Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

INDIO (CNS) – Passes for next year’s Stagecoach Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio will be available for purchase Thursday.Passes will be available beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday at stagecoachfestival.com/passes/.General admission will start at $549 for a single three-day pass.Several VIP packages, RV sites, camping sites and parking will also be available for purchase.The three-day festival will take place from April 23-25, 2027, at 81-800 51st Ave.Organizers have not officially announced the 2027 lineup.

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Garrett Hottle

A retired teacher says her cluster mailbox was pried open in broad daylight and a postal supervisor told her hers was one of hundreds of communities hit.

Lisa Lenes said she had never seen anything like it. Her family has lived in Saddlerock Estates, a gated Palm Springs community, for more than 40 years.

In all that time, she says, her mother never once encountered their mailbox being broken into.

Then came last Wednesday.

Lenes, a retired teacher, said she walked out to the bank of cluster mailboxes in the middle of her street around 3:30 in the afternoon and found the whole unit broken open.

A note was taped to the front telling residents to go collect their mail at the post office. Her box was empty.

“Everything was open,” she said. “Everything was open.”

She said she called police, then drove to the main post office in Palm Springs to find out what had happened and when it would be fixed.

Lenes said the supervisor told her her community was one of more than 200 hit by mailbox break-ins across the area, and with only one person cutting replacement keys, repairs could take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a year.

News Channel 3 has not independently confirmed those figures.

The timing of the break-in, she believes, wasn’t luck. The boxes were fine the day before.

On the day they were hit, landscapers were out mowing, she says enough noise to cover the sound of a lock being forced. Her community sits behind a gated arm that lifts for residents, but she figures someone could have slipped in during the day, worked fast and kept a getaway car waiting on a side street.

For the people who live around her, Lenes says, this lands harder than a missed delivery. She estimates more than 85 percent of her neighbors are seniors, many of them snowbirds who winter in the desert and spend the rest of the year in Canada, Oregon and elsewhere.

“A lot of them don’t drive. They take cabs to run errands, or walk in the heat,” she explained. “That’s their Social Security checks. That’s their bills.”

Many of her neighbors, she added, aren’t mobile enough to chase down missing mail.

“It’s horrific. It’s horrifying.”

She says she isn’t alone. While she was at the post office, a couple in line behind her told her their community had been hit the week before.

Lenes later said she had to track down her mail carrier’s truck near Saddle Rock and show her ID just to recover a few days worth of held mail.

News Channel 3 has reached out to the U.S. Postal Service and the Palm Springs Police Department for more information, including how many communities have been affected and whether the thefts are part of a broader pattern.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – An air conditioning issue at the Palm Springs International Airport has been resolved, a spokesperson confirmed to News Channel 3.

“Cooling is returning to normal, and conditions in the checkpoint continue to improve. We appreciate the patience and understanding of both our employees and travelers while this issue was being addressed,” wrote Jake Ingrassia, PSP spokesperson, in an email Monday afternoon.

The airport experienced air conditioning issues near its TSA checkpoint after an SCE power outage that began over the weekend and impacted the airport and surrounding locations.

Triple-digit heat caused PSP workers to scramble to try to get temps back to normal.

While the outage was ongoing, the airport rolled out temporary measures, including air conditioning units, large fans, staffing rotations, and cooling breaks.

The airport provided bottled water.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 6/26/26

Councilmember Delgado speaks out exclusively in an interview with KESQ following the recall efforts in Coachella.

Delgado defends her position that the campaign as a whole is politically motivated and based off misinformation.

In the interview, Delago addresses the misconception that the City of Coachella is operating at a deficit, stating Coachella ended the fiscal year with $1.3 million operating net income and $12.2 million in unassigned reserve funds.

The councilmember addresses concerns over the city’s handling of the proposed data centers, stating that officials learned more about the environmental effects from community feedback prior to approving a moratorium on new data center proposals.

Delgado alleges this recall as a part of a larger political agenda and urgers citizens to reach out with questions.

Watch the full interview for more details.

Update 6/25/26

Coachella Councilmember Denise Delgado is responding to the recall effort against her after city officials confirmed the petitions against Delgado and Councilmember Yadira Perez have been sent to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters for signature verification.

