Category: kesq-local-news

Kenji Ito

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) Coachella Valley’s High School football game vs Central has been canceled due to field conditions after Thursday’s rain.

The game between the Spartans and Arabs was expected to kick off tonight at 7 PM.

CVUSD spokesperson Selena Castillo said that they decided to cancel the game to protect the players from injury, as the wet field would create an unsafe environment.

Coachella Valley, who sits at 1-3 on the season, will play Valley View at home next week, September 26th. Kick off will be at 7 PM.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of high school sports across the Coachella Valley.

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Garrett Hottle

OAK GLEN, Calif. (KESQ) Terry Drung, Lisa Watkins, and Mr. Gomez all say the same thing: a simple storm turned their lives upside down.

After Thursday night’s thunderstorms, a ferocious mudflow crashed down the hillsides over the El Dorado burn scar, burying a bridge outside their neighborhood under nearly 10 feet of mud and cutting off escape routes.

Video shared with News Channel Three shows massive logs, boulders, even propane tanks hurtling down with the mud.

“That’s ten feet of mud… boulders, tons of them. We even had a propane tank come down,” said Terry Drung, who guided crews and cameras through the aftermath.

From across a debris-filled canyon, Lisa Watkins, trapped in her home, spoke with News Channel Three via FaceTime. She described being safe but completely cut off. “It’s kind of a weird feeling to not be able to leave… it’s a little claustrophobic. But we’re good up here — the house is safe, we’ve got food and power,” she said.

Even visitors weren’t spared. Mr. Gomez, nearby, said he came expecting a quiet visit but instead found chaos. “We went from just having a good time talking to walking out here to oh my God, look at the bridge. And then this, what you see in front of you,” Mr. Gomez said.

Authorities have issued Evacuation Warnings for Oak Glen and nearby communities including Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks, and Seven Oaks. The warning means there is potential danger to life and property; residents in vulnerable zones are being urged to prepare to leave. San Bernardino County Fire also maintains a Flash Flood Warning for Oak Glen in effect until 6:45 PM PDT.

Road closures remain in place: Oak Glen Road is closed from Chagall to Potato Canyon, with Highway 38 also blocked in multiple spots due to debris flows. Cleanup crews are working as fast as they can, assessing damage to infrastructure and getting emergency services to those isolated.

Forecasters say skies should stay mostly clear through Saturday, but another round of storms is likely Sunday. Experts warn that loose soil and burn-scar conditions make the area particularly susceptible to new mudslides with even minimal rainfall.

For residents like Terry Drung and Lisa Watkins, the concern now is not just recovery it’s simply waiting and watching the skies, ready if the next storm becomes the next fastball.

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it comes in.

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Cynthia White

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CNS) – Payroll gains overcame losses last month across the regional economy, pushing Riverside County’s unemployment rate slightly lower, according to figures released Friday by the California Employment Development Department (EDD).

The countywide jobless rate in August, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 6.3%, compared to 6.5% in July.

According to figures, the August rate was a tenth of a percentage point higher than the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment then stood at 6.2%.

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties – the Inland Empire – was 6.1%, down from 6.4% in July, the EDD stated.

Data showed Cherry Valley had the highest unemployment rate countywide in August at 12.9%, followed by Coachella at 12.5%, Rancho Mirage at 10%, Valle Vista at 9.1% and Palm Desert at 8.9%.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls expanded by the widest margin last month in the public sector, where 4,200 positions were added, mainly in education, as teachers and support staff in area schools returned for the fall term.

The health services, hospitality, manufacturing and professional business services sectors additionally grew by an aggregate 4,000 jobs, according to figures.

Payrolls contracted by the largest level in the agricultural sector, which shed 2,000 positions, while the construction, information technology and transportation sectors declined by a total 1,600 jobs in August.

The EDD said miscellaneous unclassified industries posted a loss of 200, and the financial services and mining sectors were unchanged. The statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in August was 5.8%.

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church is reopening to the public after a long-awaited renovation over the summer.

Church officials say they’ve spent the past year fundraising and contributing nearly $4 million to their endowment fund for the renovations.

“We got a very large, single gift for our endowment. Now that we’ve taken care of our facilities, we really want to make sure again that we’re sustainable for the next generation,” Reverend Andrew Butler said.

The renovation includes a new roof, after major flooding in July of 2024, new seating, floors and a move away from the church’s pink detailing.

Officials say the goal is sustainability, and ensuring a church that will work for years to come.

“This church being built in 1989, we’re starting to have some deferred maintenance that we needed to take care of. We just have a lot of folks who love their church, and we want to make sure we take care of it for the next generation that comes,” Rev. Butler said.

Still, the best parts of the original structure remain like the iconic organ pipe, which is the largest in the Valley.

It’s a building by the community, for the community. Something Rev. Butler says is important as during cultural and politically divisive times.

“We really want it to be a center for the community to come together, regardless of their faith or no faith, regardless of their political views. That’s not important here. We just want this to be a house of prayer for all people.”

This Sunday will mark the church’s rededication and grand reopening ceremony at 10 a.m. On Wednesday September 24th at 7 p.m., the Palm Springs Symphony will present a preview concert ahead of their upcoming season at the church.

For more information on upcoming events, visit: https://www.stmargarets.org/

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Palm Springs hosted a POW/MIA flag-raising ceremony on Friday, Sept morning in front of City Hall in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Mayor Ron deHarte, City Councilmembers, Police Chief Andy Mills, Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio), and members of American Legion Post 519 took part in the ceremony.

