Category: kesq-local-news

Garrett Hottle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Parents of elementary school students stranded on the side of the road during a field trip meltdown are now speaking with attorneys and considering legal action after what they describe as a traumatic and negligent ordeal.

The incident happened Wednesday evening as a private charter bus –  contracted by Desert Sands Unified School District but not operated by it – was returning third graders from James Carter Elementary School back from a trip to Legoland. According to school officials, the driver stopped abruptly on Cook Street in Palm Desert after a heated exchange with a parent chaperone, called 911, and refused to continue driving.

“The driver was yelling at kids, locked us inside, and then just walked off the bus,” said one parent, in a a formal complaint submitted to the district. They allege the driver also denied bathroom breaks and created what he calls a “dangerous and emotionally scarring” situation for students.

News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle speaks with the mother of one of the children on the bus. (KESQ)

Videos shared with News Channel 3 show visibly shaken children climbing off the bus as law enforcement arrived and families scrambled to pick them up.

While Desert Sands says it’s reviewing the incident and providing counseling support to students, some parents say that’s not enough – and several are now in contact with legal counsel to assess options.

Civil Rights Attorney Megan Beaman Jacinto tells us she’s now in direct contact with at least four families and others indirectly as legal discussions begin. (KESQ)

The district clarified it does not manage the company’s operations, though it did hire them for the trip.

The bus company involved, Cardiff Limousine and Transportation, is privately owned and did not respond to request for comment on Thursday. 

News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle reached out to Cardiff several times Friday to get their side of the story. Before Friday’s 5pm broadcast, he was told, Cardiff will not comment at this time, may send a statement at a later date.

News Channel Threes Garrett Hottle spoke with leadership at Cardiff Limousine and Transportation on Friday, and was told Cardiff would be providing a statement or explanation on the series of events precipitating the scene in an interview for tonight’s broadcast.

In an update, before our 5pm broadcast, Cardiff said they will not comment at this time, but may send a statement at a later date.

We hope to get their answers soon and will continue to reach out to all sides.

News Channel 3 will continue to follow this developing story, and provide any additional updates as they come in. 

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Temple Isaiah held a memorial service on Friday to memorialize the two Israeli embassy staff members who were shot and killed outside a Jewish Museum in Washington D.C.

For community members, a heartbreaking reminder of a pattern seen too often.

“It’s sad but unfortunately not unexpected. There’s a lot of hate.”

Jeffery Farber, Palm Springs resident

Hate that has shaken a community already on edge. Local faith leaders say they’re hearing more and more from congregants who are scared.

“You have people say ‘I’m afraid,’ ‘I don’t want to come out,’ ‘I don’t want to show a Jewish star,’ ‘I don’t want to wear a yamaka in public,’ ‘I don’t want to show any mark or sign that I’m Jewish.”

Rabbi Kenneth Emert, Temple Isaiah

The attack comes amid an alarming rise in anti-semitic incidents in the U.S., up 900% in the last decade.

An alarming statistic, but Rabbi Steven Rosenberg, a member of the National Advisory Board of Rabbis United, says in response, organizations like StandWithUs are ramping up outreach.

“A lot of it is education, a lot of it is being on the ground… filing civil rights.” 

Rabbi Steven Rosenberg, National Advisory Board of Rabbis United member

Still, the message to the Jewish community was one of resilience.

Local leaders were in attendance, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the Jewish community and standing firm against antisemitic violence.

“If you are afraid to go out then they won.” 

Jeffery Farber, Palm Springs resident

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Allie Anthony

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Automobile Club of Southern California projects a record-breaking 3.6 million Southern Californians will travel this Memorial Day weekend — part of a national total of 45.1 million travelers, the highest ever for this holiday. Travel is expected to surpass pre-COVID-19 levels this year. That means more drivers and busier roads than we’ve seen in years.

Gas prices are helping drive the trend. In Southern California, prices at the pump are about 50 to 60 cents lower per gallon compared to this time last year, according to AAA.

Popular destinations for Southern Californians this weekend include Las Vegas, San Diego, the Central Coast, the Grand Canyon and other nearby national parks.

If you’re planning to hit the road today, expect heavy traffic Friday afternoon, especially along Interstate 5 north from Los Angeles to Bakersfield, where travel times could nearly triple. AAA says the best times to drive are Saturday morning and Monday before 2 p.m.

Before hitting the road, CHP Officer David Torres reminds you to stay safe.

“Check your vehicle, check your tires,” said Torres. “Make sure that everything is in order and just be patient when you’re on the road.”

