Abi Carter performs for 800 local students at ‘Kidchella,’ talks youth mental health at the Packhouse at Aziz Farms

KESQ on April 20, 2025

Tori King

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) — Abi Carter, an Indio native and winner of last season’s American Idol, performed at ‘Kidchella’ Saturday. The second annual event was hosted by both the Palm Springs Unified School District and the Packhouse at Aziz Farms. PSUSD ELOP Director Amber Gascoigne contracted The Packhouse to produce the event at the property in Thermal, and intimately curated every detail of the days activities to make sure all 800 families in attendance left with good memories.

Kidchella 2025 featured live music from several local bands, including a performance by American Idol winner Abi Carter, yard games, carnival rides and other interactive activities. Kids also got to enjoy bounce houses and a ferris wheel. The students in attendance also got to take home boxes of produce and books, at no cost to them.

More than a dozen local vendors partnered with Packhouse at Aziz Farms to provide free food, drinks, and services, including:

Armenta ProduceEric Wilson DesignsYore BoardsLivs Palm SpringsPopin off PiesE & E PelsPetite Bee EventsParty Life Photo BoothJames EventsAbi CarterSalton City Surf ClubAvenida MusicaGoytico ProductionsStanton InsuranceBurtecPinots PalletXicali Dogs Fruit Cart

This year, the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) also set up a booth to help teach the students about youth mental health. On-site professionals brought resources for students and parents on mental health care. IEHP also partnered with Abi Carter to spread the message about the importance of youth mental health. Carter spoke with News Channel 3’s Tori King on why the event mattered to her, and the work she’s done with IEHP.

“I felt like IEHP was the best healthcare that I ever had. But I remember during that time that I was with IEHP, I was going through my own mental health struggles, and they were incredibly respectful, receptive to it. I just felt very supported during that time,” Carter said.

Carter also spent time talking and taking pictures with attendees.

Packhouse at Aziz Farms will be hosting Kidchella again this Wednesday, in partnership with Desert Hot Springs students.

Click here to follow the original article.

Businesses in Indio see decline during weekend two of Coachella

KESQ on April 19, 2025

María García

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — With weekend two of Coachella underway, businesses in Indio see a decline of shoppers compared to weekend one.

Last week, Downtown Indio thrived with a few local music events like “Indie-o” and “Chella” going on during festival hours, drawing in  locals and visitors.

But one business says they notice a decrease in revenue during weekend two, something they haven’t seen in previous years.

“It seems like we didn’t have a lot of traffic this week for Coachella and a little bit less traffic between week one,” said Mark Jernigan, manager at Yellow Mart.

Jernigan says weekend one of the festival was a hit. “The flow of customers and the people we saw on week one was absolutely amazing. A lot of faces, a lot of activity,” said Jernigan.

With festival-goers buying essentials like sunglasses and bandanas. “We saw a lot of bandannas, hats, and camping goods. It’s all trying to stay cool and hydrated,” said Jernigan.

While another business across the street, Urban Donkey is a bit more busy this year.  “I would say last week was a lot busier I think, because people often prefer weekend one, but I also still see that it’s pretty busy this week as well,” said Oliver Vy Nguyen, vendor at Urban Donkey.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more about these businesses.

Click here to follow the original article.

Easter events around the Coachella Valley this weekend

KESQ on April 19, 2025

Cynthia White

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Easter is Sunday, April 20, and there are plenty of events around the Coachella Valley to check out – Here are some of the fun things to do this weeked:

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19 – Palm Springs Fire Foundation’s 59th annual Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast – Ruth Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk Rd., Palm SpringsMore than 3,000 strategically hidden eggs and a special visit from the Easter Bunny on a fire engine will kick off the Palm Springs Fire Foundation’s 59th annual Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast. The hunt has long been a beloved tradition in Palm Springs and is open to all children up to age 9.In addition, the Easter Bunny will be on hand to take photos with families on a vintage fire engine. Immediately following the event, join your friendly Palm Springs firefighters for a delicious pancake breakfast in the park hosted by Denny’s. For more information, visit palmspringsca.gov.

