Category: kesq-local-news

Tori King

The owner of La Quinta’s first food truck park says the endeavor is a major success, but the project is running on borrowed time.

It’s a story that News Channel Three has been following for almost a year now, a piece of land near Old Town La Quinta that remained an empty gravel lot for years, until local business owner Bryan Newman purchased it with plans to build the city’s first food truck park. There was some initial pushback on those plans, but ultimately the city voted unanimously to approve the temporary use permits in a July meeting last year. Come September, if additional permits aren’t approved, the park may have to stop operations.”We did get a temporary use permit for 18 months for La Quinta Landing,” said Newman. “Which will expire of September 31, of 2025. We got the food trucks in. We’ve enhanced the property, and we’ve proven the concept.”Now, the area is a bustling food truck park, where families gather to enjoy lunch in the sun. “We’re looking at, you know, in the last five months max, they’ve already facilitated over 5,000 customers,” explained Newman. Jordan Gastelum, the owner and operator of Birrieria Sinaloa says his truck has become a popular fixture in the village.

“It’s been really, really good,” said Gastelum. “We have a lot of clients, a lot of support. We’re really proud of it. Our customers are really happy.”Newman has owned Pedego Electric Bikes in La Quinta for ten years. Newman, along with the food truck operators all say the project has been a major success, without competing with the businesses that currently operate downtown.”The city has has an ordinance against food trucks, which they were willing to do a temporary use permit for me to be able to prove that this concept is successful,” said Newman. “And so we’re at that point now where I think we’ve exceeded what they wanted. This has been amazing. It’s way bigger than I ever thought it would be. I’m optimistic that the customer base, we’re not stealing from anybody. We’re not drawing from anybody. We’re actually coexisting, which is what my initial goal was. We have different customers here than the restaurants do, but the customers will wander into town and spend money in the Village after visiting the food trucks, which is what we want.”Abel Avalos, the owner of Aldo’s Mexican Food truck agrees. “A lot of families eat from here too,” said Avalos. “And we’re getting known out here with the whole community, and we’re really appreciative about that.” But as the end of the temporary use permit draws near, Newman is hoping to make the food truck park a permanent fixture.

“I’m at a point now where I’m willing to spend a lot more money and invest a lot more time and really do the project to the level of which it deserves, and we’re just in the process of getting all that stuff done now,” said Newman.”We’re trying to get the community to be on our side, to help us, to give support, because people really like us here,” said Gastelum. “So we don’t want this to end in September.However, Newman is at a standstill, waiting to know the fate of the food truck park which remains in the hands of the city. “We all know that temporary means temporary, not permanent,” said Newman. “So we didn’t over extend our budget to getting too crazy by spending money on something that could very well not last.

Pending approval, Newman says he has huge pans for the property in the future including live music, movie nights– and later night bites.”We know there’s a demand for live music. We know there’s a demand for the village to maybe have a place that stays open a tad bit later, said Newman. “So we look forward to the future of not only having just food trucks, but having an actual area for the community to meet, some additional businesses, more food trucks, and just kind of a community hub where people can meet and bring families and dogs and strollers and babies and ride bikes. News Channel Three will continue to follow this story, and plans to speak with the city, as well as local business owners in the area.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Summer Pass returns on May 1. Summer Passes are valid May 1 through August 31, 2025.

The Summer Pass includes unlimited Tram admissions for the passholder, a 10% discount on additional Tram admissions (limit 4), a 10% discount at Peaks Restaurant and Pines Café, and free parking.

Summer Passes are $85 for adults and seniors, and $45 for children ages 3-10. Beginning May 1, guests may purchase their Summer Pass online at https://pstramway.com/tickets/ or in-person at the Tramway’s Valley Station.

Temperatures at the top of the Tramway are typically 30-40 degrees cooler than on the valley floor. Passholders can enjoy over 50 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and campgrounds in the 14,000-acre pristine wilderness of the Mount San Jacinto State Park.

For more information, please visit www.pstramway.com.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Wearing jeans with a purpose. Denim Day is recognized on the last Wednesday of April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

College of the Desert’s Office of Student life is partnering with Partners Against Violence to bring awareness to Denim Day and sexual violence prevention.

During the awareness day, people wear denim in solidarity with sexual violence victims. It was started in 1999 in Italy after the Italian Supreme Court ruling overturned a rape conviction claiming the victim had to have helped the rapist remove her jeans, implying she consented.

In response to the ruling, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in solidarity with the victim. After this, the act was picked up by international media and inspired Peace Over Violence to create Denim Day.

Since then, Denim Day has become the longest-running sexual violence prevention campaign worldwide. The denim has become a symbol of protest against sexual assault misconceptions as a visual demonstration of support for survivors.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from COD, Partners Against Violence and students on the importance of Denim Day.

Resources available for sexual assault/violence victims

College of the Desert

COD Public Safety – 760-341-2111

Student Health and Wellness – 760-776-7211 or Studenthealth@collegeofthedesert.edu

Cravens Student Services Center, Room 133

Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Partners Against Violence

https://www.partnersagainstviolence.org/

Coachella Valley: 78370 Hwy 111, Suite 130 La Quinta, CA 92253

(760) 568-9071

24/7 Crisis Hotline: (909) 885-8884

info@partnersav.org

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Julia Castro

Update – 5/1/25

Stephen Spurlock worked as a guest teacher/certificated specialist in the Desert Sands Unified School District, officials confirmed to News Channel 3. This is before his tenure at Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage.

