Category: kesq-local-news

Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Thanksgiving crowds are here! Travelers are driving and flying into the Coachella Valley, visiting family and friends.

Flyers at Palm Springs International Airport reported smooth travels from spots like Seattle, Tulsa, and Atlanta. Most said they chose to wake up before the crack of dawn – a decision many called worthwhile.

So far, according to the airport’s flight status page, there have been minimal delays to arrivals and departures throughout the day.

Stay with us for the latest on traffic conditions and what travelers are experiencing this Thanksgiving.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is hosting a Career Expo to hire public safety officers next week.

The event will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the resort’s Special Events Center.

Fantasy Springs is looking for motivated and qualified individuals to join its growing team. Hiring managers will conduct on-site interviews and extend job offers to well-suited candidates the same day.

Interested applicants must bring a current resume and are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by contacting the Fantasy Springs Recruitment Center at 760-238-5687.

Fantasy Springs offers an exceptional employment package that includes Competitive Wages and Advancement Opportunities, Tuition Reimbursement, Free Meals for All Team Members, a Robust Health Benefits Package, 401 (k) Retirement Programs, Entertainment and Restaurant Discounts throughout the property, Wellness Programs, Free Family Events, Scholarships available for employees’ High School Graduates, and more.

“Fantasy Springs is more than a place to work, it’s a community where every team member is supported, valued, and empowered to grow,” said Robert Silverang, Director of Human Resources at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. “Whether you’re launching your career or looking for your next big opportunity, we invite you to discover what’s possible with us.”

To view all current job openings and learn more about working at Fantasy Springs, please visit: www.fantasyspringsresort.com/employment/.

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Tauli Anderson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Wednesday and Sunday are expected to be the busiest travel days of the holiday week as millions of Americans make their way to their Thanksgiving destinations.

While Palm Springs International Airport is bracing for heavy passenger traffic, the majority of travelers will be driving — and the California Highway Patrol is urging everyone to stay safe.

The CHP’s Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period begins Wednesday, meaning officers will be out in full force watching for speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt violations, and other dangerous behaviors on the road.

We’ll have more on holiday travel, watch our coverage starting at 4 p.m. on News Channel 3.

 

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Athena Jreij

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Animal Services is preparing for one of it’s biggest adoption events of the year, Black Saturday, giving free adoptions to all families.

All adoptions include age-appropriate vaccines, spay and neuter, microchip and ID tag engraving.

It comes as the county continues to face an overcrowding crisis at 200% overcapacity for dogs.

In 2024, over 80 animals were adopted on Black Saturday and more than 100 were in 2023.

As the county works toward a 90% live-release rate, officials say every life-saving effort counts and that many have shown progress.

“I just looked at some data just in the month of October and department-wide, we were able to get more than 400 animals out just by changing the shelter hours with a positive outcome than we had in previous months,” Kimberly Youngberg, the Assistant Director at RCDAS said.

News Channel 3 found steady improvement from May of 2025 to November, with month-to-date live-release rates increasing from 75% to 80% now.

However, a lot of work is still needed at more rural shelters like San Jacinto Animal Campus and Blythe, where a majority of euthanasias are performed.

Fostering, a key initiative to clearing kennel space, also improved from 1,761 placed pets in May to more 4,078 in November.

Youngberg says while they are still struggling to reach the 90% daily live-release rate, she’s confident the improvement will continue.

“Things are unpredictable with what comes in the door from any minute, day to day, and you know, all we can do is the best to make sure that we are doing everything on our side, to give us every possibility of reaching that 90% goal,” she said.

Black Saturday kicks off at all Riverside County animal shelters from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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Luis Avila

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – With Thanksgiving just hours away, local plumbers are preparing for a surge in service calls. They say the day after the holiday — often dubbed “Brown Friday” — is their busiest of the year.

Jeff May, CEO of Southwest Plumbing, explained that heavy cooking and extra guests put significant pressure on kitchen sinks, garbage disposals, and bathrooms. According to data, service calls typically jump 50 percent above a normal Friday.

“We gear up — specifically, we’re going to have up to seven techs that are going to be working over the Thanksgiving holiday because we can anticipate, it happens every year, there is a high influx of emergency calls.”

Jeff May, Southwest Plumbing CEO

Plumbers recommend keeping grease, oils, and food scraps out of the sink and giving bathrooms a break whenever possible to help avoid emergency calls.

Plumbers stress a little preparation goes a long way.

“It’s always wisdom to prepare ahead of time and now number one, the folks are just coming back into town and number two, gearing up for the holidays.”

