Category: kesq-local-news

Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some local families are voicing concerns to Desert Sands Unified School District regarding an altercation on a bus ride for a field trip on Wednesday.

They say it temporarily stranded some third graders and chaperone parents as they returned from a trip to Legoland.

A video from a parent shows the aftermath of those on the bus being dropped off. Parents say it all happened after the bus driver refused to allow students to use the bus’s restroom.

In a statement to families, the Principal of James Carter Elementary School wrote:

“While the bus was nearing home, the contracted bus driver from a local transportation company acted unprofessionally toward students and became verbally confrontational with a parent chaperone. The driver pulled over on Cook Street, refused to continue, and called 911. Law enforcement responded quickly, and families were contacted to pick up their children.”

The Principal added that the school understands how upsetting and unsettling the experience was, and that counseling services are available for students.

Desert Sands Unified School District officials say the incident is being reviewed.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Cynthia White

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Office of Education announced on Thursday that Mecca Elementary teacher Marisa Gaytan is one of four teachers chosen as a 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year.

Gaytan, a fourth grade dual-language teacher, was met by more than 100 students, along with family, colleagues, a drum line, cheerleaders, and a flag team as she learned of the news.

RCOE says Mecca Elementary School is the same Coachella Valley Unified School District campus that Gaytan attended as a child, starting from pre-school. She is now in her ninth year of teaching there.

Gaytan commented, “I’m very proud of this school. It’s my home. It is where beautiful things happen and I always tell my students, if I can do it, you can do it as well because I was just like you.” She added, “I truly believe that it’s important for everyone to feel welcome and belong. We are a family and each of our successes are all of our successes.” 

Officials say Marisa incorporates class chants, music, kinesthetic learning, and cultural references into her instruction along with extolling the virtues of bilingualism for the current and future success of her students. She empowers parents and families with strategies to advance dual-language development at home with their children, and invites Read With Me volunteer readers from the community to support students in a mentor-mentee relationship in the classroom. 

She helped start the Keep It Clean (KIC) club on campus and partnered with a Kindergarten teacher to launch a Book Buddies program to develop mentorship, goal-oriented learning, and reading skills in students from both classes. She launched Wisdom Wednesdays as an opportunity for teachers to come together and share resources, perspectives, and support for one another. 

Marisa earned her bachelor’s degree, bilingual authorization teaching credential, and master’s degree from the University of California, Davis. 

The Riverside County Office of Education states that the Teachers of the Year are selected from nearly 20,000 educators in the county based on nominations by teachers, principals, and school district administrators. Applications are submitted to RCOE for review by a selection committee that chooses semi-finalists, conducts interviews and site visits, then selects the final four candidates before the county superintendent makes the announcements. 

San Jacinto Unified School District preschool teacher Anthony Segura and Temecula Valley Unified School District high school science teacher Ziba Mayar were named as the first two 2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year earlier this month. One more 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year will be revealed in an upcoming surprise visit, and all four teachers of the year will represent the county in the 2026 California Teacher of the Year competition.

Recent Riverside County teachers selected as California Teachers of the Year include: 

2025 – Robert (Bob) Mauger, Corona High School, Corona-Norco USD 

2022 – Nichi Aviña, Cielo Vista Charter School, Palm Springs USD 

2021 – Keisa Brown, University Heights Middle School, Riverside USD, and Allison Cyr, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School, Desert Sands USD 

2020 – Brenda Chavez-Barreras, Good Hope Elementary School, Perris USD 

2019 – Dr. Angel Mejico, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD 

2018 – Dr. Brian McDaniel, Painted Hills Middle School, Palm Springs USD 

2017 – Shaun Bunn, Ethan A. Chase Middle School, Romoland School District  

2016 – Michelle Cherland, Carrillo Ranch Elementary School, Desert Sands USD 

2014 – Jessica Pack, James Workman Middle School, Palm Springs USD 

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – An economic study commissioned by the Palm Springs International Airport revealed it generated $2.5 billion into the region’s economy and supported 18,377 jobs during the 2024 fiscal year.   

“As we plan for the Coachella Valley’s future, this report makes it clear that PSP is a cornerstone of long-term economic growth,” Mayor Ron deHarte said in a statement. “It’s not just about travel — it’s about jobs, investment and opportunity.”   

Additional figures revealed that workers earned $864 million in income as a result of the airport and that travelers who passed through the it spent $1.1 billion.

