Category: kesq-local-news

Daniella Lake

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Senior citizens in the Coachella Valley say they’ve been getting calls that sound like loved ones in distress, asking for money. Artificial intelligence is being used by scammers to clone people’s voices, and according to the University of Chicago, 91% of people can’t tell the difference between a real voice and an AI clone.

Joel Johnson was the target for an AI scam. He got a call a few weeks ago, from a voice he thought was his son.

“I broke my nose. I caused a horrible accident that I need help,” the voice over the phone said. Then, Johnson was told to call an attorney. The attorney told him to send $10,000 for bail for his son.

Luckily, Johnson had his wife call their son. Turns out, he was completely okay.

“It’s scary that something like this could be done in this manner and Lord knows how many other things it’s being used for in a criminal method,” Johnson said. Johnson has spent his career as a consumer fraud attorney. He’s worked on thousands of cases of people being taken advantage of.

Sat Singh, a strategic advisor for AI Coachella Valley shared some tips on how to protect yourself from AI voice clone scams.

Create a secret code with your family. Do not share the code over text or any online platform. If you ever receive a suspicious call, the secret code will help you verify the caller’s identity.

Call the actual phone number of the loved one the voice on the phone claims to be.

If they ask for money through wire transfer or gift card, hang up. It’s likely a love one wouldn’t ask for financial assistance through this method.

AI Coachella Valley hosts workshops for people of all ages to learn how to navigate AI. You can learn more on their website.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Local senior centers in the Coachella Valley are preparing for a surge in demand as SNAP benefits come to a stop amid the ongoing government shutdown. Tens of thousands of older adults now face difficult choices about how to put food on the table, and many are turning to local meal programs for assistance.

At the Mizell Senior Center, long lines were already forming Monday as seniors waited for what some described as their only hot meal of the day. The center, which operates the only Meals on Wheels and Senior Nutrition Program in the region, serves and delivers nearly 600 meals each week.

“It’s so critical. These folks are participants in the Riverside County Office on Aging Senior Nutrition program and so they’ve demonstrated need and food insecurity.”

Rob Wheeler, Mizell Center Executive Director

With SNAP benefits in jeopardy, the center is ramping up meal preparation in anticipation of higher demand. Riverside County estimates that roughly 53,000 seniors rely on SNAP benefits, many of whom will start feeling the impact this week.

Russ Learn, a local senior, relies heavily on the meals provided by the Mizell Center. Though he is not a SNAP recipient, he and his husband, who suffered a stroke a few years ago, depend on other forms of government assistance.

“If you want to live on a day-to-day basis, you have to plan ahead to make sure it’s going to last a whole month and with the costs of living going the way it is, it becomes very difficult… We do get government assistance. I am a disabled veteran so I’m concerned about what they going to be doing.”

Russ Learn, Palm Desert Resident

Despite the uncertainty, staff and volunteers at the Mizell Center say they are ready to meet the growing need.

“We have fantastic volunteers. We have about 60 active volunteers each week and a large number of them are here in the nutrition program. They’re really excited to step up along with the staff.”

Rob Wheeler, Mizell Center Executive Director

For some seniors, the support from the center provides stability in an otherwise uncertain time.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Garrett Hottle

Update 11/3/25

Jake Haro was sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder of his 7-month-old son, Emmanuel.

Haro, 32, admitted to assaulting his son, Emmanuel Haro, to the point that it caused his death, according to court documents. Haro pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and filing a false police report. His guilty pleas were to the court and not a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office.

He received an aggregate sentence of 180 days for filing a false police report and six years and 8 months for a prior child abuse case that left an infant girl unable to walk or feed herself for the rest of her life.

All sentences ordered to run consecutively.

Haro was further ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution and was credited with 551 days for time served.

Mary Beushausen, Emmanuel Haro’s maternal grandmother, spoke before the sentencing, calling for Jake Haro to receive the maximum sentence and blaming the justice system for giving him a second chance after his initial child abuse case.

