Category: kesq-local-news

Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Oasis Healthcare (DOHC) was named “Largest Business of the Year – West Valley” by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC). 

Officials said the award highlights DOHC’s exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to providing help, ensuring the well-being of the communities that rely on them. 

“This kind of recognition means a lot, especially coming from our local business community. We’ll keep doing the work to earn the trust that’s been placed in us,” said Dr. Marc Hoffing, Medical Director of DOHC.  

To learn more about DOHC, visit our Living Healthy Section

The honor was awarded at the GCVCC Installation and Business Award Dinner on June 10 to recognize the contributions of business and civic leaders across the region. 

DOHC has been a cornerstone in our community for healthcare offering a multitude of services ranging from immediate care, home health, palliative care, behavioral health, and clinical research to name a few.

Beyond their health care services the DOHC supports local nonprofits, cutting edge health technologies, and produces educational media to help empower their patients and the community as a whole. 

Visit mydohc.com for more

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Haley Meberg

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)- City Manager Charles McClendon announced his retirement from Cathedral City following his 11 years of service to the community. 

McClendon began his tenure in March of 2014. City officials said he was the catalyst for significant growth and improvement in the community.

The most significant improvements during his time as City manager are marked by major developments in infrastructure, enhancement of public safety services and the implementation of community programs that have positively affected the quality of life for residents. 

Prior to coming to the desert McClendon had been active in local governments in areas such as Lexington, Kentucky, Glendale, Arizona, and Avondale, Arizona with his time here marking an impressive 47-year long career. 

“It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve as the City Manager of Cathedral City for the past eleven years,” said McClendon. “Now, however, I am at an age where it is time for me to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders.”

Throughout his time as City Manager Charles McClendon; also known as “Charlie” to the community, has made ethical and responsible financial decision making in hope to set up the community for success even in economically uncertain times. 

McClendon oversaw the implementation of the city’s Five Year Plan which outlines longer-term perspectives for service delivery and budgeting while addressing the current needs and priorities of the community.

McClendon has dedicated the past 11 years of his life to Cathedral City overseeing the development of community events, the construction of Ocotillo and Esperanza Parks, the construction of the new Fire Station 1, along with the staffing and improvement of local emergency services and responders. Overall, McClendon has dedicated his tenure to modifying Cathedral City into a community working towards a better tomorrow. 

 “I believe I am leaving Cathedral City in a better place than I found it,” McClendon reflected. “I am especially proud of what we did together to improve the lives of the people of Cathedral City.”   

McClendon’s final day as City Manager is set for September 19. The City Council will begin the process of selecting his successor in the upcoming weeks. While McClendon notes there is still work to be done he is confident that with the City’s leadership and departmental management team there are even more great things to come for Cathedral City.  

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.    

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CNN

Originally Published: 19 JUN 25 14:53 ETUpdated: 19 JUN 25 15:59 ETBy Natasha Chen, CNN

Los Angeles (CNN) — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to enter Dodger Stadium on Thursday but were denied entry to the grounds by the team, the Dodgers said on social media.

“This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled,” the team said in a post on X.

This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2025

Video shown by affiliate KABC showed federal agents stationed on one of the streets leading up to the stadium.

The exact nature of the reason why federal agents were at Dodger Stadium was not immediately clear.

CNN has reached out to ICE for comment.

In a post on X, DHS said the vehicles belonged to US Customs and Border Protection.

“This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement,” the post said.

According to the Los Angeles Times, agents declined to say why they were at the stadium.

The agents’ presence at Dodger Stadium comes as the Trump administration has increased its immigration enforcement, which has been met with protests – particularly in Southern California. Los Angeles has been a hotbed of demonstrations in recent weeks after ICE operations in the city and surrounding areas struck fear into immigrants in the area.

The Dodgers are expected later Thursday to announce a plan to assist the immigrant community impacted by the recent round of immigration operations.

