JFK Memorial Hospital Emergency Department prepares for festival crowds

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – Coachella weekend one is back — and while fans are prepping their campgrounds, local hospitals are prepping too.

Dr. Julie Puzzo , assistant medical director, Emergency Department for JFK Memorial Hospital, said they’re ready to handle the rush.

“We’ve got all the personnel in place,” Dr. Puzzo said. “We only have 12 beds, but we’re ready to expand that capacity as much as we need to. All hands are on deck.”

Located less than three miles from the Empire Polo Grounds, JFK Memorial Hospital is one of the closest trauma centers to the festival grounds.

Dr. Puzzo detailed the most common medical issues she sees during festival season.

“Dehydration or heat related illness is really number one,” Dr. Puzzo said. “Second is drugs and alcohol, accidental overdoses.”

She said hydration and heat control are important precautions to take.

“There are a lot of cooling stations or places where they have misting or even air conditioning on the festival grounds,” Dr. Puzzo said. “I would just recommend hydrate with water, not alcohol. Just be really aware of your temperature.”

This year, there’s another concern: measles.

Health officials recently announced that a Coachella Valley resident tested positive for measles.

“If you’re feeling ill at all, even though you did spend money to come down, please keep the general public health in mind and stay away or stay home,” Dr. Puzzo said. “If you feel comfortable wearing masks, then that’s a good thing to do, too.”

Coachella’s first weekend runs from April 11 to April 13, with the second weekend scheduled for April 18 to April 20.

Stagecoach runs from April 25 to April 27.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing festival season coverage.

Tribal nations send letter defending creation of Chuckwalla Monument

KESQ on April 11, 2025

City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Tribal Nations of the Coachella Valley and the National Congress of American Indians sent a joint letter today to White House officials defending the creation of the Chuckwalla National Monument in Riverside County, amid fears the Trump Administration may rescind its creation.   

“We aim to partner with the Department of the Interior on developments associated with the Chuckwalla National Monument, lending our deep expertise to ensure the area is utilized respectfully by the local community and tourists from across the globe,” the tribal officials wrote in the letter. “Out of respect for tribal sovereignty, we ask that you refrain from taking any actions associated with this area without appropriate and robust tribal consultation.”

President Joe Biden declared the national monument before leaving office in January, protecting 624,270 acres of desert habitat in Riverside and Imperial counties from development.

The New York Times and Washington Post both reported in mid-March that President Donald Trump was expected to rescind Biden’s action. According to the papers, the White House released a fact sheet citing numerous executive orders rolling back actions of the Biden administration, including one “terminating proclamations declaring a million acres of new national monuments that lock up vast amounts of land that lock up economic development and energy production.”  

However, that item was later removed, leaving the fate of the monument in question.  

The Post reported that Trump also planned to rescind the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California.   

Both the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla monuments were established under the Antiquities Act of 1906, and it was unclear under what legal authority Trump could roll back their designations.

Thursday’s letter defending the cultural importance of the Chuckwalla monument was sent by the Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Cahuilla Band of Indians, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe and the National Congress of American Indians, a national intertribal government organization.

“‘We request the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to fully explain our position and why this designation — and the associated protections — are so important to our Tribal Nations,” the letter states.

Gas appliance phase-out plan delayed in Coachella Valley as leaders seek more information

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Garrett Hottle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  A revised plan to phase out gas-powered home appliances across Southern California is on hold, after Coachella Valley leaders raised concerns about cost, infrastructure, and public awareness during a regional committee meeting Thursday.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is proposing amendments to two rules—1111 and 1121—that would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by replacing gas water heaters and furnaces with cleaner electric alternatives, such as heat pumps. The agency says the move is focused on improving public health and air quality.

But members of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Energy and Sustainability Committee tabled the issue, asking for more data and community input before taking a formal position.

“I think it’s an important conversation to have,” said Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez during the meeting. “I don’t think it’s necessarily brutal. I think the questions are necessary to be asked and answered.”

