Category: kesq-local-news

Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department just launched the largest radar-enabled drone responder program in the U.S., covering 37 square miles without the need for human spotters.

“We’re really excited as department to get this off the ground,” said Lieutenant William Hutchinson with the PSPD. “This asset matters not only to the officers in the field, but the public at large who really depend on emergency services to be there quickly.”

MatrixSpace is the sensor company behind the technology, and says the system speeds up emergency response times.

“We’re going to be able to take our response times from three to five minutes on average, and get get people on scene and assets on scene in under a minute,” explained Hutchinson. The drones will be used to improve public safety, and can be utilized on several types of emergency calls, including stolen vehicles, police pursuits, a missing hiker, a kidnapping, an active shooter, and more. The drones will keep officers safe, and prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths in dangerous situations.

MatrixSpace tells News Channel 3 the new tech will also improve safety for drone flights around airports and hospitals, especially when flying near medical helicopters.

“We want to geo-fence some areas so we don’t crash into buildings, or we don’t crash into power lines and things like that,” said Hutchinson. “And we have areas like the airport here. It’s outlined in red. So that means if our drone tries to go there, the system is going to stop it. It won’t even allow our pilots to go there.”

In addition to that, the company claims the sensors will allow the drone to conduct operations at night and during bad weather.

“We have thermal capabilities on our drones,” said Hutchinson. “Thermal capabilities means I can see heat at night. I cannot see into your home. I cannot use it as x-ray vision to see through objects. But if you’re running from the police and you try to hide under a bush, your body is going to emit heat, and we’re going to be able to see that. If you commit a crime and try to run, we will find you, and we will catch you.

MatrixSpace’s Chief Revenue Officer Lori DeMatteis says this radar technology is changing public safety in Palm Springs, and can inspire other cities to follow Palm Springs’ lead. And Hutchinson says transparency and honor are most important with programs like this. He explained that keeping the public’s trust is of the utmost priority when it comes to using drones.

“Not only are laws in place, but we have good policy in place to make sure that these drones are being used for the right purposes,” said Hutchinson. “First and foremost, we’re not going to conduct random surveillance. We’re not going to be flying over your house, looking into your pool and seeing you sunbathing in the backyard. We are going to be responding directly to calls for service.”

Hutchinson also says the public will be able to use a live dashboard to see where and when police drones have been used.

“We’re looking at these again, very responsibly, and we are putting good policy, good audit trails in place,” said Hutchinson. “We’re going to provide all of the flights that we conduct on a dashboard that are going to be available to the public. We do that now, but we’re now going to increase the type of transparency that we have. So if there is a question, you’ll see the flight path, where the drone went to, what it was there flying for. If you have a question about a drone over your house, or if you want to know if it was us, you can reach out to us. We’ll look at our logs, if it wasn’t already provided to you on our dashboard, and be able to confirm if that was our drone or not. And so I think that’s really, really important that we have that type of technology and that type of transparency for this program.”

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Palm Springs announced today a limited-time promotion called “Love Local Palm Springs” to encourage spending at participating local businesses during Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week.   

The citywide promotion lets customers buy a $100 digital gift card and receive a $50 bonus card while supplies last, city officials said. The bonus card must be purchased on or after May 19 and used by June 8.

Both cards can be redeemed at participating restaurants and businesses.   

“We are thrilled to host the Love Local Palm Springs Restaurant Week promotion with our partner the Visit Greater Palm Springs CVB,” Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte said in a statement. “This year, we’re making Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week even more enticing for residents and visitors to explore the vibrant and diverse culinary scene in Palm Springs while also supporting local businesses.”  

Details and gift card purchases are available at LoveLocalPS.com.

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Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Families across the Coachella Valley came together for a heartwarming and relaxing celebration as The Shops at Palm Desert hosted a free “Mamacitas” Tea Party in honor of Mother’s Day. The event took place from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the region’s only indoor shopping mall.

Moms had the full tea party experience provided by Charmed Spirits, featuring curated teas, scones, and delicate finger sandwiches. The atmosphere was filled with live music, friendly conversation, and thoughtful touches that allowed moms to unwind and relax.

Adding to the charm of the event was a Kids Club, hosted in partnership with the YMCA. Children had the opportunity to create handmade cards and crafts as surprise gifts for their moms, while enjoying snacks, games, balloons, and other fun activities. This setup gave moms a well-deserved break to sip tea and socialize, knowing their little ones were engaged and preparing something meaningful.

“All mamacitas deserve to be celebrated on Mother’s Day,” said Nayyan Chandler, Marketing Manager for The Shops at Palm Desert. “We were proud to host this free event so families could come together and show mom how special she is. The Kids Club was a big hit — moms got to relax while their kids created something memorable.”

