Category: kesq-local-news

Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Dozens of people gathered outside Rep. Ken Calvert’s Palm Desert office to hold a food drive and protest possible SNAP cuts under the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ Advocates say the cuts would impact thousands of families across the Coachella Valley.

Several attendees sharing personal experiences, explaining how the program supported them through challenging times.

“As a little girl, I lost my father at age 9. He was only 45, my mom was 38 with 6 kids. We had no choice but to go on SNAP and not only that but government housing. It was very difficult.”

Pati Ortiz, La Quinta resident

“My mother is 101 years old. We depend on the SNAP program for food support. They’ve already cut her food budget by over half since last year.”

Evanne Levin, Rancho Mirage resident

Organizers pointing to the number of local residents enrolled in SNAP, about 13 percent of Riverside County, as a reason to keep funding intact. Within Calvert’s 41st district, 95,000 people receive SNAP benefits.

“This is not a huge benefit that people are getting but it is a lifesaving amount of money for them… If our citizens are hungry, it’s not wasteful to feed them. We have no problem donating to good causes and this a good cause. This strengthens our community.”

Christine Massey, organizer

Wednesday’s protest was combined with a food drive benefiting local food banks, which advocates say could see increased demand if federal assistance is reduced.

But organizers say donations alone won’t solve the problem, and are hoping their message is heard.

“Be humane. You may not have been at that point where you need the food to eat to survive, but there’s  plenty of people that need it. If you have a soul, please, be humane.”

Pati Ortiz, La Quinta resident

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thursday, June 19, is Juneteenth marking the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom. Since then, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a recognition of the end of slavery.

Local Black-owned businesses and organization says the federal holiday impacts them greatly and makes them recognize the opportunities their ancestors sacrifice opened.

“Our ancestors fought for stuff like this,” Rico Pereira, the owner of Ricos Westcoastwash. “For the right to have that ability to get out and get it on your own. Don’t always have to fit into that 9 to 5, or the American dream per se..and you can get the most out of what you put out.”

It’s those opportunities Tim Vincent, the president of the Brothers of the Desert board says the federal holiday empowers them to continue creating.

“It really shapes how we continue to do the work,” Vincent said. “We just created our own brothers of the desert scholarship…it just makes me think of how important that it is to really continue to move forward.”

Brothers of the Desert is a non-profit organization supporting Black gay men and their allies in the Coachella Valley, and their new scholarship help students in this group. Vincent says the importance of Juneteenth goes beyond celebrating the historical significance of Black people, but it’s to support all marginalized groups.

Vincent and Pereira say the best think people can do in the community is to get educated on Juneteenths history and join the celebration – something they think people need to do more of.

“I think some don’t care to know and then some don’t take the extra step to learn,” Pereira said. “So I think just taking that first step.”

Many local businesses are joining with the City of Palm Springs to celebrate Juneteenth from Thursday to Saturday with the Palm Springs Village Fest, Kings and Queens Pageant, Concert in the Park, R&B brunch and more.

News Channel 3 is highlighting local Black-owned businesses and speaking of the importance of Juneteenth for them.

For more Black-owned businesses in the Coachella Valley like Ricos Westcoastwash visit here.

Events in Palm Springs for Juneteenth:

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — As temperatures near the hottest parts of the season, Palm Springs’s homeless population is struggling to stay cool.

This week, Palm Springs reached highs of 117 degrees and for one local veteran battling homelesness, it’s been a rude awakening.

“There is support out there, you just really have to find it. You do your best to go out there and provide a blanket of freedom for them to sleep under it and to come out here and see the reality of it, it breaks my heart,” Steven, a local homeless veteran said.

Matt Naylor with Well In The Desert, a local nonprofit that provides free daily meals, says the population they’ve seen has only grown, with 435 people served from January 1 to June 1.

He says cold water and shelter with air conditioning is paramount in keeping people safe, but says accessibility to shelters and cooling centers needs to improve.

“The best thing is to have cooling stations with lots of water that are easy to walk to. So one of the problems is we don’t have enough resources for transportation.”

Unhoused folk say shelters with strict rules about pets and personal belongings also prevent them from seeking help.

News Channel 3 took those concerns to Palm Springs Police, who enforce in the area. Lt. Michael Torres says they have seen the need increase, but it can be difficult providing help to those who don’t want it.

“Homelessness is not just about having a home. It’s about mental health. There’s also a substance abuse aspect to this whole thing. There’s a multi-pronged approach we’re taking,” Lt. Torres said.

Torres says they work with the county to provide mental health and addiction resources, but they need people to accept them before the work starts.

Another problem? The department’s five emergency shelter beds can sometimes fill up, leaving those who want help without a place to sleep.