The revised proposal no longer places the burden on individual homeowners. Instead, it would require appliance manufacturers to meet zero-emission sales targets and pay mitigation fees.

Still, Perez cautioned against moving forward too quickly.

“We have to stop, in my opinion, passing this type of legislation or policy or ordinance on behalf of others,” he said. “We don’t even know how they’re going to be impacted.”

Cathedral City Mayor Nancy Ross echoed those concerns.

“This has been a man-made problem for decades, and it’s not going to be solved in a day,” Ross said. “But we need to start having those powerful and serious conversations.”

No vote was taken at Thursday’s meeting. Even if approved by the committee, the proposal would need to go before CVAG’s Executive Committee for final consideration.

In the meantime, the AQMD says more than 80% of public comments it has received support the revised plan.

Any potential rule changes, however, remain months—if not years—away from becoming final.

TSA shares what Californian’s need to know about upcoming REAL ID deadline

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Starting May 7, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID compliant license/ID when boarding a domestic flight.

If drivers license holders do not have a REAL ID, they can present another acceptable form of identification, like a passport. The REAL ID is required for aircrafts and for accessing federal facilities or nuclear power plants.

For all REAL ID compliant identifications go to tsa.gov.

Department’s of Motor Vehicles across the country have seen increased wait times during the week as people scramble to get their REAL ID before the federal deadline. California began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards in January 2018. 

More than 18 million Californians have upgraded to the REAL ID identification card or driver’s license, which is about 55% of all drivers and ID cardholders, according to the DMV.

Lorie Dankers the TSA spokesperson at Palm Springs International Airport said nearly 81% of the U.S. population is ready for the incoming enforcement. However, if you’re a part of the 19% that isn’t ready, the best time to prepare is now.

And TSA has a reminder for anyone traveling for upcoming holidays.

“Not everybody’s traveling on May 7th,” Dankers said. “In fact, Wednesdays are some of the lower passenger volume days of the week for TSA, but people will likely be traveling maybe around Memorial Day or Fourth of July. Don’t wait until those holidays are upon us. Do something now, have a plan.”

As the deadline quickly approaches, Palm Springs International airport is advising travelers to ensure their identification is compliant with the new act before they are unable to travel.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from officials on what you need to know ahead of the READ ID May 7 deadline.

Charges not filed against man accused of assaulting Indio woman due to ‘insufficient evidence’

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Athena Jreij

Editor’s Note: We have removed the name and photo of the suspect after charges were not filed due to insufficient evidence, Indio police and the District Attorney’s office said.

Police said they are aware that the suspect was not charged in this crime and they will continue to work the case, and if they get additional information, the detectives could refile the case with the DA’s Office.

IPD said they are working with the neighborhood about their concerns.

The suspect was released from custody on Monday, according to jail records.

UPDATE 4/15/2025:

Indio police said a woman who told them she was responsible for assaulting Shari Griffith is now facing a new charge — attempted murder in an unrelated case in Desert Hot Springs.

Griffith is standing by her original statement. She said it was her male neighbor who assaulted her.

Indio police said they’re still working to positively identify if the woman was a suspect in Griffith’s attack.

News Channel 3 asked the department how they’re keeping neighbors safe.

“We are doing extra patrols in the area,” Sgt. Abraham Plata, Indio police, said. “I’m also trying to work with residents in that area to have a community meeting so we can talk about safety and hear their concerns.” 

No date has been set yet.

UPDATE 4/11/2025:

The suspect arrested and accused of assaulting an Indio woman on Thursday is due in court on Monday, April 14.

He was arrested nearly a week after the 70-year-old victim was attacked.

The victim, Shari Griffith, says the suspect is her neighbor, who left her with a black eye and a swollen wrist.

Griffith adds that while she’s thankful police made an arrest, there are still two other neighbors who were involved in the incident.

ORIGINAL REPORT 4/10/2025:   

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Some people in an Indio neighborhood say they’re living in fear after their 70-year-old neighbor, Shari Griffith was assaulted, and it took nearly a week for authorities to make an arrest.