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19 – La Quinta Easter Eggstravaganza at La Quinta Park, corner of Blackhawk Way and Adams St., La QuintaLa Quinta’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza – Families are invited to enjoy a festive morning of egg-citing fun at La Quinta Park. Guests can gather candy-filled eggs, snap photos with the Easter Bunny, and create unforgettable memories at this beloved community tradition. Admission is free.

10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19 – Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians 4th Annual Easter Egg Hunt – Coachella Crossroads Multiplex Event Center, 46-200 Harrison Pl., CoachellaEnjoy a variety of lawn games, music, and food trucks! Plus, a drawing to give away 45 bicycles with helmets for kids ages 4-12! No animals, outside food or alcohol allowed. Easter egg hunt limited to the first one thousand children. For more information, visit spotlight29.com.

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19 – The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department’s Egg-cellent Duck Dive – Palm Springs Swim Center, 405 S. Pavilion Way, Palm SpringsThe Palm Springs Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to dive into an exciting spring celebration: the Egg-cellent Duck Dive! This FREE family-friendly event will feature a pool rubber duckie hunt, arts and crafts for all ages, and amazing prizes. For more information call (760) 323-8272. 

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Check-in starts at 6:45 p.m.) Saturday, April 19 – The Shops at Palm Desert Movie Night, showing HOP – 72-840 Highway 111, Palm Desert, at the back side of the mall along Hahn Rd., by the former theaterBring your family and friends for a cozy movie night under the stars to watch HOP, about E.B., the Easter Bunny’s teenage son who heads to Hollywood determined to become a drummer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. Bring your favorite snacks/dinner, and also your own beach chairs, pillows, blankets, and warm clothing for a cozy evening. There will be some chairs available while supplies last.The best parking is near or in the JCPenny back parking structure. The entrance to the food court is next to the event, so you can purchase your favorite food. The first 40 guests will receive a free hotdog and lemonade. It’s all free, but registration is required – visit shopsatpalmdesert.com/events/ to register.

SUNDAY, APRIL 20

5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.(first tram car up at 4:15 a.m.) Sunday, April 20 – Easter Sunrise Service and Ride ‘n’ Breakfast at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Easter Ride ‘N’ Dine at the Pines Café, 1 Tram Way, Palm SpringsCelebrate with songs of faith, hope, and joy by the Perkins Brothers and an inspirational message by Pastor Robert Sneed. Ride ‘n’ Breakfast is also being offered for an additional price. Tickets are available by visiting the Tramway’s Valley Station during normal business hours, or on Easter morning from 4:00 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. For ticket prices or more information, visit pstramway.com/experience-sunrise-service/. Easter Ride ‘N’ Dine at the Pines Cafe at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is available 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For the breakfast and lunch Easter menus, pricing and more information, visit pstramway.com/dining/.

11:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sunday, April 20 – Easter Egg Hunt at Palm Desert Aquatic Center, 73751 Magnesia Falls Dr., Palm DesertJoin in at the In-Water Easter Egg Hunt and a day filled with fun and family-friendly activities. Four exciting egg-hunt events scheduled for 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Recreational swimming is also available in select pool areas. Admission for the event is $10 per person, with free entry for children under 2 years old. Participants can look forward to the thrill of searching for colorful eggs in the pool. In addition to the egg hunt, snacks, refreshments, and various treats will be available for purchase. For safety and enjoyment, please note that outside chairs, furniture, food, and beverages are not permitted (with the exception of bottled water in plastic containers). Participants must wear approved swim attire—no cotton or regular clothing will be allowed in the pool. For more information, visit pdpool.com/special-events/.

Click here to follow the original article.

Festival-goers battered by strong winds and dust

KESQ on April 19, 2025

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Festival-goers arriving for Coachella Weekend 2 met with gusty and dusty conditions, causing a problem for some.

“I’m so ill. I can’t breathe, I can’t do anything. The dust is killing me.”

Sasha, festival-goer

“Before you even get there your nose is like black, filled with dust, and your throat, and after the first day of screaming, just heading back, your throat burns so bad. I lose my voice immediately. By the second and third day I cannot sing anymore.”

Joanna, festival-goer

Many packing extra masks, bandanas and scarfs, which health experts say work to reduce the amount of dust from entering your lungs.

Dr. Puzzo with Desert Care Network says it’s important people protect themselves, especially for those most vulnerable.