In a letter sent to News Channel 3 overnight, Delgado defended her record, writing, “I have served with integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

Delgado said she has been attacked by what she called a political faction made up of “convicted former mayors and their unethical cronies.”

In her response, Delgado also highlighted what she described as the City Council’s accomplishments, including the city’s finances. She said Coachella has more than $1.3 million in net income this fiscal year and $12 million in reserves.

Delgado also said a permanent ban on data centers is expected to come before the City Council for adoption on August 26.

She pointed to funding for the senior center and several city projects, including a library annex, wellness hub, street improvements, a new bridge and park upgrades.

The recall petitions remain with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters for signature verification..

Update 6/23/26

City officials confirmed that the legal review is complete and the notices are compliant with the Elections Code. The petitions have been sent to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters for signature verification.

Update 6/18/26

Jesus Ahkin Gonzalez and Vicente Zamora have resubmitted the paperwork to recall Councilmembers Denise Delgado and Yadira Perez. Zamora said they have 100 signatures.

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We have reached out to the city for more information on the process, but we have not heard back.

Original Report 6/15/26

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Coachella rejected petitions to recall two councilmembers; the applicants say they will submit the paperwork again.

Jesus Ahkin Gonzalez and Vicente Zamora served copies of Notices of Intention on Councilmembers Perez and Delgado and filed the original Notices with the City Clerk’s Office during last week’s city council meeting.

A city spokesperson said the filing did not meet the state code requirements for acceptance and was rejected for two reasons.

1. Notices did not contain the minimum number of signatures required by the State Elections Code; and

2. Notices did not include the City and the ZIP Code, which is an express requirement of the State Elections Code.

State law does not give the City Clerk the discretion to overlook this non-compliance. Therefore, the City Clerk’s Office was required to reject both filings as part of their ministerial duty.

-City of Coachella email (6/15/26)

A city spokesperson said Gonzalez and Zamora can submit new Notices of Intent if they want to.

Gonzalez and Zamora sent a statement to News Channel 3 confirming they will resubmit again with the required amount of signatures.

Statement from Gonzalez and Zamora (6/15/26)

Gonzalez and Vicente Zamora, two critics of Coachella’s proposed data center, cited a number of issues as the reason for their recall attempt, including the controversial project.

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Current mayor Dr. Frank Figueroa and Councilmember Stephanie Virgen are up for reelection in November, while Delgado and Perez have two years left on their terms, which is why they were singled out in the recall efforts.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Tommy Gallegos

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County dropped Monday for the 25th time in 26 days, falling 1.3 cents to $5.583, its lowest amount since March 18.

Check Out Our Gas Gauge Section For Lowest Local Prices

The average price has dropped 48.2 cents over the past 26 days, including 1.6 cents Sunday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 17.6 cents less than one week ago and 48.7 cents less than one month ago, but $1.13 more than one year ago.

The national average price dropped for the 25th consecutive day, decreasing nine-tenths of a cent to $4.065, its lowest amount since April 24.

It has fallen 49.9 cents over the past 25 days, including 1.2 cents Sunday. The national average price is 9.9 cents less than one week ago and 46.3 cents less than one month ago, but 92.9 cents more than one year ago.

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Timothy Foster

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A newly announced framework peace agreement between the United States and Iran is offering hope for an end to months of conflict, but local leaders say many questions remain as negotiations move forward.

The agreement, announced Monday, calls for an immediate halt to military attacks and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that carries a significant share of the world’s oil supply. The announcement helped ease concerns over global energy markets, with oil prices dropping following the news.

The framework also begins a 60-day period of negotiations aimed at reaching a broader peace agreement. Several major issues remain unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. economic sanctions, and long-term security arrangements in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s efforts to address threats in the region would continue, while officials from both the United States and Iran acknowledged that some of the most difficult discussions are still ahead.

For many in the Coachella Valley, the developments are deeply personal. Local residents and community leaders with family and friends in the Middle East have spent months following the conflict and hoping for an end to the violence.