The study confirms three primary sources were used to determined the airport’s economic impact, including operations, capital outlays and visitor spending.

Airport operations, includes commercial airline services, aviation, air cargo, car rentals, terminal concessions and federal government employment, which has employed 7,223 people.  

Capital expenditures in construction projects and routing maintenance did not significantly add monetary value, as PSP did not undergo much improvements last year.

“Visitor spending emerged as the primary economic driver,” according to the report. It comprises of food services, arts, entertainment, recreation and accommodation. Guests have spent over a billion dollars, as this industry sector is considered the most sought-after, the report finds.

“This study demonstrates how deeply PSP is woven into the economic fabric of our community,” Executive Director Harry Barrett Jr. said in a statement.

The report also details future plans at PSP over the next decade, including a new concourse, a Federal Inspection Station to expand international air service and a rental car center.

The Palm Springs City Council approved of a Master Plan earlier this year, which will take at least a decade to imiplement, which aims to expand services, including new gates and expanded baggage claim. Projections suggest the result could be the creation of more than 9,000 jobs, an additional of $641 million in labor income and over a $1 billion added to the total economic output.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs is moving forward with its first VillageFest since Saturday’s bombing targeting American Reproductive Centers, a local fertility clinic.

Organizers said the weekly Thursday night event continues amid heightened concern — and with extra security in place.

Mike Villegas, a Lieutenant at the Palm Springs Police Department, said the goal is to make the community feel safe.

“We’re going to have more marked units down there at all the intersections,” Villegas said. “We’ll also have a drone team available. Right now, speaking with the community, they want to turn the page on this from this tragic incident and try to get some normalcy back and what better way than doing it through VillageFest.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Jesus Reyes

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KESQ) – The man who started the devastating Line Fire in San Bernardino County faces life in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco was found guilty of seven counts related to the Line Fire, and two counts related to a subsequent fire, including aggravated arson of forest land, property and possession of flammable materials.

There is no word on a possible sentencing date.

The Line Fire was first sparked on September 5 near Highland. It went on to burn more than 43,000 acres, causing over $14.5M in damages, and injuring six firefighters.

 Authorities said Halstenberg, a delivery driver from Norco, attempted to start three fires within an hour — two that were extinguished by firefighters and a good Samaritan but the third became the Line Fire.

Halstenberg’s vehicle was tied to areas where the fires were started.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The suspect in Saturday’s bombing in Palm Springs had access to a large quantity of commercially available chemical products. The products could be used to create a homemade explosive device, the FBI announced on Thursday.

Today at 4 p.m., News Channel 3’s Peter Daut speaks with a spokesperson for the FBI in an in-depth interview.

The investigation into what led to the bombing continues. The suspect, Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of Twentynine Palms was killed in the blast.

The FBI has identified Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of 29 Palms as the primary suspect in the #PalmSprings vehicle explosion. The vehicle was a silver Ford Fusion sedan, plate 8HWS848. Please call 1800 CALLFBI with information or upload relevant video/images at https://t.co/CnxyRN1YIv pic.twitter.com/dYAG26xCYY

— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) May 18, 2025

FBI agents spent several days in the blast zone and the suspect’s home in Twentynine Palms.

PSPD Chief shares exclusive first close-up look at Palm Springs bomb blast zone

Neighbor shocked to learn Palm Springs bombing suspect may have assembled explosives next door

Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said Bartkus was driving a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan with California license number 8HWS848.

“That’s critical because we need the public’s help in identifying the gaps in our investigation,” Davis said. “We know where Mr. Bartkus was at about 6 a.m. We know the timeline of when he entered the city; however, we need the public’s help for identifying where he traversed within the city before the explosion.”

Authorities were also working to determine what type of explosives were used and where the suspect obtained them.

“That’s critical because we need the public’s help in identifying the gaps in our investigation,” Davis said. “We know where Mr. Bartkus was at about 6 a.m. We know the timeline of when he entered the city; however, we need the public’s help for identifying where he traversed within the city before the explosion.”

The clinic was closed at the time of the explosion, but four others were injured at the scene. Those victims were released from medical care as of Sunday.

Thursday morning, the targets of the bombing, the American Reproductive Clinic, held a news conference to share the latest on their plans to reopen.

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Kade Atwood

Palm Desert, Calif. (KESQ) Over the Weekend at the Rancho Mirage Library, the focus was on building the next generation of leaders.