“Those who suffer from respiratory illnesses like asthma are going to be at much higher risk. That’s more commonly what we see for all residents not just festival goers. Especially for those who aren’t as used to as much dust in the air.”

Dr. Julie Puzzo, Desert Care Network

Local hospitals are preparing for the possibility of increased visits due to poor air quality.

Regardless, festival-goers say getting to experience Coachella is worth it.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

Click here to follow the original article.

San Diego man to stand trial for alleged carjacking, chase on I-10 from Calimesa to Palm Springs

KESQ on April 19, 2025

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A felon accused of carjacking a motorist at knifepoint in Calimesa and leading law enforcement officers on a chase into the Coachella Valley must stand trial on kidnapping and other charges, a judge ruled today.  

Steven Christopher Mata, 33, of San Diego, was arrested last month following the pursuit by Riverside County sheriff’s deputies and Palm Springs police officers.

At the end of a preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Superior Court Judge Emma Smith found there was sufficient evidence to bound Mata over for trial on the kidnapping count, as well as carjacking, auto theft, eluding a peace officer and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and committing a felony while on probation.  

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for May 2 at the Banning Justice Center. Mata remains held in lieu of $200,000 bail at the nearby Smith Correctional Facility.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Kirby Wooldridge said that shortly after 9 a.m. March 8, the defendant allegedly confronted a motorist in a Nissan Altima in Calimesa, brandished a knife and directed the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, to drive eastbound on Interstate 10.

The driver stopped in Banning and was able to get away from the probationer, Wooldridge said.

He said that afterward, the defendant picked up a friend and the two continued eastward in the stolen car.

Based on details provided by the victim, patrol deputies initiated a search for the Nissan, spotting it in the area of Haugen-Lehman Way and Tamarack Road in Whitewater, culminating in a vehicle pursuit, according to the sergeant.

“Due to the suspect’s dangerous driving actions, deputies discontinued the pursuit,” Wooldridge said. “A short time later, Palm Springs Police Department officers located the vehicle on Indian Canyon Drive, north of Tramview Road.”

The sheriff’s spokesman alleged that both Mata and his friend fled from the car on foot but were quickly apprehended and taken into custody without further incident. No one was injured.

After interviewing his friend, investigators determined they had nothing to do with the carjacking or chase and was let go.

Mata was booked into the Banning jail.   

Court records show he has a prior conviction in Riverside County for making criminal threats, as well as convictions in another jurisdiction that weren’t listed.

Click here to follow the original article.

Banner plane makes emergency landing in open field in city of Coachella

KESQ on April 19, 2025

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A plane carrying a banner made an emergency landing in an open field in the city of Coachella Friday evening.

The emergency landing happened just after 5:30 p.m. in the area of Calhoun Street and Avenue 49

CAL FIRE confirmed it was a clean landing, there were no injuries reported.

“A single-engine Cessna made a successful emergency landing in an open field. One patient refused further medical treatment,” reads a post by CAL FIRE.

The flight path shows the plane was circling the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival before the emergency landing.

Courtesy: FlightAware

A banner was stuck in a power line, leading to both sides of Calhoun Street to be closed. The banner has been removed and the road closure has been lifted.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Man who killed three in DUI crash in Palm Springs sentenced

KESQ on April 19, 2025

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 54-year-old man who killed three people in a multi-vehicle wreck in Palm Springs because he was driving while intoxicated in a sandstorm was sentenced today to 11 years, eight months in state prison.   

Shawn Michael Kirkpatrick last month admitted three counts of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter, as well as DUI resulting in great bodily injury and a sentence-enhancing allegation of causing injury or death to multiple victims in a crash, under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.  

In exchange for Kirkpatrick’s admissions, prosecutors dropped a related charge and sentence-enhancements.   

During a hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Friday, Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.

On the afternoon of Sept. 3, 2023, Kirkpatrick fatally injured 32-year-old Yovani Aguilera Tapia, along with David Losacco and Millicent Lewis, both 29.   

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, the drunken defendant was at the wheel of a vehicle going northbound on North Gene Autry Trail, just south of Interstate 10, when a dust storm stirred in the dry wash, lowering visibility along the four-lane corridor, which is not uncommon on windy days.  

