Category: kesq-local-news

Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – One person is in the hospital Sunday night following a gas leak at a Palm Desert business.

At 11 a.m., Cal Fire officials say they responded to a compressed natural gas leak outside an industrial building on Lennon Place off Hovley and Cook Street.

Authorities say they were able to activate the emergency shutoff to the tank, which shutoff the leak.

One person with minor symptoms was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

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Timothy Foster

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Football season is officially back, and sports bars across the Coachella Valley are already feeling the rush.

The 19th Hole in Palm Desert, the opening weekend of the NFL season brought in large crowds of fans decked out in jerseys, eager to cheer on their favorite teams.

“Football’s huge,” said Ryan Hansen, a manager at the restaurant. “We open at 9 a.m. on Sundays and you’ve got fans from every single team here. It brings people together and it really helps the business.”

Local bar owners say the return of the NFL season is especially important after the summer months, when business typically slows down. Extending hours on game days and adding food and drink specials helps bring customers back week after week.

“Usually we wouldn’t be this full at this time of day — but football brings everybody out,” said owner Bobby Campbell. “Thursday night, Friday night, Sunday — people are coming out for football.”

For many fans, the season is about more than just the score.“It doesn’t matter who you root for. Lions, 49ers, Patriots — everyone’s here together. That’s the beauty of it,” said Ken Humes, who lives in Palm Desert.

Others say they prefer to watch games at local spots instead of chain restaurants.“You’re supporting your community,” said fan Jesus Patino Jr. “Having a beer, kicking back, and keeping the money local.”

As games continue three nights a week — Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays — business owners say they’re preparing for foot traffic to pick up again!

The return of football means good food, cold drinks, and a chance to come together.

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Shay Lawson

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)  – California’s minimum wage is set to rise to $16.90 an hour on January 1, 2026 according to California’s Department of Finance.

While California’s cost of living varies, recent data indicates cost of living is about 12.6% above the national average according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Some supporters said the higher wage is necessary to help workers keep up.

While some opponents said increasing the minimum wage would increase business costs, forcing companies to pass those expenses on to consumers through higher prices.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear what residents are saying.

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Athena Jreij

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A high-speed chase through the Coachella Valley ended with an attempted murder suspect in custody.

The Desert Hot Springs Police Department posted the wild video of the chase to their social media account, commenting, “Another dangerous individual off the streets thanks to the proactive work of our officers.”

Officials say it all began on September 3rd, when officers spotted the suspect behind the wheel of a vehicle. When deputies tried to pull him over, the driver refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit that topped over 100 miles per hour on the freeway.

The chase eventually ended at a home where the suspect jumped out and ran from officers.

He was tased and was taken into custody. Authorities say he’s now facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder.

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Timothy Foster

CHERRY VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — A young man is dead and a woman hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash involving a Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy on Saturday morning.

The collision occurred at approximately 10:03 a.m. on September 6, 2025, at the intersection of Cherry Valley Boulevard and Roberts Street.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash involved a 2018 Tesla Model 3, driven by 21-year-old male from Cherry Valley, and a 2018 Ford Explorer patrol vehicle driven by a 41-year-old male deputy from the Cabazon Station.

Authorities say the deputy was responding to a call for service with emergency lights and sirens activated, traveling westbound on Cherry Valley Boulevard. At the same time, the Tesla was stopped at the intersection, southbound on Roberts Street. For reasons still under investigation, the Tesla made a left turn onto Cherry Valley Boulevard and was broadsided by the oncoming patrol SUV.

The 21-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, a 20-year-old female, also of Cherry Valley, was transported to a local hospital with major injuries.

The deputy suffered minor injuries and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Investigators say alcohol or drugs do not appear to be factors, but the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Athena Jreij

JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Fire crews are battling a 500+ acre brush fire in Jurupa Valley this weekend.

Cal Fire officials say the Pyrite Fire began Friday afternoon around 5 p.m. near Pyrite Street and Granite Hills Drive, spreading quickly in the hills above the 60 freeway.

As of Saturday evening, the fire stands at 521 acres with 10% containment.

Nearly 300 fire personnel have been deployed to contain the flames. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued and some still remain in place this evening.

An emergency shelter for evacuees has been set up at Jurupa Valley High School. Pets and animals can be taken to Riverside County West Animal Shelter on Van Buren Blvd.

There are no reports of injuries or damage to structures at this time. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

Current evacuation orders according to CalFire:

Evacuation ORDERS for the following zones have been DOWNGRADED to WARNINGS:

JUR-0017

JUR-0018

JUR-0019

JUR-0031

The Evacuation WARNINGS have been lifted and return to normal status for the following zones:

JUR-0034

JUR-0036

JUR-0020

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Shay Lawson

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ)  – The search continues for the suspect who killed a 17-year-old boy and wounded two other adolescent males in a shooting early August.

Riverside County Sheriff’s identified the 17-year-old boy as Alberto Castillo Jr.

The shooting unfolded August 2nd, when deputies said they were dispatched around 4 a.m. to the 49000 block of Corte Molino for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.

When they arrived, they found three men suffering from gunshot wounds and began performing life-saving measures.

Castillo Jr. died at the scene. The two other victims were taken to local hospitals for medical treatment in critical condition.

No arrests have been made, and investigators have not released information about possible suspects.

The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Central Homicide Unit Master Investigator Castaneda at (951) 955-2777 or Thermal Station Investigator Glasper at (760) 863-8990

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Shay Lawson

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $1.8 billion.

It is the second-largest lottery prize ever in the United States, just behind the $2.04 billion jackpot won in California in November 2022.  

The latest draw comes after 41 straight drawings without a jackpot winner, fueling the leap from $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion ahead of Saturday’s drawing.  

The two main options for lottery winners are the lump sum and the annuity payment methods.

The estimated cash value is approximately $826.4 million before taxes.  

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 22-year-old man accused of gunning down an Indio resident during a confrontation outside a home must stand trial on first-degree murder and other charges, a judge ruled today.  

Ruben Molina was arrested last year following an Indio Police Department investigation into the slaying of 23-year-old Carlos Arriaga.  

At the end of a preliminary hearing Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Anthony Villalobos found there was sufficient evidence to bound Molina over for trial on the murder count, illegal possession of a firearm and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, as well as an allegation of perpetrating a crime while on bail.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Sept. 18 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Molina is being held on $2 million bail at the Benoit Detention Center.

According to the Indio Police Department, in the predawn hours of Aug. 24, 2024, the defendant was involved in an unspecified confrontation with Arriaga at a property in the 80000 block of Jennifer Court, just east of Clinton Street.

During the encounter, Molina allegedly pulled a handgun and opened fire, mortally wounding the victim, police said.

A possible motive was not disclosed.

As witnesses called 911, the defendant fled the location, according to investigators.

Arriaga was taken to nearby Desert Regional Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

Detectives developed leads within a few hours pointing to Molina as the alleged shooter, and he was taken into custody without incident on Avenue 44 in Indio that morning.

He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Tonight, a News Channel 3 exclusive: the life and legacy of Harold Matzner, in his own words.

Matzner died Thursday at Eisenhower Health after a battle with an illness.

News Channel 3’s Peter Daut recently spoke with Matzner in what ended up being his final interview.

Matzner was unable to do the interview with Peter in person because of health issues, but he still took the time to speak with me by phone. Little did we know it would be his very last interview.

Coming up at 6 p.m., we’ll have part two of our exclusive interview with Matzner, including his thoughts on the future of philanthropy here in the Coachella Valley.

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