Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) –  Twelve nonprofit organizations throughout the Coachella Valley will compete for up to $20,000 cash grants in the annual Desert Fast Pitch later this year in Palm Desert, it was announced today.   

The final day of the event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 2 at University of California, Riverside Palm Desert campus, at 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive.

“Desert Fast Pitch is a Shark Tank-style program where nonprofit leaders will learn how to craft and deliver a compelling three-minute pitch,” organizers said. “Twelve nonprofits will be selected to participate in an intensive training program focused on storytelling, fundraising, marketing and leadership.”  

NPO Centric, a Regional Access Project Foundation program that helps nonprofits build professional development and hands-on training, will host the event.

Participating organizations will include 4ShayJ Foundation, Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas, Friends of the Children – Coachella Valley, Grandparents Love, Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation, Harc Inc., Hanson House Foundation, Integrated Learning Institute, SafeHouse of the Desert, the Exception, Tools for Tomorrow and We Can Fish.   

These organizations were selected because they all provide programs or services that align with RAP Foundation’s priorities of health, wellness or juvenile intervention within Riverside County’s district four area, which includes Bermuda Dunes, Desert Hot Springs, Indio Hills, Mecca and Palm Springs.

All organizations were involved in a seven-week training program that started Thursday and will conclude with the semi-final competition on Sept. 25 in Palm Desert.

Training workshops will include orientation, storytelling, written appeal development, fundraising plan, marketing plan and leadership plan.   

All nonprofits that complete the program will receive a $1,000 participating grant and finalists will earn an additional $1,000, organizers said.

First-place winners will receive $20,000, second-place winners will receive $15,000 and $10,000 for third place. In addition, a $5,000 cash grant will be awarded to the audience choice winner, $1,000 for best portfolio and $1,000 for most improved award.

All cash grants will total more than $50,000.   

“This is more than a competition. It’s a exciting opportunity for nonprofit leaders to gain valuable skills, build powerful connections and compete for significant funding to support their missions,” officials said.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Driven by seasonal factors, payroll losses exceeded gains across the regional economy last month, propelling Riverside County’s unemployment rate higher by a half-point, according to figures released today by the California Employment Development Department.

The countywide jobless rate in July, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 6.5%, compared to 6% in June.   

According to figures, the July rate was also half a percentage point higher than the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment then stood at 6%.   

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties — the Inland Empire — was 6.4%, up from 6% in June, the EDD said.   

Data showed Cherry Valley had the highest unemployment rate countywide in July at 13.2%, followed by Coachella at 10.4%, Rancho Mirage at 10.3%, Blythe at 8.5% and Palm Desert and Nuevo, both at 8.2%.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls contracted by the widest margin last month in the public sector, where 14,500 positions went vacant, mainly in education, as teachers and support staff in area school systems transitioned to summer hiatus.

Additional losses were recorded in the agricultural, construction and manufacturing sectors, as well as miscellaneous unclassified industries, which altogether shed 1,000 jobs, according to figures.

Trade, transportation and utilities led the way in payroll expansion, adding 2,900 positions in July. The financial services, health services, hospitality and professional business services sectors grew by an aggregate 2,000 positions, the EDD said.

The mining and information technology sectors were unchanged.   

The statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in July was 6.1%.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Unified School District officially appointed Alena Callimanis to fill the vacant Trustee Area 2 seat on the board of education.

The seat was formerly held by Sylvia Paz, who announced her resignation on June 17.  Paz said she was resigning to begin a “long-planned sabbatical.”

Callimanis will serve out the remainder of Paz’s term through the Nov. 2026 election

She was one of three candidates who were interviewed for the position during a special meeting on Tuesday.

Callimanis works for Read With Me Volunteer Organizations as both a volunteer and a paid staff member.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Splash House continues with another weekend of fun and house music in Palm Springs.

Weekend 2 takes place on Aug. 15-17. Limited tickets remain on sale, according to organizers.

The festivities kick off Friday night with “After Hours” at the Palm Springs Air Museum, featuring a DJ set by Disclosure.

Organizers said weekend two features a “fierce blend of dance floor legends and next-gen heat.”

Leading the charge is electrifying duo SOFI TUKKER, the versatile and genre-defying Boys Noize, legendary house icon Claude VonStroke, and tech-house impresario Noizu. The stacked lineup continues with breakout star Max Styler, indie duo Neil Frances, funky house innovator AYYBO, Latin tech maestro Andruss, percussive groove specialist Ranger Trucco, and viral producer nimino. Additional highlights include feel-good house from BUNT., low end frequencies from Taiki Nulight, and next gen icons GENESI, Angrybaby, Jackie Hollander, Annicka, and more.

Felicia Garcia

Brandon Denlsey

Gabriella Hughes

Brandon Denlsey

Saturday’s After Hours will feature Cloonee.

The popular poolside festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Saguaro, Renaissance, and Riviera (formerly Margaritaville) in Palm Springs.

Tickets remain available. Visit splashhouse.com for more information.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw California’s congressional districts is stirring political controversy across the state — and prompting strong reactions from local groups here in the Coachella Valley.

The plan, part of what Newsom is calling the Election Rigging Response Act, would temporarily suspend California’s independent redistricting commission. According to the governor, it’s a direct response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas.

Democratic organizers support the proposal, describing it as a strategic countermeasure to Republican power grabs.

“It was the president who did it when he called Governor Abbott in Texas asking for five more districts that would be specifically Republican… Our governor of California is saying ‘OK Texas, you want to play, let’s play.’”

