Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

Julia Lucero has been found, per CHP.

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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Silver Alert has been issued for an 81-year-old woman last seen in Cathedral City Tuesday night.

Julia Lucero was last seen Tuesday at 9 p.m. in Cathedral City. She is believed to be on foot.

Lucero is described as five feet, five inches tall, weighing about 110 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black hat, gray blouse, black pants, and blue sneakers.

If seen, you are urged to call 9-1-1.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) joined fellow lawmakers and health professionals this week to warn about what they call the dangerous public health consequences of President Donald Trump’s environmental rollbacks.

Speaking at a press conference, Ruiz  a physician who has practiced in the Coachella Valley said attempts to roll back the EPA’s endangerment finding threaten families across Riverside County.

“As a doctor, I have seen the human cost of air pollutio… Families in Indio, Thermal, Mecca and North Shore face emergency room visits for asthma that are 60 to 80% higher than the state average,” Ruiz saidruiz.

Ruiz warned that rolling back protections could worsen smog, heat-related illnesses, heart disease, and lung disease in communities already living with pollution levels “two to three times above what’s considered safe”.

He called on Congress to reject efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act and instead invest in clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and protections for frontline communities.

Check back for updates and new reaction tonight on News Channel 3 at 4,5, and 6.

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Athena Jreij

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The rich botanical history of Sunnylands is on full display in their new exhibit, ‘Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands.’

The new exhibit and catalog debuted this Wednesday to the public following their summer break and is a photographic gallery of the estate’s most iconic and storied trees.

“The most exciting thing was when we first brought our interns in to see this, they said they felt like bugs, that they were in the trees and could see all of this. I think our guests will like this. We’ve sort of made things bigger or played with color and we’ve got black and whites and infused color,” Michaeleen Gallagher, the director at Sunnylands Center and Gardens.

Told through the lens of London-based photographer David Loftus, it includes photos of trees that have curated the lush sanctuary Sunnylands offers away from the desert, and the new environmental decisions the estate is making to include more native plants.

“A lot of these trees were installed in the 60s. We had a different water ethic then. We had a different thought of this desert then. So, we thought it was a good thing to talk about these conflicts of sustainability, history and adaptive reuse, and how do historic sites deal with that?” Gallagher said.

All the trees featured in the exhibit are still present at the estate, but Gallagher says they are taking action against water-smart plants.

“If you come to the Center and Gardens it’s all native, arid adapted plants from other countries. One of the things we’ve already done is remove entire rows of tamarisk trees that are historic, that do speak to the historic story here, but they’re trees that we need to start to moving out of Sunnylands,” she said.

It’s a lesson in caring for the desert landscape Gallagher hopes viewers will take home with them.

The ‘Curating Canopy’ exhibit will be open for two years through June 2027. Entry to the public is free Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — The City of Indio is preparing to unveil a striking new 9/11 memorial on Thursday, featuring a 12-foot steel artifact from the World Trade Center.

The city provided these artist renderings:

A spokesperson for the city outlined the purpose of the new memorial: 

“The proposed design for the Indio 9/11 Memorial Project aims to inspire a sense of collective humanity and community by creating a physical space that invites remembrance and contemplation, and which can act as a catalyst for further conversation and learning.”

According to the city, it was entrusted with the steel beam four to five years ago. In the time since then, it searched for artists, selected a design, and carefully mulled over the best place to put the memorial.

James Dinh is the artist behind the piece. He said he submitted his design in 2023, and he described the thought process that went into it.

“It’s such a moving remnant people will be able to physically touch. I mean, it’s such a powerful gesture,” Dinh explained, referencing the centerpiece of the memorial.

A large, curved steel wall, engraved with “09 11 01” and punched with thousands of tiny holes will serve as a backdrop to the steel beam.

“All these little holes [are] illuminated like they’re intended to be, kind of like a constellation of stars, you know. So, yes, these people are no longer with us, but, you know, their… the memory is always there.”

The city said with the groundbreaking set for Thursday, the finished piece is expected to be done in the next six to nine months. Dinh explained everything still needs to be made – from fabricating the steel backdrop to fixing the steel artifact to the site.

In the meantime, city leaders, like Indio’s Chief of Police, Brian Tully, said they’re excited to see so much time and thought go into the memorial, and are glad the city took the time it needed to find the perfect spot.

“Going forward, what a fantastic place to gather, to remember in Miles Park. And what a great place to have it… I think it’s perfect for our city,” said Chief Tully.

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City News Service

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Five journalists and broadcasters will be inducted into the Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame next year in Rancho Mirage, the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation announced today.   

