Category: kesq-local-news

Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Families in Indio had the chance Saturday morning to get help making sure their children are riding safely.

A child passenger safety event was held from 9 to 11 a.m., giving parents and caregivers the opportunity to have their car seats inspected and learn whether they were installed correctly.

Families who needed a new car seat were also able to receive one at the event.

Indio Police helped check the seats and worked with parents on proper installation and placement. The event also gave families a chance to ask questions about which type of seat is appropriate for their child.

News Channel 3 spoke with a local mother who attended the event, as well as Indio Police and Mayor Elaine Holmes.

Holmes discussed the importance of giving local families access to safety resources, while police focused on how proper car seat installation can help protect children in a crash.

The event comes during Child Passenger Safety Week, an annual effort focused on educating parents and caregivers about car seat and booster seat safety.

Officials encourage parents to regularly check that their child’s car seat is appropriate for their age and size and that it is installed correctly.

Stay tuned for the full story on News Channel 3.

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Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — As of September 24, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have risen to 7.03%, marking the first time they’ve climbed above 7% this year, according to Freddie Mac.

The last time they were above 7% was January 2025, but rates have been on a steady climb from their 52-week low of 5.98% in February.

Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank are currently listing rates at 7.375% for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

Tonight, News Channel 3 is speaking with an expert to learn more about how this impacts buyers, sellers and the future of homebuying in the Coachella Valley.

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Luis Avila

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) — The sounds of gourd rattles, singing and dancing filled the area outside Morongo Casino Friday as the 35th annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow got underway.

The three-day celebration brings together thousands of people, including more than 900 dancers and 20 drum groups from across the United States and Canada.

For the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the event is about more than entertainment. It is an opportunity for families and communities to come together, share stories and continue traditions passed down through generations.

“It’s a time to come together so we’re having families from across the nation come back, we’re sharing stories,” said Maria Lorenzo, cultural event coordinator for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

Lorenzo said seeing so many people gather is also a reminder of how important it is to have spaces where Native communities can come together.

“It makes me proud to see everyone come together,” Lorenzo said. “Back in history we weren’t allowed to congregate so to be able to hold these gatherings, it’s a place to come together.”

Visitors can experience Native American culture through traditional dancing, music, food and art throughout the weekend.

More than 100 vendors are taking part, offering food including Indian tacos, tamales and frybread, along with Native American jewelry, beadwork, pottery, clothing and basketry.

The powwow also highlights the Cahuilla tradition of bird singing.

Geronimo Holmes, a bird singer with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, said the tradition tells the story of the Cahuilla people’s migration and has been passed down through his family.

“I learned from my father, he learned from my older uncles and elders and they pass it down to us and it’s important for us to keep those up,” Holmes said.

The event comes as California recognizes Native American Day on September 25. Governor Gavin Newsom also proclaimed the day and signed a package of bills focused on tribal priorities.

For Lorenzo, the recognition is another reminder of the resilience of Native communities.

“It’s just recognition that we’re still here, we’re still alive,” Lorenzo said. “We’re resilient people, we’re your neighbors.”

The next generation is also a major part of the celebration, with young children participating alongside older dancers and family members.

Lorenzo said watching the youngest dancers is one of the most meaningful parts of the event.

“Watching the tiny tots dance. Little kids barely starting to learn and they have the older generations to look up to,” she said.

The Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow continues through Sunday at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon. Admission is free.

Grand Entry is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

BLYTHE, Calif. (KESQ) – Three construction workers killed in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 10 in Blythe last week were working on a $241 million state pavement project, officials said today.

The crash was reported at about 5:15 a.m. Friday on eastbound I-10 east of Intake Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A preliminary investigation determined a big rig was traveling east at an unconfirmed speed when it struck a parked attenuator construction vehicle and an occupied Chevrolet Silverado before colliding with a water truck, the CHP stated.

“During the sequence of events, three construction workers were also struck and sustained fatal injuries,” the department said.

