Category: kesq-local-news

Garrett Hottle

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Desert Hot Springs is the latest Coachella Valley city to slam the brakes on data centers.

The City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center development Tuesday night, temporarily blocking any such project while city staff studies the impact on water, power and the surrounding desert.

The move puts Desert Hot Springs in step with a fast-spreading backlash. In a roughly two-week span this month, Coachella, Indio, the city of Imperial and Imperial County all paused data centers. Coachella went further, voting June 4 to terminate its agreement with the developer behind a proposed technology campus and directing staff to draft a permanent ban.

Under California law, urgency moratoriums like this one start at 45 days and can be extended up to roughly two years while a city writes permanent rules.

The concern driving the wave is resources. Large warehouses of servers that power artificial intelligence and cloud computing can draw more than a million gallons of water a day in hot weather and consume enormous amounts of electricity. In a desert that routinely tops 110 degrees, that has alarmed residents who packed months of meetings in neighboring Coachella.

And the worry here isn’t just local. A Gallup survey this spring found 71% of Americans don’t want a data center built near them 48% strongly opposed, just 27% in favor. It was the first time Gallup had even asked the question.

The pushback is also moving fast. The U.S. Data Center Moratorium Tracker, counted eight efforts to restrict data centers a year ago. Today there’s more than 70.

A separate group, Data Center Watch, also found at least 75 projects worth roughly $130 billion were blocked or delayed across the country in just the first three months of 2026

The Desert Hot Springs vote also comes amid tension. On June 10, the city’s Planning Commission unanimously approved the Snider Logistic Center – a roughly 1 million-square-foot warehouse on about 64 acres projected to employ nearly 1,000 people despite some resident objections about truck traffic, air quality and water use.

Commissioners specified the project will not be a data center.

Below is a statement released from the City of Desert Hot Springs to city residents regarding Tuesday’s vote to approve a 45-dy moratorium on data centers.

Dear Desert Hot Springs Residents,

At last night’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data centers, which went into effect immediately.

The City Council also directed staff to return on July 7 with an extension for two years.

Their action was guided by City’s Strategic Plan— which is the roadmap that directs our priorities, investments, and long-term vision for the future.

We want to thank everyone who attended last night’s meeting. Whether you spoke, asked questions, shared your perspective, or simply took the time to be present, your involvement matters. It takes courage to step up to the podium and make your voice heard, and we appreciate the passion residents continue to show for our city.

Many of you spoke about the positive momentum taking place throughout Desert Hot Springs. We want you to know that this progress is not accidental.

The City’s Strategic Plan is more than a document. It is the City Council’s vision for our future, built with community input, and a commitment to delivering results for the people of Desert Hot Springs.

From new parks and public safety investments to infrastructure improvements, economic development opportunities, and public art that reflects the pride of our city, the positive changes residents are seeing today are rooted in that vision.

These improvements are the result of a city with a plan and a commitment to see it through.

We invite residents to review the City’s Strategic Plan, stay engaged, and continue helping shape the future of Desert Hot Springs.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. — DSRT Surf, the new wave lagoon set to open in Palm Desert in late summer 2026, will host a hiring event on Friday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Willows Room inside Desert Willow Golf Resort.

The company is hiring for lifeguard and maintenance positions ahead of its opening. No appointment is necessary, and applicants are encouraged to bring a resume and valid ID.

The event provides an opportunity for job seekers to meet with hiring representatives and learn more about available positions at the upcoming surf destination.

The new surf park is expected to feature surfing, resort-style pools, pickleball, food, and family activities designed for both locals and tourists.

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – Riverside County’s median home price held steady in May while sales activity showed little change, according to data released today by the California Association of Realtors.

The median price of an existing single-family home in Riverside County was $640,000 in May, unchanged from April and up 0.3% from $638,000 a year ago. Home sales in the county increased 0.2% from April but were down 2.2% from May 2025, according to CAR.