Danny Labin, CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Desert, said the temporary ceasefire is an encouraging step toward peace and expressed hope that ongoing negotiations will lead to a lasting agreement. He said the conflict has affected communities around the world and highlighted the importance of bringing people together to work toward peaceful solutions.

Labin also said recent events have underscored how connected communities have become, noting that conflicts happening thousands of miles away can have a direct emotional impact on local families with ties to the region.

Local leaders say the agreement has brought cautious optimism but are closely watching the next phase of negotiations to see whether the ceasefire can develop into a long-term peace.

A ceremonial signing of the framework agreement is expected later this week, with negotiators set to continue discussions over the next 60 days. Those talks are expected to address several of the complex issues left unresolved by the initial agreement.

For many Coachella Valley families with loved ones in the Middle East, community leaders say the hope is that the latest developments will lead to greater stability and a more peaceful future for the region.

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Dakota Makinen

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) — An 80-acre brush fire that sent a large plume of smoke into the sky over Mecca on Sunday is now contained, according to CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department.

The fire was reported around 2:43 p.m. on Sunday near Avenue 72 and Highway 86. Battalion Chief Corey Clauson said the first engine arrived to find two to three acres burning at a dangerous rate of spread, with the potential to grow much larger.

Fire officials quickly called in additional resources, including engine companies and water tenders. The fire ultimately burned 80 acres before crews stopped its forward progress.

No evacuations were ordered and no injuries were reported.

Residents said the smoke was visible from miles away. Some expressed concern as they watched the fire spread, while others praised firefighters for quickly getting it under control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Fire officials are reminding residents to prepare for wildfire season by clearing dry vegetation around their homes and having an evacuation plan in place.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – ABC Recovery Center, a nonprofit organization that provides addiction treatment services for individuals and families, celebrated the grand opening of a $27 million state-funded campus expansion today in Indio.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held from 10:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. Monday at 44359 Palm St.

The event also featured remarks from staff and city officials and guided tours of the facility.

“This moment represents more than new buildings — it reflects hope, healing and the power of community,” Chris Yingling, CEO of the nonprofit, said in a statement.

The Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program campus added 120 new licensed beds across seven buildings, along with new residential spaces, clinical areas and wellness-focused amenities.

“Every space within this campus was designed intentionally — to foster connection, dignity and healing,” Yingling added.

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Kiera Seapy

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ)- With the Fourth of July just weeks away, Palm Springs fire officials are reminding residents to leave the fireworks to the professionals.

During a demonstration, Palm Springs Fire Capt. Ronald Skyberg showed how dry, brittle brush can catch on fire almost instantly if struck by a spark from a firework.

“There was some construction going on, and there was a spark from a piece of machinery that set the mountain on fire. A spark from a piece of machinery is the same exact spark that set the mountain on fire… A spark doesn’t know the difference. A spark is a spark” Skyberg said.

Officials say dry vegetation, high temperatures, and low humidity can create these conditions for a wildfire to ignite and spread.

Fire Marshal Taylor Teeple said that the city has a zero-tolerance policy on fireworks, including the so-called “safe and sane” fireworks.

Instead of lighting fireworks at home, officials encourage residents to attend a professional fireworks show.

Officials say anyone caught using fireworks within Palm Springs city limits can face a $1,000 fine.

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Peter Daut

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – For the first time since his sudden termination, former Desert Healthcare District CEO Chris Christensen is speaking out.

Christensen says he was fired in retaliation after publicly raising concerns about board conduct and the district’s performance review process. He also alleges he was offered nearly $100,000 in additional compensation to sign documents he believes were meant to silence him about what was happening behind the scenes.

“The district says your allegations are false. Why should people believe your version of events over theirs?” News Channel 3’s Peter Daut asked Christensen.

Christensen answered, “I would like to believe it’s because that I have the integrity to communicate the truth.”

DHCD sent a statement responding to the report:

The allegations made by the former CEO are categorically false and do not reflect the values, actions, or governance practices of our organization. We remain confident in the integrity of our board of directors who are dedicated to carrying out our mission in service to the community. Our focus remains where it has always been advancing health and. Wellness throughout the Coachella Valley through responsible stewardship, strong partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to integrity, accountability, and the public trust.”

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