Category: kesq-local-news

KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Jewish Federation of the Desert is awarding more than $1.2 million in grants to several organizations.

Each year, Jewish Federation of the Desert provides funding to local, regional, and international organizations in a variety of categories and each of our grantees meets several objectives, which include:

Caring for the vulnerable

Strengthening their community

Supporting Jewish people around the world

“It warms my heart to see. Giving money to people that really need it throughout the community,” said Arnie Gillman, president of the Jewish Federation of the Desert. 

Local & Regional Allocations:

ADL – World of Difference Institute, Aleph Schoolhouse, Angelview, Bikur Cholim of Palm Springs, Chabad of Rancho Mirage, Chabad Jewish Center of Riverside, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Har El, Havurah of the Desert, Inland & Desert Hillel, Jewish Family Service of the Desert, Joslyn Center, Mizell Center, Or Hamidbar, Sun City Jewish Services Temple Isaiah – JCC and Temple Sinai.

Overseas Allocations: Supporting Jews Around-the-World:

DROR Israel Educational Centers, Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, Jewish Agency for Israel, Leket Israel, Joint Distribution Committee, Ramat HaNegev – Center for Children with Special Needs and their Pithat Nitzana (children and youth programs).

For more information on the Jewish Federation of the Desert, visit www.jfedps.org

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Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Moreno Valley man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor in Twentynine Palms, authorities announced on Wednesday.

The arrest happened after a report of possible lewd acts with a child on the afternoon of July 24.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, it was discovered that Eduardo Rodriguez, 23, of Moreno Valley, allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse and oral copulation with a child.

The Morongo Basin Station Detective Bureau assumed the investigation and later learned of the Rodriquez’s whereabouts. Rodriguez was arrested last Wednesday as he left his residence in Moreno Valley. He was booked into Central Detention Center and is being held on $ 50,000 bail.

According to court records, Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to both charges on Monday. He is scheduled to return to court on Friday.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective A. DeCecio of the Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27436) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

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Jesus Reyes

WASHINGTON D.C. (KESQ) — A couple from Thermal was sentenced to prison for their role in a multi-million dollar scheme to traffic Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs into the United States.

“Selling illegal pesticides and veterinary drugs endangers people, animals, and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “Our office will continue to prosecute those individuals who disregard the dangerous consequences of their illegal smuggling.”

Otilio Rodriguez Toledo and Alicia Aispuro Hernandez were sentenced to five months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release.

Hernandez was sentenced to time served followed by 18 months of supervised release.

Both were ordered to jointly pay $2.19 million in forfeiture.

“The FDA regulates animal drugs as part of its mission to protect the public health, which includes ensuring that prescription animal drugs are lawfully distributed and dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Wade Moon of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who distribute prescription animal drugs unlawfully.”

According to the DOJ, citing filings and evidence presented in court, since at least December 2018, Toledo and Hernandez had engaged in smuggling pesticides and veterinary drugs from Mexico into the United States and then distributing them in the United States.

The pesticides involved were primarily Taktic and Bovitraz, which are not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in the United States. The smuggled veterinary drugs included Tetragent Aves, Metabolase, Terramicina, Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, Tylovet, Caterrol, Penicilina, and Tylosma, which are not approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

The smuggled pesticides and veterinary drugs were brought into the United States through the Calexico Port of Entry in Imperial County, California, and placed in storage units near the border. Smugglers would then send photographs of the products at the storage units as proof of delivery. These defendants would then pick up the products from the storage units and distribute them to others within the United States.

According to the EPA, the active ingredient in the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees if released into hives, and then ultimately to humans when it ends up in honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological effects and possibly reproductive effects in humans from the consumption of contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from exposure to amitraz have been documented in multiple animal species and include central nervous system depression, decrease in pulse rate, and hypothermia.

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Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An Indio nonprofit is ensuring vulnerable Coachella Valley students are guided down the right path. 

Friends of the Children Coachella Valley is still in its first year of serving children and their families in the desert, but its nationwide parent organization, Friends of the Children has been operating for over 30 years.

The organization reports it tends to see higher rates of school success and high school graduation, as well as lower rates of teen pregnancy and children involved in the juvenile justice system.

The Coachella Valley chapter hosted an open house Wednesday morning. Local city leaders and nonprofits gathered at its Indio office for an introduction to the services they provide. Organizers also provided tours of the nonprofit’s clubhouse – a safe space where the children they support have access to Wi-Fi, technology, and other things that may be difficult to find at home.

