Category: kesq-local-news

KESQ News Team

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KESQ) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is meeting on Thursday, with Southern California Edison’s request for a rate increase on the agenda.

The CPUC will be deciding whether to allow Edison to raise electricity rates by 10 percent, starting October 1st.

The Commission says Edison’s plan would boost the average residential bill in California by around $17 a month – or about $200 a year.

Under the plan, Edison will get additional increases for inflation, and customers will see more hikes each year through 2028.

According to the CPUC’s “Fact Sheet on Proposed Decision in Southern California Edison’s Rate Case,” the CPUC issued a Proposed Decision in July, suggesting a reduction in the amount of SCE’s rate increase request. The Proposed Decision says increased rates would be to cover costs associated with wildfire safety, aging infrastructure, and future demands on the grid.

The Fact Sheet estimates a monthly bill for a customer using 500 kilowatt hours would jump from $171.17 to $187.83.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco sent a letter on Tuesday to the CPUC in opposition to Southern California Edison’s rate increase request, stating in part, “As Sheriff of Riverside County, I see firsthand the toll that California’s affordability crisis is taking on the people I have sworn to serve and protect. Edison customers in Riverside and across Southern California already pay some of the highest electricity bills in the nation. Adding another $200 a year on top of bills that are already crushing families is unacceptable.”

The CPUC will be meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the CPUC Auditorium in San Francisco. The meeting is also available via webcast at www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc, or by phone at 800-857-1917, passcode 9899501#.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Shay Lawson

SKY VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)  – Some Sky Valley and Desert Edge residents are voicing opposition ahead of a September 23 public hearing where the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) will consider whether to hand off water and wastewater services in parts of its Improvement District 8 to Mission Springs Water District (MSWD).

Tabitha Davies, co-director of Esperanza’s Sanctuary, said the proposal would sharply increase costs for families and nonprofits in the area.

“For an example, Tier 1 through the Coachella Valley Water District is about $1.09 per CCF, and Mission Springs is anywhere from $2.30 to over $3,” Davies said. “As a farm sanctuary teaching people how to feed themselves and running a community garden, our water usage costs would quadruple overnight.”

Davies also cited MSWD’s 2022 settlement of a $225,000 class action lawsuit over failed water meters that led to increased bills for Desert Hot Springs residents.

“Mission Springs consistently put out messaging that there was nothing wrong with the meters,” Davies said. “It turned out they were faulty and they had to settle that to basically reimburse the residents who were overcharged, but that’s a fraction of what most of those people had been paying as a whole. I think that lack of transparency and lack of accountability just says a significant amount of how they’re operating in the city of Desert Hot Springs and we don’t need that out here.”

Water quality is another concern for Davies. She said residents fear contamination could worsen under MSWD’s oversight.

“With development out here, our aquifers are being stressed. With that stress comes access to toxins like Chromium-6” Davies said.

She also said residents didn’t receive adequate warning ahead of meeting.

“You’re coming in and giving them less than 20 days notice to even attend a meeting that’s having that decision change happen. I think that that’s not acceptable,” Davies said.

In a statement to News Channel 3, CVWD’s Communication Manager said:

“This is on the Board Agenda for the CVWD Board of Directors to discuss next Tuesday. Our agenda will be posted later this afternoon, which includes background information and a Board Resolution on this topic. The proposal would benefit residents by allowing them to connect to MSWD’s domestic water system for improved service reliability. It would also allow MSWD to potentially explore sewer services, which are not available on CVWD’s system due to the location of its water reclamation facilities.”

Davies said most residents paid for and already maintain their septic systems.

“Taking away someone’s ability to have their own septic system, and then forcing them to pay what the new water district decides is going to be their sewer hookup cost and the fact that it is usually extremely expensive built in to property taxes is again, not acceptable,” Davies said.

In a statement to News Channel 3, MSWD’s Marion J. Champion, assistant general manager, said:

“The MSWD Board has yet to take any formal action on this matter, as our primary focus remains on serving our existing customers. We have been approached by CVWD regarding the potential takeover of service in the ID8 area and we are currently conducting the necessary financial and system due diligence needed before a path forward can be determined.” 

The CVWD board is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the matter Sept. 23 at 8 a.m at 51501 Tyler Street, Coachella, CA.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS (KESQ) – Palm Springs officials announced today they will temporarily shut down the Demuth Park Pickleball Courts to begin construction next week for an expansion project.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will transform the current court, located at 4365 Mesquite Ave., into a “premier pickleball destination,” installing 22 new courts, one tournament court, enhanced lighting, new sidewalks, shade structures and planting new trees.   

The roughly eight-month project will start Monday, and was expected to reopen in spring 2026, officials said.   