Statewide, existing single-family home sales totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 268,810 units in May, down 3.1% from April but up 5.1% from a year earlier, marking the largest year-over-year increase since September. California’s median home price reached a record $930,260 in May, up 2.3% from April and 3.1% higher than a year ago.

“California’s home sales softened in May as broader economic uncertainty continued to weigh on consumer confidence and homebuying sentiment,” CAR President Tamara Suminski said in a statement.

“Even so, the recent easing in mortgage rates is an encouraging development, and if that trend continues, it could help bring more buyers and sellers back into the market and support a gradual improvement in housing conditions beginning in the third quarter.”

Sales of higher-priced homes continued to outpace the broader market. Homes priced between $1 million and $2 million posted an 8.2% increase in sales from a year ago, while homes priced above $2 million saw sales rise 8.5%, according to CAR.

“Housing supply has remained constrained in recent months as the lock-in effect continued to put many would-be sellers on the sidelines, intensifying competition and placing upward pressure on home prices,” CAR Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine said in a statement.

Click here to follow the original article.

Timothy Foster

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — A new study is drawing attention to earthquake risks across the Coachella Valley, finding that Southern California’s San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems are under some of the highest levels of stress seen in the past 1,000 years.

The research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, found that stress has continued to build along the faults because of the long time since the last major earthquakes.

For the Coachella Valley, the findings are especially important because the southern San Andreas Fault runs along the eastern side of the valley and is considered one of California’s most closely watched fault zones.

Scientists used computer models and centuries of earthquake history to study how the faults interact. They found that a future large earthquake could involve both the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems.

The study does not predict when a major earthquake will happen, but researchers say it highlights the need for communities to stay prepared. Emergency officials continue to encourage residents to have emergency kits, make family plans, and know what to do when an earthquake strikes.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tommy Gallegos

06/18/2026: The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says the 75-year-old Indio woman has been located.

Original Report:

INDIO, Calif. — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman from Indio.

Sarah Lynn Eades, 75, was last seen in the 84000 block of Indio Springs Parkway in the city of Indio. Authorities describe Eades as standing 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds. She has gray hair and brown eyes.

According to investigators, Eades was last seen wearing a black head scarf, a white shirt with blue stripes and long strips of material hanging from the front, dark blue jeans, and black shoes. She was also carrying a large black bag.

Deputies are urging anyone who may have seen Eades or has information regarding her whereabouts to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center at (800) 950-2444.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As Pride Month continues, experts at the Betty Ford Center are raising awareness about the mental health and substance use challenges impacting LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Research shows LGBTQIA+ people experience higher rates of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and trauma, as well as higher rates of substance use disorders compared to the general population.

Experts say those disparities are not because of a person’s identity, but because of the stressors many LGBTQIA+ people experience. The American Psychological Association says stigma, discrimination, rejection, and other negative social experiences can contribute to what is known as “minority stress,” which is linked to increased mental health challenges.

Melissa Hawkins, a clinical supervisor at the Betty Ford Center, says many LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique barriers when seeking care, including concerns about whether providers will understand their experiences.

“Many of our patients feel very alone. They feel like they’re the only ones going through what they are experiencing,” Hawkins said.

The Betty Ford Center says providing inclusive, affirming treatment that addresses both mental health and substance use disorders can help improve recovery outcomes for LGBTQIA+ patients.

Experts say finding a supportive community where people feel safe and understood can be an important part of the recovery process.

For more on substance use and addiction challenges impacting the LGBTQIA+ community in the Coachella Valley, watch Peter Daut’s I-Team investigation: https://kesq.com/news/i-team/2025/10/15/dark-side-of-paradise-drugs-in-the-palm-springs-lgbtq-community/

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Care Network hospitals are wrapping up their annual Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive on Thursday. Officials are asking the public for monetary or cereal donations to feed children and their families a healthy breakfast during the summer.

