Category: kesq-local-news

Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Unified School District African American class of 2025 graduates were honored and presented with Kente Stoles Monday evening.

The stoles will be worn during their graduation ceremonies.

African American Parent Advisory Council Board Member Jarvis Crawford says the event represents a coming of age – a transition from youth to adulthood where the students are presented with a Kente Stole to be worn to show their culture and their heritage. Crawford adds it is a small token of appreciation to the students for completing high school.

Graduating Senior Amia Mars says the event was “…a celebration of the black students in my community making it to graduation. It’s very important for us to go after higher education and higher learning, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

A total of 107 African American graduating seniors were honored with the Kente Stoles a the ceremony.

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Cynthia White

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) presented numbers on Monday showing the progress the Department has made so far this year.

RCDAS spokespeople are calling the progress “encouraging” after focusing on efforts to make local adoptions easier and more affordable, and reaching out to other areas that are able to take in adoptable animals.

In August last year, RCDAS came under scrutiny as animal welfare and safety advocates filed a lawsuit calling into question the department’s policies in euthanasia.

The department says it is continuing to work on the challenges its been facing, from over-crowded shelters to staff and veterinarian shortages.

New RCDAS Director Mary Martin acknowledged there were challenges when she took over the position in March of this year. Martin says of the department’s progress, “These results are a testament to the hard work of our staff and the strength of our community partnerships. The team made real progress in just a few months, and we are committed to continuing this momentum to save more lives.”

RCDAS adds in its announcement on Monday that it “remains focused on long-term improvements that will help ensure more pets find homes, more families stay together, and more lives are saved in the months ahead.”

Here are the numbers released by RCDAS:

Live release rate increased to 80.9%, up from 72% during the same period last year

Euthanasia decreased by 33%, with 540 fewer animals euthanized

Adoption rate increased to 42%, up from 34% compared to same period last year

Transfer-out rates rose across both cats and dogs

And RCDAS lists the improvements as:

Expanded public access by opening shelters on Sundays and extending hours on Wednesdays, making it easier for families to adopt or reclaim pets

Waived Return-to-Owner fees to remove financial barriers and help more lost pets return home

Increased the frequency of fee-waived adoption events, leading to faster placements and reduced length of stay

Completed cross-country pet transfer flights and enhanced partner rescue outreach, creating more adoption opportunities in partner regions and reducing local overcrowding

Enhanced marketing and visibility for adoptable animals through improved photography, promotion, and outreach

For more information on the goals of Riverside County Department of Animal Services, visit www.rcdas.org/positive-change.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs officials announced today that two upcoming meetings will give residents a chance to weigh in on a proposed low-water bridge project aimed at improving emergency access to the Indian Canyon neighborhoods.

An in-person meeting is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 29 at the Indian Canyon Golf Clubhouse, located at 1100 E. Murray Canyon Drive, officials said.

A virtual Zoom meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. June 2. The link is available at https://bit.ly/low-water-bridge-ps. Further information of the zoom meeting can be found at https://www.facebook.com/CityOfPalmSprings.

The project is intended to ensure residents have access in and out of the neighborhood during heavy rain or flooding events.

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City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today the distribution of $3.3 billion in Proposition 1 grant funds to organizations and government agencies across the state to expand available behavioral health treatment beds and mental health services.

Among the projects receiving funding a $65 million grant for Los Angeles County to convert unused buildings at the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk into a mental health care village.

“This mental healthcare village is exactly the type of facility voters were thinking of when they approved Proposition 1,” county Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement. “These buildings are doing no one any good sitting empty and we have a plan to convert them into the Los Angeles County Care Community — a mental healthcare village where we can provide humane, professional treatment and housing to people who desperately need it. This funding is a huge step forward for us and I appreciate the support we have already gotten from our state partners.”  

California voters narrowly approved Proposition 1 in March 2024, authorizing more than $6 billion in bonds to fund mental health services, treatment beds and supportive housing.