The POW/MIA flag will be flown at all City buildings that day as a tribute to American prisoners of war and those still missing in action. As of 2025, around 81,600 U.S. service members and civilians remain missing or unaccounted for from World War II through more recent conflicts. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Palm Springs honors the ongoing efforts to bring them home.

In June, the City Council approved flying the flag annually on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A 40 million dollar renovation project is now underway in Palm Springs.

Community leaders gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of what’s being called a new chapter for the Palm Springs Public Library.

The ceremony marked the official start of a two year renovation effort.

The library building, which holds historic significance, will undergo major updates while preserving its iconic architectural design.

Palm Springs City Councilmember Grace Garner emphasized the vital role the space plays in providing access to resources, saying, “It’s huge for us. We wanted to upgrade our library for years and now that we’re finally here, it’s very exciting. The library is more than just books. This is a place for community. It acts as a cooling center, a warming center. There’s lots of clubs that meet here and our new renovation, our new library, is going to have even more space for people to connect.”

The library has opened a temporary location at Rimrock Plaza, on East Palm Canyon near Gene Autry Trail. The city has pledged to keep this interim site open until the renovated library reopens to the public.

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Cynthia White

Update:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department sent out an alert around 9:30 Friday morning that North Indian Canyon Drive is back open at the Whitewater Wash area between Garnet and Sunrise Parkway.

Original Report:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department has notified that North Indian Canyon Drive is closed at the Whitewater Wash area between Garnet and Sunrise Parkway as of 8:09 p.m. Thursday.

The closure is due to flooding caused by storms throughout the day.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley hit hard Thursday as the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario swept through the region, bringing intense rain, winds, thunder and even hail. The sudden surge in weather conditions led to flooding, traffic accidents, and road closures — leaving behind a trail of damage and soaked residents.

Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs closed between Garnet Avenue and Sunrise Parkway due to flooding — a familiar scene for locals but still a disruptive one. The storm’s intensity took many by surprise.

“It looked good to take a quick bike ride because there was no rain but I could see the clouds and sure enough I rode into the rainstorm.”

Martha Church, Palm Desert Resident

The storm unleashed heavy rain in a short period of time, creating hazardous driving conditions. One of the more serious incidents occurred in Cabazon, where a seven-car crash on Interstate 10 sent two people to the hospital with serious injuries. One vehicle veered off the roadway.

In Palm Desert, the storm brought down trees along Highway 74, with some crashing into residents’ backyards.

“The water was just raging down the side here. I mean I couldn’t believe how much water and so quickly.”

Martha Church, Palm Desert Resident

Despite the dangers, some residents welcomed the unexpected weather.

Officials continue to urge drivers to use extreme caution and avoid driving through flooded roads, even as conditions begin to dry up across the valley.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ) – Downpours triggered by thunderstorms rolling through the San Bernardino National Forest today triggered flash floods, mudslides and other hazards around Idyllwild and surrounding mountain communities.   

The inclement weather gained momentum early Thursday afternoon, originating from the Santa Rosa Mountains and farther south and east in San Diego and Imperial counties, according to the National Weather Service.   

According to the California Highway Patrol, about 2:30 p.m., a storm cell drenched the area around Ponderosa and Walters drives east of Highway 243 on the north end of Idyllwild, causing roadway flooding.   

At least two vehicles became stuck due to muck on Ponderosa, the CHP stated.

The streets were shut down at 3 p.m., and Caltrans crews were requested to clear the mud and debris.

A similar hazard developed on Highway 243 at Foster Lake Road, about a half-mile south of Ponderosa, just after 3 p.m. The CHP stated rocks and debris flowed onto the highway amid rain bursts, disrupting traffic.   

The highway remained open, with traffic moving through cautiously, but Caltrans was again summoned to clean up the mess.   

A Flood Advisory was in effect Thursday afternoon for the entire San Gorgonio Pass, as well as the Anza Valley. The Weather Service issued a broader Flood Watch for the mountain communities and the Coachella Valley until 2 a.m. Friday.

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Katie Boer

It’s been a wet and stormy Thursday across the Coachella Valley, with widespread showers and thunderstorms fueled by tropical remnants from Mario interacting with a low-pressure system to our northwest. Most of the storm activity concentrated over the mountains and deserts, but a few stronger cells moved into the northern Inland Empire and valley floor.

Several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued throughout the afternoon and evening—including parts of the Coachella Valley, areas just north of Cabazon, and northwest of Desert Hot Springs. The most recent warning ended around 9:30 PM near Twentynine Palms. These localized storms brought brief heavy rain, nickel sized hail, and damaging wind gusts. In some locations, rainfall rates reached up to 1.5 inches per hour.

There has also been significant lightning activity, with thousands of lightning strikes across the region in the last 24-hours, including several hundred cloud-to-ground strikes, so hazardous conditions for many.Currently, a Flood Watch remains in effect through 2:00 AM Friday for much of Southern California—including the Coachella Valley, San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, and surrounding mountain and desert areas. Excessive runoff from these downpours could still lead to flooding in flood-prone areas.

Tonight, lingering storms from earlier activity, are weakening and expected to clear out. While tropical remnants still drift over the region overnight, our chances of additional showers or storms is pretty minimal.

Looking ahead, we’ll see gradual drying and warming Friday into Saturday. But conditions stay sticky Friday.

Another low-pressure system off the coast may help draw in additional tropical moisture early next week, but there will likely be changes to the forecast models this far out. By the latter half of next week, drier and warmer conditions are expected to return as high pressure builds back in.

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