“I told him that I would be here for his sentencing before he was arrested,” Beushausen told the courtroom. “He destroyed my whole family.”

“The lies told in this case only deepened the tragedy of Emmanuel’s death,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. “While today’s sentence represents a measure of accountability for Jake Haro, our office will continue to seek justice as the case against his co-defendant moves forward.”

Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro, pleaded not guilty to murder charges. She is scheduled to return to court for a felony settlement conference on January 21.

Emmanuel’s remains have not been recovered.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle is in Riverside for the sentencing hearing. He’ll have live coverage throughout the day, starting at 4 p.m.

Newly obtained court documents also revealed details on the child abuse case that Jake Haro was on probation for, stemming from October 2018. When his infant daughter was taken to the hospital, doctors discovered multiple injuries, including brain hemorrhage, skull fracture, and multiple rib fractures.

The assault left the infant girl unable to walk or feed herself for the rest of her life.

Additionally, Jake Haro was caught with a handgun and ammunition in June 2024 while already on felony probation for the first child abuse case.

In August, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin blasted the criminal justice system for what he called a preventable tragedy. Hestrin said Emmanuel’s death could have been avoided if Haro had been sent to prison for his prior child abuse conviction in 2023, instead of receiving probation.

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Timothy Foster

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — As the government shutdown stretches on, food insecurity is rising across the Coachella Valley, and local organizations are stepping up to help.

Over the weekend, the first-ever Scoop Palm Springs Ice Cream Festival brought hundreds of people downtown for a day of sweets, music, and community. Behind the celebration, the event aimed to raise money for the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s food bank.

The Center’s food program serves hundreds of residents every week, offering free groceries and fresh produce to low-income individuals and families, including many affected by recent federal aid delays. With government programs like CalFresh and SNAP disrupted by the ongoing shutdown, local demand has increased significantly.

Daniel Szpak, founder of Scoop Palm Springs and chief organizer of the event, explained that food insecurity continues to be a problem in the community, especially with funding cuts, and that all proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the LGBTQ Center’s Community Food Bank. The event provides a fun way for the community to give back and make a real impact.

Center staff noted that they are serving over 500 households every week and adding new families constantly. Events like the festival are essential to keeping the food bank stocked and meeting growing community needs.

The ice cream festival featured local vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities, turning a classic treat into a way to fight hunger and support inclusion. Organizers plan to make it an annual Palm Springs tradition, helping the community come together one scoop at a time.

Residents who want to donate or volunteer with the LGBTQ Community Center’s food bank can visit thecentercv.org

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Shay Lawson

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)  – It’s the last day to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos at Sunnylands Center and Gardens.

It’s all part of a free 5 day celebration of the holiday that the organization holds every year.

Organizers said attendees have an opportunity to honor their dead loved ones at a community alter.

Ofrendas and Nichos are on display from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This is a really fun event that’s meant to honor and represent family members and loved ones that have passed,” Rhoda Coscetti, community program specialist, said. “We’re really honored to offer this space for 10 local nonprofits.“

Tonight – Sunnylands Center and Gardens will stay open until 9 p.m. for a night time viewing of that local artwork and a screening of Disney’s “Coco,” starting at 6:30 p.m.

Parking and admission is free for all.

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Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians hosted the seventh annual Kewet Native American Learning Day and Market at Palm Springs High School.

The free event welcomed hundreds of visitors to celebrate Native American culture through traditional music, dancing, basket weaving, beading and more.

Tribal leaders, city officials, and educators joined together to highlight the rich history of the Cahuilla people and their deep roots in the Coachella Valley.

“It’s one of my most favorite events, where we have almost half a dozen, over half a dozen birds singing groups, singing the songs of our history, singing the songs of our culture,” said Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich.

Milanovich, Palm Springs Mayor Ron Deharte, and PSUSD Superintendent Dr. Marcus Funchess greeted guests, emphasizing the importance of sharing Native American culture and history with the broader community.

