Category: kesq-local-news

Cynthia White

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Communities around the Coachella Valley will be recognizing and honoring our nation’s brave heroes at Veterans Day celebrations this week. Here are some of the local events dedicated to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Monday, November 10, 5:30 p.m. – Stars, Stripes, & Songs – A Celebration of Veterans presented by McCallum Theatre and City of Palm Desert | McCallum Theatre – 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CAA special evening dedicated to honoring all who have served, along with their families whose love and sacrifices strengthen our nation. Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. with a patriotic pre-show celebration, followed by a USO-style performance of patriotic classics and uplifting American standards taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. An ice cream social follows the performance to end the evening. Tickets are $30.00 – Veteran tickets are $15 with promo code THANKYOU50. For ticket purchase and information, visit www.mccallumtheatre.org.

Tuesday, November 11, 7:00 a.m. – City of Indio Veterans Day 5k Run/Walk | Empire Polo Club – 81800 51st Avenue, Indio, CACelebrate and honor our nation’s heroes at this community event. This year’s 5K Run/Walk supports the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation and American Legion Post 739, bringing the community together for a fun, family-friendly morning filled with fitness, gratitude, and community pride. Tickets are $43.40, with discounted pricing for veterans and children under 10 free. For ticket purchase and information visit runsignup.com/Race/CA/Indio/IndioVeterans5K.

Tuesday, November 11, 9:00 a.m. – City of La Quinta Veterans Recognition Ceremony | La Quinta City Hall Courtyard, 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CAThe City of La Quinta invites the community to attend as it recognizes the dedication of 20 local veterans and honors the contributions and sacrifices of all service members at the city’s annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony. There will be a dedicated flyover by the Palm Springs Air Museum. Admission is free. For information, visit playinlaquinta.com/event/veterans-recognition-ceremony/ or follow the City of La Quinta on Instagram or Facebook.

Tuesday, November 11, 10:00 a.m. – City of Desert Hot Springs Veterans Day Ceremony | Veterans Park, 10101 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CAThe City of Desert Hot Springs invites the community to join it in honoring, celebrating, and expressing gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country. This event will pay tribute to the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans with special presentations, patriotic music, and community reflections to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Admission is free. For information, visit cityofdhs.org/event/veterans-day-ceremony-3/.

Tuesday, November 11, 10:00 a.m. – City of Cathedral City Veterans Day Ceremony | Desert Memorial Park, 31705 Da Vall Drive, Cathedral City, CAHosted by American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66 and the Jon Castro Chapter of Veterans For Peace, the ceremony will honor our nation’s veterans and fallen heroes. Cathedral City Councilmember Rita Lamb will present awards to students who won an essay and poetry contest titled “Thank You Letter to Veterans.” The ceremony will feature musical performances, a benediction, and speakers including Palm Springs City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein and James Apedaile, national president of American Veterans For Equal Rights (AVER). Lee Wilson of the Fallen Heroes Project will introduce Gold Star Family members who will be speaking. Special recognition will be given to Palm Springs Police Officer Jorge Diaz, a Marine Corps veteran, and Natalina Garritano, a World War II survivor who was rescued by an American Army soldier. The event is free and open to the public. For information, contact Tom Swann Hernandez at (760) 324-5670 or tomswannhernandez@earthlink.net.

Tuesday, November 11, 10:00 a.m. – City of Indian Wells Veterans Day Ceremony | City Hall, 44950 Eldorado Drive, Indian Wells, CAA special ceremony with light refreshments. Admission is free.

Tuesday, November 11, 11:00 a.m. – Coachella Valley Cemetery District Veterans Day Ceremony | 82925 52nd Avenue, CoachellaAdmission is free.

Tuesday, November 11, 11:00 a.m. – General Patton Memorial Museum Veterans Day Celebration | 62510 Chiriaco Road, Chiriaco Summit, CASponsored by Intersect Power, LLC, the event commemorates those who have served, as well as families, featuring USO-style entertainment, a Salute to Veterans Fly Over, special presentations, a raffle for a free tank ride, and more. Guests are invited to take part in creating a permanent rock garden beneath the Patriot Tree in remembrance of those we have lost. Bring a decorated rock or decorate one at the event as a lasting symbol of tribute, hope, and healing with a name, a message, or a meaningful design.The ceremony will include a recorded message from Helen Patton, granddaughter of General Patton, award presentations to Wounded Warriors of America and Indio Mayor Glenn Miller, as well as a tribute to Harold Matzner, a benefactor of the Matzner Tank Pavilion.There will be a food truck on hand with hot dogs and more, and tank rides are available for a fee. Admission is free. for information, call the museum at 760-507-4143.

