Category: kesq-local-news

Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City residents and businesses were the first to witness multiple locations of Border Patrol and ICE operations in the city. After one person is known to be detained, locals say they’re seeing a now fearful community.

Local businesses in the Ramon Plaza – a site where videos were shared across social media on Friday of Border Patrol officers running after someone – are concerned. But owners tell News Channel 3, they aren’t just concerned for the community.

They say fear has caused people to stay at home, and it’s reducing visitors and shoppers in the plaza. Maricela Rivera, the owner of Monarca Mexican Restaurant, says she typically sees between 100 to 200 people in her restaurant per day. But on Friday she saw just 10 people, and Saturday was not much better at 15.

“We’ve had maybe an 80 percent drop of patrons, which is unfortunate for us because we’re struggling as it is with this economy,” Rivera said. “And to have that happen to us at this time, it’s heartbreaking.”

Rivera opened Monarca less than a year ago, and says she needs the communities support to stay open. But she noticed other businesses are too scared to keep their doors open, including the cleaners next door who never opened up on Saturday.

Visual Signs and Apparel’s Owner Vanesa Trigueros has even heard the concerns from her clients after Friday’s operations.

“I had clients message me asking me the question if there was immigration here in our plaza,” Trigueros said. “And it’s something I have to be transparent with them.”

Both Rivera and Trigueros witnessed the Border Patrol and ICE operations in their parking lot as a community member ran from officers in front of Monarca.

“I received a phone call from one of our workers stating that ICE was outside and they were chasing people,” Rivera said.

“I can just imagine how many broken homes were created [Friday],” Trigueros said. “How many kids are questioning whether their mom or their dad’s going to come back?”

As the reflect on the operation events, they’re asking the community to continue to support their businesses even in the troubling times.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from Monarca Mexican Restaurant and VSA’s owners about their call for community support.

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Five Coachella Valley graduating high school seniors were awarded $54,000 by the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens on Saturday.

The teens are apart of the Living Desert’s ‘Zoo Teen program,’ a four year youth conservation program focused on animal care, science, and conservation. Awards were given to teens pursuing science degrees in line with the zoo’s mission.

For Destiny Hernandez, the Living Desert is a second home, “I could totally see myself coming back here. I mean, I came to camps here when I was five years old, and now I’m 18, graduating high school. So this place is home.”

Dr. Anna Young, a program lead, says Zoo Teens is meant to inspire the desert’s youth to care for their planet young.

“We really want to invest in our local Coachella Valley residents so that they can be the next generation of conservation leaders. So we need kids starting as early as possible to understand what it takes to take care of our valley and of our planet,” Dr. Young said.

The Living Desert raised over $38,000 for the awards. Assistance from OneFuture Coachella Valley brought the total of those scholarships to $54,000.

Awards varied between $2,000 to $5,000 per year, per student for up to five years.

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Tori King

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)– The Desert Recreation District is extending its long-time partnership with Kaiser Permanente to launch Operation Splash, a scholarship program that removes financial barriers to swim lessons and equips local families with lifesaving water-safety skills. Kaiser Permanente’s $85,000 two-year grant, awarded through its Healthy Eating Active Living initiative, allows DRD to offer free lessons for children throughout the Coachella Valley. 

Operation Splash promotes active lifestyles and water safety during the summer months. Each eligible participant of all abilities may enroll in one session of free swim lessons, that’s eight 45-minute classes held on Mondays and Thursdays. 

“Nothing is more important than keeping our community safe around the water,” said Kevin Kalman, DRD General Manager. “Thanks to Kaiser Permanente’s continued generosity, we can lift the cost barrier for families and give even more kids the confidence and skills they need. This partnership truly saves lives while strengthening the health of our community.” 

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Bagdouma Community Pool, 84-599 Avenue 52, Coachella. The free event features open swim, refreshments, and a water safety demonstration with DRD’s mascot, Lenny the Landshark. Families can learn more about DRD aquatic programs and so much more at this event. 

Operation Splash covers the full cost of group swim lessons for children ages six to fourteen who meet income guidelines. Students who receive free or reduced-price school lunch automatically qualify. DRD is proud to serve our youth of all abilities, including those in adaptive programs. For full details and the quick online application, visit myrecreationdistrict.com/swim-water-programs. 

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio Police Department is sending out a message as some local people remain on edge after Border Patrol and ICE Agents carried out an enforcement operation in Cathedral City on Friday.

While the operation was carried out in Cathedral City, Indio Police are responding to the operation, releasing a statement on social media regarding their policy on enforcement of federal immigration laws:

Via Instagram

News Channel 3 has reached out to both the US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more information and comment about Friday’s enforcement operation. At this time, neither agency has responded.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates on this story.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Investigators identified more potential victims in a case of an ex-indie rock drummer accused of possessing child pornography and recording a minor in a public restroom.