Attendees also enjoyed prize raffles with giveaways from mall favorites including Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, and Pandora. Families participated in an Instagram contest by posing at the Mamacitas Backdrop and sharing their photos with the hashtag #mamacitasattheshops and tagging @theshopsatpalmdesert for a chance to win additional prizes.

The Mamacitas Tea Party proved to be a joyful and memorable afternoon — one filled with appreciation, laughter, and sweet moments between mothers and their families.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – As Mother’s Day is celebrated across the country, some are spending it in the delivery room — and nurses are right beside them, helping guide them into parenthood.

At Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, many Registered nurses (RNs) said being part of a birth on this special day is a privilege.

“It was very special,” Shannon Wagner, RN said after helping deliver a baby on Mother’s Day.

“Congratulations to Courtney Velasquez whose Mother’s Day present this year was a beautiful baby girl, Saylor, who joined the family at 3:22 a.m at Desert Regional Medical Center! Saylor weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces and was born on 5/11. How’s that for a lucky number! Desert Care Network sends best wishes to the entire family, Dad Joe, brother Shyloh and sister Savannah, who is waiting back home in Joshua Tree for her sister’s arrival. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms and babies we serve through our Women & Infants Center, Level 3 NICU and prenatal programs! Learn more about services online,” said Richard Ramhoff, Group Director, Marketing Desert Care Network.

Not only is Sunday Mother’s Day, it is also the end of National Nurses Appreciation Week — a time meant to honor the dedication of nurses across the country.

Yadira Soto, RN — a mother herself — said she was happy to spend the day supporting others.

“It’s wonderful being a part of another woman becoming a mom,” Soto said. “Some of these moms are becoming first time moms. So it’s good to be part of that. Being there with them, helping them through this journey of labor and delivery.”

The team also helped deliver Mateo on May 10 — which is Dia de las Madres — adding an even deeper sense of celebration.

“The unique thing about the Hispanic culture, no matter what day it lands on during the week, we always celebrate on the 10th,” Kimberlyn Cruz, RN said.

Feliz Dia de las Madres to brand new mom Jocelyn Martinez whose very first Mother’s Day present was her brand new baby boy, Mateo, who was born at Desert Regional Medical Center on 3:47 p.m. on May 10 — which is Mother’s Day in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Mateo was 6 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches long. Congratulations to Jocelyn and dad, Noah Burdin, of Palm Springs. What a cute baby! Happy Mothers Day to all the moms and babies we serve through our Women & Infants Center, Level 3 NICU and prenatal programs,” said Richard Ramhoff, Group Director, Marketing Desert Care Network.

These nurses said being present for life’s first moments — especially during a week celebrating their profession — is the best kind of recognition.

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Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Sunday is Mother’s Day, and despite the heat, local restaurants are expected to see an uptick in business for brunch hours.

News Channel Three’s Tori King will be speaking with restaurant owners and local families about their Mother’s Day plans.

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Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Air conditioning contractors are feeling the heat as phone calls from locals pour in for AC repairs.

President and CEO of General Air Conditioning and Plumbing, Patrick Somers, said each year, they see residents unprepared for the Valley heat. Typically, as the desert reaches its first extreme heat days of the year, Somers noted there is a first wave of locals in need of repairs.

From slow cooling to complete shutdowns, the General received 30 calls between 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Of those calls, 18 booked technician visits. However, with a weekend staff of just one plumber and two technicians, reaching everyone’s home in need can be difficult.

Somers said with the influx in calls, they’re calling employees to see if they’ll volunteer to work on Sunday to fulfill the Valley’s needs.

Experts say maintenance is key to keeping your house cool consistently. Whether before the heat starts or even during the peak heat, routine maintenance is the best solution to keep your air running consistently.

He said if residents are experiencing a wait time and it is unbearable to be in the home, the best thing they can do is leave and go somewhere cool, like a mall or restaurant, until the technician is on their way. Staying hydrated and bringing your pets with you if it is too hot are also key.

However, there are some simple troubleshooting methods you can use at home if you’re waiting for a technician or unsure if you need to make a call.

“The first thing to do is go check the breaker, see if the breaker tripped,” Somers said. “It could be something that rarely duplicates itself and the breaker did exactly what it’s supposed to do. It shut down the system.

So turn your breaker on to see if it works. If it trips again, you should call a licensed contractor.”

Somers said this is a common occurrence, but one that can give technicians a better idea of what to fix.

“If your systems not cooling as well as it should, go check your filter,” He said. “It’s amazing how many times we get out to a home, and all we have to do is change the filter.”