The team is set to host the San Diego Padres in Los Angeles on Thursday, as well as host a celebrity softball game hosted by star player Mookie Betts in celebration of Black Heritage Night. The Dodgers are averaging more than 50,000 fans in attendance per home game this season, the only team in the majors bringing in that many fans per game. Thursday’s home game against the Padres is likely to be a hot ticket as the two teams are heated rivals in the National League West Division.

The federal agents action comes days after singer Nezza, whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, performed the US National Anthem in Spanish on Saturday. She said she was first planning on singing the Anthem in Spanglish, but with the ongoing immigration raids, she decided to do the song in Spanish only.

She says a team employee told her not to. That didn’t deter her, and she performed the song in Spanish anyway.

Her performance took place the same day that demonstrators filled streets across the country for the “No Kings” protest and as frustrations in Los Angeles continued because of ICE raids that took place within the past few weeks.

While the team hasn’t outwardly spoken on the ongoing frustrations of the ongoing immigration crackdowns ICE raids that have been happening in the city, star player Dodgers player Kike Hernández, a native of Puerto Rico, showed his support for Los Angeles in an Instagram post.

“I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city,” Hernández said in part. “Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love.”

“This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart,” he said, adding, “ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights.”

CNN’s Sara Smart contributed to this report.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Skin is the largest organ in the body, and dermatologists are advising locals to take better care of it, especially in the Valley sun.

They say daily sun exposure is a serious concern no matter what activity their engaging in outside. Skin cancer is the most common from of cancer in the United States and the Skin Cancer Foundation reports 1 in 5 Americans will develop it by age 70.

Officials say the risk is even higher for men, and they are more likely to die from melanoma at any age. By age 50, men are also more likely to develop melanoma and by 65 it jumps to two times as likely and by 80, it’s 3 times more likely than women.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association also found in a survey, 23% of men say they always wear sunscreen, and 27% never use it. Officials say many underestimate their risk, especially those with darker skin.

Dermatologists say skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body, and not just in areas exposed to the sun. But they also want people to know, skin cancer is preventable.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen, when used as directed, can reduce the risk of developing melanoma by 50%.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from a Kaiser Permanente dermatologist and from locals on the importance of sun safety.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif (KESQ) – California drivers should brace for higher fuel costs this summer. Starting July 1, the state’s gas excise taxes will increase, as part of an annual inflation adjustment.

Each year, California adjusts its fuel tax rates based on inflation data from the Department of Finance. This year’s bump means the gasoline excise tax will rise to 61.2 cents per gallon, up from 59.6 cents. According to the California Taxpayers Association website, the gas tax rate has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

But this might not be the only blow to drivers’ pockets.

“What we’re seeing is potentially with what’s going on, the Iran/Israel conflict and the gas tax that will take effect in California, we’re seeing drivers will have to pay a little bit more at the pump than they are used to.”

Gianella Ghiglino, AAA spokesperson

But experts say the increase might not deter drivers away from their summer plans.

“What we’re forecasting for 4th of July travel is we are seeing record breaking travel once again, however we don’t see right now people being discouraged about traveling, taking road trips, despite potential increases in gas prices.” 

Gianella Ghiglino, AAA spokesperson

As California continues to lead the nation with the highest average gas prices, experts encourage drivers to plan ahead and shop around for the best price.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 62-year-old man who struck and seriously injured a woman walking through a Palm Springs intersection because he was driving under the influence was sentenced today to three years’ felony probation.   

Mark Gerald Blanchette of Palm Springs pleaded guilty on June 4 to DUI resulting in great bodily injury and felony DUI under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

During a hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Susanne Cho imposed the stipulated sentence, which included a jail term of four years, nine months. However, the judge ordered that sentence suspended, while directing Blanchette to enroll in a first-time DUI offender awareness program, according to court minutes.   

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, on the night of Feb. 1, 2023, the defendant was driving through the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Sunrise Way when he failed to see the victim in a crosswalk.   

Blanchette struck her, inflicting life-threatening injuries, but he did not attempt to flee, police said.

Patrol officers and paramedics reached the location minutes later and found the woman, identified only as 57-year-old “Lorna L.,” unconscious. She was taken to a Coachella Valley hospital, where she underwent treatment and ultimately recovered.