The three men killed were identified Saturday as Christopher Benavidez Guatemala of Coachella, 27, Alfonso Vega Torres of Coachella, 50, and 39-year-old Francisco Morales Mendoza of Tonopah, Arizona, according to the Riverside County coroner’s office.

The driver, identified as a 44-year-old Redlands man, sustained major injuries to his head and leg and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. His medical status was not immediately known as of Tuesday.

“Due to this being a complex investigation, there is no updated info currently,” CHP Officer Jack Barron said.

Alcohol and drugs were not believed to be factors in the collision, the agency stated.

A spokesperson for Caltrans District 8 told City News Service on Tuesday that the three men were working for Fisher Industries of North Dakota, a sub-contractor on the I-10 Blythe Pavement Rehabilitation Project. The project involves a “beautification monument,” push-button posts to American with Disabilities Act standards, concrete pavement rehabilitation of 88 lane miles, on- and off-ramps, shoulders and 11,950 linear feet of new guardrail systems, and upgrades to bridges, curb ramps, sidewalks and crosswalk safety enhancements.

Construction work is expected to continue until at least this winter, weather permitting.

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Gabriella Salguero

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. — Joshua Tree National Park is facing a $1.2 million funding block affecting 10 projects as the U.S. Department of the Interior withholds more than $25 million in planned National Park Service funding nationwide.

According to documents reviewed by The Washington Post, Joshua Tree has more affected projects than any other national park. The funding was intended for wildfire preparation, restoration of burned areas and removal of rodents that can carry hantavirus.

An internal assessment warned that without the wildfire-related work, “the park will be unable to fight wildfire.”

Former Joshua Tree Superintendent Mark Butler, a 38-year National Park Service veteran, criticized the decision, saying he had never seen anything like it during his career.

The blocked projects had already secured funding through congressional appropriations, federal programs and internal National Park Service resources. At least 16 positions were also expected to be supported by the Joshua Tree projects.

The cuts come as the park faces significant infrastructure needs and ongoing wildfire risks, raising concerns about its ability to protect visitors, maintain facilities and respond to emergencies.

Joshua Tree is one of several California parks affected by the funding decision, alongside Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Mojave National Preserve and other National Park Service sites.

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Luis Avila

CABAZON, Calif. — Thousands of visitors are expected this weekend for the 35th Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow, a free three-day celebration of Native American culture featuring traditional dance, music, food and art.

The event runs Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon. Organizers expect about 30,000 attendees, with more than 900 dancers and 20 drum groups from across the United States and Canada.

The weekend’s centerpiece is the Grand Entry, when hundreds of dancers in traditional regalia enter the arena accompanied by competitive drum groups and singers. Grand Entries are scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, 1 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.

More than 100 vendors will also participate in the Indian Market, offering Native American jewelry, beadwork, pottery, clothing and basketry, along with Indian tacos, tamales and frybread.

The powwow will also feature Cahuilla Bird Singing and Dancing, a tradition that uses songs and dances to tell stories of the Cahuilla people’s migration and pass cultural teachings between generations.

Event Details

Friday: 4 p.m.–midnightSaturday: 11 a.m.–midnightSunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location: Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon

Admission: Free

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)— Students at Palm Desert High School and Sacred Heart School were placed under a temporary secured lockout Friday afternoon as deputies investigated a reported burglary in progress at a residence on Calle Lantana in Palm Desert.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to Calle Lantana at approximately 1:49 p.m. after receiving a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, deputies made announcements and searched the residence but did not find any suspects.

Out of an abundance of caution, deputies placed a school in the area under a temporary lockout while they conducted their search, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The lockout has since been lifted.

A public safety update from the Sheriff’s Office earlier Friday reported a heavy law enforcement presence in the area of Deep Canyon Road and Moss Rose Lane and asked residents to avoid the scene while first responders conducted their investigation.

At approximately 2:43 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office announced that the schools would be released and that there was “no further public safety threat.”

