Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

Update:

Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, the Palm Springs Police Department responded to a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist along on East Palm Canyon Drive, near Cherokee Way.

An investigation indicates a vehicle traveling eastbound on East Palm Canyon collided with a bicyclist.

The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The driver of the car remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. At this time, impairment has not been identified as a factor in the collision.

The deadly wreck remains under investigation. Investigators are now reviewing available evidence and seeking video footage from the surrounding area.

PSPD wants to remind motorists and bicyclists that roadway safety is a shared responsibility.

Drivers should remain alert for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially during nighttime and low-visibility conditions, while bicyclists should utilize appropriate lighting and follow applicable traffic laws.

Original Report:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – E Palm Canyon Drive near Cherokee Way in Palm Springs was closed Monday night due to an investigation.

The roadway has been closed since at least 9 p.m. Police put up barricades shortly before 11 p.m., News Channel 3 crew confirmed at the scene.

There was no information available on the cause of the closure. News Channel 3 has reached out to the Palm Springs Police Department for details.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 42-year-old Cherry Valley man is dead, and two others were injured, after a vehicle being pursued by police crashed head-on with another vehicle in the opposite lane along the off-ramp of Interstate 10 in Indio Monday night.

The crash was reported at around 7:35 p.m. near the off-ramp heading into Monroe Street.

The California Highway Patrol confirmed that a vehicle that was being pursued traveled the wrong way on the Monroe Street off-ramp and crashed into another vehicle. The suspect vehicle caught on fire and the solo occupant remained inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said two occupants in the other vehicle sustained moderate to major injuries and were taken to the hospital. The driver was a 62-year-old woman, and a 58-year-old woman, both from Indio.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told News Channel 3 that the pursuit started at approximately 7:33 p.m. when deputies spotted a wanted vehicle in the area of Park Street and Miles Avenue. Deputies attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle, but it failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

Deputies lost sight of the vehicle on Monroe Street, but continued checking the area. They later found it involved in the crash.

A SIG Alert has been issued for a long-term closure of the eastbound I-10 Monroe off-ramp. All lanes on the I-10 are open, but traffic was moving slow in the area.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Pride Monument at Frances Stevens Park in downtown Palm Springs has been vandalized.

Officials said the vandalism happened on September 15. The monument has smeared handprints and the words, “Hate,” Hatred,” and “Hater” written in portions of the monument.

Photos Courtesy of Gary Armstrong

City Public Works personnel determined the markings caused no permanent damage and were able to clean and restore the monument, the Palm Springs Police Department told News Channel 3 on Monday.

Police said there are no identified suspects or persons of interest.

“PSPD recognizes the significance of the monument to our community and remains committed to addressing concerns involving public spaces and community landmarks,” PSPD wrote in an email to News Channel 3.

The vandalism comes just about a month before Greater Palm Springs Pride kicks off. 2026 Pride runs from November 6–8 in downtown Palm Springs.

The eight-foot-tall Pride Monument, located near the corner of Alejo Road and Indian Canyon Drive, was officially unveiled less than a year ago. The stainless steel sculpture, created by Isermann, features three symbols of solidarity, including lamba, triangle and the rainbow.

The monument measures 14 feet at its widest point, and includes 720 stainless steel modules painted in different colors that form a single structure.

It will also feature a triangular design inspired by the pink triangle used during the Holocaust that was reclaimed as a symbol of gay liberation in the early 1970s.

Its color scheme is inspired by Gilbert Baker’s 1978 rainbow flag design.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Beginning Tuesday and continuing to the day of the general election, Riverside County residents interested in seeing how the Office of the Registrar of Voters processes vote-by-mail ballots and coordinates other tasks are welcome to have a look.

“Election Observer Tours” start Tuesday and thereafter will be held every Tuesday and Thursday until Nov. 3, according to officials.

“We invite community members to engage with the democratic process and learn how their votes are counted,” Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco said. “Together, let’s ensure a fair, accurate and transparent election for all.”

Check Out: Riverside County tests voting system Thursday ahead of Nov. 3 election

The tours, which will facilitate a maximum of 20 people at a time, will be held at the agency’s headquarters at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside, generally from 11 a.m. to noon, or 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Office of the Registrar of Voters has been a lightning rod of debate for the past two decades, struggling to counter accusations of negligent chain-of-custody policies, inaccurate voter rolls and unsecured electronic ballot tabulations.

The office has also contended with recurring red ink on its budget, and from time to time has been called out for laggard vote counts, running sometimes weeks after election day.

In February, an election integrity group found apparent discrepancies in the countywide results certified after the special election last November, leading Sheriff Chad Bianco to obtain warrants for the seizure of tens of thousands of ballots for examination. That led to a court battle between the sheriff and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who argued Bianco had overstepped his authority.

The state Supreme Court sided with Bonta in a decision published last month.