Residents living on the 81200 block of Helen Ave. reached out to News Channel 3 about the incident after they say Griffith was assaulted by three neighbors rummaging through her car.

“He turned around and he hit me with the bony part of his palm upside the head. And, I was stunned, absolute shock. It surprised me and I just started crying,” Griffith said.

Now, she’s left with a black eye, swollen wrist, and fear she can’t shake after she says those neighbors have been intimidating the community.

“The young lady who’s the driver of the car drives erratically through the neighborhood. She’s driving so erratically that she has come close to hitting numerous of the neighbors,” Griffith said.

Looking for answers, News Channel 3 reached out to Indio Police and the result of that pressure?

A knock on Griffith’s door from several detectives during our interview.

Thirty minutes after police received another testimony from Griffith, an arrest was made.

“On Thursday, at approximately 12:35 PM, a male suspect was arrested. The detectives are currently processing him and will be booked into John Benoit Detention Center for elder abuse and vehicle burglary,” Sgt. Abe Plata said.

In that same statement to News Channel 3, police said they were unable to make an arrest the day of the assault because Griffith was unable to positively identify a suspect.

But Griffith says that’s not true and rather, the officer who handled her case didn’t take her seriously.

“It was assigned to, a man who I have no faith in, no trust in, and who misrepresented many, many issues. That information that he relayed to me on the phone, about information that I had provided the police department was wrong,” Griffith said.

While she’s grateful one of the individuals apart of her assault was arrested, her community says work still needs to be done to arrest all three.

“My heart would break if this isn’t handled and taken seriously, and one or all three of these younger people commits another crime against a person in this neighborhood,” Griffith said.  

Jury seated for trial of man who allegedly tried to abduct Coachella girl

KESQ on April 11, 2025

City News Service

MURRIETA, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury was seated Thursday for the trial of a 21-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting and trying to kidnap a Thermal girl as she walked through a field on her way home from school.

Christian Daniel Arreola of Coachella was arrested in 2022 following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Office investigation into the alleged attack on the underage victim, whose identity was not disclosed.

Arreola is charged with attempted kidnapping to commit rape, assault with intent to commit mayhem and felony sexual battery.

The defendant’s case was transferred last week from the Larson Justice Center in Indio to the Southwest Justice Center, where Superior Court Judge Jeff Zimel finished up ruling on pretrial motions Wednesday and summoned several panels of prospective jurors to the Murrieta courthouse for screening as to their availability and qualifications.  

The process concluded late Thursday afternoon, and the judge directed the jury to return Monday for opening statements by the prosecution and defense.

Arreola is being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

According to a bail-setting affidavit filed by sheriff’s investigators, on the afternoon of Sept. 6, 2022, the high school student was returning to her house by cutting through a palm tree field in the Thermal area.

The girl told detectives that as she walked a path through the field, a 2019 Buick Encore, later confirmed to be Arreola’s vehicle, passed her at slow speed, and before reaching the end of the path, made a U-turn and stopped, at which point the defendant got out, ostensibly to “check parts on the car,” the affidavit stated.   

The youth walked by at her normal pace, but “seconds later, Christian ran behind her, grabbed and pinched her right breast and grabbed her left shoulder,” according to the narrative.

“She began yelling and twisting in order to get away, causing Christian to wrap his left arm around her upper body and neck and begin to choke her and pull her toward him,” the affidavit said. “She was constantly moving while also screaming, and at one point, Christian moved his forearm over her mouth. She managed to maneuver her head out of his grasp only by slipping downward.”  

The teenager fell, landing on her school backpack, and Arreola allegedly tried to mount her, but she kicked him and swung her water bottle at his face, according to investigators.

“Christian violently grabbed at her breasts and began pulling off her shirt and grabbing her breasts until the shirt was pulled so hard it ripped,” the affidavit stated. “She continued fighting and screaming for him to stop. She realized he was not stealing anything and feared that because his vehicle’s rear door was open, he was attacking her because he was going to take her away … rape her and kill her.”  

