Category: kesq-local-news

Kenji Ito

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) Four student-athletes signed their letter of intent on Wednesday at Palm Desert High School.

Soccer Forward Natalhie Baca signed to play at Southern Illinois University.

Swimmer Ava Otteson committed to play at UCLA.

Baseball pitcher Zane Hathaway signed to play at Colorado State Pueblo.

Baseball pitcher Jake Brande committed to play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of high school sports across the Coachella Valley.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – After years of construction and millions of dollars, the long-awaited CV Link is officially open — a 40-mile path stretching from Palm Springs to Coachella, connecting neighborhoods, parks, and cities along the way.

But despite the grand opening, some residents, including Chuck, say the path is not seeing the turnout they expected.

“It’s still underused. I ride this fairly regularly and it’s uncommon for me to see more than 10 people.”

Chuck, Palm Springs Resident

Some believes the low usage may be due in part to a lack of public engagement and awareness.

Tom Robbins, who rode the CV Link for the first time recently, said he only noticed the path because of its bright orange and blue colors. He thinks expanding this type of visual promotion could help draw more attention.

“I think it’s actually the higher visibility of the trail itself. I don’t think it’ll be media, that’ll be a fortune. But if they keep doing things like these pillars, it’s going to start getting into people’s minds.”

Tom Robbins, Cathedral City Resident

CVAG’s Deputy Executive Director, Erica Felci, said the organization is not yet able to track how many people are using the path. However, the organization has said the CV Link is expected to provide residents with more transportation options and encourage alternative forms of travel.

While residents aren’t sure if time alone will bring more visitors to the trail, many said they’re just glad it’s finally open.

CVAG says there is still work to be done in Palm Springs, which they hope to complete by next month.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella officials will host an updated program focused on agriculture in the Coachella Valley Thursday at the city’s library.   

The free event will be held from 7-11:30 a.m. Thursday at 1500 Sixth St.   

The city partnered with Growing Coachella Valley, a nonprofit organization designed to protect water and other resources essential for the region’s agricultural industry and economic development, to produce Ag Vision, formerly known as Coachella Valley Ag Summit.

The program will address topics including innovation, sustainability and the future of farming, officials said.   

“Agriculture has been a mainstay in the Coachella Valley for over 100 years,” said Janell Percy, the nonprofit’s executive director. “Ag Vision will bring farmers, legislators, community leaders and others interested in local food production to discuss how we can keep farming for another 100 years.”  

The event will feature a panel of law enforcement and leaders from local farming establishments among other people, along with a Q&A portion, and will be moderated by George Tudor of Tudor Ranches.

“As the daughter of farm workers, I know how deeply agriculture shapes our community and economy. The industry’s resilience and workforce continue to drive Coachella forward and remind us of the essential role it play’s in our city’s future,” Councilwoman Denise Delgado said.

The event will be also be live-streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 55-year-old woman in an electric wheelchair was struck and killed by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash last week in Yucca Valley.

The crash was first reported on Nov. 6 at around 2 p.m. on Airway Avenue and Primrose Drive.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station, the investigation revealed that an unidentified vehicle approaching Primrose Drive collided with a woman operating an electric wheelchair across Airway Avenue.

The woman and her dog were ejected from the electric wheelchair. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and was seen traveling south on Airway Avenue toward Yucca Trail.

Paramedics responded and transported the woman to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

It was the second crash that day in Yucca Valley where a person in a wheelchair was struck and killed by a vehicle. Nearly four hours after the crash on Airway Avenue, an 81-year-old woman in an electric wheelchair was killed on Yucca Trail and Frontera Avenue, about a mile away from the earlier crash.

The driver remained at the scene in the second crash and is cooperating with the investigation, authorities said.

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Jesus Reyes

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Shianne May has been appointed as Yucca Valley’s Animal Care and Control Manager, the town announced on Wednesday.

According to town officials, May will oversee Yucca Valley’s Animal Shelter and Animal Control operations. She is set to officially join in mid-December after the town’s standard onboarding process.

May has served in senior-level roles with numerous local agencies, including Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and Found Animals Registry, among other providers. She holds a degree in Public Relations from California State University, Long Beach.

“Ms. May’s strong background in shelter operations, along with her genuine dedication to animal welfare and the local community, make her an excellent fit for our team,” said Town Manager Curtis Yakimow. “We’re thrilled to welcome her as the new Animal Care and Control Manager and are confident her leadership will further strengthen the animal care and control services we provide to Yucca Valley residents.”