Right now, Friends of the Children is designed to provide long-term support and mentorship for 24 valley kids. These kids and their families often face food and housing insecurity. They may also face retention or behavior challenges in the classroom.

Three full-time mentors provide one-on-one support and work ten-hour days, four days a week during the summers.

Despite less than a year of developing a relationship with the organization’s first cohort of 24 students, mentors – known as “friends” to the kids – have already created an inseparable bond.

“I have had parents tell me that they’re very grateful that I’m in their lives, that they see me as family,” said Marbella Oseguera, one of the three professional mentors staffed by Friends of the Children. “It is a long term commitment and some days are difficult, I’ll be honest. … I make clear to them that even when their days are challenging, I’m going to be here through it all.”

Before being selected to the mentorship program, kids are referred to the nonprofit by both Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified School Districts. According to the nonprofit, faculty identifies students who may need extra support. Staff will then go to the school to observe the children who have been referred.

“We watch the young people on the playground, maybe it’s in the lunchroom, in their classroom, meet with them, and then the final step is meeting with their parents. Because we’re committing to 12 years,” said Karrie Schaaf, the organization’s Executive Director.

Schaaf said their mission goes beyond just the students, too. The program is designed to provide long-term guidance and advocacy for the students’ families – their parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

“We also support the families… so the caregivers get our support in our advocacy. We’re their cheerleaders, just like the young people,” added Schaaf.

Now, the the nonprofit said it is looking to expand their team and services. A spokesperson with the organization said they are looking for additional funding to expand its coverage to the entirety of the Coachella Valley. They also plan to hire engagement coordinators to work with families in need to secure affordable housing and other services. 

Ben Guitron, city councilmember with Indio, said of the nonprofit’s mission, “If they’re there to help – [even] just guide them for resources or make that difference in that youth as they’re developing – it’s a blessing to all of us, because the future is our youth.”

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif (KESQ) – Coachella Valley residents are continuously facing scams through phone calls, texts, emails and more. Now organizations are hoping to bring necessary education to the community to prevent money loss or other damages.

Assemblymember Greg Wallis partnered with the Desert Recreation District to host a Senior Scam Awareness Seminar at the Palm Desert Community Center. Resident told News Channel 3, it was helpful and they think there needs to be more scam awareness events.

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation says anyone experiencing fraud should contact these sources:

DFPI at www.dfpi.ca.gov or call toll free 866-275-2677

File a complaint at www.dfpi.ca.gov/file-a-complaint

Report it to your local law enforcement

Report scams/fraud to Federal Trade Commission

www.reportfraud.ftc.gov

Cyber/Internet Crime – Federal Bureau of Investigation

www.ic3.gov

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from residents on how scams have impacted them, and what officials are advising them to do.

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Tori King

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– Construction along El Paseo continues, as the project reaches a new milestone. This week, both sides of the road are back open from the 74 to Portola.

The City of Palm Desert has most recently completed the third phase of the El Paseo Street Rehabilitation Project. This phase included improvements to the westbound lanes, north side of El Paseo between San Pablo Avenue and Portola Avenue.

Immediately following completion of the north side, crews shifted the traffic control to the eastbound lanes, south side of El Paseo, between San Pablo Avenue and Portola Avenue. Crews are now working on pavement removal and asphalt installation for this segment, with work scheduled to take place through August.

The final phase will begin in September. Intersections at Portola and San Pablo will be done at night in September, and mid-block crossings will be added after all of the paving is complete.

For updates on the project click here.

News Channel 3’s Tori King is speaking with the city about this final phase, see her coverage at 4, 5, and 6.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect was arrested for allegedly assaulting an elderly person at a residence in Palm Desert, authorities said today.   

Deputies responded to call shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 73000 block of Santa Rosa Way regarding a report of battery, according to Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities learned that the suspect and the victim, who “live at the location,” were involved in an argument, Brito-Gonzalez said.   

The suspect allegedly “became physical” with the elder, who sustained injuries and was hospitalized with stable vital signs, the department said.

The man fled the scene before deputies arrived but later returned to the area and hid inside the residence, authorities said. Deputies located him and he was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of battery and elder abuse, Brito-Gonzalez said.

The identities of the two individuals were not revealed.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The boutique hotel industry is on a growth streak, with new data showing rising demand in California and across the United States as travelers seek out smaller, more personalized stays.

Globally, the boutique hotel market was valued at $25 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $40.3 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. In the U.S., the segment generated nearly $7 billion in 2024 and is expected to hit $10 billion by the end of the decade.

