Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – Two eastbound lanes on Interstate 10 in Cabazon are shut down following a seven-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon.

The crash was reported at around 1:50 p.m. near the Main Street on-ramp.

The California Highway Patrol said there were several separate crashes in the same area.

The incident started at around 1:45 p.m. when officers located an overturned vehicle that had left the roadway and overturned onto the frontage road, near the train tracks. At the same location, officers located two separate crashes, a two-vehicle non-injury crash and a two-vehicle minor-injury crash.

Authorities said two patients were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Three additional patients suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. Two patients with minor injuries refused further medical treatment.

All eastbound lanes were initially shut down; however, the #1 and #3 lanes were reopened by 3:00 p.m.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

UPDATE: 9/19/2025

THOUSAND PALMS (CNS, KESQ News Team) – Two men suspected of illegally cultivating marijuana in Thousand Palms are out on bail Friday.

Riverside County Sheriff’s officials say the two suspects were arrested and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on Thursday on suspicion of illegal marijuana cultivation and sale or transportation of marijuana. They were released later that day on $5,000 bail.

Officials add that the arrests were a result of a search warrant and investigation in the 31000 block of Dunham Way, where they seized about 15,000 marijuana plants, which were taken “for destruction.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A marijuana-related search warrant was served in Thousand Palms, briefly prompting a heavy police presence.

The warrant was served in the area of Dunham Way.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed two people were detained.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Mpox has been detected in a Riverside County resident who returned from a trip to the Middle East, county health officials announced.

Officials said the person was no longer contagious at the time they returned to Riverside County. The individual is at home and has fully recovered.

This is the second case of clade I mpox to be confirmed in California and the sixth case nationwide.

Check Out: Experts say uptick in COVID ‘STRATUS’ variant cases throughout the state a cause for concern

County public health officials recommend vaccination before international travel.

“Travel is often a time of connection, exploration and community. If you may engage in intimate contact while traveling, getting vaccinated against mpox is a simple and effective way to protect yourself and others. If you develop a rash or get sick after international travel, it’s important that you talk to your healthcare provider,” said Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky, Riverside County Public Health Officer.

Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, is a viral disease that is caused by two virus types, called clades. Clade I is responsible for the current rise of cases in Central and Eastern Africa, while clade II is connected to the broader spread of mpox in Riverside County in 2022, according to RUHS-PH.

Historically, clade I caused higher numbers of severe illnesses than clade II, though recent outbreaks have seen much lower severity.

Symptoms of clade I and II mpox are similar, and can include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, headache and malaise that typically present five to 21 days after exposure. It is primarily spread through close, prolonged contact with a person infected by the virus, or contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing.

Dr. Carlos Calderon, RUHS-PH HIV/STD Medical Director, advises open communication with intimate partners about recent international travel, illnesses or rashes: “It is important to speak candidly with sexual partners and use strategies that reduce the risk of disease.” 

In 2025, nine mpox cases, including the clade I case, have been reported in Riverside County, a sharp decrease from the 316 cases reported in 2022.

While there have been recent increases in clade II reported in Northern California, Riverside County has not experienced similar increases. 

Mpox case counts in Riverside County remain low in 2025, but vigilance and vaccination remain essential to prevent further spread.

Riverside County has accounted for approximately 5.3% of all cumulative mpox cases in California while administering roughly 6.2% of the state’s total mpox vaccine doses — demonstrating a proactive effort in vaccination outreach and prevention in partnership with healthcare partners, community-based organizations and the broader community.

CDPH has recently updated its mpox vaccination recommendations.  Vaccination with the first dose is recommended at least six weeks prior to travel to areas with ongoing mpox outbreaks, with a second dose to follow four weeks after the initial dose (two weeks before departure) for optimal protection. The vaccine has shown protection for both clade I and clade II mpox. For individuals who have already had two doses, no additional doses are recommended at this time.

For RUHS-PH vaccination clinic locations, visit https://www.ruhealth.org/upcoming-vaccine-clinics or for additional options, visit  EmpoweredAgainstMpox.com.

For more information about mpox in Riverside County, visit www.ruhealth.org/mpox.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The law firm representing 15 people injured when a Palm Springs police motorcycle crashed into spectators at the 2024 Festival of Lights Parade says it will move forward with a lawsuit against the city.