Born and raised in Palm Springs, May has had a lifelong passion for animal welfare that began when she rescued her first cat as a child. When she later adopted her first dog from the original Palm Springs Animal Shelter, she decided to turn that passion into a career.

As a resident of Yucca Valley for over five years, she is dedicated to supporting her new home.

“I am honored to bring my experience in animal welfare to this role and serve the Morongo Basin community. As Animal Care and Control Manager, I look forward to collaborating with our partners to create meaningful, lasting improvements for both people and animals,” said Ms. May.

The appointment comes after controversy over the town’s shelters that gained momentum in January. The town initiated a 90-day review of shelter operations in March and introduced several changes.

Former Animal Care and Control Manager Doug Smith retired in July, following public pressure.

For more information on the Town’s animal shelter services and staff, click here.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities continued their investigation today into a fatal crash that killed a 22-year-old Arizona man on westbound Interstate 10 in Thermal.  

The crash was reported shortly after 9 p.m. Monday east of Dillon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.   

A 2019 Honda sedan was traveling in the No. 1 lane east of Dillon Road and a 2018 Ram pickup truck was traveling to the immediate left when the Honda “drove past the Ram and made a turning movement to the left against the right front side of the Ram,” CHP Officer David Torres said.

The Honda driver lost control of the vehicle, which subsequently went down an embankment and overturned. Torres said the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Riverside County coroners’ officials identified the deceased Tuesday as Jean Muhire of Litchfield Park, Arizona.   

Drugs and/or alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in the crash, Torres said.  

The occupants of the pickup, identified only as a 19-year-old male driver from Surprise, Arizona and his 20-year-old passenger from Anaheim, did not sustain any injuries.   

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to call 760-772-5300.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center is marking 35 years of delivering advanced cancer care in the Coachella Valley.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center opened its doors in 1990 and officials said it has been “committed to bringing world-class oncology services to the community, transforming lives through innovation and personalized care.”

The center has also been pioneering research and increasing patient access with offices across the Valley. They’ve launched unique clinical trials, including the “AGENDIA clinical trial” in 2017 for a large-scale breast cancer study.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center in recent years has also used advanced technology for patients, including being the first to use “SCOUT® technology” in the Valley for localizing breast lesions in 2018 and administering the first “Pluvicto therapy” for advanced prostate cancer.

These are just a few of the recent advancements to cancer treatment at Desert Regional, according to a release from Desert Care Network officials.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from officials on how they’ve been advancing cancer care and what’s to come in the future.

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Garrett Hottle

Update 8:17 p.m. – President Donald Trump late Wednesday night signed a funding bill that will end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The legislation will fund the government through Jan. 30 and provide funding for some government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Update 5:30 p.m. – House passes bill, President Trump expected to sign it into law at 6:45 p.m. PT.

The House passed the government funding bill by a vote of 222-209 – sending the measure to President Trump’s desk for final signature to re-open the government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

GOP Reps. Thomas Massie and Greg Steube voted against the bill along with most Democrats.

Six Democratic Reps. Thomas Suozzi, Jared Golden, Henry Cuellar Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Adam Gray and Don Davis voted in favor.

Update 3:50 p.m.

Congressman Raul Ruiz voted no on the spending bill, writing in a statement:

“From the very start of the shutdown, I have fought to reopen the government, protect health care, and lower costs for working people. While the funding bill offers some relief for those hurt by the shutdown, it will also drive-up costs for millions of families by as much as $18,000 a year because it intentionally leaves out extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. That’s why I’m voting no, and I’ll keep fighting to protect health care and lower costs for working people.”

Update 3:30 p.m.

The House has cleared a key procedural hurdle to set up a final vote on the Senate-passed funding package to reopen the federal government.

Original Report

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The United States House of Representatives returns to session today with a vote expected to end the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history. The legislation, which previously passed the United States Senate, would fund the government through Jan. 30 and resume many federal operations.

The House begins voting at about 2:10 p.m. PT (5:10 p.m. ET), with a final tally expected around 4:15 p.m. PT (7:15 p.m. ET), according to the Senate Majority Leader’s schedule. 

Back pay for federal workers

Federal workers, including those in the Coachella Valley and throughout Riverside County who were furloughed or forced to work without pay during the shutdown, will receive back pay once the legislation becomes law. The bill ensures compensation for missed paychecks once systems are fully operational.

SNAP/CalFresh benefits

California’s CalFresh program has been disrupted amid a legal battle over federal funding. Once the bill is signed, local agencies expect benefit issuances to normalize — helping households in Riverside County and across the state dependent on SNAP.