Tinoco is the fourth registrar at the helm since 2006. He has made transparency one of his priorities during election cycles, starting in 2024.

For more information on observer tours, residents were asked to make reservations by calling 951-486-7200.

Information regarding where to vote early and other considerations can be found at https://voteinfo.net.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) — In our I-Team story, Data Centers: Outside City Limits, News Channel 3’s Investigative reporter Tommy Gallegos looks at the growing push to slow or stop data center development in Riverside County. A petition is gaining momentum, with residents calling on county leaders to establish an immediate moratorium on new projects in unincorporated areas.

At Tuesday’s Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting, local advocate Elizabeth Humphreys formally submitted a petition with more than 9,000 signatures calling for the county to temporarily halt approvals for new data centers while officials develop standards governing where and how the facilities could be built.

“Without appropriate standards, residents of unincorporated Riverside County and people living in neighboring cities could face massive data center developments before the county has fully determined what rules should govern them,” Humphreys told the board.

Humphreys, who has been involved in opposition to data center development in the Coachella Valley, said her concerns grew after she began researching so-called hyperscale data centers and their potential environmental impacts.

“I started to look into really what hyperscale data centers are and the more I looked into it, the more horrified I was,” Humphreys said. “I had no idea the environmental impacts.”

Her campaign now extends beyond incorporated cities such as Coachella to unincorporated communities across the eastern Coachella Valley, including Bermuda Dunes, Thousand Palms, Mecca, Thermal and North Shore.

For opponents, the issue is not necessarily about the technology itself, but where massive facilities should be located and what safeguards should be in place before development moves forward.

Humphreys said she is particularly concerned about the possibility of large-scale projects being proposed in eastern Coachella Valley communities.

“There’s no place for a 6 million square foot building of any kind here,” she said, “let alone one that then causes heat and pollutes our environment.”

Coachella’s ban sparks wider debate

The concerns come after the City of Coachella enacted a ban on new data center development, following a period of growing community opposition.

Coachella Mayor Frank Figueroa said residents in the city’s neighboring unincorporated communities face similar concerns but have fewer direct avenues to influence development decisions.

“I’ve been getting a lot of comments,” Figueroa said, including questions about how residents could work toward a ban in unincorporated areas of the eastern Coachella Valley.

Figueroa pointed out that while Coachella residents have a city council representing them, people living in unincorporated areas do not have the same municipal structure.

“We might be the city that did it,” Figueroa said, “but there’s those people that don’t have a city council.”

Figueroa urged residents in those communities to organize and make their concerns known to county officials.

County confirms preliminary data center discussions

Questions about potential data center development in unincorporated Riverside County prompted inquiries to the county’s Transportation and Land Management Agency, which would be involved in land-use discussions surrounding potential projects.

The agency declined an interview request but confirmed to News Channel 3 that there has been recent interest and preliminary discussion with developers regarding a potential data center application.

The county said, however, that there are currently no commitments or formal proposals for a data center project in the unincorporated areas.

That distinction is important as county officials consider how, or whether, to establish regulations before a formal application is submitted.

Supervisor Perez says he has stopped data center meetings

Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, who represents much of the eastern Coachella Valley, said he has changed his position on data centers after facing criticism over his previous support for development in the City of Coachella.

Perez said he now regrets supporting the development.

“As far as my stance is concerned, I learned the hard way,” Perez said. “At that time I didn’t know all the repercussions.”

Perez acknowledged that he had not fully researched the potential consequences of data center development before supporting the policy.

“I also didn’t do all my homework, and I accept that,” he said.

Perez now says his district will not engage with data center developers.

“As far as I’m concerned here in the Fourth District, I’m not taking any meetings whatsoever when it comes to data centers,” Perez said.

He described the position as an internal administrative decision within his office, adding that his district is “not dealing with data centers whatsoever.”

Perez also referred to his position as a moratorium, but his action is limited to his own office and does not constitute a countywide ban.

Countywide action would require the Board of Supervisors

The larger question remains whether Riverside County will establish formal rules governing data centers in unincorporated areas.

Humphreys argues that the county needs regulations in place before a major project is proposed.

“Right now there is nothing in place to protect this area from those developments,” Humphreys said.

She said the absence of clear standards could put county officials in a difficult position if a developer submits a proposal that meets existing requirements.

According to Humphreys, rejecting such a proposal without established guidelines could potentially expose the county to litigation.

For now, the county says discussions with potential developers remain preliminary and that no formal application or commitment has been made.

But the debate is increasingly focused on what happens before an application arrives — and whether county leaders should establish standards first.

A countywide moratorium or ban on new data centers in unincorporated Riverside County would require formal action by the full Board of Supervisors.

Until then, residents and advocates on both sides of the debate will be watching closely as Riverside County weighs the potential economic benefits of a growing industry against concerns about land use, infrastructure and environmental impacts.