The third annual Hall of Fame ceremony will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2026 at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, 41000 Bob Hope Drive.

Laurilie Jackson, reporter and anchor at KESQ and journalism educator at College of the Desert, will emcee the event.   

The following honorees will be inducted:– Jimmy Boegle, founding editor at the Coachella Valley Independent;

— Larry Bohannan, golf writer at The Desert Sun;

— Lina Robles, co-host of morning radio show “El Show del Grenas” on our sister station La Poderosa.

— Ric and Rozene Supple (posthumously), radio station owners and philanthropists.

In addition, a number of local journalists will be honored with Journalist of the Year and Rising Star awards.   

Admission will cost $200 per person, and all proceeds will support local newsrooms via grant making by the foundation, organizers said.   

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cvjf.org.

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Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Cathedral City Police Department has a Homeless Liaison Program consisting of two officers, Mark Novy and Phillip Garcia, who help address the challenges associated with homelessness in the city.

The officers continue to see homelessness impact their city and they work to provide resources to those in need who want to receive assistance. They collaborate with other Government agencies, service organizations and non-profits to find long-term solutions for homeless individuals, including seeking help, reunification with family or improved housing alternatives.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear how their work is helping the community.

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Allie Anthony

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – September is National Guide Dogs Month. It’s a time to recognize the incredible service animals who help people who are blind or visually impaired navigate the world safely and confidently.

Right here in the Coachella Valley, Guide Dogs of the Desert has been making a life-changing impact since the 1970s. This local nonprofit has trained and placed over 900 guide dog teams, empowering individuals with greater independence and mobility. They connect people with expertly trained guide dogs. From training and housing to ongoing medical care, everything is covered for the client.

Guide Dogs of the Desert needs your help to continue this vital work. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, your support can help more people gain the freedom and confidence that comes with a trusted guide by their side. To get involved here is their site.

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KESQ-Newsroom

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – First Tee – Coachella Valley is inviting community members to step onto the course as volunteer coaches this fall.

The organization’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and promote values through the game of golf.

They’re seeking friendly, reliable adults who enjoy working with kids. Golf expertise is a plus, but not a requirement.

Those volunteers will help welcome parents and participants at check-in, encourage and model life skills during activities, and assist participants as they learn and practice golf skills.

The organization says if you’re interested, email Joy Grant at jgrant@ftcv.org, complete the Volunteer Coach Registration Form at https://tally.so/r/mKr5P7, complete a background check and drug test, then finish Sport: 80 training.

Prospective and current volunteers can join a short orientation and skills session on the following dates:

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
and Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM

First Tee – Coachella Valley is located at 74945 Sheryl Avenue in Palm Desert.

For more information, visit firstteecoachellavalley.org.

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Cynthia White

UPDATE: Indio Police Department reports officers responded to the area of Clinton Street and Granada Drive around 8:00 p.m. Tuesday regarding a 51-year old woman and her teenage daughter being hit by a Hyundai SUV.

They add that both pedestrians suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported by ambulance to Desert Regional Medical Center for further medical treatment.

Officers say DUI did not appear to be a factor, and the adult male driver remained at the scene and was cooperative with the investigation.

The roadway was shut down until just after 8:30 for investigation, which remains ongoing.

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – CAL FIRE reports that two people were transported to a local hospital after a vehicle versus pedestrian collision in Indio Tuesday night.

The crash happened around 8:00 p.m., near the corner of Clinton Street and Granada Drive, just north of Highway 111. One northbound lane on Clinton Street was closed for around 30 minutes while Indio Police conducted their investigation.

CAL FIRE did not provide information on the extent of injury the two people suffered.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Shay Lawson

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Ian Tadeo Zavala Cardenas, a four-month-old baby boy, is fighting for his life after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition.

Andrea Castillo, a Thousand Palms resident and family member, said Ian was rushed to the hospital after his parents found him unresponsive and turning purple.

“They called 911,” Castillo said. “They had to do CPR on him because they realized that he wasn’t getting any oxygen.”

She said he was airlifted to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a heart disease.

“He’s already had 3 heart attacks at such a young age,” Castillo said.

She said Ian’s parents remain by his side, unable to work as he undergoes breathing machines and blood transfusions.

“All we ask for is prayer and having faith,” Castillo said. “He’s just so little and he has so much life ahead of him. He’s already been through so much.”

The family is now asking for prayers and support.

A GoFundMe has been established to help Ian’s parents cover medical and living expenses while they remain at his bedside.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full story at 10 and 11 p.m.

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