, who was struck shortly before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday on Date Palm Drive, south of Gerald Ford Drive, according to the Cathedral City Police Department.

The man was crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk when a white van traveling southbound struck him. The man, while lying in the roadway, was hit by a second vehicle seconds later, police said

A witness told authorities the white van was last seen heading southbound on the Date Palm Drive Bridge and according to police, witnesses identified Hill as the van’s driver who fled the scene. CCPD officers used surveillance video to locate the vehicle in the area of Perez Road and Cathedral Canyon Drive and identified Hill, said Sgt. Rick Osborne.   

Hill met with CCPD traffic investigators Wednesday, provided them with a statement and was arrested for suspicion of felony hit and run with injury, Osborne said. She was booked into custody at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

Authorities questioned the driver of the second vehicle, who remained at the scene.

The pedestrian was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs in critical condition.

Anyone with additional information regarding the collision or the driver of the van was urged to contact Investigator Albert Felix at 760-770-0343 or Afelix@cathedralcity.gov.

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Haley Meberg

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)– Grammy Award winning band Maroon 5 announced they will bring their U.S. arena tour to Acrisure Arena this upcoming October. 

This show is set to take place on October 8th with tickets for this anticipated event going on sale June 27th, following the release of their new single and music video ‘All Night.’

Maroon 5 has teased their new album with the single ‘Priceless,’ having fans running to their payphones trying to call home with the news.  

This tour will run 23 dates at venues like the Los Angeles’ Kia Forum and New York City’s Madison Square Garden, with its last show ending on November 25th in Detroit, MI. 

Aside from promoting their upcoming 8th studio album ‘Love is Like,’ this award winning group will revisit fan favorite songs and feature upcoming artist Claire Rosinkranz having fans on their feet showing their ‘Moves like Jagger.’ 

Fans like you can find tickets for the Love is like 2025 US Fall Tour at Acrisure Arena for this unforgettable event. 

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) As Congress finalizes a sweeping new federal spending bill, healthcare providers are sounding the alarm over what could be at stake for HIV prevention programs.

At the center of the concern: possible Medicaid cuts. Clinics that offer free or low-cost HIV services—like PrEP, Doxy-PEP, and same-day testing—say even minor funding changes could dramatically impact access.

“We bite our nails every day hoping that none of this happens,” said Dr. Phyllis Ritchie, CEO and founder of PS Test in Palm Springs. “Once Medicaid cuts – if and when they happen – we’ll be extremely busy. There won’t be anywhere for people to go, except free clinics.”

So far, the Trump administration has not clarified whether HIV prevention will be protected in the final version of the budget. Advocates say they’re closely watching Capitol Hill this week as negotiations continue.

The funding debate comes as a new drug hits the market that could revolutionize HIV prevention. The injectable medication, lenacapavir, only requires two doses per year—offering what some doctors are calling a game-changing alternative to daily pills.

But the treatment comes at a steep cost: around $28,000 annually.

“Again, the political climate right now is to do away with preventive care,” Ritchie said. “And PrEP is preventive care. So I hope that this won’t happen, and that insurance companies will pay for lenacapavir. It would be a terrific option—but I think it’s a wait-and-see sort of game.”

For more information on Lenacapvir, click this link.

To see our previous reporting on Lenacapvir and PS Test, click this link.

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Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway continues its annual tradition of appreciation for U.S. armed forces and families by celebrating “Military Days” throughout July.

It has been announced that throughout the entire month of July all U.S. military personnel will receive free admission to the Palm Springs aerial tramway with a valid military identification regardless of status. 

Active, former and retired military as well as military widows and widowers qualify to take part in this promotion. Military personnel are encouraged to bring their friends and families with them to take part in this month-long celebration with a 25% off incentive for up to four guests. 

While visiting the tramway soldiers and their families can enjoy the Mount Jacinto State Park hiking trails that span over 50 miles along with a guided hour and a half long nature walk that takes place every Sunday.

Guests can also enjoy the restaurants located in the tramway before going to the Natural History Museums to learn more about the plants and animals living in the state park. 

For more information on this month-long celebration call 760-325-1391 or visit www.pstramway.com. 

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City News Service

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – A two-vehicle crash in Thermal today left one person with minor injuries who had to be extricated by firefighters.   

The crash was reported at 6:56 a.m. Monday at 5th Avenue and Calhoun Street, south of Coachella, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.   

The injured individual was taken to a hospital, while the other motorist was not hurt, the department said.  

The cause of the collision was under investigation.

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Tori King

RANCHO MIRAGE, Cali. (KESQ) — Leaders with the Jewish Federation of the Desert have returned from Israel after getting stranded during this month’s missile attacks, and spoke about their experiences on Monday.

The event took place at 11:00 a.m. at Jewish Federation of the Desert. It focused on sharing firsthand accounts from the recent LGBTQ+ Federation Mission to Israel and discussing the experience of being in Israel during the initial days of the ongoing war with Iran. According to the Federation, the delegation returned with powerful stories of resilience, identity, and solidarity.

The recent Jewish Federations of North America’s Pride Mission to Israel brought 100 LGBTQ+ Jewish leaders from 26 communities across the US and Canada to Israel for a trip that was concluding just as the Iranian missile attacks began. 

“I wasn’t afraid so much,” said Kenneth Emert, Rabbi of Sun City Jewish Services Palm Desert. Emert went on the trip, and was forced to shelter inside during missile attacks. “I was more worried about how I was going to get home. While we were there, for example, around one o’clock in the morning you’d hear sirens go off, and you’d go down to the shelter. You’d be there for 15 to 20 minutes, or until everyone says it’s okay to go back to your room. So you go back to your room, you go to sleep for an hour, and then again you hear these sirens, so you have to go down again. You never get a good night’s sleep at all there.””On some level, the horrors of war cannot be imagined,” said Danny Labin, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Desert. “They can only be understood once they’ve been experienced. And let us all hope that no one has to experience war who hasn’t already experienced it.” Labin says the group went on the trip to attend Tel Aviv Pride celebration, also to see where the Federation’s fundraising dollars were going. The group had raised over $850,000,000 over the last 20 months. Some of the funds were used to construct bomb shelters, so Israeli families could seek shelter during missile attacks. Other funds went to build Trauma Recovery Centers, which help to provide mental health and PTSD treatments for local who have experienced the recent attacks first hand.

“These centers are called Resilience Centers and not trauma centers,” said Labin.”It really speaks to the optimism, the hope and the belief that this kind of therapeutic approach can actually be part of a healing process and lead to positive outcomes for people who experience them.”

The group said they were aware of the risks of missile attacks before going on the trip, but believed it was important to follow through with the mission.

“It’s day 11 since the war began with Iran directly, but it’s actually day 628 of the war that began when Hamas infiltrated Israel on October 7th,” said Labin. “So being able to go as a group, and to be there shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand with Israelis during this incredibly difficult time in history was extremely meaningful for everybody.”

“It’s important that Israel and Israelis, know that they’re not alone, that somebody there is supporting them,” said Emert.

The Federation is beginning a new fundraising effort. To learn more or to donate click here.

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