Arreola abandoned the attempt, pushing against the teen when she tried to get up and throwing her hat and glasses into the field in frustration, then jumping into his car and driving away, investigators alleged.

The victim ran home and called her mother, who in turn summoned deputies.   

A law enforcement Flock license plate camera and recorder placed in the general vicinity captured images of the Buick, enabling detectives to track down the defendant, who was taken into custody four days later without incident at his Heather Lane residence. He was positively identified by the girl, according to sheriff’s officials.   

The affidavit alleged the defendant’s girlfriend informed detectives that he had developed a habit of choking her during sexual intercourse and had become “depressed (in recent months), his eyes cold and unfeeling.”   

“She said he even spoke of suicide,” according to the document.   

Arreola has no documented prior felony convictions.

Felon found guilty of killing girlfriend in Indio

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon who choked his girlfriend to death during a domestic confrontation in the parking lot of an Indio condominium complex was awaiting sentencing today after being convicted of second-degree murder.

An Indio jury on Wednesday found 44-year-old Eduardo Alvarez of Indio guilty of the 2020 slaying of 32-year-old Madeleine Gutierrez, also of Indio.   

Jurors returned with a unanimous verdict late in the afternoon after deliberating roughly two days. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling set a sentencing hearing for June 13 at the Larson Justice Center.   

Alvarez is likely to receive the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.  

He is being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.    According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, he and Gutierrez were in a tumultuous relationship that started in 2018. Their final conflict happened in the predawn hours of Oct. 17, 2020, when the victim called 911 after an argument outside the Encanto Apartments in the 46-700 block of Clinton Street.

Prosecutors said Indio police officers arrived shortly before 4 a.m. and found Gutierrez standing with a building security guard, complaining that Alvarez had forcibly taken her car keys.

When officers asked whether she wanted to leave in her vehicle while Alvarez remained behind for her safety, the woman said no, instead telling the policemen she preferred the defendant stay with her. The two then left in her hatchback.   

A little over an hour later, Alvarez called 911, claiming he and his girlfriend had just been attacked in the parking lot of the Summer Breeze Condos in the 47-300 block of Monroe Street and that he was passing out, prosecutors said.

When police reached the location, they discovered the defendant in a fetal position, laying next to Gutierrez, who was unconscious, on her back in front of her vehicle, arms outstretched at her sides and exhibiting “facial injuries and some marks around her neck,” the brief stated.

Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene 20 minutes later. The cause of death was determined to be manual strangulation.   

Gutierrez “feigned unconsciousness” as he lay in the parking lot, betraying his alertness by forcing his eyes shut while paramedics checked him for injuries. He had apparent swelling on the left side of his forehead, but “no other obvious signs of trauma,” court papers said.

He was taken to a hospital for examination, then cleared to leave with detectives, who took him to the Indio Police Department for an interview. When asked about the circumstances of Gutierrez’s death, Alvarez gave different accounts of what transpired.

He told investigators initially that he and Gutierrez had been out most of the night, going to places in Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs before heading over to the Encanto Apartments, where his niece resided. He said there had been a minor tiff that prompted Gutierrez to get angry and try to “run him over,” but that it was a “playful” stunt. He told detectives he took her keys from her as a precaution, according to the brief.   

The defendant said they then drove to his residence and parked outside. In one version of events, Alvarez indicated the two were talking next to her car when a pair of unknown men approached and shouted “Where you from?” A tussle ensued, and Alvarez said he was punched in the head and fell to the ground, at which point the men turned their attention to Gutierrez, who struggled with them before she was knocked unconscious, court papers said.   

In another version, Alvarez said he and Gutierrez were enjoying a romantic moment in the open rear of her car when the two men accosted them, grabbed Alvarez by his feet and pulled him out of the car, causing his head to hit the pavement and stun him. He said Gutierrez fought with the men, but couldn’t recall any other details.