Palm Desert High School Principal Sarit Saig also notified families that all students were safe. In a message to parents, Saig said the school had been placed under a temporary secured lockout because of police activity off campus and out of an abundance of caution. The recommendation came from local law enforcement, according to the message.

“DSUSD received an all clear from law enforcement and the secured lockout has been lifted. All regular activities are resuming and classes are in session,” Saig told families.

The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and that no further details are currently available.

It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured or whether any arrests had been made.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Kiera McKinney

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)- A person was taken to the hospital after being struck by lightning in Palm Springs Thursday.

Palm Springs Fire said firefighters responded in the Chino Canyon area to a palm tree fire and a person who had been struck by lightning.

Lightning strike survivor Sabrina Riccio said she was driving on Interstate 10 near Morongo during a monsoon in 2012 when lightning struck her car.

“My dog and I got struck, and I had to cross over all four lanes with no power steering,” Riccio said.

She said she eventually reached the shoulder, but the damage was extensive.

“The next day, when the car repair guy was looking at my car, everything was melted inside,” Riccio said.

CAL FIRE Captain John Clingingsmith said the time between a lightning flash and thunder can help estimate how close a strike is.

“When you see the lightning flash, if you count by seconds, whatever you come up with, divide that by five,” Clingingsmith said. “That’s generally how far the strike was in miles.”

CAL FIRE says people caught outside should avoid tall structures and conductive materials, seek shelter as soon as possible and wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before heading back outside.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – Three Riverside County residents who conspired to steal more than $3 million in federal funds intended for economic relief during the COVID lockdowns pleaded guilty this week to felony charges.

Vanessa M. Williams, 37, of Corona and Denise Mata, 36, of Moreno Valley each admitted on Tuesday one count of wire fraud, while their co-defendant, 34-year-old Daryl Knighten of Perris, admitted the same charge on Thursday.

The individual plea agreements with the U.S. Attorney’s Office were submitted to U.S. District Judge Kenly Kato, who accepted them and scheduled a sentencing hearing for the trio on Jan. 14 at federal court in downtown Riverside.

One other alleged co-conspirator, 35-year-old Mikhail Hoalim of Moreno Valley, is awaiting trial on nine counts of alleged wire fraud. Proceedings are set in his case for November.

According to federal prosecutors, Mata, Williams and Knighten admitted that, between March and August 2021, they filed applications for Paycheck Protection Program loans for themselves, relatives, friends and unnamed persons who were recruited into their scheme.

PPP loans were intended by the government to help recipients cover expenses while their ability to earn a living was disrupted because of the lockdowns stemming from the declared public health emergency.

“The defendants lied to the United States Small Business Administration and banks in connection with the fraudulent PPP loan applications,” according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office statement. “Each application falsely stated that the PPP loan applicant was self-employed and falsely certified that each loan would be used for permissible business purposes.”

The defendants ultimately utilized tax and other information from over“100 co-schemers” to perpetrate their scam, prosecutors said.

“Knighten, Williams, Mata and their co-schemers used the illicitly obtained money for their own personal benefit and not for expenses allowable under the PPP,” according to the government. “The defendants also submitted fraudulent documents to the SBA and lenders to obtain loan forgiveness for the illegally obtained loans.”

The total loss from the crimes was estimated at roughly $3.5 million.

The defendants are facing a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the offenses.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, CA (KESQ)– September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about suicide and the warning signs that someone may need help.

According to the CDC, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide about every 11 minutes. In 2022, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide, and there were about 1.6 million reported suicide attempts.

Recent data also shows the suicide rate among U.S. children ages 8 to 12 has increased over the past decade.

So, what warning signs should people look for?

Silvia Kaminsky, board president of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, says sudden changes in behavior can be a red flag.

That can include someone who is normally kind and even-tempered becoming angry or aggressive, or someone who has been very sad suddenly appearing unusually cheerful. An increase in substance use can also be a warning sign.

Kaminsky says mental illness and substance-use disorders can be factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.

If you or someone you know is struggling or showing signs of suicidal thoughts, help is available by calling or texting 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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