Stefano Formica of Formica Law Group told News Channel 3 his clients are still in treatment and deserve accountability. “We’re going to be filing,” Formica said, adding that reforms announced by the city have not yet produced “real changes.”

On December 7, 2024, Palm Springs police motorcycles led the Festival of Lights Parade through downtown. The department’s administrative review found officers performed unauthorized stunts, including “bumping up” their front wheels. One officer lost control, and his motorcycle slid into the crowd, injuring 11. CHP investigated and referred the case to the Riverside County District Attorney, where it remains under review.

The Palm Springs Police Department’s August 2025 review cited unauthorized maneuvers dating back years, supervisory inaction, “mission drift” from safety to entertainment, breakdowns in communication, and officer fatigue tied to overtime.

Reforms announced by the city include:

Banning dangerous maneuvers at parades and public events

Limiting all event vehicles to 15 mph

Stronger command and supervision at large gatherings

Creating a full-time special events supervisor

Fatigue management protocols and retraining on incident command

Formica said while the reforms sound like progress, they have not been implemented. “It’s just a statement right now,” he said.

“Several of the individuals that were involved are back at work. If this were an ordinary person on a motorcycle, we’d be talking about arrests and potential jail time.”

Formica says his team has formally requested the city’s internal investigation notes and CHP’s full report but has yet to receive them. “Until we actually see what measures have been put into place, we’re not ready to continue those conversations,” he said.Formica says his team will file “fairly soon.”

News Channel 3 has asked the city for confirmation on the officer’s employment status and whether any discipline has been issued.

The city has not yet responded.

Timeline of Key Events

Dec. 7, 2024 — A Palm Springs police motorcycle crashes into spectators during the Festival of Lights Parade, injuring 11. CHP begins investigation.

Dec. 2024 — Victims and their families begin medical treatment; one child suffers a traumatic brain injury.

Dec. 9, 2024 — Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills grounds the department’s motorcycle fleet pending review.

August 2025 — PSPD releases administrative review citing unauthorized stunts, officer fatigue, lack of supervision, and “mission drift” from safety to entertainment. The review recommends banning dangerous maneuvers and capping vehicle speeds at parades.

Sept. 2025 — Formica Law Group issues a statement calling the reforms insufficient, vowing to seek accountability through legal action.

This week — Attorney Stefano Formica confirms to News Channel 3 the firm will file suit “fairly soon”

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City News Service

DESERT HOT SPRINGS (CNS) – Desert Hot Springs officials announced today the temporary closure of the city’s Animal Care and Control facility following a recent fire that damaged a transformer and a power pole.   

The closure will take place on Hacienda Avenue and Cholla Drive until further notice, city officials said.

Residents were advised to stay clear of the area.   

The animal shelter provides care and services to lost or abandoned animals among other services.

More information can be made by contacting Animal Care and Control at animalcontrol@dhspd.com.

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Garrett Hottle

SAN FRANSISCO, Calif. (KESQ) The California Public Utilities Commission voted 4-0 to allow Southern California Edison to raise residential power bills by nearly 10 percent starting Oct. 1.

The proposal, part of Edison’s 2025 General Rate Case, would add about $17 a month or roughly $200 a year for a typical household using 500 kilowatt hours, according to CPUC estimates.

Edison argues the increase is necessary to cover day-to-day operations and grid upgrades, including wildfire mitigation, vegetation management and preparing the system for higher electric demand. A CPUC fact sheet notes the proposed decision would authorize $9.756 billion in revenue for 2025, about $727 million less than Edison requested.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is also running for governor, urged commissioners in a letter this week to reject the proposal, calling it “an unacceptable burden on families.” He also criticized a new income-based fixed charge set to take effect in November.

“Ratepayers cannot continue to be treated as a bottomless piggy bank,” Bianco wrote.

The meeting began at 11 a.m. in San Francisco, with public comment scheduled before the vote. The agenda item could be approved, modified or delayed.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle is monitoring the CPUC meeting live from the Breaking News Center and will provide updates throughout the day. Tune in at Noon for the latest developments.

You can view the meeting live at this link.

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Athena Jreij

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Since last weeks homicide in Palm Springs, there have been 15 recorded homicides throughout the Coachella Valley for 2025. That number is right below 2024’s count of 16 homicides.