Detectives picked out inconsistencies, including signs that Gutierrez had been dragged through a field, with dirt and grass in her hair and clothes, prompting Gutierrez to start yawning, remarking, “I need a lawyer,” ending the police interview, the prosecution said.

Alvarez has documented prior felony and misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence, resisting arrest, assault and violating a restraining order.   

His ex-wife, identified only as “E.L.,” divorced him after he choked her into unconsciousness in front of their children, documents stated. The defendant also admitted choking a fellow inmate in their jail cell.

Ontario woman identified following fatal Whitewater I-10 crash

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Julia Castro

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – A fatal crash involving a big rig and a passenger vehicle occurred early Thursday morning on Interstate 10 just west of Palm Springs in Cabazon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The collision happened at 12:06 a.m. on the eastbound side of the freeway near Haugan-Lehmann Way.

Authorities said a gray Volkswagen Jetta was struck by a big rig truck under circumstances still under investigation.

The driver of the Jetta, Dianna Bocanegra, 40, of Ontario was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

The crash prompted a SigAlert overnight, resulting in temporary lane closures. That alert was lifted, and traffic returned to normal in both directions.

CHP is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

Stay with KESQ for updates.

Cathedral City police conduct tobacco sale enforcement operation

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Cynthia White

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – On Thursday, the Cathedral City Police Department continued to make use of a 2024 grant from the California Department of Justice to conduct tobacco sale enforcement operations throughout the city.

Cathedral City police officers first used part of that grant, meant for both tobacco education and enforcement, in December last year. Officers conducted a retailer education operation which focused on the sale of flavored tobacco products and tobacco retail sale signage.

Thursday’s follow-up operation focused on tobacco enforcement, with officers targeting retailers in the city selling tobacco products to minors, including flavored tobacco and nicotine vaporizers (“vapes”).

Officers visited 36 tobacco retailers and made seven arrests, accusing the individuals of selling tobacco products to a minor “decoy” (a Cathedral City Police Department employee under the age of 21). Five of the seven products sold to the “decoy” were illegal flavored nicotine vaporizers.

Cathedral City Police officers say they will continue to use the Department of Justice grant for tobacco sale education and enforcement operations throughout 2025-2026.

Officers add that if anyone has any information about illegal tobacco sales in Cathedral City, please contact Cathedral City Police Sergeant Rick Osborne at (760) 202-2448 or rosborne@cathedralcity.gov.

You may also contact the Cathedral City Police Department by calling (760) 770-0300 or visiting the Department’s website at cathedralcitypolice.com. Email tips can be sent to tips@cathedralcity.gov . Anonymous information may be reported through Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers by calling (760) 341-STOP or through the WeTip hotline at: 1-(800)-78-CRIME or wetip.com.

Some tip information may qualify for a cash reward.

Carmageddon: Campers stuck in line for hours trying to get into Coachella music festival

KESQ on April 11, 2025

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Campers trying to get into the Coachella Music and Arts Festival Thursday were stuck in traffic for several hours.

Some campers said they’ve been in line for more than eight hours without access to water or restrooms.

“Seven hours into this. We paid 600 dollars a ticket, 300 for parking pass. This is absurd, why are we spending this money to spend eight hours in a car we aren’t even inside yet.”

Ethan, festival-goer

“I’ve seen people pass out through heat exhaustion, it’s been chaos. We’ve been here since 3 am it’s been crazy. It’s literally almost 11.”

Olivia, festival-goer

Lines remained long around the Empire Polo Club in Indio throughout the day.

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Officials from multiple departments and agencies helping to direct traffic into the festival, including CHP.

Officer David Torres says with the influx of visitors, enforcement is not only being ramped up around the festival, but all throughout the Valley.

“We do have more officers on the road but are also more hyper-aware looking for violations, making sure that everyone can make it to the festival safely… We just see that people are so excited for the festival so sometimes they may be speeding, or distracted, or might want to be celebrating early.”

David Torres, Indio CHP PIO

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.