For Humphreys and other opponents, the question is ultimately about who gets to decide what the future of the Coachella Valley looks like — and whether residents have a say before large-scale development arrives.

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Jesus Reyes

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – A 32-year-old Beaumont man was killed in a crash on Saturday in Whitewater, the California Highway Patrol announced.

The solo-vehicle crash was reported just before 1:30 p.m. on Tamarack Road, west of Rushmore Avenue.

Police said the preliminary investigation suggests the man was driving at a high rate of speed, westbound on Tamarack Road. When he approached the Rushmore Avenue intersection, the driver failed to stop and proceeded straight through the intersection, where the vehicle overturned several times into the open desert.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

His identity has not been released by the coroner’s office.

The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to call Officer J. Vasquez, at (951) 846-5300.

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City News Service

MOUNTAIN CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – An autopsy was pending today on a 74-year-old motorist fatally injured after he crashed into an embankment along Highway 74 near Mountain Center.

The fatality occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday on the eastbound side of the highway, near the junction for Highway 243, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Ricardo Palomera said the victim, identified only as a Hemet man, was the sole occupant of the 2001 Honda Accord, traveling at an unconfirmed speed when he apparently lost control.

The sedan plowed into rising terrain.

“The driver was not seat-belted at the time,” Palomera said.

Reports from the scene indicated that the man may have been nude in the car.

No other vehicles were involved.

The victim was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he died a short time later.

“It is currently unknown if alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash,” Palomera said.

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to contact the CHP Beaumont office at 951-846-5300.

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Garrett Hottle

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) A cellphone video shows two men neighbors say are federal immigration agents pulling a kneeling young man to the ground and handcuffing him in the front yard of a Thermal mobile home park Friday morning. Neighbors say he is 14.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in an email to News Channel 3 it has no record of its personnel at the park on Oct. 2 and that no one in the video appears to be wearing a sheriff’s uniform. “Without better identification, I’m unable to advise on it any further,” the email said.

News Channel 3 sent the video to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and asked whether its agents were involved, but has not received a response.

The 32-second video was recorded through a sliding glass door from inside a home. It begins with the young man already on his knees on a patch of grass next to a dirt road. A man in an olive-green uniform and brimmed hat grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him over into the dirt, then rolls him onto his stomach and puts his weight on his back. A second man in black runs in. The two hold him face down for about 20 seconds while they cuff his hands behind him, then lift him to his knees.

The video shows no punches, kicks or drawn weapons. It does not show what happened before the young man was on his knees.

Neighbors told News Channel 3 agents had set up a checkpoint nearby and the teen sped toward the park trying to get home. They said his car was rammed and its windows broken before the video starts, and that he has since been released. News Channel 3 could not confirm those accounts with authorities.

A woman whose family lives in the home where the arrest happened asked not to be identified.

“We are left deeply traumatized and afraid I tell you, you aren’t even safe in your own home anymore,” she said. “We’ve been here about 20 years, but something like this had never happened before not once.”

Angel Ceja, who works at the property, said he had planned to be there Friday but went to clean his church instead.

“I feel blessed, thank God, because I didn’t have to work here that day only God knows the reasons why,” Ceja explained. “We were actually planning to come work here that day, but we decided not to because we were going to clean the church I attend. Later, the lady of the house called to explain the situation; I watched the video and realized that, truly, this was the place where it had happened right here where I’m working now.”

ICE’s use-of-force directive, which News Channel 3 reviewed, says officers may use force only when “no reasonably effective, safe, and feasible alternative appears to exist,” and only as much as is “objectively reasonable.” It lists takedowns among “hard techniques,” one level below deadly force, and says every use of force must be reported and reviewed.

The same directive says whether a person is “attempting to evade arrest by flight” and the person’s apparent age are both factors in judging whether force was reasonable.

This story will be updated with additional info as it becomes available.

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Raymond Kalra

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Republican candidates running for several of California’s top statewide offices gathered in Rancho Mirage on Monday, using a candidate forum to make their case to Coachella Valley voters ahead of the November election.

The event brought together candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor, state controller and other statewide offices.

While the forum included sharp criticism of Democratic leadership in Sacramento, much of the discussion centered on what the candidates say they would do differently if elected — including proposals involving affordability, housing, education, state spending and local control.

News Channel 3 spoke one-on-one with several of the candidates to ask what their proposals would mean specifically for people living in the Coachella Valley.

Hilton focuses on affordability, housing and energy costs

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton said affordability remains a central part of his campaign.

Hilton told News Channel 3 that he wants to reduce government fees and regulations tied to new housing construction. He said his plan would cap what he described as roughly $200,000 in government-related costs on a new home at $50,000.

“That immediately takes $150,000 off the cost of a new home,” Hilton said.