In partnership with College of the Desert, the city will provide 12 temporary courts near the college’s satellite campus on South Hermosa Drive, near East Baristo Road.

The temporary courts were open as of Tuesday.   

To learn more, the Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at pickeball@palmspringsca.gov, or 760-323-8272.

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Peter Daut

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Valley Wide Employment Expo is on Wednesday, featuring dozens of employers looking to fill a wide variety of jobs.

This is the event’s 30th year, which will be held at Fantasy Springs Casino Special Events Center in Indio beginning at 9:00 a.m.

About a thousand job seekers will have the chance to network, attend informative workshops, and discover employment opportunities.

Registration is not required, but highly recommended.

Riverside County Department of Social Services Regional Manager Maribel Vicera says of the event, “I think it’s a really important thing to be able to meet all the different demographics that we have in the Valley, and especially the employers. It’s a common ground here with the Expo, and we have entry-level positions all the way to management.”

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke in depth with Vicera about what kinds of jobs are available and what job seekers should expect at the Expo.

News Channel 3 is a participating sponsor. For more information on the Employment Expo, visit  DesertJobExpo.com.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Desert Aquatic Center (PDAC) is temporarily suspending its lap pool operations due to ongoing issues with the facility’s filtration system.

Officials said weekend recreation swim will continue, but the lap pool will be closed until major repairs can be completed. The decision follows repeated episodes of reduced water clarity in the lap pool, especially during the summer months when pool use was high and outdoor temperatures triggered increased strain on the system.

Recent visibility issues have required intermittent closures to comply with public health guidelines and ensure swimmer safety.

A full replacement of the facility’s filter and pump systems is scheduled to begin in November 2025. The work will include new filtration systems for all three pools, upgraded heaters, and pump replacements.

Officials said renovations will result in overall improved pump room operations. The entire facility will close for approximately 8 to 10 weeks during the renovation, with a projected reopening in early 2026.

“The pump room equipment, including filtration systems, pumps, and heaters currently in place were installed when the facility opened in 2011. Over time, regular wear, extreme weather, and aging materials, particularly damaged fiberglass seals around the filter tanks, have compromised the system’s ability to maintain clear water. Water clarity is an important safety consideration, as main drains must be visible per the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health requirements. While staff have implemented short-term solutions and even attempted repairs, these efforts have not been sufficient to support a consistent lap swim schedule,” reads an update from the PDAC.

The aquatic center operator, Family YMCA of the Desert, in coordination with City staff, have determined that at this time, lap swim sessions can no longer be offered reliably under current conditions. The recreation and splash pools, which are less impacted, will remain open.

Updated schedules can be found at pdpool.com.

A full replacement of the facility’s filter and pump systems is scheduled to begin in November 2025. The work will include new filtration systems for all three pools, upgraded heaters, and pump replacements. These renovations will result in overall improved pump room operations. The entire facility will close for approximately 8 to 10 weeks during the renovation, with a projected reopening in early 2026.

Guests with questions about schedule impacts, refunds, or pass holds are encouraged to contact PDAC staff at 760-565-7467 or visit the facility’s website at pdpool.com. For regular updates on the pump room construction project, visit engagepalmdesert.com/pool.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect accused of gunning down a 64-year-old man at a Palm Springs intersection last week has been charged with murder and other offenses.

Titus Gaumald Holland, 48, is slated to make his initial court appearance this afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Holland was arrested in connection with a deadly drive-by shooting in the area of Avenida Cerca and Corozon Avenue just before 7 a.m. on Friday.

Police said a 64-year-old Palm Springs man was found with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle. Officers attempted CPR, but despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released.

Holland is being held on $5 million bail, according to jail records.

The Palm Springs Police Department is continuing its investigation and encourages anyone with additional information to contact Detective Alexander Doherty at (760) 323-8142 or via email at Alexander.Doherty@palmspringsca.gov. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers at (760) 347-7867.

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Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – While Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor Latino culture and contributions, some local Latino-owned businesses in the Coachella Valley say they’re facing one of their toughest moments yet — a troubling slowdown in customers fueled by growing fears over immigration enforcement.

According to recent data, Latinos make up approximately 64 percent of the Coachella Valley population, playing a major role in the local economy. But some say those same communities are now staying home out of fear — and that’s leaving small businesses struggling to stay afloat.

One of them is Teresa Garcia, owner of Refugio’s Mexican Food in Indio. She says things have changed dramatically in recent months.

“In reality, it has impacted us greatly. Our sales are way down. It’s the first time that the situation has been this hard.”

Teresa Garcia, Refugio’s Mexican Food Owner

She’s not alone. Rafael Oscal, President of the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce, says similar stories are playing out across the Valley.