The event was part of the CV Compass Career Expo, organized by a group of local professionals through Leadership Coachella Valley. Students from area Boys & Girls Clubs spent the morning exploring local career opportunities and engaging in hands-on activities.

“We have about 50 kids and our class has put together this forum for kids to learn about amazing career opportunities in the valley. It’s a chance to offer mentorships and potential internships as students begin considering their career paths.” Mitch Battersby-Leadership Coachella Valley 2025 (Best Class Ever).

From law enforcement to marketing—and yes, even journalism—the expo offered students a wide range of career insights. Each participant also received free passes to the Palm Springs Surf Club as a special bonus.

Interested in shaping the future yourself? Leadership Coachella Valley is now accepting applications for its next class. To learn more or to apply, click on the link below.

Application

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Firefighters were able to contain a fire at a home in Cathedral City late Thursday morning.

The fire was at a home along Rancho Vista Drive, near Ramon Road and Date Palm Drive.

Viewers have reported seeing a large plume of smoke in the area.

We have a crew on the way to the scene to gather more information. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – “Esperanza” means hope in Spanish, and residents of the Dream Home neighborhood in Cathedral City have been hoping for a park close to home.

Esperanza Park is 11 years in the making. Officials said it’s been a long process for getting grants, council approval and to even break ground on the project.

The park is funded by over $11 million, with $8.5 in grants from the California State Parks’ Statewide Park Program, which was funded in 2021, and the rest from the City. Mayor Nancy Ross said this includes taxpayer dollars and funds from city officials.

John Corella, the Director of Public Works for Cathedral City, said the project was denied for grant funding three times from the start of the project in 2014. In their fourth round of funding, California Proposition 68 gave officials a way to get the project going.

The proposition, the 2018 Bond Act, aims to create new parks and improve existing ones in underserved communities. As this act passed, Corella said the Cathedral City community stepped up to push it forward. Students from the local Agua Caliente Elementary School created videos saying why they wanted a park in this area. Corella said he believes this helped the project greatly.

Esperanza Park sits on 7.5 acres in the Dream Homes community with facilities for kids and adults. There’s playground equipment, a fitness area, soccer fields, additional grass space, a dog park and more.

News Channel 3 spoke with a resident of the neighborhood, Michael Arredondo, who said this park is beyond important for his family. He said they’ve been having to travel outside of Cathedral City to find a park that’s accommodating for small children.

“It’s really comfortable,” Arredondo said. “Great for my kids. The fact that my wife and kids have such easy access to a comfortable park.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from residents, officials and from students at Agua Caliente Elementary School on the importance of opening Esperanza Park.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A nonprofit group that recognizes youth for positive accomplishments, behavior and good deeds awarded $60,000 in scholarships to 47 graduating seniors across three Coachella Valley school districts.   

The Do the Right Thing program presented scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 to 47 students representing all 14 high schools in the Coachella Valley districts, according to the organization.

The event was held Wednesday at the Desert Learning Academy, at 2248 E. Ramon Road, in Palm Springs.  

The scholarship recipients were nominated by high school counselors who identified seniors in need of financial assistance to continue their education.

“We had not initially intended to fund every student nominated but in reviewing the applications, we were struck by the level of need that exists and opted to provide scholarships to all of these very deserving students,” DTRT founder Terri Ketover said in a statement. “We believe that our sponsors and donors provide funds to help youth that are struggling today, and are confident they will continue to support this life changing program next year and into the future.”

Wednesday’s event also included the Do The Right Thing organization’s monthly presentation of special recognition awards to eight students for exhibiting socially desirable behavior and making an effort to improve themselves and the community.  

The eight students were selected from 300 nominees submitted by teachers and principals from the Palm Springs, Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified School Districts. The program aims to foster self- esteem in young people by reinforcing positive behavior and establish the youth as positive role models for their peers and throughout the community.   

“This program has made a big impact in our community. Young people need to be recognized for doing good deeds and making good choices,” Palm Springs Police Chief and DTRT board vice president Andrew Mills said in a statement. “In just its first two years, DTRT has recognized and honored more than 2,000 youth in our valley for doing the right thing. We are very happy to be part of this great program.”

Do the Right Thing is a partnership between Palm Springs Police Department and News Channel 3. Click here if you would like to nominate a student.

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