Hilton also said he is campaigning on a goal of bringing California gas prices down to $3 per gallon and eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of an individual’s income.

Those are campaign proposals and have not been independently verified by News Channel 3 as guaranteed cost reductions.

Hilton also addressed utility costs, an issue that can be especially significant for Coachella Valley residents during the desert’s hottest months.

He argued that California should make greater use of geothermal energy, hydropower and natural gas generation in addition to solar and wind power. Hilton specifically pointed to geothermal resources in Imperial County as one area he believes could be expanded.

When asked what his governorship would mean specifically for the Coachella Valley, Hilton said he favors giving cities and counties more control over decisions that affect their communities.

“I actually believe in local control,” Hilton said, adding that he would like to give local governments more authority and incentives on issues such as housing development.

Controller candidate Herb Morgan targets state spending

Republican state controller candidate Herb Morgan focused heavily on state finances and transparency.

Morgan told News Channel 3 that he believes California’s affordability problems are tied in part to how state money is managed.

He said his proposal would make state spending more accessible online and argued that stronger financial controls could reduce fraud and waste.

“With my plan for transparency to put all spending online to reduce or eliminate the fraud, I believe we can save about $80 billion a year,” Morgan said.

The $80 billion figure is Morgan’s estimate and was not independently verified by News Channel 3.

Morgan said he believes any savings could then be used to support tax reductions and lower other costs for Californians.

Asked to localize his campaign for Coachella Valley voters, Morgan pointed to infrastructure and education as two areas where he believes better state financial management could make a difference.

“Here in Coachella Valley, you’re like a lot of places. You want good infrastructure. You want education that works,” Morgan said.

Romero makes education a central issue

Republican lieutenant governor candidate Gloria Romero said education is among the biggest issues she is hearing about from voters.

Romero, a professor emeritus in the California State University system, said she wants the state to place greater emphasis on college readiness and objective measures in university admissions.

“If we don’t prepare students for the workforce or for college, we are going to lose our competitiveness internationally,” Romero said.

Romero also said she wants greater transparency in government and changes to how California approaches education policy.

She told News Channel 3 she believes voters should hold her accountable for “bringing back transparency in government” and for pushing to restore standardized measures such as the SAT in the college admissions process.

Hawkes raises concerns about state bond debt

Republican candidate Jennifer Hawkes focused on California’s bond debt.

Hawkes said she wants voters to pay closer attention to long-term borrowing and argued that the state relies too heavily on bonds.

“We have $71 billion worth of bond debt in the state of California, with another 37 sitting out there that’s already been approved,” Hawkes said, adding that she believes future generations will ultimately bear those costs.

Those figures are Hawkes’ characterization of the state’s debt picture and were not independently verified by News Channel 3 for this story.

Voters at the forum say they want change

People attending the event also spoke with News Channel 3 about what brought them to the forum.

John Gardner, who described himself as a Hilton supporter, said he believes California needs a change in direction.

“It’s time for a change in California,” Gardner said. He said he supports Hilton because he views him as someone coming from outside traditional politics.

Gardner also said he wanted to hear directly from candidates running for lower-profile statewide offices, saying he believes voters should pay attention to whether candidates have relevant professional backgrounds.

“We need qualified people in there,” Gardner said.

A policy-focused message, with partisan differences still clear

The forum was clearly partisan, and several candidates sharply criticized Democratic leaders and policies throughout the event.

But much of the discussion also focused on the candidates’ own proposals and what they say they would change if elected.

During the forum, Hilton described the Republican candidates appearing together as a team and argued that they share a broader vision for changing the direction of the state.

As the election approaches, News Channel 3 will continue speaking with candidates from both parties and examining what their proposals would cost, how they would be implemented and what they could mean for communities across the Coachella Valley.

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Dakota Makinen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Monday is World Teachers’ Day, highlighting educators and the many roles they play both inside and outside the classroom.

In the Coachella Valley, teachers like Evan Boomer at Katherine Finchy Elementary and Kristen Goerzen at Raymond Cree Middle School are helping students learn through hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities and more.

Boomer has been with Palm Springs Unified School District for 11 years. After teaching fifth grade at Bella Vista Elementary for six years, he became Finchy’s STEAM teacher.

Goerzen has taught with PSUSD for 23 years. She teaches eighth grade language arts and serves as Raymond Cree’s ASB advisor. She is also a PSUSD graduate who attended Raymond Cree as a student.

World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to recognize the work educators do beyond lessons and assignments, including preparing students, adapting to different learning styles and supporting students through extracurricular activities and leadership.

World Teachers’ Day is recognized each year on October 5 to highlight the work educators do and the role they play in supporting students and communities. In Palm Springs Unified, teachers say that work extends well beyond the classroom, from preparing lessons to supporting students’ individual needs.

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