Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A San Diego County man accused of assaulting a sheriff’s deputy and trying to grab the lawman’s gun during a confrontation in Corona, culminating in the defendant’s girlfriend being fatally shot, must stand trial for murder, a judge ruled Friday.

Eric John Nourani, 35, was arrested in 2024 after the shooting that took the life of 30-year-old Jennifer Rose Dobbins of Imperial Beach.

Jennifer Rose Dobbins

Following a two-day preliminary hearing that concluded Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mary Fuller found there was sufficient evidence to bound Nourani over for trial on the murder count, as well as attempted murder, mayhem, resisting arrest and obstructing a law enforcement officer resulting in great bodily injury.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Oct. 30 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

The defendant is free on a $2 million bond.

The criminal complaint against Nourani alleges he was responsible for Dobbins’ death under a provision of California’s felony murder rule that allows for a party to be tried for causing a death when the fatality occurred as a result of an attack on a peace officer, even though the party did not directly inflict the wounds.

The murder rule was legislatively modified in 2018, making it harder to charge a person for a collateral death, but it still applies when a peace officer is the named victim of an attack.

According to sheriff’s officials, shortly after 1 a.m. June 11, 2024, a deputy working patrol in the unincorporated community of Coronita, a tiny hamlet within Corona, was traveling the Sixth Street corridor, near Lincoln Avenue. when he spotted “multiple subjects” and stopped to investigate what they were doing.

“The subjects took off running, and the deputy pursued them on foot,” according to a sheriff’s statement. “When the deputy turned the corner of a building, (Nourani) lunged at him, and a fight ensued.”

Sheriff’s officials alleged that while the deputy struggled with the defendant, Dobbins jumped into the fray and began “assaulting the deputy,” and she was shot by the deputy.

“The female suspect was struck by gunfire,” the agency stated. “The deputy continued to fight off (Nourani), who was attempting to take his firearm until good Samaritans arrived and assisted in detaining him.”

Dobbins was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where she died two hours later.

The deputy suffered unspecified moderate injuries that required medical attention, while Nourani was treated for minor injuries before he was booked into jail. He managed to post bail weeks afterward.

Nourani has no documented prior criminal history in Riverside County.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Job gains outweighed losses across the regional economy last month, pushing Riverside County’s unemployment below 6%, according to figures released today by the California Employment Development Department.

The countywide jobless rate in September, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 5.9%, compared to 6.2% in August.

According to figures, the September rate was two-tenths of a percentage point lower than the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment stood at 6.1%.

The latest EDD estimates indicated Coachella had the highest unemployment rate within the county last month at 11.7%, followed by Cherry Valley at 10.9%, Blythe at 10.7%, Rancho Mirage at 8.6%, and March Air Reserve Base at 8.4%.

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties — the Inland Empire — was 5.7%, down from 5.9% in August, the EDD said.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls increased by the widest margin in the public sector, mainly in education, as teachers and support staff at grade schools fully reintegrated into the workforce following summer break.

Additional gains occurred in the agricultural, health services and transportation sectors, which altogether rose by 2,500 positions, according to figures.

Payrolls shrank in the construction, financial services, hospitality, information technology and manufacturing sectors, which dropped by an aggregate 3,600 positions. Miscellaneous unclassified industries also contracted by 600 jobs, EDD said.

The mining and professional and business services sectors were unchanged.

The statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 5.1%.

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Jesus Reyes

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A local hockey organization hit the ice in a big way tonight. The Coachella Valley Pride Hockey Association is launching its first-ever independent Pride hockey league.

The first game kicked off Friday night at the Burger Foundation Iceplex.

Nearly 70 players across 4 teams will compete every Friday night through April. Organizers say the league brings together players of all skill levels, from newcomers to veterans with decades of experience, and everyone in the community is invited to watch and have some fun.

“We hope to have lots of fans in the stands. We’ll have music playing between stops in the play, we’ll have lots of fun before and after. It’s totally free, of course. No one has to pay for admission to the games or for parking at the ice plex. You can park there for free,” said Paul O’Kane, president and founder of the Coachella Valley Pride Hockey Association.

The four teams will play each other every Friday night.

There will be two games, one at 9:10 p.m. and one at 10:40 p.m.

Organizers say creating their own league allows them to foster community, promote inclusion, and ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all players.

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Jesus Reyes

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors proclaimed a local emergency throughout its service territory in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys following damage caused by Tropical Storm Rachel.

Tropical Storm Rachel hit the area on Sunday, bringing heavy rainfall and significant flooding that damaged electric transmission and distribution infrastructure in the Imperial and Coachella valleys.

Cleanup efforts continue in the East Valley community of North Shore after the storm impacted several homes, vehicles, and roads.

In Imperial County, the agency said storm impacts included desert runoff flooding into the Westside Main Canal, causing a breach in the canal, significant damage to canal banks, and washouts requiring extensive repairs to restore access.