Memorial Day weekend is often a preview of summer travel trends, and if this weekend is any indication, we’re in for a very active summer season.

If you are traveling, give yourself extra time, stay patient on the roads and drive safe.

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Joel Killam

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A fire at a home broke out Thursday night in the 2000 block of Racquet Club Road, just east of Sunrise Way, according to authorities.

News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson reported live, where fire crews were working the scene. No injuries have been reported at this time.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided on-air and online at KESQ.com.

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Cynthia White

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Some local families are voicing concerns to Desert Sands Unified School District regarding an altercation on a bus ride for a field trip on Wednesday.

They say it temporarily stranded some third graders and chaperone parents as they returned from a trip to Legoland.

A video from a parent shows the aftermath of those on the bus being dropped off. Parents say it all happened after the bus driver refused to allow students to use the bus’s restroom.

In a statement to families, the Principal of James Carter Elementary School wrote:

“While the bus was nearing home, the contracted bus driver from a local transportation company acted unprofessionally toward students and became verbally confrontational with a parent chaperone. The driver pulled over on Cook Street, refused to continue, and called 911. Law enforcement responded quickly, and families were contacted to pick up their children.”

The Principal added that the school understands how upsetting and unsettling the experience was, and that counseling services are available for students.

Desert Sands Unified School District officials say the incident is being reviewed.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Cynthia White

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Office of Education announced on Thursday that Mecca Elementary teacher Marisa Gaytan is one of four teachers chosen as a 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year.

Gaytan, a fourth grade dual-language teacher, was met by more than 100 students, along with family, colleagues, a drum line, cheerleaders, and a flag team as she learned of the news.

RCOE says Mecca Elementary School is the same Coachella Valley Unified School District campus that Gaytan attended as a child, starting from pre-school. She is now in her ninth year of teaching there.

Gaytan commented, “I’m very proud of this school. It’s my home. It is where beautiful things happen and I always tell my students, if I can do it, you can do it as well because I was just like you.” She added, “I truly believe that it’s important for everyone to feel welcome and belong. We are a family and each of our successes are all of our successes.” 

Officials say Marisa incorporates class chants, music, kinesthetic learning, and cultural references into her instruction along with extolling the virtues of bilingualism for the current and future success of her students. She empowers parents and families with strategies to advance dual-language development at home with their children, and invites Read With Me volunteer readers from the community to support students in a mentor-mentee relationship in the classroom. 

She helped start the Keep It Clean (KIC) club on campus and partnered with a Kindergarten teacher to launch a Book Buddies program to develop mentorship, goal-oriented learning, and reading skills in students from both classes. She launched Wisdom Wednesdays as an opportunity for teachers to come together and share resources, perspectives, and support for one another. 

Marisa earned her bachelor’s degree, bilingual authorization teaching credential, and master’s degree from the University of California, Davis. 

The Riverside County Office of Education states that the Teachers of the Year are selected from nearly 20,000 educators in the county based on nominations by teachers, principals, and school district administrators. Applications are submitted to RCOE for review by a selection committee that chooses semi-finalists, conducts interviews and site visits, then selects the final four candidates before the county superintendent makes the announcements. 

San Jacinto Unified School District preschool teacher Anthony Segura and Temecula Valley Unified School District high school science teacher Ziba Mayar were named as the first two 2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year earlier this month. One more 2026 Riverside County Teacher of the Year will be revealed in an upcoming surprise visit, and all four teachers of the year will represent the county in the 2026 California Teacher of the Year competition.

Recent Riverside County teachers selected as California Teachers of the Year include: 

2025 – Robert (Bob) Mauger, Corona High School, Corona-Norco USD 

2022 – Nichi Aviña, Cielo Vista Charter School, Palm Springs USD 

2021 – Keisa Brown, University Heights Middle School, Riverside USD, and Allison Cyr, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School, Desert Sands USD 

2020 – Brenda Chavez-Barreras, Good Hope Elementary School, Perris USD 

2019 – Dr. Angel Mejico, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD 

2018 – Dr. Brian McDaniel, Painted Hills Middle School, Palm Springs USD 

2017 – Shaun Bunn, Ethan A. Chase Middle School, Romoland School District  

2016 – Michelle Cherland, Carrillo Ranch Elementary School, Desert Sands USD 

2014 – Jessica Pack, James Workman Middle School, Palm Springs USD 

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – An economic study commissioned by the Palm Springs International Airport revealed it generated $2.5 billion into the region’s economy and supported 18,377 jobs during the 2024 fiscal year.   