“The fear is there. That’s another thing that’s affecting businesses because the people don’t want to go out.”

Rafael Oscal, Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce President

Oscal warns that if these trends continue, the consequences for the local economy could be serious. With Latinos accounting for the majority of the population, their absence in public spaces and local stores is already being felt.

“The economy for Coachella is in the hands of the Hispanic people. Without the Hispanic, Coachella don’t survive at all.”

Rafael Oscal, Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce President

The Chamber is now urging the community to come together — not just to support Latino-owned businesses — but to stand united during uncertain times.

The Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce continues to offer resources and seminars to assist Latino-owned businesses in navigating these challenges.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Tuesday marks National Voter Registration Day!

Volunteers are using the occasion to encourage valley residents to register to vote ahead of this year’s special election.

Each year, volunteers at the Mary Pickford Theater encourage passing moviegoers to check their voter registration. Tuesday marks their first day boothing this year.

The organizers of the booth told News Channel 3 that while registering to vote is always important, this year is especially important with Proposition 50 on the ballot.

The proposition, introduced by Gov. Gavin Newsom, asks voters to approve a plan to temporarily redraw California’s congressional districts through 2032. The move comes in response to Republicans in Texas, who approved redrawing their congressional maps.

Becki Robinson is the voter registration coordinator for Courageous Resistance, a nonpartisan activist group in the Coachella Valley. She made it clear to us: regardless of how you plan on voting, she wants to help you register to vote.

“It is very important that we do nonpartisan voter registration,” Robinson explained. “I personally believe that everybody has the right to their own opinion. They have the right to whatever political party they want. They have the right to vote, however it is they want to vote.”

It’s been seven years since Robinson first started tabling inside the Mary Pickford Theater. It’s been so long that the regular moviegoers are familiar with her presence around each election cycle.

Each time a guest walked into the building or toward the exit, Robinson and other volunteers held up signs and asked them a simple question: “Are you registered to vote?”

Most gave thumbs-ups or nodded as they walked past. Others had questions, which the volunteers were happy to answer.

Robinson argued every election is important, but this year’s special election is especially important.

“We are Californians. We need to be sure that our voices are heard. And whatever it is that happens, happens because we voted for it,” Robinson said. “I would prefer to lose with everybody voting than to win with only a fraction of the people voting, because that means I don’t have any support or whatever the issue is, doesn’t have any support.”

Meanwhile, Riverside County is also seeking temporary hires to assist with the special election. More details can be found on the county’s website, found here.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Nursing Street Medicine Program at the Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus has received a $100,000 grant from the Houston Family Foundation to support its mission of delivering compassionate healthcare to underserved populations in the Coachella Valley.

School officials said grant funds will be used to serve 700 unique individuals, 1,200 annual patient contacts, launch three new clinics and train 35 nursing students annually in culturally competent, street-based care. It will also expand behavioral health services.

In partnership with other local organizations, the CSUSB Nursing Street Medicine Program increases access to healthcare by serving the sheltered, unsheltered and other vulnerable populations in the Coachella Valley through nurse clinics and other outreach programs with the goal of decreasing emergency room visits and improving the well-being of people.

CSUSB Palm Desert Campus nursing students and faculty, led by Department of Nursing instructors Diane Vines and Samantha Duffle, deliver vital services at no cost, including wound care, foot soaks, triage, health assessments, checking vital signs and blood glucose levels, and preventative healthcare and education, among others.

“We are honored by the Houston Family Foundation’s generosity. This grant is truly transformative,” said Vines. “This funding strengthens our ability to bring essential healthcare directly to people, while empowering our nursing students to practice compassion and community service at the heart of their education.”

The CSUSB Nursing Street Medicine Program was established in 2019 to address healthcare disparities by meeting patients where they are — in encampments, shelters and other locations across the region.

“This program embodies the mission of the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus — to serve the community through education, compassion and innovation,” said Edna Martinez, associate vice president and administrator in charge of the Palm Desert Campus. “With the support of the Houston Family Foundation, we can continue to grow this program and make a meaningful impact in the Coachella Valley.”

Visit the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus Nursing Street Medicine Program webpage for more information about this innovative program. 

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Jesus Reyes

Update 9/18/25

Forensic teams and Sheriff’s deputies were out at the scene once again on Thursday. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. No other details were available.

Original Report 9/16/25

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – An investigation is ongoing after human remains were found in Whitewater Monday night, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

The investigation started when remains were located at around 8:45 p.m. in the area of Esparta Avenue and Salton View Road.

The coroner’s bureau responded and confirmed the remains were human.

Additional details were not available.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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