New charges were filed this week against Joseph Seiders, 44, of Palm Desert, after investigators identified two additional victims not associated with the initial incidents. Seiders is now charged with committing lewd acts with a minor by force or fear, using or coercing a minor to produce child pornography, possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, and invasion of privacy.

Seiders was originally arrested on April 9 after allegedly recording children at the restroom of the Palm Desert Chick-fil-A.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Milbrant, deputies from the Palm Desert Station, received a report of a suspicious circumstance in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive on April 7. They interviewed an 11-year-old boy who told them a man allegedly recorded him on a cell phone inside the restroom of a Chick-fil-A.

Two days later, deputies received another report from an employee at a nearby business who said a man was allegedly seen entering and exiting a restroom with several young males, Milbrandt said.

Deputies identified and arrested Seiders at the scene.

A subsequent search of Seiders’ residence turned up evidence tying him to both incidents, along with possession of child pornography, sheriff’s officials said.

Details about the interaction between the suspect and the juvenile males inside the restroom were not disclosed.   

Seiders was the drummer of the New Pornographers, fronted by AC Newman and the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Neko Case. He joined the band in 2014.

After the arrest was reported, the New Pornographers issued a statement reading: ”Everyone in the band is absolutely shocked, horrified, and devastated by the news of the charges against Joe Seiders– and we have immediately severed all ties with him. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.”  

Seiders has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

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Garrett Hottle

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – The jury has begun deliberations in the high-profile bribery trial of Palm Springs developer John Wessman.

Closing arguments wrapped up Friday morning.

Wessman faces nine counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy. He is accused of paying former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet more than $200,000 to secure city support for downtown redevelopment projects between 2012 and 2014.

Pougnet and developer Richard Meaney have both pleaded guilty to charges related to this case.

Prosecutors call it a case of backroom deals and political corruption, saying Wessman and Meaney used cash and influence to buy the mayor’s vote, but the defense argues those payments were legal.

Wessman followed the rules during tough economic times.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle will have the latest from court today starting at 4 p.m.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Defense testimony is slated to last all next week in the trial of an ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy accused of gunning down a man with whom he was at odds because the victim had been involved with the lawman’s then-girlfriend.

Oscar Rodriguez, 44, is charged with first-degree murder and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations for the 2014 slaying of 39-year-old Luis Carlos Morin of Coachella.

The prosecution rested its case in the three-week trial on Thursday, after which the defense summoned its first witness, who testified before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling sent jurors home for the weekend. The defense is scheduled to summon additional witnesses throughout the coming week, after which the prosecution is expected to proceed with rebuttal testimony at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.   

Rodriguez is free on a $1 million bond.   

At the time of the fatal shooting, the defendant was romantically involved with Diana Perez, the mother of Morin’s two children. She and the then-deputy originally met in the winter of 2013, when he and other deputies responded to 911 calls from her complaining about Morin, whom she didn’t want around her home. Morin had active warrants for his arrest.   

“Things went from professional to unprofessional,” Deputy District Attorney Jacob Silva said.

The prosecutor recalled in his opening statement to the jury last month how Rodriguez dated Perez throughout 2013, taking a personal interest in her ongoing conflicts with Morin.

Silva alleged Rodriguez decided to act independently, ignoring law enforcement protocols, in apprehending Morin. On the night of Jan. 27, 2014, the defendant learned that the suspect had joined family members for a birthday celebration in Palm Desert and would be returning to his mother’s home in the 48-800 block of Camino Real in Coachella.

Silva alleged Rodriguez went to the neighborhood alone in a patrol unit, parking out of sight and placing Maria Gomez’s house under surveillance.   

“He refused to follow the laws and procedures put in place,” the prosecutor said. “He ignored all of his training. He consciously disregarded all those procedures and directives.”

At 9:40 p.m., Morin and his mother arrived at the residence, and the suspect got out of the car to direct Gomez as she backed the vehicle into a tight parking space. Silva said Rodriguez stealthily approached Morin, but the suspect was alerted and tried to bolt, at which point the deputy swept the man’s legs to stop him, causing both of them to fall down, Rodriguez landing on his back.

Gomez was heard shouting, “Don’t do it!” according to the defense.   

Rodriguez’s attorney, Mark Frederick, told jurors his client inferred the statement signaled Morin was about to attack him, and he opened fire in fear of his life.   

Morin, who was not armed, was fatally wounded in the left side of his chest and died at the scene. Rodriguez suffered a bruise on his back, but otherwise wasn’t hurt.

Frederick characterized his client as “shaken and … scared” by the encounter, which was not captured on video because not all deputies had been issued body-worn cameras at the time.   

The attorney said Morin, whom he referred to as a “career criminal,” was angry about the relationship between his ex-girlfriend and Rodriguez. Frederick said several months before the deadly shooting, Perez received a message from Morin, stating, “Cop lover … tell him to bring his A-game, because no matter what he does, he’s going to lose.”   

The investigation that ensued following Morin’s death stretched several years, culminating in a grand jury indictment in 2017.   