Tuesday, November 11, 3:30 p.m. – City of Palm Springs 28th Annual Veterans Day Parade & Concert: Honoring All Who Serve | Downtown Palm Springs – The parade will run along Palm Canyon Drive from Ramon Road to Alejo Road, Palm Springs, CAFor over a decade, the City of Palm Springs has been officially designated as a Regional Site for the observance of Veterans Day by Veterans Day National Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Palm Springs Veterans Parade is of the largest in Southern California and a powerful tribute to the men and women of our military, featuring military units, marching bands, veterans’ organizations, and more. The parade concludes with a patriotic concert by the 300th Army Reserve Band, followed by a fireworks finale. Admission is free. For information, visit psveteransday.com.

Tuesday, November 11, 6:30 p.m. – 4th annual Military Appreciation Night | Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Road, Palm Desert, CAThe Coachella Valley Firebirds will honor the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s service members during Military Appreciation Night, presented by Spotlight 29 Casino. The first 7,500 fans in attendance will receive a Firebirds Military-Themed Bucket Hat, courtesy of Spotlight 29 Casino. There will be a large banner on the plaza for guests to sign and share personal messages of appreciation. Following the game, the completed banner will be presented as a heartfelt symbol of gratitude from the Coachella Valley community. The pregame celebration will also include a traditional Cake Cutting Ceremony featuring the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance, commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and honoring the legacy of those who have served.Spotlight 29 Casino activities include a concourse photo booth, American flags distributed to guests throughout the night, a t-shirt toss featuring custom military-themed shirts, and other giveaways. Ticket pricing varies. For information and tickets, visit acrisurearena.com.

Wednesday, November 12, 5:00 p.m. – Palm Springs Veterans Dinner & Concert in the Park | Downtown Park, 230 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CAVeterans and active-duty military members are invited to join the Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department for a complimentary dinner followed by a patriotic concert in the park. Each attending veteran will receive a Letter of Thanks, a Challenge Coin, and an American Flag as a token of gratitude for their service. Dinner starts at 5:00 p.m., followed by the concert beginning at 7:00 p.m. For information, visit palmspringsca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8507/23.

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Jesus Reyes

MORONGO VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Morongo Valley man was arrested on suspicion of murder after fatally stabbing a man and severely injuring a woman at their home early Wednesday morning.

The incident was first reported at around 3:10 a.m. on the 51000 block of Twentynine Palms Highway.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies originally responded to the area for an “unknown problem.” When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a woman with visible lacerations to the left side of her face, neck and left shoulder area.

Investigators learned that the woman was asleep on a chair inside the residence and woke up to see the suspect, a 41-year-old man, in the kitchen. The suspect then stabbed a 58-year-old man, ultimately killing him, and stabbed the woman prior to fleeing the scene.

The suspect was no longer at the incident location when deputies arrived.

“Detectives determined the suspect was known to live at the same incident location in another residence,” reads a SBCSD news release.

The suspect was found inside the residence and placed under arrest. He remains in custody in lieu of bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Jail records show he is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com. 

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The party has officially begun in Palm Springs as the city kicks off its annual Pride weekend.

Day One of the celebration brings vibrant energy to the Arenas District, where the annual Day de la Reina block party will take center stage Friday evening. The free event, running from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., celebrates all the queens and kings of Palm Springs with an exciting mix of live entertainment, local artists, and beverage stations lining the streets.

Visitors and locals alike will fill the area to enjoy music, performances, and a colorful atmosphere that highlights the diversity and spirit of the Palm Springs community.

This weekend’s Pride festivities continue with a full lineup of events throughout the city, all leading up to the highly anticipated Palm Springs Pride Parade on Sunday.

For a complete schedule of Pride events, click here.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) –  It’s groundbreaking day! News Channel 3 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are teaming up once again for the 7th annual St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. 

Each year, News Channel 3 partners with St. Jude Children’s Hospital for this fundraiser to help families of children battling cancer.

For more information, including how to register for alerts when tickets go on sale, click here

The builders, along with St. Jude, local elected officials, and News Channel 3 crew, were on the site Thursday morning with their shovels. 

The house is being built by GHA Companies within the Silver Spur Ranch community, right next to the Living Desert Zoo, in Palm Desert. The house has an estimated value of $1,250,000.

House Details:

3 bedrooms, 3.5 bath home with approx. 2,600 sq. ft.