“As we plan for the Coachella Valley’s future, this report makes it clear that PSP is a cornerstone of long-term economic growth,” Mayor Ron deHarte said in a statement. “It’s not just about travel — it’s about jobs, investment and opportunity.”   

Additional figures revealed that workers earned $864 million in income as a result of the airport and that travelers who passed through the it spent $1.1 billion.

The study confirms three primary sources were used to determined the airport’s economic impact, including operations, capital outlays and visitor spending.

Airport operations, includes commercial airline services, aviation, air cargo, car rentals, terminal concessions and federal government employment, which has employed 7,223 people.  

Capital expenditures in construction projects and routing maintenance did not significantly add monetary value, as PSP did not undergo much improvements last year.

“Visitor spending emerged as the primary economic driver,” according to the report. It comprises of food services, arts, entertainment, recreation and accommodation. Guests have spent over a billion dollars, as this industry sector is considered the most sought-after, the report finds.

“This study demonstrates how deeply PSP is woven into the economic fabric of our community,” Executive Director Harry Barrett Jr. said in a statement.

The report also details future plans at PSP over the next decade, including a new concourse, a Federal Inspection Station to expand international air service and a rental car center.

The Palm Springs City Council approved of a Master Plan earlier this year, which will take at least a decade to imiplement, which aims to expand services, including new gates and expanded baggage claim. Projections suggest the result could be the creation of more than 9,000 jobs, an additional of $641 million in labor income and over a $1 billion added to the total economic output.

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs is moving forward with its first VillageFest since Saturday’s bombing targeting American Reproductive Centers, a local fertility clinic.

Organizers said the weekly Thursday night event continues amid heightened concern — and with extra security in place.

Mike Villegas, a Lieutenant at the Palm Springs Police Department, said the goal is to make the community feel safe.

“We’re going to have more marked units down there at all the intersections,” Villegas said. “We’ll also have a drone team available. Right now, speaking with the community, they want to turn the page on this from this tragic incident and try to get some normalcy back and what better way than doing it through VillageFest.”

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

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Jesus Reyes

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KESQ) – The man who started the devastating Line Fire in San Bernardino County faces life in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges.

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco was found guilty of seven counts related to the Line Fire, and two counts related to a subsequent fire, including aggravated arson of forest land, property and possession of flammable materials.

There is no word on a possible sentencing date.

The Line Fire was first sparked on September 5 near Highland. It went on to burn more than 43,000 acres, causing over $14.5M in damages, and injuring six firefighters.

 Authorities said Halstenberg, a delivery driver from Norco, attempted to start three fires within an hour — two that were extinguished by firefighters and a good Samaritan but the third became the Line Fire.

Halstenberg’s vehicle was tied to areas where the fires were started.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The suspect in Saturday’s bombing in Palm Springs had access to a large quantity of commercially available chemical products. The products could be used to create a homemade explosive device, the FBI announced on Thursday.

Today at 4 p.m., News Channel 3’s Peter Daut speaks with a spokesperson for the FBI in an in-depth interview.

The investigation into what led to the bombing continues. The suspect, Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of Twentynine Palms was killed in the blast.

The FBI has identified Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of 29 Palms as the primary suspect in the #PalmSprings vehicle explosion. The vehicle was a silver Ford Fusion sedan, plate 8HWS848. Please call 1800 CALLFBI with information or upload relevant video/images at https://t.co/CnxyRN1YIv pic.twitter.com/dYAG26xCYY

— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) May 18, 2025

FBI agents spent several days in the blast zone and the suspect’s home in Twentynine Palms.

PSPD Chief shares exclusive first close-up look at Palm Springs bomb blast zone

Neighbor shocked to learn Palm Springs bombing suspect may have assembled explosives next door

Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said Bartkus was driving a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan with California license number 8HWS848.

“That’s critical because we need the public’s help in identifying the gaps in our investigation,” Davis said. “We know where Mr. Bartkus was at about 6 a.m. We know the timeline of when he entered the city; however, we need the public’s help for identifying where he traversed within the city before the explosion.”

Authorities were also working to determine what type of explosives were used and where the suspect obtained them.

“That’s critical because we need the public’s help in identifying the gaps in our investigation,” Davis said. “We know where Mr. Bartkus was at about 6 a.m. We know the timeline of when he entered the city; however, we need the public’s help for identifying where he traversed within the city before the explosion.”

The clinic was closed at the time of the explosion, but four others were injured at the scene. Those victims were released from medical care as of Sunday.

Thursday morning, the targets of the bombing, the American Reproductive Clinic, held a news conference to share the latest on their plans to reopen.

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