The “Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive” will run through June 18.

People can donate boxes of cereal in the lobby of Desert Regional Medical Center, 1150 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs; JFK Memorial Hospital, 47111 Monroe St. in Indio; or Hi-Desert Medical Center, 6601 White Feather Road in Joshua Tree.

“A healthy breakfast is important to start the day right, and through this initiative, we aim to support those in our community facing food insecurity,” Linda Evans, chief strategy officer for community advocacy for Desert Care Network, said in a statement.

The fundraiser supports Find Food Bank’s summer feeding program in Indio and the Way Station in Joshua Tree.

Officials said more than 84% of public-school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals in the Coachella Valley, which is an indicator of food insecurity in the region.

To provide a financial contribution, visit https://findfoodbank.org/event/desert-care-network-2026-healthy-over-hunger-cereal-drive/.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The first installation of Palm Springs International Airport’s new public art program was unveiled today.

“Desert in Motion,” created by artist Patrick Barwinski, was unveiled Tuesday in the baggage claim area. The large-scale installation transformed 14 baggage claim columns into painted desert landscapes using geometric forms and vivid colors, airport officials said.

The artwork was selected though a competitive process from more than 270 submissions to the new Art@PSP public art program.

“PSP is often visitors’ very first impression of our destination and a welcoming return home for our residents,” Victoria Carpenter, interim executive director of aviation at PSP, said in a statement. “Art@PSP allows us to showcase the incredible creativity and cultural identity of our region while creating a more memorable airport experience for travelers.”

Airport officials said the exhibition will be on display through January 2027 as part of PSP’s rotating baggage claim columns exhibition series.

“For years, there has been a shared vision of bringing more art into the airport,” PSP Chairman Kevin Corcoran said in a statement. “With Art@PSP, that vision is becoming a reality, connecting millions of travelers each year with the culture, creativity and character that makes Palm Springs unique.”

Click here to follow the original article.

City News Service

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – A 26-year-old Mecca man was killed in a two-vehicle collision in the community of Thermal, authorities said today.

Pablo Garcia Lopez was fatally injured at about 5 a.m. Saturday at Avenue 58 and Buchanan Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A 2017 Acura RDX was traveling at an unspecified rate of speed eastbound on Avenue 58 when the vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign for reasons unknown and crashed into a 2009 Toyota Camry, which was traveling northbound on Buchanan.

The impact caused both vehicles to overturn, the CHP said.

Lopez, the Toyota driver, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Acura driver, whose identity was not revealed, sustained major injuries and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

No further details were immediately available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jeff Stahl

Rancho Mirage, Calif. — The City of Rancho Mirage is helping local businesses and restaurants this summer, and helping people stretch their dollars.

The “Shop Local Rancho Mirage Gift Card” program’s latest offer is a 50-percent bonus to anyone who purchases a Shop Local gift card. There’s a week to go for this latest deal, which has to be purchased and used by Friday, June 19.

It’s good at approximately 70 local Rancho Mirage businesses, offering customers discounts on dining or shopping purchases while also helping retailers and restaurants during our typically slower summer months.

Rancho Mirage City Councilmember Steve Downs said, “So the whole idea is to provide an incentive for residents to go to our restaurants, go to our retail businesses, spend money at our retail businesses at times of the year when it makes sense to incent them to do that and help our businesses.”

A $200 gift card purchase will also include an extra $100 from the city, giving purchasers $300 to spend at Rancho Mirage businesses.

Down said, “It’s a great program for the employees; they stay employed. And it’s a great program for our residents. They get a great benefit from it.”

Downs says the city has issued nearly 3,800 gift cards and helped support businesses to the tune of $600,000 since starting the program two years ago.

Another bonus offer will launch on July 22 if approved by the city council to support the chamber’s Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage.

You can purchase a gift card here: https://rancho-mirage-ca.yiftee.com/

Click here to follow the original article.