North America accounted for more than 40% of global boutique hotel revenue last year, driven by interest from millennial and Gen Z travelers looking for unique, immersive experiences, market researchers said.

California’s hospitality sector is a natural fit for the trend, with wine country getaways, art-forward desert retreats and a roster of Historic Hotels of America properties that attract visitors seeking local flavor.

In the Golden State, destinations like Palm Springs lead the pack with nearly 100 boutique hotels here alone, said Adam Gilbert, President of The Firm Brokerage.

“Palm Springs is known for its boutique hotels,” Gilbert explained. “We’ve really seen a growth in the boutique hospitality industry,” he explained. “You know, people want people to kind of move from the Airbnb, travel more to like a more catered boutique experience.”

Now, one of those experiences, the Exotic Dream Resort in Palm Springs, is on the market for $10.5 million. Gilbert, who is the listing agent for the resort, said the resort has deep ties in the Palm Springs area was previously the All World Resort, a very popular gay men’s resort where clothing was optional.

Today, Gilbert describes the Exotic Dream Resort is not only clothing-optional, but a swinger-lifestyle resort. He said it’s part of what makes Palm Springs market unique, offering investors both established clientele and properties with potential for reinvention.

Gilbert said properties run by smaller operators can sell for as low as $150,000 a room with opportunities to renovate and resell for double that price, or even more.

“If you’re able to get financials, if you’re able to fix it up, you can get close to 300 to 400,000 a room and sell it to a hospitality group or someone who wants to buy finished products,” he explained. “And so there’s been a huge, you know, influx of people buying these, you know, properties that need a little bit of love.”

Still, rising interest rates shifting consumer preferences means success depends on matching the right property to the right buyer.

“It has to make sense between seller and buyer,” Gilber said. “On what the buyer is buying it for, and what the seller is selling it for.”

The Exotic Dream Resort is still operating while it’s listed for sale. Meanwhile, we checked the long delayed Dream Hotel project here in Palm Springs.

The project, which was put on pause, due the pandemic and economic downturn since its inception in 2007. In Dec. 2024, News Channel 3 covered a groundbreaking ceremony celebrated by the hotel development team and city leaders ushering in reimagined plan for the project on the corner of Amado Road and Avenida Caballeros.

Developer Lori Kibby tells News Channel three the budget came in $80 million over, and they’ve been working to reduce costs, reconfiguring parts of the project and redoing drawings.

She also says the project is still moving forward with no change in ownership, and the dream brand remains part of Hyatt Hotel Group.

Boutique hotels have been outperforming traditional properties in key areas, including supply growth and revenue recovery, even as operators face higher costs for insurance, utilities and labor, according to industry analysts.

Industry experts say the model’s focus on design, storytelling and localized service gives boutique properties an edge in a crowded travel market.

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Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Tenet nurses at JFK Memorial Hospital say they’re facing inadequate staffing, training and pay, pushing them to the picket line Wednesday.

Wednesday evening, registered nurses with the SEIU 121 union plan to host an informational picket at JFK Memorial Hospital protesting conditions they say have caused low staff morale, with many looking elsewhere for their future careers. To be clear, this is not a strike and there has been no work stoppage.

“Work life balance is an issue with some nurses on call up to 15 days or more. We have a lot of turnover and a lot of our nurses are leaving JFK to go over to desert for higher wages,” Tracy Pryor, an operating nurse of 28 years said.

Some of the union’s concerns are similar to those echoed by CNA nurses at the Tenet-operated Desert Regional Medical Center, who also called for safer staffing and more robust training.

According to Pryor, new college graduates are receiving half the training they did prior to the pandemic, with orientation decreasing from 12 to 6 weeks.

“You know the bookwork when you graduate, you have done some clinical assignments. To pull that into the real work space is what really matters,” Pryor said.

She also believes higher wages at nearby hospitals are increasing turnover among seasoned nurses. Pryor believes JFK Memorial may receive lower wages because it is a level four trauma center, compared to Desert Regional Medical Center’s level one standing.

News Channel 3 reached out to Tenet Health for their side of the story and were provided a statement:

“As always, we are committed to delivering safe, high quality care and an exceptional patient experience for the community we serve, as well as a positive work environment for our employees. We are currently involved in bargaining with the union and will continue to negotiate in good faith in hopes of reaching a successful contract. We are open for all services.”

Union organizers also hope the picket will renew negotiations at the bargaining table.

Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

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