Jeff May, Southwest Plumbing CEO

In addition to avoiding grease and oils, plumbers advise against putting fibrous vegetables or starchy foods in the garbage disposal.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Daniella Lake

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is hosting its annual thanksgiving meal service today and Thanksgiving day from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers say they expect to serve up to 5,000 meals each day.

Chef Erin Lombardo has been serving up meals at the mission for over a decade.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else because people are lonely. People need love and this is how they all come together,” she says.

Now, her grandson, CJ, is helping out in the kitchen.

“Knowing that they’re fed and that I’m helping them being fed means a lot to me,” he says.

CJ has been volunteering since he was just nine years old. CJ, along with staff at the mission, say they hope their thanksgiving meals can bring a smile to people’s faces.

“We really want to give them that family feeling, that warmth and that comfort that they would have if they were with their family,” says cssistant chef Andrew Newton.

The rescue mission is located at 47470 Van Buren St, Indio, CA 92201.

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KESQ News Team

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Local Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (AD36) partnered with FIND Food Bank on Tuesday to hold a community food distribution ahead of the holidays.

The drive-through distribution was held at the North Shore Community Park on 70th Avenue near Mecca.

In addition to food distribution, Gonzalez’s staff members were also present to provide state resources and information on how the District office can assist community members.

National Guardsmen were also on hand, aiding staff and volunteers in unloading food and serving residents.

Sergeant First Class Gonzalo Aldape was there helping to offload, sort and distribute food and said of the event, “So to bridge the gap with the community, it’s a great feeling, it’s an honor, and that’s what we’re here to do today. Honestly, wherever the FIND Food Bank needs us, that’s exactly what we’re here to do.”

Assemblyman Gonzalez added, “Our community here and and and across the entire region is in need and because of finding a regional food bank and us and and the National Guard, we can come together, partner together and serve the most vulnerable.” 

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Cynthia White

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Indio invites the community to gather for a night of celebration at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 5th.

The free event will take place from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. in Downtown Indio, at Towne Street and Bliss Avenue.

Families can enjoy food trucks, toy giveaways, a bike raffle, a kids’ zone, and even free photos with Santa.

Mayor Glenn Miller says the ceremony is one of the city’s cherished holiday traditions, as “It brings our community together in the spirit of hope and joy and I encourage everyone to join us as we welcome the holiday season and celebrate what makes Indio such a special place.”

Indio will continue the celebration all weekend long as the Indio International Tamale Festival returns to Miles Avenue Park on December 6th and 7th from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The Tamale Festival will offer lots of delicious tamales, live entertainment, and family activities.

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Jesus Reyes

DESERT CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – Four people were injured following a crash between an SUV and a big rig on Interstate 10 in Desert Center Tuesday afternoon.

The crash was reported at around 5:15 p.m. on the westbound side of I-10 near Corn Springs Road.

Details on what led to the crash were not available.

Two people were airlifted to the hospital. Two other patients were taken by ground ambulance, according to CAL FIRE.

There are no road closures in the area.

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Luis Avila

Update 11/26/25

Jonathan Rios Franco was arraigned Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He is scheduled to return to court on December 8.

Original Report 11/25/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two suspects in a deadly shooting last week in Indio were officially charged with murder.

Zachary Ashton Hamrick, 19, and Jonathan Rios Franco, 19, were arrested in connection with the murder of Armando Mendoza Sr., 33, on Thursday, as well as the attempted murder of another man, identified in court documents as Armando Hurtado Jr., and a minor. Authorities confirmed it was a gang-related shooting.

Two other suspects were also arrested, but have not been charged as of Tuesday.

Hamrick was arraigned Tursday at the Larson Justice Center, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. Franco is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.

According to Indio police, a white SUV stopped in front of a residence around 2:15 p.m. Thursday in the 83000 block of Quail Avenue. Individuals inside the vehicle called over to Mendoza, and another man, and as they approached the vehicle gunshots were fired, police said.  

Mendoza was struck by gunfire, while the other man and three nearby children were able to run for cover, police said. Hurtado was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses gave authorities a description of the suspect vehicle, which they identified as a white Honda CR-V.  

Palm Springs police later found the vehicle, and officers detained a man who was seen leaving and entering the SUV. They found two handguns inside a backpack that the man threw away as officers approached him, officials said.   

The driver of the SUV fled into Desert Hot Springs, and police there initiated a pursuit that ended when the vehicle stalled and two men inside tried to flee, but were quickly apprehended, police said.

Authorities identified the suspects from the SUV as Hamrick and two other suspects. Indio detectives took custody of all three individuals.   

Arrest in Desert Hot Springs (11/20/25)

Franco was allegedly a passenger in the SUV during the shooting and was arrested later in Banning.

Anyone with additional information on the case was asked to call 760-391-4057, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.

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