Flex room to use as you see fit

Single Story Home

3 Car Garage

Open Concept Floor Plan

Upgraded kitchen with large island and walk in pantry

Large property

Within walking distance to the Living Zoo and El Paseo shopping plus dining

Tickets will go on sale on December 5 for $100. Get your tickets by the following

December 5 – 19, 2025 Tickets on Sale prize promotional spots run

$2,500 VISA gift card, courtesy of The Law Offices of Jeffrey Weaver – Deadline: Friday, December 19, 2025

December 20, 2025 – January 9, 2026 Early Bird prize promotional spots run

Michael Phelps Legend Series LSX 900 hot tub with cover, courtesy of Master Spas® – Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026

January 10 – February 6, 2026 Bonus prize promotional spots run

Fuel for a year, valued at $3,000 – Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026

The house and other prizes will be given away on KESQ News Channel 3 on March 10, 2026.

Stay with News Channel 3 for all your Dream Home updates so you don’t miss your chance to get your tickets.

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Kendall Flynn

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s almost Veteran’s Day and locals are helping honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including students at La Quinta High School.

Students in the high school Culinary Academy are preparing and serving meals to 150 local veterans and active duty public servants for a “Feed the Heroes Lunch.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from attendees and students about the importance of the lunch ahead of Veteran’s Day.

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Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Federal Aviation Administration is set to cut flight volume at 40 U.S. airports. Palm Springs International Airport is not one of those airports; however, it does have flights to some of the destinations on the list.

The cuts are the result of the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has led to staffing issues among air-traffic controllers. The controllers are considered essential workers who are instructed to continue working despite the closure, and not receiving paychecks.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the cuts are set to start Friday if the shutdown continues.

“I anticipate there will be additional disruptions,” Duffy said during a Washington, D.C., news conference Wednesday afternoon. “There will be frustration. We are working with the airlines. They’re going to work with passengers. But in the end, our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible.”

PSP spokesperson Jake Ingrassia wrote in a statement that travelers are encouraged to contact their airline directly for the most up-to-date flight information.

You can also check for updates on PSP’s Flight Status page.

Check Out: Here’s what to do if your flight is canceled or delayed

According to the air-travel tracking website FlightAware, 19 flights originating at LAX have already been canceled on Friday, along with 17 incoming flights, as of early Thursday afternoon. By comparison, only four outbound and four inbound flight cancellations were reported at LAX on Thursday.

At Ontario, two outbound and two incoming flights on Friday had already been canceled by Thursday afternoon, compared to none on Thursday.   

In San Diego, seven inbound Friday flights had already been canceled as of Thursday, along with nine inbound flights. That compared to only one each on Thursday.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle will have more on the issue. Watch his report starting at 4 p.m.

List of Airports’ flight capacity reduction:

1 ANC Anchorage International

2 ATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

3 BOS Boston Logan International

4 BWI Baltimore/Washington International

5 CLT Charlotte Douglas International

6 CVG Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International

7 DAL Dallas Love

8 DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National

9 DEN Denver International

10 DFW Dallas/Fort Worth International

11 DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County

12 EWR Newark Liberty International

13 FLL Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International

14 HNL Honolulu International

15 HOU Houston Hobby

16 IAD Washington Dulles International

17 IAH George Bush Houston Intercontinental

18 IND Indianapolis International

19 JFK New York John F Kennedy International

20 LAS Las Vegas McCarran International

21 LAX Los Angeles International

22 LGA New York LaGuardia

23 MCO Orlando International

24 MDW Chicago Midway

25 MEM Memphis International

26 MIA Miami International

27 MSP Minneapolis/St Paul International

28 OAK Oakland International

29 ONT Ontario International

30 ORD Chicago O`Hare International

31 PDX Portland International

32 PHL Philadelphia International

33 PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International

34 SAN San Diego International

35 SDF Louisville International

36 SEA Seattle/Tacoma International

37 SFO San Francisco International

38 SLC Salt Lake City International

39 TEB Teterboro

40 TPA Tampa International

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Athena Jreij

MORONGO VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — The person who intentionally killed a 50-year-old Morongo Valley man last month in a hit-and-run is still on the loose, according to the man’s family and authorities. 

Chris Garcia was killed on October 27 after a traffic collision at the intersection of Hess Boulevard and Senilis Avenue in Morongo Valley. His wife was in the car during the crash and says they were rear-ended by another vehicle near Highway 62. 

When both cars pulled over to exchange information, Garcia and the suspect got into a heated argument. That’s when his wife says he was intentionally run over by the suspect and left for dead. 

San Bernardino County Sheriffs said in a press release, “CHP was initially dispatched to the location for a vehicle versus pedestrian and possible hit and run. CHP requested deputies after they arrived on scene, because they determined the victim was intentionally struck by a vehicle.”