Morin’s family sued the sheriff’s department and county for wrongful death, netting a $7 million payout.

Perez was indicted along with Rodriguez, charged as being an accessory to a felony. However, the charge against her was dismissed in April.

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Jesus Reyes

Update – 3:00 p.m.

Power has been restored, hospital officials said.

Original Report – 10:50 a.m.

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A power outage occurred at the Eisenhower Health, but the main campus was not affected.

Officials said the outage only affected the Eisenhower Desert Cardiology Center (EDCC) and Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center (EDOC). Patients are being contacted directly about rescheduling their appointments.

All other services on the main campus are up and running, including the hospital.

Patients with any questions about their appointments at EDCC or EDOC in Rancho Mirage can call 760-797-8352 for assistance.

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Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – California legislature is attempting to make school lunches healthy. On Tuesday, the California State Assembly voted to pass AB 1264, which lays out a plan to remove ultraprocessed food from state’s school meals.

The bill looks to remove food that are considered “particularly harmful.” This comes after numerous studies have linked serving ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) to a risk of developing or dying from adverse health incomes. These include cancer, heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and numerous mental health conditions.

The California legislation hopes to offer a solution to these health risks, with the first step requiring officials to define which ultraprocessed foods are most detrimental to human health. This step has to be completed by July 1, 2026.

The food definition stage will require experts from the University of California and the state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to establish a subcategory of “particularly harmful” ultraprocessed foods. However, since research on UPFs is expanding, the bill requires the definition to be updated every two years.

Officials say AB1264 would be the first legislation removing ultraprocessed foods from school lunches in the nation once passed by the California Senate and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Assemblymembers say they hope to have the bill ready for Newsom’s signature by August or September, and if passed it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from Desert Sands Unified School District on how this could change their current school program, and its importance for student’s health.

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Jesus Reyes

ICE Statement (6/9/25):

“To ensure the safety of our personnel, ICE does not confirm or discuss the existence or status of operations. The agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate. As part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality.” — ICE Spokesperson

Update 6/7/25

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City and Cathedral City Police issued a statement Saturday morning involving Friday’s immigration enforcement.

“Yesterday, we received reports of federal immigration enforcement activities in our community. The City of Cathedral City and Cathedral City Police Department want to emphasize that we do not participate in any civil immigration enforcement activities. Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies, not local government or police.

The Cathedral City Police Department does not enforce civil immigration laws, nor do we ask about an individual’s immigration status when responding to calls for service. Our focus and priority remain on enforcing state and local laws to ensure the safety and well-being of our diverse community.

In compliance with California state law, the City of Cathedral City and CCPD do not coordinate with, assist in, or receive advance notice of federal immigration operations. We are committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community that follows all applicable state sanctuary laws.

We deeply value diversity, inclusion and public trust within our community, and we want our residents to know that when they call for help, the Cathedral City Police Department will respond, investigate, and protect everyone—regardless of a person’s legal status.

We understand that yesterday’s events may have been frightening and stressful for many in our community. Our strength has always come from how we support one another during difficult times. We encourage residents to know their rights, look out for their neighbors, and remember that Cathedral City remains committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all who call it home.”

-Ryan Hunt, Cathedral City Communications and Events Manager.

6/6/25:

News Channel 3 crews arrived to the scene at around 9 am, speaking with several witnesses, some who directly interacted with ICE agents. They told us ICE was asking about their nationality and was asking to see their paperwork.

“They asked us, they told us what nationality we were and if we were Americans. Some of us told them that we didn’t have to show them anything, I showed them my documents. They told me that my documents were false and I told them to check my documents. I said my documents are real. They asked me when I got them, I told him in ’87,” one resident told News Channel 3.

Local pro-immigration groups held a news conference Friday afternoon responding to CBP/ICE activity

We have reached out to CBP and ICE for information.

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, whose district represents Cathedral City, issued a statement Friday afternoon, writing he has requested information from ICE:

“I formally requested more information from ICE regarding the raid by masked agents in unmarked vehicles in Cathedral City. I’m actively monitoring the situation and following reports,”

– Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25).

News Channel 3’s Allie Anthony spoke to Luz Gallegos, a representative from the TODEC Legal Center, an organization that provides legal advice to undocumented people. She said they have been getting calls since 7:45 a.m., with people saying they saw unmarked and Border Patrol cars.

Gallegos said their advice to people in a situation where ICE approaches them and they don’t have documentation to show— they should use their 4th and 5th Amendment rights.

“You have the right to remain silent so do not sign anything, even if you’re asked to sign, you have the right to not sign anything. You have the right to see a judge because everything that we say can be used against us. These are very important strategies and a part of our constitutional rights,” Gallegos said.

TODEC has been actively looking to educate the community about what to do in situations like this.

They also have a service line called “Reporta y Confirma” it’s a hotline for people to call in and report Border Patrol or ICE activity at 951-388-2008.

News Channel 3 will have the latest details live starting at 4 pm.

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