Category: kesq-local-news

Allie Anthony

CATHEDRAL CITY, California (KESQ) – On July 10th, a westbound big rig swerved across the i10 freeway and into oncoming traffic. The truck veered into the eastbound lane, killing two people at the scene. 

After preliminary investigation, the California Highway Patrol reported that one of the victims was not wearing a seatbelt.

Now, more than two weeks after the crash, the investigation remains ongoing. 

During the time, Officer David Torres with the California Highway Patrol is reminding the community about the lifesaving importance of seatbelts.

“Not wearing your seatbelt is the number one reason you get ejected from your vehicle,” said Torres.

Seatbelts are designed to distribute the force of a crash across the strongest parts of the body. When the safety mechanism is engaged, the belt should lock. Torres is sharing a simple way to make sure your seatbelt is working before hitting the road.

Watch News Channel 3 today at 4:00 to hear more from the California Highway Patrol about how to check your car’s seatbelt for safety.

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Athena Jreij

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) — As the summer months heat up, it can be tempting to take a dip in the nearest lakes or rivers. For many, that can be the Whitewater River Channel, but this National Water Safety Day,  the Coachella Valley Water District is urging locals to use caution and avoid dangerous waterways.

CVWD posted to Instagram,”The Whitewater River Channel is a vital part of our replenishment and stormwater protection systems. This typically dry river channel receives imported water from the Colorado River Aqueduct that flows to our groundwater replenishment facility. Deliveries can be rapid flows that move with force, making the channel dangerous and unpredictable. This area is off-limits for a reason: entering is illegal and could lead to fines, serious injury, or worse.”

However, some locals say the river channel is one of the only free and accessible waterways for families to enjoy.

Tonight, News Channel 3 speaks with locals and officials on how they can make a splash this summer, safely.

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Kendall Flynn

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — The Indio Police Department is reminding the community just how dangerous off-roading can be, as city and surrounding area has a lot of open desert.

Officials created a social media post Friday night to tell people off-roading within the City limits is illegal, including in dirt lots, parks and open desert areas. Indio PD said this includes all vehicles not just trucks or cars, like dirt bikes, ATVs or side-by-sides.

This reminder comes after a fatal rollover crash Saturday night near Indio. Shortly, after 9 p.m. Indio PD responded to a crash in the desert canyon area located southwest of Dillon Road and west of Fargo Canyon Road.

For reasons still under investigation, a Jeep Wrangler traveling through desert terrain at unknown speeds rolled over multiple times. A 47-year-old woman was ejected from the car during the crash and was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical center where she later died.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from officials on what you need to know to stay safe in the desert.

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Julia Castro

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — More than 1,200 customers in Indian Wells are without power as Southern California Edison crews respond to an unexpected outage.

The outage was first reported at approximately 7:23 a.m. Friday morning, with a total of 1,294 customers impacted, according to the utility company.

According to the SCE website, a field investigator has been dispatched and is currently analyzing the cause of the outage.

Repair crews have not yet begun work, the company estimates most service will be restored by 8:30 a.m. today.

The reason for the outage remains under investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Cynthia White

ANZA, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people are being treated for injuries after a head-on crash on Highway 74 south of Lake Hemet, near Anza on Thursday.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire

CAL FIRE reports two vehicles were involved, and one of the injured was trapped in a vehicle. Firefighters responding to the scene were able to get the person out.

Both people suffered moderate injuries – one taken by ambulance, and the other flown out by helicopter. They were taken to a local trauma center.

CAL FIRE has turned the case over to California Highway Patrol Indio Station for investigation.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new information.

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Cynthia White

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Sands Unified School District is making sure all positions are filled for the school year.

On Thursday, the DSUSD hosted a Career Fair at the District office in La Quinta.

Open positions included substitute teachers, paraeducators, and bus drivers.

Some staff members were on hand to answer questions and provide information throughout the workshops.

DSUSD Director of Classified Personnel Brad Fisher says it’s efforts like these that help avoid staff shortages. Fisher added, “We host two certificated job fairs, two classified job fairs, and we’ve been fortunate enough that we are almost fully staffed at this point with still several weeks to go. Our staff is pretty solid right now, which is really good, and again, it’s events like this where we refill our substitute ranks.”

Fisher went on to say that recruitment efforts continue throughout the year for the District.

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Haley Meberg

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ)– The California Highway Patrol Indio Office, along with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, will host a Child Passenger Seat Safety event on Saturday, July 26. 

The event will take place at La Quinta Fire Station 32, located at 78111 Avenue 52, La Quinta, CA 92253, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

At the event, residents will have the opportunity to have their car seats inspected and adjusted for no cost to ensure all safety measures are met. 

These services are free to all with a child present. To schedule an appointment, contact CSO Avalos or CSO Foster at (760) 863-8990.

Walk-ins are accepted.

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Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) -The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will offer free admission throughout August to members of select law enforcement agencies.

The appreciation program runs from Aug. 1-31 at 1 Tram Way and is available to active members of law enforcement, including police officers, firefighters, California Highway Patrol officers, FBI agents and others, officials said.

A valid photo ID must be presented in person to receive complimentary admission. Eligible personnel can also bring up to four guests, who will each receive 25% off regular tramway admission prices, according to officials.

“First responders are the cornerstone of every community. We greatly appreciate the dedication of all first responders and the work they put in every day to keep our communities safe,” Tramway manager Nancy Nichols said. “We hope a trip to the tramway will provide a fun and enjoyable experience forfirst responders and their families to explore our beautiful mountain.”  

A full list of qualifying agencies is available at www.pstramway.com/tram-news-2/.  

For more information, call 888-515-8726.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  –  Local LGBTQ+ and civil rights organizations are gathering Thursday night in Palm Springs to discuss Executive Order 14168 and what they call a rise in transphobia across California and the nation.

The order titled, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” was issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, at the start of his second term.

The order says federal policies must recognize the biological differences between men and women, rejecting the idea that people can self-identify their sex. 

It aims to roll back transgender inclusive policies by requiring agencies to base rules and programs on biological sex, not gender identity and end the federal funding of gender ideology.

The event is by Transgender Health & Wellness Center at the Mizell Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for an inside look of the meeting. 

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Haley Meberg

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)– A Cathedral City man was arrested on suspicion of stealing and using fraudulent checks from his former 90-year-old employer. 

The Cathedral City man, 31, was arrested and booked in connection to first-degree burglary, embezzlement of more than $400, check fraud and committing a felony while out on bail for a prior offense, before being released on bail Thursday morning.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) reports that on January 23, they received a call from the 90-year-old victim reporting fraud occurring within her checking account.

An investigation revealed the alleged burglary took place following the hiring of the suspect in December 2024, for unspecified work at the victims’ home. 

RSO reports the accused was taken into custody without incident on Wednesday and booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio, before being released on $55,000 bail Thursday.  

No further information on the incident has been released at this time. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Deputy Pouchoulen at the Palm Desert station at 760-836-1600.

The accused is set to be back in court for this incident on August 29. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more information.

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