Organizers say it’s all about sharing culture, building community, and inspiring the next generation.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – College of the Desert will provide free education to every Coachella Valley resident, regardless of age, income, or educational background, COD Superintendent/President Val Martinez Garcia announced.

During the State of the College address Thursday, Martinez Garcia announced a major expansion of the College’s tuition-free program, unveiling a phased roll-out of plEDGE for All to provide free college education to every Coachella Valley resident, regardless of age, income, or educational background.

“This next phase of plEDGE for All removes barriers and opens doors,” said Superintendent/President Martinez Garcia. “Education is a right that belongs to every member of our community. Whether you are beginning college, returning to finish your degree, or building new skills for your career, College of the Desert will support your success through access and opportunity.”

The program is set to launch in Fall 2026.

COD officials said the initiative builds on nearly a decade of impact from the original plEDGE, which has served more than 10,000 local students since 2017.

COD Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Joel L. Kinnamon, who introduced the original plEDGE while serving as College President, reflected on the milestone.

“When we began this program, the goal was to create a pathway to opportunity,” Dr. Kinnamon said. “The award-winning plEDGE program is nationally recognized as a best practice. This expansion continues that vision and aligns with the goal to ensure that every resident of the Coachella Valley can learn, grow, and thrive close to home.”

The expansion is expected to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline in key industries, including healthcare, sustainability, hospitality, digital media, and advanced technology. It also aligns with the Board of Trustees visions and goals and supports COD’s Vision 2030 goal of increasing access and achievement across all communities

Click here for more on the plEDGE program.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Downtown Palm Springs is gearing up for a night of Halloween parties, including in the Arenas District.

The Executive Producer of Halloween Palm Springs, Jeff Hocker, said this is the 10th year events like the Arenas block party have been hosted in the city. Hocker said it is a “labor of love” to make each element of the Halloween weekend unique compared to past years, but the inclusivity of the Arenas block party remains the same.

“It’s not just for the LGBT community. It’s really for everybody to come and enjoy,” Hocker said.

Arenas is hosting the free block party from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The party includes musical performances, costume contests and more. The theme for the Halloween night party is “Dance Party” with DJ’s set to host the night, including DEV, Meaty Beats by Juan. DJ MODGIRL and DJ Jeffree.

For locals, they said it’s a great night to show case their costumes, dance to the music and come together as a community. Many said the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs feel like a small community, and they want events like this to continue each year.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from attendees about the Halloween party.

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A 45-year-old Yucca Valley man is facing charges of vehicle theft, along with multiple firearm-related offenses after an investigation of the theft of a mobile detailing trailer in Rancho Mirage.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Palm Desert Station received a report on October 17th of the trailer, valued around $12,000, being stolen sometime on the previous day from the 39000 block of Vista del Sol in Rancho Mirage.

Investigators identified a suspect in the theft and say the suspect also allegedly sold the trailer to an unsuspecting buyer.

Investigators served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in the 7000 block of Murray Lane in Yucca Valley on October 31, where they found an unregistered gun and ammunition. The suspect was arrested and booked on the charges of vehicle theft and firearm-related offenses.

Deputies were able to locate the stolen trailer and return it to the owner. They add that a separate investigation into the fraudulent sale of the trailer is ongoing, and additional charges will be filed at a later time.

The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station is asking anyone with information related to this ongoing case to contact Deputy Marco Castaneda at (760) 836-1600.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A local soccer team has its sights set on Spain.

“Natives FA”  is a team made up of high school seniors who live in different parts of the Coachella Valley.

The teams have been invited to play in a tournament in Madrid, Spain, called the Met Cup next summer.

The team has set up a GoFundMe me, hoping to raise the funds for this trip of a lifetime.

“We have players from all of the Coachella Valley, from Coachella to Palm Springs. We are looking to make this dream come true for the boys,” said coach Alexis Gutierrez.

The team is hoping to raise $60,000.

The tournament is set for June 15 through June 25.

Click here if you would like to help

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