Air travel & PSP

While the Federal Aviation Administration lists 40 major U.S. airports for flight-capacity cuts of as much as 10% during the shutdown, terminals such as Palm Springs International Airport are not on that initial list but are dealing with delays affiliated with the broader network slowdown. Travelers should check flight status and expect travel turbulence to linger even after reopening.

National parks & visitor services

During the funding lapse, visitor services at Joshua Tree National Park and other federally managed areas were reduced. Now that it is reopening, staffing and programs will begin restoring normal operations, improving visitor experience and local tourism support.

While the bill sets funding through Jan. 30, many analysts say further funding battles could resume early next year.

News Channel Three has reached out to our local representatives Congressman Raul Ruiz and Congressman Ken Calvert for interview.

This is a developing story and will be updated with additional info as it becomes available.

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Garrett Hottle

Update 10:30 p.m.

Reactions mixed Wednesday night as community members spoke out after Mayor Steven Hernandez missed the Coachella City Council meeting.

“I think he should step down,” Stephen Nelson, attendee, said.

Others said it’s too soon to draw conclusions.

“I’m not going to be calling for anyone’s resignation until all the facts are in,” David Catanzarite, Green Room Theatre — whose office is located near Hernandez — said.

The meeting moving forward with Mayor Pro Tem Denise Delgado leading.

Update 11:30 a.m.

Mayor Steven Hernandez will not be in attendance at tonight’s meeting, according to a city spokesperson.

“Many of you have reached out regarding this evening’s city council meeting. Mayor Steven Hernandez will not be in attendance as he does not feel well, and we will not be discussing matters related to his indictment.”

– Risseth Lora, public information officer for the city of Coachella

Original Report

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella City Council meets Wednesday evening for the first time since Mayor Steven Hernandez was indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges of perjury and conflict of interest.

Hernandez remains on unpaid administrative leave, according to city spokesperson Brooke Frederico, but his name still appears on the agenda for tonight as mayor.  

The nine-count indictment, filed last month by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, accuses Hernandez of using his public position to influence city decisions where he allegedly had a financial interest and of filing false Form 700 statements.

Mayor Pro Tem listed as witness

One of the grand-jury witnesses named in the indictment is Mayor Pro Tem Denise Delgado, who would preside if Hernandez does not attend. 

Other current councilmembers Stephanie Virgen, Frank Figueroa, and Yadira Perez are not listed as witnesses.

News Channel 3 contacted every sitting councilmember for comment or an on-camera interview ahead of the meeting and are waiting to hear back. 

A spokesperson for the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office told News Channel 3 on Wednesday that witnesses named in the grand-jury proceedings are not permitted to discuss the case.

“They are not permitted to speak about the case, the grand jury, etc., until after the case closes.”

No mention on meeting agenda

The Nov. 12 council agenda and meeting packet make no mention of Hernandez’s indictment or any related discussion. The council is scheduled to hear updates from the Imperial Irrigation District, the Mexican Consulate, and city staff on ongoing projects.

Residents will still be allowed to speak during the public-comment period, though officials are limited by state law from responding directly to remarks on matters not listed on the agenda.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court appearance is a trial-readiness conference on Feb. 23, 2026, at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. 

News Channel 3 contacted Herandez’s attorney for interview or additional statement from Mr. Hernandez, and are waiting to hear back.

The Riverside County DA’s office has not announced any additional defendants or confirmed whether the investigation is expanding.

This is a developing story and will be updated with additional info as it becomes available. 

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John White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Another Democratic candidate is announcing a run for Congress in California’s newly drawn 48th Congressional District after the recent passage of Proposition 50.

Palm Springs resident Marc Iannarino is a Navy veteran who believes he has what it takes to challenge long-time Republican Darrell Issa.

The 48th District will be mostly based in San Diego County, but now includes the cities of Palm Springs and Indian Wells.

Iannarino says, “If you want to know why your health care is up, if you want to know why groceries are up, why housing is up, it’s because Congress is not incentivized to look out for the average working person. They’re looking out for themselves and for their donors. I want to change that narrative. That’s my track. I am a bartender, former Navy veteran, or, I guess, a current Navy veteran, former Navy guy, and that’s my path forward.”

News Channel 3’s John White sat down with Iannarino in the studio on Tuesday to learn more about his policy positions and goals for the 48th District.

Iannarino joins at least eight other Democratic candidates who have fundraising committees.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage through next year’s midterm elections.

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