A simple check and fix that could save residents money and a technician visit. If you are experiencing air conditioning problems visit https://callthegeneral.com/.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from experts on air conditioning issues and troubleshooting methods.

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Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Saturday is shaping up to be the hottest day of the year so far, with inland valley temperatures running 20-25 degrees above average. This heat is courtesy of a strengthening ridge of high pressure, which will peak in intensity tonight and Saturday.

For weather coverage throughout the day click here.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs International Airport is teaming up with Agua Caliente Casinos to present the new Agua Caliente Oasis.

The Oasis is a feature of the Agua Caliente Concourse, which comes as the airport continues to see record breaking growth. The design offers travelers a space inspired by the iconic landscape of the Coachella Valley, complete with palm trees, lounge seating, and charging stations.

PSP Executive Director of Aviation Harry Barret, Jr. says, “This experiential installation is more than a resting place — it’s an extension of the warm, welcoming spirit that defines the Coachella Valley. Located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, PSP honors the deep roots and vibrant culture of the land we share. The Oasis reflects our commitment to creating meaningful, memorable experiences for every traveler who passes through PSP.”

“We are thrilled to introduce this uniquely designed space at Palm Springs International Airport,” said Saverio R. Scheri III, Chief Operating Officer of Agua Caliente Casinos. “The Oasis not only provides travelers a space to pause and recharge but also serves as a preview of the elevated service and exceptional offerings that define our world-class hospitality at all Agua Caliente Casino properties.”

The Oasis is part of the ongoing collaboration between PSP and Agua Caliente Casinos, offering travelers an immersive experience of PSP and the Agua Caliente brand.

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KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Women Leaders Forum of the Coachella Valley celebrated honorees for their leadership, service, and generosity making a difference in the community at the 12th Annual Women Who Rule event in Rancho Mirage on Friday.

News Channel 3 was a sponsor of the awards and scholarship luncheon at the Agua Caliente Resort, emceed by our Laurilie Jackson, who most recently filled in on our morning show.

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the achievements of those honored, with scholarships given to several young women preparing for college.

More highlights included the WLF inspiration award being given to four amazing nurses and the Superman award going to local philanthropist Dick Shalhoub.

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City News Service

UPDATE 05/09/2025: RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A former Palm Desert High School football coach who ran over and killed a 64-year-old caregiver while driving under the influence was sentenced Friday to 15 years to life in state prison.

Cameron Francis Curtis, 33, of Palm Desert fatally struck Nancy Valdes, also of Palm Desert, in 2023.

Last March 18, after deliberating two days, a Riverside jury convicted Curtis of second-degree murder.

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Bernard Schwartz imposed the sentence required under state law.

ORIGINAL REPORT 03/18/2025: RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A former Palm Desert High School football coach who ran over and killed a 64-year-old caregiver while driving under the influence was convicted today of murder.

A Riverside jury deliberated roughly two days before finding 33-year-old Cameron Francis Curtis of Palm Desert guilty of fatally striking Nancy Valdes, also of Palm Desert, in 2023.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Bernard Schwartz scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 9 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.   

Curtis is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.   

Sheriff’s Deputy Page Broughton testified in the defendant’s October 2023 preliminary hearing that on the evening of March 4, 2023, there was a call to investigate reports of a pedestrian down, and the deputy found Valdes dead at the intersection of Calliandra Street and Alamo Drive.

Broughton said Curtis was stopped nearby in his Nissan Frontier pickup. He was detained without incident.   

Valdes was a caretaker for a local senior and had just left to walk the woman’s dog when she was hit while crossing the street, according to Broughton. Detectives later determined Curtis had been drinking alone that afternoon for almost three hours at Stuft Pizza, two miles from where the victim was hit.  

Based on restaurant receipts, the defendant drank 91 ounces of beer and two shots of hard liquor before leaving. A bartender told detectives that Curtis was a regular and routinely sat alone at the bar for hours.

Deputy Joshua Kemper testified when he arrived at the fatality, Curtis told him he was aware of what he’d done, displaying “bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, (and) strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath.”  

Though the defendant had no driving under the influence convictions, by way of his then-position as a teacher and athletics coach, he had participated in “Every 15 Minutes” programs, which provide beginning-to-end re-enactments of DUI tragedies, complete with emergency medical treatment, an arrest, conviction and burial service — all for the benefit of high school students learning the rules of the road.   

Prosecutors said during his two-mile trip home, Curtis maneuvered around traffic to avoid a stoplight and then blew through a stop sign on eastbound Calliandra before hitting the victim.

The defendant is no longer employed by the Desert Sands Unified School District. He had no documented prior felony or misdemeanor convictions in Riverside County.

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