Officers quickly assessed Blanchette, who wasn’t hurt, and determined that he was intoxicated. He was taken into custody without incident.  

The defendant had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 23-year-old man arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in La Quinta in 2019 was officially charged with murder.

Jorge Huerta-Arias of Whitewater was charged with murder, along with sentence-enhancing allegations of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and engaging in criminal street gang activity. on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to be arraigned today. There is no word on whether that has taken place.

Jorge Huerta-Arias

Huerta-Arias was arrested Friday near Haughen Lehmann in Whitewater.

Law enforcement serve search warrant in neighborhood near Haugen Lehmann in Whitewater (6/13/25)

Authorities said he was identified as the suspect in the murder of Cathedral City resident Anthony Carrillo, 19. Carrillo was found with gunshot wounds inside a residence in the 53000 block of Avenida Madero on Oct. 26, 2019.

Anthony Carrillo

Deputies at the scene of the shooting (10/26/19)

The case went cold after years of investigation. In 2023, Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators put out a call to the community for information on the case. Recently, detectives reviewed the case and found evidence and information that led to the identification of Huerta-Arias, authorities said.

A possible motive has not been disclosed.

The investigation was ongoing and anyone with information was asked to call Master Investigator J. Manjarrez or Master Investigator V. Magana of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Haley Meberg

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ)- One person hospitalized after a shooting in Banning on Tuesday night.

Police received a call at about 9:39 pm with reports of shots fired at the 700 block of W. Nicolet Street and arrived at the scene shortly after. 

Banning Police Officers stated that once they arrived at the scene, they collected multiple shell casings and discovered that a man fired several rounds of shots from a handgun into an occupied vehicle that was parked in the area. 

One person from the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is currently being treated at the hospital

This incident is an ongoing investigation at the Banning Police Department Detectives Bureau. Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact the banning Police Department Detectives Bureau at 951-922-3170. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates on this case. 

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Haley Meberg

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)- A naked man was taken into custody after violently resisting arrest and assaulting multiple people over the weekend in Yucca Valley.

Police said the incident happened at around 8:10 p.m. Saturday evening when a naked man was found walking in the middle of the roadway.

26-year-old Eric Chung of Chula Vista was spotted walking naked in the middle of the roadway near La Honda Way on State Route 62 and was commanded to leave the area by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer. 

Chung ignored the officers commands to leave the roadway and when attempted to be physically removed by the officer began to further resist causing a violent struggle.

A 34-year-old pedestrian saw this struggle take place and intervened, helping the officer gain control over Chung and get him off of the main road. Throughout this interaction, Chung continued to make violent and sexual threats against the CHP officer. 

A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the scene shortly after to assist the officer in taking Chung into custody before transporting them both to the hospital for treatments of minor injuries.

While hospitalized, Chung sexually assaulted a nurse that was on duty. Police speculate that Chung’s behavior is influenced by drug use. 

Officers booked him into the West Valley Detention Center that night and he was arraigned on Wednesday.

Chung was charged Wednesday with attempted murder and assault on a peace officer.

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Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – An arrest has been made in an overdose death this past January in Cathedral City.

A 55-year-old man from Palm Desert was arrested, the Cathedral City Police Department announced on Wednesday.

Police said that the arrest was in connection with the death of Ricky Heath, 55, on the night of January 18 at the 34100 block of Linda Way, near Dinah Shore Drive.

First responders initially responded to a medical aid call on the 34100 block of Linda Way. Paramedics provided treatment to an unresponsive man, Heath. Despite providing life-saving care, Heath was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police were provided information that Heath possibly died from a fatal overdose of narcotics.

During the investigation, detectives determined that the suspect had injected Heath with narcotics.

“At that time, it was not known if the injected narcotics had caused Heath’s death. Evidence was recovered at the residence and sent for examination and testing,” police said.

After an autopsy, Heath’s cause of death was listed as “Acute Methamphetamine Intoxication” by the Chief Forensic Pathologist.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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