According to Newsom’s office, the grant funding announced Monday will create more than 5,000 residential treatment beds and 21,800 outpatient treatment slots.

“Californians demanded swift action to address our state’s behavioral health crisis when they voted for Prop 1 in March 2024,” Newsom said in a statement. “Today, we’re delivering our biggest win yet. These launch-ready projects will build and expand residential beds and treatment slots for those who need help. Whether it’s crisis stabilization, inpatient services, or long-term treatment, we’re ensuring that individuals can access the right care at the right time.”  

Hahn said the $65 million grant for L.A. County will renovate two of six buildings that will ultimately upgraded at the Norwalk hospital campus. They will be turned into psychiatric subacute facilities for youth aged 18-25. Each of the two buildings will have 16 beds, for a total of 32. When the campus renovation is fully complete, it will have 219 beds, according to Hahn’s office.

“This investment solidifies our shared focus on behavioral health and the wellbeing of all Los Angeles County residents,” Dr. Lisa H. Wong, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, said in a statement. “With Proposition 1 funding earmarked specifically for the Metro campus, we can increase our capacity to provide the highest level of mental health services and resources to the individuals in our care. This much-needed investment is an important step in providing safe spaces and vital treatment for our county’s most vulnerable populations.”

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Shay Lawson

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – More than 3,000 Riverside County children are in out-of-home care due to abuse or neglect according to Riverside County.

As the need for foster families continues to grow, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) and Faith in Motion are hosting a free community event on Monday to recruit foster families in desert communities.

Organizers said the session helps residents learn about becoming foster or adoptive families — and how local faith communities are providing assistance along the way.

It’s from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Southwest Church, 44-175 Washington Street, Indian Wells, CA 92210.

The initiative features a panel discussion and Q&A session where attendees receive information on fostering, adoption and volunteer opportunities.

Faith in Motion is an organization that provides support to foster and adoptive families — from initial interest to state certification and beyond.

Stay with News Channel 3 for full coverage.

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Garrett Hottle

Desert Oasis Health Care and News Channel 3 have teamed up to roll out a new mental health awareness campaign aimed in part, at breaking the stigma that keeps many from seeking help.

The “Living Healthy” initiative launches today with an educational push on recognizing and responding to the warning signs of depression. Organizers say families often don’t know how to start conversations about mental health, leaving many to suffer in silence.

“One of the myths is you have to be crazy to come see a counselor,” said Dr. Lopez, with Desert Oasis Health Care said. “You can pray away severe major depression and just deny that you even have it.”

Dr. Lopez cautioned that depression is more than ordinary sadness—and that ignoring it can delay recovery.

“It’s really important to realize that there’s the difference between sad and depression,” she said. “So if it’s interfering—anxiety and depression interfering with your life—then you need to seek help. Many people suffer alone, and that makes it difficult. And it takes years to bounce back.”

Counselors involved in the campaign encourage anyone struggling to reach out to a professional, a trusted friend or a support group. They say that first step is often the hardest—but also the most critical on the path to healing.

To support the effort, viewers can scan a QR code displayed on News Channel 3 broadcasts to access the Healthy Living website, where they’ll find resources on counseling services, self-help tools and local support groups.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Several arrests were made in the Coachella Valley over the weekend during DUI checkpoints conducted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

In Coachella, deputies arrested two drivers for DUI and one person for alleged narcotics sales during a Friday night checkpoint on Cesar Chavez Street, according to the department.

In Rancho Mirage, deputies conducted a checkpoint at Highway 111 and Library Way from Friday night into early Saturday morning. Authorities said three people were arrested for DUI, two for driving with a suspended license and 18 were cited for driving without a license.

In La Quinta, deputies held a checkpoint Saturday night at Avenue 52 and Jefferson Street. One driver was arrested for drug possession, and two others were taken into custody on outstanding warrants, the department said. Deputies issued 12 citations for unlicensed driving, three for suspended licenses and six for other violations.   

Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Allie Anthony

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) is taking steps to support families and reduce the stigma around mental health.

This Saturday, May 17th, Desert Springs Middle School will host a Mental Health Awareness Conference. The event, held in partnership with Riverside University Health System, aims to support parents and caregivers and provide them with tools to support their children’s mental well-being.

Attendees can take part in six interactive workshops covering key topics such as anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, and building stronger parent-child relationships.

PSUSD offers a multi-tiered support system for students, including on-campus counselors, social workers, and licensed therapists. For those requiring more intensive help, additional services are available.

The upcoming workshops are open to the entire community. Interested participants can register through the PSUSD website. Mental Health Awareness Month is more than a reminder—it’s a call to act.

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Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The stock market surged and locals are reacting following the latest news on reciprocal tariffs between the United States and China.

In a joint statement with China, the White House announced on Monday the 90-day roll back of tariffs between the two countries.

The change will take effect on Wednesday, May 14th. Tariffs on Chinese goods will be reduced from 145% to 30%, while China’s levies on American goods drop from 125% to 10%.

“100% hurting our bottom line,” says Judy Valdez, the manager of AJ Market in Palm Springs.

The Filipino grocery store, which sells a wide variety of imported Asian goods, has had to raise prices on some items as imports have become more expensive. A bottle of fish sauce, which used to sell for seven dollars, is now being sold for $12.99. It’s just one example Valdez provided of the increased prices.

“It’s absolutely terrifying because about 90% of our products are imported,” she explains. “[The customers] have seen the prices already increase and they are a bit scared. A lot of people have changed their buying patterns where they’re holding back on stuff they spend.”

In contrast, other Palm Springs businesses, like Repair Lab, are seeing minimal impacts. Mark Vanderpol, the owner of the repair shop, says he typically avoids ordering parts from China in the first place. The parts he does source from Chinese companies, though, have been harder to come by.

“There are like websites like Alibaba, AliExpress that we’ve noticed that it like they have actually completely just cut off from even like selling things right now,” says Vanderpol.

Vanderpol says batteries and screens are the only two types of parts he sources from Chinese companies. Even then, the increases have been, by and large, marginal.

“I haven’t seen a big increase in anything else. Batteries have gone up a few bucks. That’s about it.”

With the uncertain nature of tariffs and price increases, Vanderpol says he has steered clear of raising prices at his business. “We’ve chosen not to really talk about or implement it in our business just yet because we don’t want to scare people off or make intimidations, you know, of things getting more expensive unless they really are going to get more expensive.”

At AJ Market, Valdez says that uncertainty is the big worry moving forward, especially as the summer months slow business further. “Everything feels on and off, so everyone’s still unsure. So it’s really nice that it’s paused, but like, I’m pretty sure people are still going to hold the buying patterns as well, because of how summer is going to be. Obviously, the electricity bill is going to go up and all that stuff, so people are still holding on to their money.”

Be sure to stay with KESQ for the latest on these tariffs.

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Luis Avila

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A nursing shortage impacting the Coachella Valley. Hundreds of nursing positions are open right now as the need for care expands with a growing community.

According to a recent report, about 10% of nursing positions across the Valley are unfilled. That’s about 280.

Doctors say the shortage is driven by factors including:

Retirements outpacing new entrants to the field

Increased demand for health care from aging and chronic disease populations

Lingering impacts of the pandemic

But Eisenhower Health is getting ahead of the shortages by investing in resources for nurses. Their latest effort, a new statue to recognize the extraordinary contributions of staff.

“This statue and this event today is meant to honor individual nurses who go above and beyond and share compassionate and very skillful care with our patients.”

Martin Massiello, Eisenhower Health President and CEO

“That’s part of this wellness garden and why Eisenhower wanted to create this special tribute to the nurses so when it’s a rough day, we can put resources around the nurses and they can just come and have a moment.”

Sara Kollman, Eisenhower Health Senior Director of Professional Development

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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