Investigators said the victims, occupying one of two vehicles directly ahead of Kirkpatrick’s, slowed down as a precaution.   

The police department said in a statement the defendant “failed to decelerate, resulting in a rear-end collision that led to a subsequent impact” with the two cars.   

Lewis, Losacco and Tapia were in the vehicle that Kirkpatrick slammed into, which caused their car to rear-end the other one, police said.   

Paramedics reached the location a short time later and pronounced the victims dead at the scene. The occupant of the other vehicle, whose identity was not released, suffered moderate injuries, from which the party has since recovered. Kirkpatrick also suffered minor injuries.

The ensuing investigation led to the criminal charges and his arrest on Nov. 16, 2023.

He had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Click here to follow the original article.

Palm Springs restaurant owner warns of dining and dashing

KESQ on April 18, 2025

María García

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — One restaurant in downtown Palm Springs says they had over $500 dollars stolen this past weekend. This comes during the rise of food prices for restaurant owners and trying to recover after the pandemic.

Increasing costs for necessities like labor and food leave many independent restaurants, like Wilma and Frieda’s struggling to make ends meet. Food prices are up 28% since 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“We’ve had the pandemic for a few years. Restaurants are trying to recover and get back and running,” said Kelly McFall, owner of Wilma and Frieda.

Mcfall believes these dine-and-dashes are caused by Coachella festival-goers and warns other restaurants to stay cautious. “We knew they were Coachella people because of the wristband, it’s frustrating because prices have gone up so much. We’ve had the pandemic for two years. Restaurants are trying to recover and get back online,” said McFall.

For other restaurants in the area, like JimmyB’s, the restaurant owner Jimmy Bellino has experienced dining and dashing in the past.

“We watch it pretty closely, but dining and dashing is a common thing for those professionals out there and we get them, we really try hard, but it’s happened more frequently with Coachella,” said Bellino.

Owner Kelly McFall hopes people will understand the struggles restaurants face and that they won’t face the same problem this weekend. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Hiker airlifted from trail near Palm Springs

KESQ on April 18, 2025

Jesus Reyes

SNOW CREEK, Calif. (KESQ) – A hiker was airlifted from a trail in the unincorporated area of Snow Creek Friday afternoon.

The hiker sustained a medical emergency on the trail., which is located west of Palm Springs.

“The patient has been hoisted via helicopter to an awaiting ground ambulance for transport to a local area hospital,” reads a post by CAL FIRE.

CAL FIRE noted that the hiker suffered minor injuries.

Click here to follow the original article.

Firebirds clinch home-ice for first round of Calder Cup playoffs

KESQ on April 18, 2025

Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds have officially clinched home-ice for the first round of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Their opponent is still up in the air, however, they will either face the San Jose Barracuda or the Calgary Wranglers next week at Acrisure Arena. It will be decided following the result of Sunday’s game between the Wranglers and the Barrucudas.

San Jose beat Calgary today, helping Coachella Valley lock up fourth place in the Pacific Division.

The Firebirds’ best-of-three playoff series will kick off Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Round One Series Schedule

Game One – Tuesday, April 22nd – 7:00 p.m. PT

Game Two – Saturday, April 26th – 6:00 p.m. PT

Game Three (if necessary) – Sunday, April 27th – 5:00 p.m. PT

The Firebirds are hosting Fan Appreciation Night tonight at 6 p.m. at Acrisure Arena. News Channel 3’s Blake Arthur will have live coverage of the game.

Postseason Pop-Up Events!

The Firebirds will be holding community pop-up events to drive the excitement of postseason hockey around the Coachella Valley. These events will feature merchandise and ticket giveaways, appearances from Firebirds’ players and personalities, and more! Each event will run from 3 p.m. PT – 8 p.m. PT or until supplies run out. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.

Pop-Up Event Schedule:

Monday, April 21st

Burgers & Beer

79-815 California Highway 111, La Quinta, CA 92253

3 p.m. PT – 8 p.m. PT

Thursday, April 24th

Burgers & Beer

72273 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

3 p.m. PT – 8 p.m. PT

Friday, April 25th

The Shops at El Paseo

73-061 El Paseo, Suite 5

Palm Desert, CA 92260

3 p.m. PT – 8 p.m. PT

Click here to follow the original article.