Category: kesq-local-news

Tori King

The City of Palm Springs Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to celebrate Kids to Parks Day with a FREE, fun-filled morning at Sunrise Park.

The nationwide event is dedicated to connecting children with nature and encouraging outdoor exploration. It’s taking place on Saturday, May 17, at 9:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m. at Sunrise Park, on E. Ramon Rd & S. Sunrise Way.

Kids can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities designed to inspire imagination and physical activity, including: Bike Riding & Skating (bring your own bikes and skates to join in the fun) Family Line Dancing, Arts & Crafts, Sports, Games & Water Activities, Pancake making & decorating, and a Toddler Zone with sensory play.

After the park fun, cool off with a Free Swim Day at the Palm Springs Swim Center! From 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., families are invited to splash, swim, and relax under the sun. It’s the perfect way to beat the heat and keep the celebration going! Lifeguards will be on duty, and all ages are welcome. The event is hosted to celebrate nature, community, and childhood fun. Kids to Parks Day is more than just a day at the park, it’s a chance for families to make memories, discover new passions, and embrace the joys of outdoor play. About Kids to Parks Day: Kids to Parks Day is an annual, nationwide celebration that encourages children to explore and experience the outdoors. By participating in this event, kids can learn more about the parks around them and discover the wide range of activities and adventures that nature has to offer.

For more information, email: Recinfo@palmspringsca.gov or call: (760) 323-8272 

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Jesus Reyes

Update 5/19/25

The woman has been found safe, according to an update from her family on GoFundMe.

“She was found on Friday, May 16 around 10:30 PM. We don’t have much details yet. This is still an active investigation. But she is currently receiving medical care and is safe. Thank you for all the donations the prayers and sharing our story to find Katie,” reads a message on the page.

Original Report 5/16/25

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The search continues for a missing woman last seen in Cathedral City on May 10.

The family of Katelynn “Katie” Enstad have been searching for her since Saturday. Cathedral City police confirmed they have filed a missing persons report.

“My Daughter Katelynn Enstad has gone missing, and we are deeply concerned for her safety,” reads a GoFundMe page set up by her family.

She is described as five feet, 8 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds with multiple tattoos on her chest and arms.

“We are urging anyone who may have seen her or has any information to come forward. Her disappearance is completely out of character, and we are doing everything we can to find her,” family writes in the GoFundMe page.

If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Cathedral City Police Department at (760)-770-0300.

Family are raising funds to cover the costs of search supplies, flyers, and a private investigator. Click here if you would like to make a donation.

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Allie Anthony

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The third annual Down Syndrome International Film Festival is underway now through May 18th at the Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City

Founded by Steven Roche and Paul Belsito, the festival was inspired by their nephew Ryan and his unforgettable encounter with actress Jamie Brewer, who also has Down syndrome. That moment sparked the idea for a space that celebrates the talent and stories of actors and filmmakers with Down syndrome.

This year’s festival features a vibrant lineup of feature films, short films, music videos, and award-winning public service announcements.

Actor Zack Gottsagen, best known for The Peanut Butter Falcon and for making history as the first person with Down syndrome to present at the Oscars, will deliver the keynote address. Gottsagen also stars in the festival’s opening night film, God Save the Queens.

He’ll be joined by Jamie Brewer (American Horror Story) and John Tucker (Born This Way) for a special signing of Down Syndrome Out Loud, a new anthology highlighting voices from the Down syndrome community.

The festival continues through Saturday, offering inspiring stories and a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion in the arts.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The City of Coachella is reviewing how it offers youth soccer programs.

Right now, two nonprofit organizations run separate soccer leagues in the city, including the Coachella Valley Soccer League. But the city wants to establish just one organization to manage all soccer programs through a new one-year contract, with an option to renew for another year.

The city’s soccer facilities are the home field to 1,500 – 2,000 youth players, highlighting the high demand for soccer in the area.

Community members say this will create fewer options and take away opportunities from local youth.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Coachella man has been arrested for making a series of threats, including a hoax bomb call, at local stores this month.

Carlos Alberto Contreras, 43, was arrested on Wednesday. The District Attorney’s office filed charges of Falsely Reporting of Bomb, Falsely Reporting an Emergency, Petty Theft with Prior Convictions, and Parole Violation.

Contreras allegedly called in a bomb threat at a large retail store on Highway 111 in La Quinta on the morning of Monday, May 5. The store was evacuated, and deputies searched the building for explosive devices before it was rendered safe.