As temperatures continue to rise, News Channel 3 will continue to follow the impact hot temperatures have on the Valley’s homeless population.

For more information on the city’s cooling centers, visit: https://www.palmspringsca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7835/23

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– The Palm Springs Unified School District is hosting a summer job fair today from 9 to 11 a.m. at the district office, where job seekers can explore a variety of opportunities.

The district office is located at 150 District Center Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264.

The event is focused on filling both substitute and permanent roles, including substitute teachers, nutrition services employees, and groundskeepers. News Channel 3 spoke with Clayton Hill, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, who shared advice for applicants. “Bring some passion. Connect your background to what we offer in the school district,” Hill said. “Certainly advocate for yourself and speak to your qualities and why you’re a good addition to the district .”

If you can’t attend today’s event, a second job fair will be held on July 16.

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Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – Masked officers detained at least one man during an operation on Tuesday.

The law enforcement action prompted concerns from some community members.

The incident, captured on video and sent to News Channel 3, shows a bystander repeatedly asking for badge numbers from the officers, who said they aren’t from the area.

The viewer who sent in the video stated that the incident occurred in Cathedral City.

The TODEC Legal Center, corroborated this information saying that one person was arrested and that they are providing legal assistance to the family members.

Rosa Elena Sahagun, attorney, said she’s seeing an increase in similar encounters, particularly in the Coachella Valley.

“You should ask who they are and why you’re being detained,” Sahagun said. “That is very important.”

She said while people do have the right to know who is detaining them, she’s not seeing law enforcement honor that right.

“Under this current government, our rights are being trampled daily and families are being abducted,” Sahagun said.

Officials have not yet confirmed which agency conducted the detention.

Sahagun said she plans to continue monitoring the situation and provide legal support for those affected.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said it prioritizes the arrest and removal of non-citizen criminals, particularly those who pose a threat to public safety or national security.

This includes individuals with criminal convictions, those with pending criminal charges, and those who have violated immigration laws, such as re-entering the U.S. after deportation.

ICE says it also focuses on identifying and removing individuals who have engaged in fraudulent activities related to immigration.

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Haley Meberg

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) has introduced a new program called “Dogs Day Out,” where shelter dogs are given the chance to take a field trip and get a break from the kennels. 

Research from VCA Charities has shown that dogs who are taken out into the community are five times more likely to be adopted than those who stay solely in the kennels. Through this program, adoptable dogs are taken out into the community on field trips that are designed for their specific temperament and demeanor.

This program takes place in Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter and the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus with hopes of modeling the preexisting program “FIDO” located at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. 

“Our team is working hard to enhance our foster programs, and we are excited for the community to have more opportunities to take part in lifesaving,” said RCDAS Animal Services Manager Candace Falkenstien. “We have so many dogs who need time outside of their kennels, and with the public’s help we can get more dogs into loving homes and save lives.”

RivCo’s animal shelters have been dealing with severe overflow issues, with their sites reaching 207% capacity. Kennels can house up to 2 or 3 dogs per unit, with these animals living in them for over 100 days at a time. To combat this issue, RCDAS has called out for community support in hopes of reaching their goal of a 90% live release rate following their “no kill” standard for animal shelters. 

“Community support and action are both key to helping RivCo dogs and becoming a no-kill community,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “I see so many amazing dogs entering our shelters, and I know there are amazing people who can give them an outlet and get them into good homes.”

While staff and volunteers on site take the animals out of their kennels throughout the day there is still a large need for community help to provide these dogs a break from the shelters and reduce the animals’ stressors. 

Through the “Dogs Day Out” program supplies will be provided to the volunteers as well as additional support from the foster team to help match participants with adoptable pets. Volunteers can begin making appointments June 18th and June 20th. To learn more about this program visit www.rcdas.org/dog-day-out

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Tori King

Deadly roadways. Fatal crashes continue to rise, according to the California Highway Patrol.

In efforts to get drivers to be safer, CHP is rolling out a new fleet of patrol vehicles.

However, these aren’t your regular patrol vehicles and we give you an inside look.

News Channel 3’s Tori King brings you an I-Team report, CHP Next Generation.

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Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Drivers and residents in Cathedral City can expect delays eastbound on E Palm Canyon Drive from June 16 to mid-July for construction. While local businesses say it can be a nuisance to residents, it doesn’t impact their business.

The Cathedral Cove Center is set to be added to the city, with businesses including Chipotle, Starbucks and Farmer Boys. But in order to complete the construction, the roadway will have to be reduced to one lane between Cathedral Canyon Drive and Date Palm Drive.

Local businesses say they are excited for the new additions to downtown. While some may say it’s competition, they say it’ll bring more foot traffic in their doors.