Garcia’s wife spoke with News Channel 3 under the condition of anonymity, out of fear of retaliation from the suspect.

“My husband was walking back to my car, the guy actually put it in reverse and backed up and then floored it and rammed right into my car, the back of my car with my daughter in it still. He then backed up and proceeded to go around my vehicle, which he then struck my husband and drug him under the truck,” his wife said.

She went on to say, “So I got out of the passenger seat. My daughter, you know, she’s only six, she’s in the backseat screaming, don’t leave me by myself, I’m scared. I’m like, well, you know, I got to find Chris. I got out and told my daughter, just keep her eyes closed and that Chris needed help. I found him and he was still breathing, but he was already unresponsive.”

Garcia’s wife says his body laid in the intersection for hours as investigators worked the scene.

“The detectives, I get it they’re busy and stuff, but my husband body is laying in intersection until like 7:30 the next morning,” she said.

Now, the family is left searching for a suspect and for answers in what seems like a senseless tragedy.

“It didn’t need to happen. I don’t understand, like why he didn’t just drive around and leave. All this over what? I don’t even have answers to the what? Like was he under the influence? Was it just road rage? You know, we don’t know. I have no idea.”

News Channel 3 reached out to SBCSD who said they are still working the investigation. They were unable to provide a suspect description upon asking.

If you’d like to support the Garcia family, visit: Celebrate Chris’s Life with Love.

Those with information are encouraged to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com. 

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Daniella Lake

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – CV Link has officially opened to the public with its first grand opening ceremony in Coachella today.

The CV Link runs 40 miles across the Coachella Valley, from Palm Springs to Coachella. There’ll be other grand opening ceremonies in La Quinta, Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Palm Springs. You can learn more here.

The 40 mile path has been 14 years in the making, and it’s had a few bumps along the way. KESQ has reported on homeless encampments, limited guardrails, and confusing signage on the path.

Although it’s meant to connect all the cities in the valley, the cities of Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells  opted out of the project. 

The Coachella Valley Association of Governments says they hope the 40 mile path will transform recreation for residents. 

“The link provides an option for folks. There are some people that are willing to get on their bike and take a chance with traffic. It’s not for me and certainly not for my kids…and not for a lot of adults,” says Tom Kirk, CVAG’s executive director.

Nearly 1,000 bicyclists are hit and killed by a motor vechile every year, according to the Center for Disease Control.

“I’ve been run over twice. One in an intersection with lights and one at a stop intersection. Some of the people in my crew have been personally run over and hit,” says Wenceslao Rodriguez, a Coachella local.

He’s been biking in the area since he was a kid. Now, he says he’s grateful to have an option that feels safer.

“We don’t have to worry about somebody just coming over here and trying to deal with getting run over,” Rodriguez says.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Police arrested a second person in connection with a recent spree of burglaries and vandalism in Indio.

The suspect, a 34-year-old man, was arrested Wednesday just before 2 p.m., on the 82000 block of Avenue 48, Indio police announced.

He was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio and faces multiple felony charges.

The case dates back to last month, when nearly 10 small businesses in Indio were broken into and vandalized.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on Oct. 29.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the  Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057 or Crime Stoppers at (760)-341-STOP to provide information anonymously.

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Cynthia White

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Care Network kicked off Palm Springs Pride weekend with a ceremonial unfurling of the Pride Flag from the El Mirador Bell Tower at Desert Regional Medical Center on Wednesday.

“Our unfurling of the Pride flag has grown into a cherished tradition at our hospital,” said Desert Regional Medical Center CEO Mike Ditoro. “The Bell Tower on our Stergios Building is an historic landmark for the City of Palm Springs, and it is inspiring to so many of us to see the flag welcoming everyone to town for one of Palm Springs’ biggest events.”

The role of honorary flag bearer went to Carl Taussig-Eilman, RN, who started at Desert Regional Medical Center as a monitor tech in 2015, graduated from nursing school in 2018 and rose through the ranks to become a Clinical Manager for the ICU, and most recently, a House Supervisor.

“Displaying the rainbow flag, especially on such a grand scale, serves as a signal that Desert Regional is a safe space and acts as a life-saving invitation to care,” said Taussig-Eilman. “That commitment is one of the reasons I’m so proud to have worked here for the last 10 years.”

Desert Regional Medical Center has been a participant and sponsor of Palm Springs Pride for many years – This year marks the 10th year the hospital has celebrated the unfurling of the Pride flag. The hospital also has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for its dedication to providing a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ patients, staff, and visitors.

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