Authorities Contreras allegedly reported an active shooter at a large retail store in Indio on Monday, May 12. The store was evacuated until police officers determined that there was no active shooter incident.

Both incidents were reported to police anonymously, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

La Quinta Special Enforcement deputies assumed the investigation and, through investigative leads, determined the same subject had called 911 to have both stores evacuated while he committed thefts of high-value merchandise.

Contreras was later identified as the suspect. He remains in custody on a no bail hold at the Robert Presley Detention Center. Jail records indicate he is scheduled to be in court on Friday.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Riverside Sheriff’s Office, Thermal Station, at (760) 863-8990. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP(7867).

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people were rescued from an Indio hiking trail after suffering an injury and showing signs of dehydration and fatigue Friday afternoon.

The incident was first reported at around 12:05 p.m. on the Badlands trail, near Golf Center Parkway.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez said a companion of the injured hiker told deputies the person was feeling dehydrated, fatigued and unsure about being able to continue on the trail.

Both hikers were hoisted by helicopter and dropped off at a location where paramedics were waiting to assist them, Brito-Gonzalez said.   

The nature of the hiker’s injury was not immediately disclosed.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Kendall Flynn

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – In a Thursday Indian Wells City Council meeting, members declined to approve pickleball courts in the Indian Wells Country Club community, upsetting residents.

Many communities throughout the Valley have approved the addition of pickleball courts. Residents said numerous people gave supporting statements to the council, but they said dissenting opinions swayed the council to vote ‘no.’

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from city officials and residents about the pickleball courts at Indian Wells Country Club.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) At first glance, Will Rooker might look like just another friendly face behind the counter at Revivals. But to many in Palm Springs, he’s something more: a neighborhood hero quietly powering hope through fashion, compassion, and community.

Rooker, is a volunteer at Revivals Palm Springs, and is being recognized for his dedication not just to resale, but to the mission that fuels it.

Revivals Thrift Stores located in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, and Indio donate 100% of profits to DAP Health, supporting more than 100,000 individuals with culturally competent, full-spectrum health care. That includes medical, mental, and behavioral health services.

Rooker says it’s the people — customers and coworkers alike — that make the job feel like something bigger.

The impact is real. Revivals generates more than $1 million a year in donations through resale, making every gently-loved item on the rack a part of someone’s healing story.

Coming up tonight on News Channel 3, we go inside the Palm Springs location to hear more from Will and the people whose lives have been touched by the mission behind the merchandise.

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Garrett Hottle

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury is set in the high-profile public corruption case against developer John Wessman, who’s accused of bribing former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet in exchange for favorable treatment on city projects.

Opening statements are set to start Monday at 9 a.m. at the Banning Justice Center.

Wessman, 86, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has declined public comment.

The trial comes just days after Pougnet, 62, pleaded guilty to nine counts of bribery by a public official, eight counts of illicit financial interest in public contracts and one count of conspiracy, as well as no contest to three perjury counts.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2. With his plea, Pougnet is no longer on trial but could be called to testify against Wessman as the case proceeds.

Pougnet was charged along with Wessman in 2017, when the pair was indicted by a Riverside County grand jury in 2019, along with Coachella Valley real estate developer Richard Hugh Meaney, 59.

Wessman was one of the most influential developers in Palm Springs, credited with shaping the city’s modern downtown through projects like the Kimpton Rowan Hotel, Wessman Development headquarters, and the Palm Springs Downtown Revitalization Project.

Wessman and developer Richard Meaney were accused of paying Pougnet at least $375,000 to buy votes and influence projects in Palm Springs between 2012 and 2014. Projects include the Kimpton hotel and the surrounding downtown re-development project.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle will be in Banning next Monday covering the start Wessman’s trial. Stay tuned to News Channel 3 on the air and online for any updates throughout the day,

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Jesus Reyes

Update 5/15/25

Gene Autry is back open.

Original Report 5/12/25

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Gene Autry has once again closed at the Whitewater Wash in Palm Springs.

The roadway typically closes during windy days due to low visibility and sand buildup.

There’s no word on whether Indian Canyon or Vista Chino will also close.

According to the News Channel 3 First Alert Weather Team, the Coachella Valley is currently under a Windblown Dust Advisory due to gusty winds. Wind speeds are expected to max out Tuesday afternoon and evening then start to ease into Wednesday afternoon.

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