Elle Kurpiewski, Democratic Headquarters of the Desert Political Director

Supporters argue the plan still respects the legal process and say it will ultimately be decided by California voters.

Republicans, however, strongly oppose the plan, calling it a violation of state law.

“Texas redistricting is perfectly legal. California’s redistricting is not. It goes against a 2008 measure by the California voters to create a citizen redistricting panel and that is a part of our Constitution in this state.”

Arlene Wohlgemuth, East Valley Republican Women Patriots Vice President of Legislation

Opponents also argue that the current congressional map already favors Democrats and warn that Newsom’s proposed changes could make the imbalance worse.

If state lawmakers approve the plan, California voters will get the final say in November. Until then, both groups say they’ll be working to mobilize voters across the valley.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.6 has struck about 5 miles west-southwest of Mountain Center in Riverside County, roughly 11 miles east of Hemet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – PSUSD students are working to end hate speech in their classrooms through the district wide campaign “PSUSD Stands Up to Hate.” District officials say the program is to combat hate speech and promote inclusivity within its schools and the broader community. 

The PSUSD Director of Title IX and Compliance Dr. Antonia Hunt said the district board passed a resolution in February 2024 deciding it would not stand for any hate in schools. She said it was an issue they saw a growing need to take a stand against.

“As a country as a whole, we’ve seen an uptick in the rhetoric and the hate that we’re seeing both online and even in person,” Hunt said. “We’ve really noticed that hate speech has a resounding effect on all students.” 

The district has developed resources to prevent and address hate speech, which the students learn and discuss throughout the week. Through the “PSUSD Stands Up to Hate” initiative, the district says it looks to create a culture of respect and understanding, and for students to feel safe and valued.

Photo Courtesy: Desert Hot Springs High School

Desert Hot Springs High School implemented these educational tactics years ago, and was excited when administrators made it a district-wide campaign. DHSHS Principal Omar Tinoco said they started the educational program because of verbal hate speech with slurs throughout his school, and since then they’ve seen a decrease.

“They should be able to walk around, doesn’t matter gender, sex, race, you’re a student. You’re a golden eagle here at the high school,” Tinoco said. “Hopefully when you graduate you can take that with you as an adult — I am extremely proud of them.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from a student who has experienced hate speech in school and is helping make sure it stops.

Resources for any student experiencing hate speech or bullying:

PSUSD says all students can report to any adult on campus

Submit a complaint: https://www.psusd.us/complaints

Visit PSUSD Stand Up to Hate https://www.psusd.us/standuptohate

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KESQ News Team

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A nighttime vigil was held late Thursday night following the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy, identified as Alan Martinez by family, also known as Reuben.

Loved ones gathering around 9:00 p.m. at the site of the attack, near the intersection of Whispering Palms Trail and Mission Indian Trail, south of Ramon Rd.

A small memorial was crafted by those that new him, constructed of crosses, candles, and other items brought by about 40 visitors that joined the remembrance.

Martinez’s mother, Bernize Manrriquez, said the gathering was meant to promote unity, and as a call for action to bring violence in the community to an end.

Martinez was shot by a group people in a car following a confrontation, which then sped off.

Investigators have not announced the arrest of any suspects.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Zita and her K-9 handler, Officer Stephanie Sandoval, will be deployed to Palm Springs International Airport, where they will join another PSPD pup, K9 Apollo, sniffing firearms and explosives. 

“She’s learned to pick up 14 variations of different explosive odor,” Sandoval said. “So when I came in three weeks later, they taught me how to read her cues.” 

K-9 Zita is a year and a half old Holland Shepard, who is ready to work. Zita and Officer Sandoval will also be the first female K-9 team in the department’s history. The two graduated from the K-9 academy in late June, according to the department.

“It’s pretty awesome for us to integrate a female canine into our program… our female group,” Sandoval said. “Like finally, it’s awesome.”

Thursday through Saturday the pair works at the Palm Springs International Airport with K9 Apollo. Sandoval said Zita and Apolla are the only bomb dogs at PSPD and California in general doesn’t have a lot of dogs trained in this field.

She said their training is necessary especially after recent events in Palm Springs.

“We work hand-in-hand with TSA so anything coming in through TSA that would be of concern TSA will call us for an assist. Oddly enough we do get a lot of firearms coming through,” she said. “And we did have a bombing earlier this year, so it’s extremely important now that we can cover the entire week.”

Sandoval said it’s a specialized job Zita will only get better at with time.

“She’s very confident. So when I put her in new scenarios, she has no problem with it normally,” she said. “She truly, truly does have a high drive to work. She loves her job. I’m excited to get to know her, and to really become a team.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to meet Zita and Officer Sandoval.

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KYMA

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Two suspects are behind bars after they were caught driving a vehicle stolen out of Riverside, California, but that’s not all police found in the car.

Law enforcement says the two suspects claimed they did not know where the checks came from.

The Brawley Police Department says a 24-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy from Coachella were arrested after one of their cameras captured a stolen BMW entering the city.

Police say they followed the car and stopped the suspects at a B Food Mart gas station.

“An inventory search was later conducted in the vehicle which they located over $28,000 in cashier checks,” said Interim Cmdr. Mark Cano.

Brawley police say the two suspect claimed they did not know where the checks came from.

“The subjects made allegations that they didn’t know that the cashiers checks were in the vehicle and they also claimed that the vehicle that they had gotten permission to take the vehicle which was stolen,” said Interim Cmdr. Cano.

The 24-year old suspect is being held at the Imperial County Jail, while the 16-year old suspect is being held at the Imperial County juvenile hall.

They are both being charged with conspiracy possession of a stolen vehicle and check fraud.

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