Spurlock served continuously as a guest teacher/certificated specialist at DSUSD from August 2013 to June 2022, records show.

Spurlock was charged Thursday with 21 felony counts of sexual abuse, including 19 counts of rape. He is scheduled to be arraigned in court Friday in Rancho Cucamonga.

Original Report – 4/30/25

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – A teacher and coach from the Coachella Valley is under arrest, facing multiple felony charges for allegedly molesting a teenager for over two years.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Stephen Spurlock, 43, was taken into custody after a 911 call reporting ongoing abuse. Investigators say the victim was just 14 when the alleged molestation began.

Spurlock, who teaches and coaches at Palm Valley School, a private school in Rancho Mirage. School officials told News Channel 3 the incident did not involve a Palm Valley student, nor did it occur on school property.

Spurlock was arrested after detectives served a search warrant at his Yucca Valley home. Deputies say they recovered evidence linked to the case during the search. He faces several serious charges, including sodomy, lewd acts with a child, and continuous sexual abuse.

He is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

The sheriff’s department believes there may be additional victims in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station at 760-366-4175.

Statement from Palm Valley School:

Yesterday afternoon, the Interim Head of School PVS was notified by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office (Morongo Basin Station) that Stephen Spurlock, a Palm Valley School third grade teacher, was arrested in San Bernardino County and charged with sex against a child.

The Sheriff’s office confirmed the incident did not involve a Palm Valley Student, nor did it occur on Palm Valley School property.

Stephen Spurlock was immediately placed on indefinite leave. In adherence to our commitment to child protection and accreditation standards, Palm Valley School maintains a stringent policy mandating background checks for all individuals working in proximity to students. We emphasize our steadfast dedication to the safety of children, and this commitment remains unwavering.

We extend our gratitude to law enforcement authorities for their diligence in this matter. The well-being and safety of our students are paramount. We are focused on supporting our students, families, faculty, and staff at this time. We will continue to take all necessary measures to support our community and cooperate with law enforcement.

Stay with New Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 4/30/25

Jeff Sperbeck has died, according to the coroner’s office.

Sperbeck was pronounced dead Tuesday just after 1 a.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Elway was reportedly driving the golf cart at the time of the accident, witnesses told News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur.

Elway released a statement after Sperbeck’s death Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told News Channel 3 that they launched an investigation into the accident on Monday.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Sperbeck and will take appropriate action based on the outcome,” reads an RSO press release.

Original Report 4/29/25

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Jeff Sperbeck, longtime agent for NFL legend John Elway, is reportedly on life support after a golf cart accident involving the Hall of Fame quarterback at the Madison Club in La Quinta.

News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur spoke exclusively with a witness to the aftermath of the incident.

EXCLUSIVE: Eyewitness details events of golf cart accident over the weekend in La Quinta involving NFL legend John Elway and longtime agent/business partner Jeff Sperbeck who is in critical care at this time. @KESQ pic.twitter.com/iU17lX18Md

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 30, 2025

CAL FIRE confirmed its crews responded to a golf cart collision on Saturday at the 53200 block of Humboldt Boulevard.

“It was a reported fall from a golf cart and the patient was transported to a local area trauma center in unknown condition,” a CAL FIRE spokesperson told News Channel 3.

TMZ reports that Sperbeck was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he is being kept on life support.

“Although Jeff’s not clinically dead, we’re told doctors have informed his family there’s no hope he will recover … and he’s being kept on life support while docs prepare to harvest his organs for donation,” reads the TMZ report.

TMZ also reports, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, that Elway was on the golf cart during the accident. Elway immediately called 911. They are also reporting that Elway may have been the driver, but were unable to fully confirm it.

John Elway

We reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for information on this incident, however, a spokesperson said the agency did not receive any calls for service in that area on Saturday.

The Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 that they were made aware of the accident on Monday and have launched an investigation.

Sperbeck has represented over 100 NFL players throughout his 30-year career as a football agent and business advisor. He became John Elway’s manager in 1990.

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Jesus Reyes

Update – 4/30/25

Police announced that a shooting that left a woman and her five-year-old son in critical condition stemmed from an altercation between two men.

The victims were in a pickup truck driven by Jesus Delarosa, 25, police said. Delarosa stopped at the residence of Ricardo Mercado, 29. During the meeting, Delarosa got into an altercation with an unidentified man. Delarosa then allegedly shot the unidentified man, leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the altercation, Mercado fired multiple rounds at Delarosa’s pickup truck, critically injuring the woman and her child.

Delarosa fled the scene and stopped on Deglet Noor Street to seek help, where officers located them.

Mercado and Delarosa have been arrested and are being held on $1 million bail.

Original Report – 4/29/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman and her five-year-old son are in critical but stable condition after being shot in Indio Tuesday afternoon.

Indio Police detectives quickly located a suspect involved in the shooting, who was arrested without incident at a home in Indio after a search warrant was served. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team (G.I.T.) and East Post-Release Accountability Compliance Team (P.A.C.T.) assisted with locating the suspect.

Police report the shooting happened just before 1:00 p.m. in the area of Deglet Noor and Avenue 44. Due to the injury of the boy, officers made an emergency transport to JFK Hospital in Indio, and the child was flown to Loma Linda Medical Center in Murrieta from there.

The mother was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where she underwent surgery.

Police say this is still an active investigation, although there are no outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the community.

They ask that if anyone has any further information regarding this case, please contact the Indio Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (760) 391-4051 or call anonymous information through Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341- STOP(7867).

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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