“Having another businesses come around actually helps,” Nanfer Garcia said, the general manager of Desert Thai. “It’s never a competition thing, or who gets more who gets less. It’s just helping each other out as much as we can.” 

Louie Caprizzi, the owner of Caprizzi’s agrees with Garcia and says he’s a firm believer the more business, the better – something he’s experienced benefiting his shop in Downtown Cathedral City.

“When I came here 10 years ago, this property was struggling. The whole downtown was,” Caprizzi said. “But since the casino came and now we’re getting a couple of fast food restaurants across the street…it’s been great.”

City officials are advising residents to take alternative routes if the construction will heavily impact their travel.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from local businesses on how the construction will impact them during the summer, and how the new center could increase business.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The defense is slated to rest tomorrow in the trial of an ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy accused of gunning down a man with whom he was at odds because the victim had been involved with the lawman’s then-girlfriend.  

Oscar Rodriguez, 44, is charged with first-degree murder and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations for the 2014 slaying of 39-year-old Luis Carlos Morin of Coachella.

The prosecution rested more than a week ago, and the defense has been summoning witnesses to the Larson Justice Center in Indio since then. Rodriguez took the stand in his own defense Tuesday.

It’s unclear whether the prosecution intends to call rebuttal witnesses. Because of the Juneteenth court holiday Thursday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling may push closing statements into next week.

Rodriguez is free on a $1 million bond.   

At the time of the shooting, the defendant was romantically involved with Diana Perez, the mother of Morin’s two children. She and the then-deputy originally met in the winter of 2013, when he and others responded to 911 calls from her complaining about Morin, whom she didn’t want around her home. The man had active warrants for his arrest.

“Things went from professional to unprofessional,” Deputy District Attorney Jacob Silva said.

The prosecutor recalled in his opening statement in May how Rodriguez dated Perez throughout 2013, taking a personal interest in her ongoing conflicts.

Silva alleged Rodriguez decided to act independently, ignoring law enforcement protocols, in apprehending Morin. On the night of Jan. 27, 2014, the defendant learned that the suspect had joined family members for a birthday celebration in Palm Desert and would be returning to his mother’s home in the 48-800 block of Camino Real in Coachella.

Silva alleged Rodriguez went to the neighborhood alone in a patrol unit, parking out of sight and placing Maria Gomez’s house under surveillance.   

“He refused to follow the laws and procedures put in place,” the prosecutor said. “He ignored all of his training. He consciously disregarded all those procedures and directives.”

At 9:40 p.m., Morin and his mother arrived home, and the suspect got out to direct Gomez as she backed her vehicle into a tight parking space. Silva said Rodriguez stealthily approached Morin, but the suspect was alerted and tried to run, at which point the deputy swept the man’s legs to stop him, causing both of them to fall down, Rodriguez landing on his back.   

Gomez was heard shouting, “Don’t do it!” according to the defense.    Attorney Mark Frederick told jurors his client inferred the statement signaled Morin was about to attack him, and he opened fire in fear for his life.

Morin, who was not armed, was fatally wounded in the left side of his chest and died at the scene. Rodriguez suffered a bruise on his back. 

Frederick characterized his client as “shaken and … scared” by the encounter, which was not captured on video because not all deputies had been issued body-worn cameras at the time.

The attorney said Morin, whom he referred to as a “career criminal,” was angry about the relationship between his ex-girlfriend and Rodriguez. Frederick said several months before the deadly shooting, Perez received a message from Morin, stating, “Cop lover … Tell him to bring his A-game, because no matter what he does, he’s going to lose.”   

The investigation that ensued after Morin’s death stretched several years, culminating in a grand jury indictment in 2017.   

Morin’s family sued the sheriff’s department and county for wrongful death, netting a $7 million payout.

Perez was indicted along with Rodriguez, charged as being an accessory to a felony. However, the charge against her was dismissed in April.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 23-year-old man pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in connection with a deadly shooting last week at the Motel 6 in Indio.

Cameron Isaiah Maestas was arrested Friday, hours after the deadly shooting at the Motel 6 on Indio Boulevard, near Sun Gold Street and Fred Waring Drive. The shooting was initially reported at around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday. A 27-year-old man was pronounced dead.

Maestas was arraigned Wednesday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Arthur Hester, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for June 27 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Police say the investigation revealed there was a dispute between the victim and the suspect before the shooting.

A white Toyota Camry with paper plates was seen fleeing the scene, police said. Investigators used video surveillance footage from the motel as well as from Flock Cameras to get a description of the vehicle. A detective spotted the suspect vehicle passing by near the crime scene.

During a traffic stop on the vehicle, police found a bag thrown from within the vehicle on the street. The bag contained a loaded Glock semi-automatic firearm. Officers were also able to confirm that the vehicle was the same as the one they were looking for from the shooting.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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