“Declaring a local emergency allows IID to continue moving quickly with the repairs and recovery work needed following this storm,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “Our employees responded immediately to restore service and protect critical infrastructure, and this action helps ensure they have the resources necessary to continue that work.”

More than 2,300 electric customers were impacted by the storm, with service restored to all affected residential customers in less than 12 hours. The Westside Main Canal breach was also closed in less than 12 hours, while crews continued assessing damage and carrying out temporary and permanent repairs.

Officials said the emergency proclamation authorizes IID to continue expedited emergency protective measures, restoration and repair work, while also allowing the District to pursue available assistance through the California Disaster Assistance Act and other state or federal programs.

“Our focus remains on restoring damaged infrastructure safely and completely while continuing reliable service to our customers,” said IID General Manager Jamie Asbury. “This declaration gives the District additional flexibility as we move from emergency response into longer-term recovery.”

IID crews will continue assessing storm impacts, completing repairs and tracking recovery costs as restoration efforts move forward.

For more information about IID programs and services, visit www.iid.com.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS (KESQ)- Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado announced his retirement after 35 years in the fire service, including the past three and a half years leading the Palm Springs Fire Department.

His retirement will take effect Monday, November 2.

Alvarado joined the city in 2023 after previously serving with the Long Beach Fire Department.

During his time in Palm Springs, Alvarado led the department through several major emergencies, including Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023 and the terrorist bombing at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in May 2025.

“Chief Alvarado has dedicated 35 years of his life to protecting communities, and we are grateful for his outstanding leadership and service to Palm Springs,” said City Manager Scott Stiles. “I thank Paul for his dedicated service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Alvarado also reflected on his time with the department.

“Serving as Fire Chief of Palm Springs has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” Alvarado said.

As the department prepares for the leadership transition, Deputy Chief Jeff Van Lierop has been named interim fire chief. Van Lierop has served with the Palm Springs Fire Department since 2002 and will lead the department while the city determines its next steps in selecting a permanent chief.

Alvarado said he is confident Van Lierop will continue moving the department forward, citing their years of working together on administrative duties, operations and budgeting.

“I’ve worked with Deputy Chief Van Lierop since I’ve been here, and he’s a veteran of the Palm Springs Fire Department. And as my deputy chief, we’ve had an opportunity to work alongside each other through administrative duties, operational, budget. So I’m confident he’s going to take the department to the next step,” Alvarado said.

The city has not yet announced a timeline for selecting a permanent fire chief.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow developments as the city prepares for the leadership transition.

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City News Service

NORTH SHORE, Calif. (KESQ) – Caltrans crews were working today on a roughly $4.2 million emergency project on State Route 111 along the Salton Sea in Riverside County to address roadway and shoulder damage caused by Tropical Storm Rachel.

According to Caltrans, the storm caused severe havoc on roadways, including flooding, washouts and debris flows, resulting in blocked culverts and inlets, erosion, undermined embankments and damage to rock slope protection and guardrails.

Thursday Report: Storm cleanup continues in North Shore as residents question county response

As a result of the damage, the agency immediately implemented all-day, one-way flagging operations.

Temporary k-rail barriers will be placed on the southbound shoulder of SR 111 Friday. Following the installation of the railing, construction crews will perform daytime repairs from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays between Crooker Drive and Vanderveer Road, located near the North Shore area, weather permitting.

Repairs will include reconstruction of washed-out roadbeds and embankments, repair and/or replace drainage systems and asphalt concrete dikes, repair and/or replace rock slope protection, minor concrete repairs and removal of storm-related debris. Additionally, crews will clean and repair drainage basins and areas beneath bridges, stabilize and repair embankments and repair and/or replace guard rails and end treatments, according to Caltrans.

Motorists were urged to reduce speed when near work areas for the safety of crews and other drivers.

The California Highway Patrol will be on scene to assist with traffic control.

It was not immediately clear when the project will end.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people were airlifted to the hospital with major injuries after a crash on Dillon Road in Indio Friday afternoon.

The crash was reported just after 12:50 p.m. on Dillon Road and Happy Valley Road.

“Upon arrival, firefighters extricated two patients from one vehicle, and they were transported to an area hospital by air ambulance with major injuries,” reads a post by CAL FIRE.

Details on what led to the crash were not available. We have reached out to the California Highway Patrol for additional information.

All lanes in the area were reopened just before 3:00 p.m., according to CHP.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Desert Recreation District board has voted to remove Giovanna Healy as board president following a heated special meeting, as questions continue over the district’s finances, transparency and a proposed property tax increase.

The decision comes amid a public dispute over whether Healy has received adequate information about the district’s finances. Healy has raised concerns about financial transparency, while General Manager Dr. Gabriel Martin has disputed her account.

During the meeting, attendees expressed differing views about the board’s decision. Some questioned whether removing Healy would address the concerns she raised, while others defended the board’s handling of the dispute.