Around September of 2024, the number was also hovering around 15 homicides Valley-wide.

For cities like Palm Springs, their homicide numbers are trending down, with five homicides in 2024 and two recorded this year. But in places like Indio, the figure rose this year, from one in 2024 to five this year. 

At PSPD, Lt. Gustavo Araiza says homicides can be unpredictable, but the department makes an effort to get ahead of the crimes by working with communities. 

“If we have an individual that is bothering somebody or harassing, and it doesn’t rise to the elements of stalking or terrorist threats, we look into that individual and dig down a little deeper, or figure out if they’re in possession of any weapons. Then we can pursue the opportunity of maybe getting a gun violence restraining order and securing those weapons,” Araiza said. 

For gang-violence, Araiza says the department has special enforcement units. 

“What they are is detectives, and they’re tasked with going out there and really getting to know the communities. So individuals or neighborhoods that might be impacted by violent crime, identifying people within that community that might be involved in that, and then, actually, stopping them when they have the opportunity to.” 

At Indio PD, Sgt. Ryan Kitchens says the department is taking full advantage of technology to stop crimes before they start. 

“We’re embracing the technology that we have at our disposal. There’s a lot of new technology that the city has implemented and authorized us to use or purchase for us, like the lock cameras. It’s been vital to helping us not only solve crimes, but help deter them as well,” Kitchens said. 

Officials say they’re also reliant on the community to catch crime before it happens. 

 “If you see something, say something, and that’s something we can follow up on.” 

For more information on last years crime trends, visit: 2024: Year in Review – Crime in the Coachella Valley. 

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Palm Springs hosted a community meeting Wednesday to discuss their plans for the Racquet Club Road Reconfiguration Project. The meeting focused on a Fire Response Study conducted by Kimley-Horn.

The project would configure a two-mile corridor from North Palm Canyon Drive along Racquet Club Road to Farrell Drive and Via Escuela. The project would also add bike lanes and reduce traffic to one lane in each direction.

One of the major concerns with the project is the location of Fire Station 3 within the project corridor. The station has the longest average response time of the city’s five stations.

“I have one fire engine taking care of the entire north end,” Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said. “So naturally the times are longer than average of seven over just over seven minutes to get on scene. So that’s already two minutes over than I want to be.”

Alvarado said he joined the community meeting on Wednesday to share his response time data and how the construction would impact crew travel.

“There are some minimal increases depending on which route you were taking,” Alvarado said. “But the longest route that we studied was from Palm Canyon to Via Escuela…they’re looking at a minute and three seconds additional.”

This can be concerning for residents and crews as every second counts in emergencies.

“A house can flashover in as little as three to five minutes. Survivability is very low,” Alvarado said. “If someone is having a heart attack and their heart stops for every minute, their ability to survive, that decreases 10% for every minute.”

As the reconfiguration project is still in the designing phase, with construction possibly starting in spring 2026, Alvarado said he’s looking at other changes that could increase the stations response time and make them more efficient.

“There’s always a way around it, and you know what we’re looking at…expanding this fire station so we can accommodate more people, more resources here and we’ll be able to meet that challenge,” Alvarado said.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from city officials and Palm Springs Fire about the project.

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Allie Anthony

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – High school students and families across the Coachella Valley are invited to attend a College and Career Fair today, Thursday, at the Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Mirage from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to all students and families in the valley.

This is a valuable opportunity to explore college options, career programs, and scholarship opportunities all in one place. There will be 92 exhibitors, including representatives from UC and CSU campuses, private universities, community colleges, vocational schools, military branches, and out-of-state colleges.

Students are encouraged to come prepared to ask questions and learn more about the many educational and career pathways available after high school.

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Allie Anthony

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif.(KESQ) – Rain is falling on the valley floor. Wet roads reduce traction and increase stopping distance, so it’s important to slow down by at least 5 to 10 miles per hour. Be sure to leave at least four seconds of space between you and the car ahead.

Even during the day, turn on your headlights so other drivers can see you more easily. And if you encounter standing water, ease off the gas, steer straight, and let your car regain traction. Avoid slamming on the brakes.

Never drive through flooded intersections. Just six inches of water can stall your engine, and a foot of water can carry your vehicle away.

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