La Quinta City Councilmember Steve Sanchez, one of several local leaders who attended the meeting, opposed Healy’s removal. He said taxpayers deserve clearer explanations of the district’s spending before being asked to contribute more money through Measure P.

“Asking the taxpayers for more money when they can’t even themselves explain and justify what are they going to do with that money, how are they going to be more fiscally responsible,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez also questioned the decision to remove Healy, asking, “What are they hiding?”

Board member Rudy Acosta offered a different perspective, saying the dispute was not about whether questions should be asked, but how Healy raised her concerns publicly.

“I was disappointed that our board president chose that venue to go and air some frustrations and claimed that she was the only one asking questions.. BS, we all did,” Acosta said.

Acosta said the board had held several budget sessions and had opportunities to discuss the district’s finances.

Healy did not speak during the meeting but thanked those who attended. Acosta was subsequently voted in as board president for the remainder of the year.

The leadership dispute comes as the district seeks voter approval for Measure P on the November 3 ballot. The proposal would establish an annual property tax of five cents per square foot of building space. The district says the additional revenue would help fund recreation programs, maintain facilities and address rising operating costs.

District staffing increased from 343 employees in 2021 to 482 in 2024, while payroll wages rose from approximately $7 million in 2022 to more than $9 million in 2024. General fund support used to cover operating costs also increased from about $583,000 to more than $4.1 million over a three-year period.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

OASIS (CNS) – A woman sustained unknown injuries in a single-vehicle rollover crash today on Highway 86 in the community of Oasis.

The crash was reported shortly after 9:50 a.m. Friday near 81st Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer David Torres said a Toyota Tacoma being driven at an unspecified speed northbound on Highway 86 overturned onto the right shoulder and landed on its roof.

The driver, identified only as a Thermal woman, escaped injury, but a female passenger was treated for injuries of unknown severity.

DUI is not suspected to be a factor in the crash, Torres said.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

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Garrett Hottle

ADELANTO, Calif. (KESQ) A group of California House Democrats said staff at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center kept them waiting more than half an hour Friday and used the time to mop floors and lock detainees in their cells before the lawmakers unannounced inspection of the state’s largest immigration detention center.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, led the visit. He said the delegation did not tell U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement it was coming.

“They kept us around for over 30 minutes, and once we started walking in, it became clear why,” Garcia said at a news conference outside the facility. “They clearly had been cleaning. They were washing the floors. They were putting things away.”

The visit came two weeks after the Department of Homeland Security bought the three-facility Adelanto complex from private prison operator GEO Group for $950 million, and three months after a federal judge in Riverside ordered ICE to fix conditions there.

Rep. Dave Min, who represents coastal Orange County, said detainees were locked down for a head count when the group arrived, so members could not speak with them. He said the kitchen floors had just been mopped.

“You could see that the ovens, the cookware, the pots and pans that they were using were filthy, were not cleaned,” Min said.

Rep. Norma Torres, who represents Pomona and parts of the Inland Empire, stayed behind to tour the women’s side. She said women there told her sewage backed up a few days ago and that they were served meals while it came out of the drains. Torres said the warden told her he sent crews to fix it as soon as he learned of the problem.

Torres also said she saw hair on the floor of the men’s showers and mold in the shower areas, conditions she said she had not seen on the more than 25 visits she and her staff have made with advance notice.

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, said staff told the group they were waiting for a director to arrive. “It was clear that they were putting the detainees on lockdown so that they could not talk to us,” Chu said.

Garcia said more than 1,800 people are held at Adelanto and that most have no criminal record. He said staff leading the tour repeatedly told the group the opposite. “That is actually a lie,” he said.

Garcia also said facility leadership told him that detainees had made sexual abuse accusations and that every one had been dismissed.

Four men held at Adelanto died between September 2025 and March, and in July a Judge in Riverside ordered ICE to fix conditions there, including clean drinking water, adequate food and medical care, with two independent monitors to check its work.

The first monitor report, filed Oct. 2, described mold and larvae in the showers, and on Oct. 7 the detainees lawyers asked the judge to hold the government in contempt.

Chu said she looked at a glass of the water herself Friday and saw nothing in it, and both she and Torres said the facility has added filters since the report. DHS has said claims of poor conditions at Adelanto are false.

The federal government bought the three-building Adelanto complex from GEO Group on Oct. 2 for $950 million, and GEO still runs it under a contract through 2034. Rep. Luz Rivas, who represents the San Fernando Valley, said the contractor leading Friday’s tour told the group he was surprised to read about the sale.

Federal law lets members of Congress inspect detention facilities without notice, but House Democrats including Garcia and Torres had to sue last year after DHS began requiring seven days’ notice, and a federal judge in Washington ordered the agency in March to let them in. Rep. Raul Ruiz, who represents the eastern Coachella Valley, was turned away from Adelanto twice before entering with a court order in February and was not part of Friday’s visit. Garcia said the court monitor is expected back in the coming weeks, and the lawmakers said they would be too.

Tune into News Channel 3 tonight at 6pm for the full story.

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